We had earlier had our attention drawn to this verse (and its backdrop) by several associates. It is a work of one of the great Tamil Shaivite saints, Sambandar (also anglicized, as here, as Campantar) - and, as one can immediately see, it is a verse for the simultaneous praising of Lord Shiva, as well … Continue reading The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
Astrology & Jyotisha
For Guru Purnima – And The True Making Of Heroes
Tonight marks one of the most pervasively resonant of the Hindu religious observances - that of Guru Purnima. It is an occasion wherein we honour, as the name should imply, our Gurus and other Teachers. Those who have so enriched our world through the bestowal of that most precious of gifts - their illumination of … Continue reading For Guru Purnima – And The True Making Of Heroes
For Matariki – An Explication Of The Vedic Krttika (Pleiades) Constellation
Today is our first observance of Matariki - which, for our international readers, is a newly minted NZ public holiday for the rising of the Pleiades (Matariki being a Te Reo Māori name for the constellation, as well as for the beginning of the New Year which accompanies its ascent). Now, we are of course … Continue reading For Matariki – An Explication Of The Vedic Krttika (Pleiades) Constellation
Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
Today marks Shaani Jayanti ! Who is Lord Shani ( शनि ) ? An Archer, Crow-associated, Son of the Sky Father ; an Enforcer of Divine Justice and the Cosmic Order. He of the Dread Glare, and the Inevitability - not so much of Time (Kala), but rather of Consequence. This is what 'Shani' means … Continue reading Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
Exquisite Ketu Art – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
For tonight's Lunar Eclipse - fine modern art of Ketu, by Andrey Yarashevich. Now Ketu is the 'tail' of Svarbhanu - following the Censurer of the Sun's decapitation; Rahu being the Head. As a point of interest, the frequent usage of 'Ketu' that we find in the more archaic layers of the Vedas - should … Continue reading Exquisite Ketu Art – For Tonight’s Lunar Eclipse
Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Today is TUESDAY - the Day of Mars (Dies Martis in Latin). Therefore, art of Mangala (a term which, intriguingly, may either mean 'Auspicious' - or Mars, a Graha ['Planet'/'Influencer'] often regarded as rather Inauspicious indeed). He is a General of the militant forces of the Gods, and amidst Their foremost martial champions. And therefore, … Continue reading Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon
Today is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day; however it is also Amavasya - a day with special significance and potential for observances for the Dead (as we have covered in some of our previous pieces looking at the Libations to the Ancestors). What Amavasya means is the 'Dark' point of the Moon's 28-day cycle - … Continue reading Somavati Amavasya – Worship of Shiva and the Ancestors on the Monday of the Dark Moon
Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022
Tonight is Masik Shivratri ['Monthly Night of Shiva'] On MahaShivRatri ['Great Night of Shiva'], we celebrate the glorious and blessed Reunification of Lord Shiva and His Wife, Devi Parvati. And while much attention deservedly goes toward MahaShivRatri, there are also 11 other ShivRatris throughout the year - one for each lunar month, observed on the … Continue reading Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022
Red Coral! For Mars And For Victory
These turned up yesterday. Three Red Coral pendants in silver mountings. As for 'why' - well, there's two overlapping reasons for this acquisition on my part. Red Coral is the Mars Ratna ['Jewel'] - it is worn for Victory, whether that is over external opponents or indeed over one's own self. As a part of … Continue reading Red Coral! For Mars And For Victory
Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
Since it is Shaani's Hora [Saturn's Hour] on a Monday [Moon's Day - Lord Shiva's Day] - and something Lunar resonant has been reminded of … it seemed appropriate to post this. Rahur dhanavamanthri cha simhika chitha nandana,Ardha kaya, sada krodhi, chandradhithya vimardhana Rahu, Vizier of Danavas and Delighter of Simhika [His Mother]Half-Bodied, Ever Wrathful, … Continue reading Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
arya-akasha 