On The Scythian Comparative Evidence For The Identification Of Soma – An Extract From ‘The Transcendent Indo-European Typology Of The God Of Masks’

This is an extract from my (second) substantive article on the Indo-European 'Interpretatio' of Dionysus which we ran last year - this portion focusing upon the empowering elixir known variously as Soma , Kvasir , the Mead of Poetry - and how it is evident that the Indo-European traditions around this diverged, with an emphasis … Continue reading On The Scythian Comparative Evidence For The Identification Of Soma – An Extract From ‘The Transcendent Indo-European Typology Of The God Of Masks’

Devi Durga As Mahishasura Mardini – Glorious Modern Hindu (A)Art(i) For Friday, Devi’s Day

Amazing modern (A)art(i) for Friday - Devi's Day. Durga as Mahishasura Mardini - the Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon. Dawon, Her Lion Vahana [vehicle/steed] is looming behind. And Mahishasur, of course, is the exsanguinating horned figure under Her Feet and Spear. To quote from one of my previous works via way of explication - "To this … Continue reading Devi Durga As Mahishasura Mardini – Glorious Modern Hindu (A)Art(i) For Friday, Devi’s Day

The Sword Of The King – On Bhavani And The Famed Bhavani Tulwar Of ShivaJi

[Author's Note: I wrote this some four years ago yesterday. So, as ever, our understandings have grown and evolved in certain areas … including the rather intriguing potential that the Excalibur myth of Britain, wherein a certain female figure associated with The Waters bestows an empowered sword to a leader in order to unify things … Continue reading The Sword Of The King – On Bhavani And The Famed Bhavani Tulwar Of ShivaJi

Wisdom Is A Gods-Given Gift : Use It -Mahabharat Wisdom For The Modern Age

A maxim from the Mahabharat that somebody had posted, in response to the rather obvious question of why devotees attending the Kumbh Mela had not emerged unscathed from the Covid-19 community superspreading there: न देवा दण्डमादाय रक्षन्ति पशुपालवत् ।यं हि रक्षितुमिच्छन्ति बुद्ध्या संयोजयन्ति तम्॥ "Gods do not brandish a cane,Minding men like sheepThey bless with … Continue reading Wisdom Is A Gods-Given Gift : Use It -Mahabharat Wisdom For The Modern Age

The Golden Radiancy Of Somnath Jyotirlinga [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part V]

Apt for a Monday - the ShivLing at Somnath , one of the Twelve (although by some counts thirteen) Jyotirlingam ['Starlight Lingam'] sites; 'Somnath' meaning 'Lord of the Soma' - a prominent Shaivite epithet, theonym, and role. Which it would be interesting to connect to Odin's role in the bringing of the Mead of Poetry. … Continue reading The Golden Radiancy Of Somnath Jyotirlinga [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part V]

Salutations To The Shivas – Glorious Modern Hindu Art Of MahaDeva & Devi, And The Uma Maheshwara Stotram Of Adi Shankara

Beautiful art of Lord Shiva & Devi, by Tanushree Ghosh Goes rather nicely with Adi Shankara's Uma Maheshwara Hymnal: नमः शिवाभ्यां नवयौवनाभ्यांपरस्पराश्लिष्टवपुर्धराभ्याम् ।नगेन्द्रकन्यावृषकेतनाभ्यांनमो नमः शङ्करपार्वतीभ्याम् ॥ 1 ॥ Salutations to Lord Shiva and Goddess Shiva,Who are always in a fresh stage of youth,Who cling to each other in a tight embrace,Of whom one is the … Continue reading Salutations To The Shivas – Glorious Modern Hindu Art Of MahaDeva & Devi, And The Uma Maheshwara Stotram Of Adi Shankara

On Hanuman, The Striker/Thunderer, As Son Of Shiva, The Sky Father – A Textual Collation

It is Thursday - Thor's Day via the familiar late-Germanic reckoning, although in truth and per the older Indo-European schema a Day of the Sky Father: Jupiter (Dies Jovis), Zeus (Hemera Dios), and Brihaspati. This double-linkage of affiliation makes our subject for this post rather apt - a textual concordancy of material pertaining to both … Continue reading On Hanuman, The Striker/Thunderer, As Son Of Shiva, The Sky Father – A Textual Collation

On the Wolf Symbolism integral to Indo-European Warrior Tradition – An Excerpt From Speidel’s “Ancient Germanic Warriors: Warrior Styles from Trajan’s Column to Icelandic Sagas”

"Of all wild animals, wolves are closest to man in social instincts. They respect rank, delight in each other’s company, and are so dedicated to the pack that the Hittite king Hattusilis told his assembly, “May your clan be one, like that of the wolves!” As dogs they are eager and faithful beyond words. Wild … Continue reading On the Wolf Symbolism integral to Indo-European Warrior Tradition – An Excerpt From Speidel’s “Ancient Germanic Warriors: Warrior Styles from Trajan’s Column to Icelandic Sagas”

NRO L-34 ‘Odin’ Satellite Launch Mission Patch – An Indo-European Iconographic Analysis

Appropriate for a Wednesday - another not-quite Techno-Heraldry US military patch. This time, for the NRO (National Reconnaissance Office) L-34 "Odin" satellite launch. Now, there's a few (space) oddities to the patch that may seem a bit peculiar upon first inspection - yet which have perhaps surprising resonances with the underlying characteristics of the project … Continue reading NRO L-34 ‘Odin’ Satellite Launch Mission Patch – An Indo-European Iconographic Analysis