The AtharvaVeda is a trove of interesting and otherwise under-thought of lore. It has to be due to the nature of its subject-matter - the invoking via allusion of elements to pointed projects and intended outcomes. Here are two translations of AV VI 38, entitled by Griffith as "A prayer for surpassing strength and energy" … Continue reading The AtharvaVeda’s Invocation Of The Mother Of Indra To Impart Strength And Splendour To The Worshipper
Hinduism
In Honour Of The BanaLingam Upon The Occasion Of Its Arrival – The Living Altar Of Narmada That Is Shakti & Shiva Rightfully Conjoined
We have attained the BanaLinga ! Yet what is this mighty stone, inset within a shining Yoni of Silver ? The easiest way to explicate it is to start with the very basic and work our way up from there. At its core, a ShivLing is an 'aniconic' embodiment of the Lord Shiva. It may also … Continue reading In Honour Of The BanaLingam Upon The Occasion Of Its Arrival – The Living Altar Of Narmada That Is Shakti & Shiva Rightfully Conjoined
Indo-European Worship Of The God As Guest – A Ritual Primer Overview
'Dost thou know how to ask, dost thou know how to offer,dost thou know how to send, dost thou know how to spend?"- Havamal, verse 143 Something we have often been asked for is a simple 'how-to' for regular devotional offerings / observances. There are certainly a few of these out there for various Indo-European … Continue reading Indo-European Worship Of The God As Guest – A Ritual Primer Overview
Motivational with Nayaka art
"Though silver in your palms weighs lightCompared to death by blast and sword,Do not shy the hopeless fight,For Endeavour is its own reward."The evocative fresco painting comes from the Brihadisvara Temple complex in South India - a Chola site that had been renovated under the (iirc Telugu) Nayaka rulers in the 16th-17th century.
Panchopachar – Guest-Worship Offering In Manner Elemental
We're in the process of producing a really straightforward guide for the broader IE sphere on how to perform a simple 'Guest Worship' rite in your home. The Guests in question, of course, being the Gods thusly invoked. The model we'll be using for this is a Hindu Panchopachar [Pancha - Five ; Upachar - … Continue reading Panchopachar – Guest-Worship Offering In Manner Elemental
Shiva As Kirata – The Hunter Of The Himalayan Wilds
It is MONDAY - Lord Shiva's Day ! And therefore - a fine sculpture of Lord Shiva as Hunter. Now, this particular representation is of Shiva as a Kirata. These days the term refers to a particular and significantly Sino-Tibetan ethnic sphere found in the northeast of the SubContinent (this sculpture is situated in Namchi … Continue reading Shiva As Kirata – The Hunter Of The Himalayan Wilds
Look After Dogs On KaalBhairavJayanti
An important point - KaalBhairav Jayanti is also an occasion where, as an act of piety, we try to do something nice for a dog. Often this entails feeding ; although if you are doing the full style thing, then in Nepal it is common to see dogs having had tilaka applied and garlanded with … Continue reading Look After Dogs On KaalBhairavJayanti
Sri Bhuvanesvari Yantra
[Author's Note: It has since been pointed out to me by an associate whom I trust that this is, in fact, more likely a Surya yantra. I had presumed that the Solar theonymics were due to the association of the Goddess Form with the Sun. The post is left up, otherwise as it is, for … Continue reading Sri Bhuvanesvari Yantra
Of Artemis And Actaeon, The Wolf As Defender Of The Goddess – A Forensic Theology Examination Of A Classical Myth In The Vedas And In The Stars
Many are aware of the broad outlines of the Classical instance of Artemis having Actaeon put to death. Roughly speaking - Actaeon commits an outrage against the Goddess's modesty, and so is turned into a deer and torn to pieces by his own hunting dogs. What few realize is that this particular story is also … Continue reading Of Artemis And Actaeon, The Wolf As Defender Of The Goddess – A Forensic Theology Examination Of A Classical Myth In The Vedas And In The Stars
Vrtraghni Vasti Sustutim – The Hailing Of Ma Saraswati As Unstoppable Warrior Goddess
वर्त्रघ्नी वष्टि सुष्टुतिमVrtraghni Vasti Sustutim‘Foe-Slayer Claims Our Eulogy’ RV VI 61 [Griffith Translation]: 1 To Vadhryasva when he worshipped Her with gifts She gave fierce Divodāsa, canceller of debts[Variant Translation: She gave […] Divodasa Who shakes the debtor]Consumer of the churlish niggard, one and all, Thine, O Sarasvatī, are these effectual boons. 2 She with … Continue reading Vrtraghni Vasti Sustutim – The Hailing Of Ma Saraswati As Unstoppable Warrior Goddess
arya-akasha 