Part One: The Opening of the Ways [Illustration is one of the fine Enodia marble relief works, from Kozani in what was once Macedonia, and dated to mid-late 2nd-3rd century AD; assumedly a votive offering. 'Enodia' can be seen written across the top, next to Her head. Note also the presence of the Horse and … Continue reading Of Goddesses, Gods, and Ghosts at the Crossroads – A Comparative Indo-European Exploration [Extract 1]
Uncategorized
Subsequent Comments On Sky Father Theonymy – The Baltic And Luwian Situations Briefly Considered
One of the more … frequently referred to articles we've got up upon the site is the piece discussing that lamentably frequently recurrent claim about Tyr somehow being the 'original' Germanic Sky Father, displaced subsequently by Odin. You can take a read of that here: https://aryaakasha.com/2020/07/22/dyaus-deva-deus-tyr-many-gods-one-sky-father/ Now, a few days ago we had a comment … Continue reading Subsequent Comments On Sky Father Theonymy – The Baltic And Luwian Situations Briefly Considered
‘Hinduism in the Hinterlands’ – On Putting The ‘Vishvam’ Back Into ‘Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam’
Every so often we run into people insisting that Hinduism can only ever be for current Indians. This is Khmer king Jayavarman II, accompanied by his Purohit, Sivakaivalya, performing oblation to Rudra upon a Shivling. Jayavarman II forged an empire; was a patron of Brahmanas; and had temples built to the Gods. Indeed, religious contribution … Continue reading ‘Hinduism in the Hinterlands’ – On Putting The ‘Vishvam’ Back Into ‘Krinvanto Vishvam Aryam’
Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
This is just absolutely exquisite. 14th century Nepali depiction of Devi Durga as Mahishasura Mardini ['Slayer of the Buffalo[-headed] Demon'], in copper. There's a real glorious sense of motion to the sculpture, and you can just imagine how radiant this would have looked in the original bright (dare we suggest almost 'saffron') hues of the … Continue reading Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
Empowerment Unity – On The Essential Potency Of An Approach Both ‘Indo-‘ As Well As ‘-European’
There has recently been some argument on twitter about the necessity (or otherwise) of drawing from the still-living Indo-European religious spheres of the East, to aid and avail the ongoing resurrection efforts for the Indo-European religious spheres of the (European) West. As applies our thinking and envisioning upon this front, perhaps one such element may … Continue reading Empowerment Unity – On The Essential Potency Of An Approach Both ‘Indo-‘ As Well As ‘-European’
brief notes on ‘eternal return’ – in answer to questions from a reader [Arya Akasha Arka]
Continuing my series of posting answers to questions sent in by readers, which others may find of use: "There is one thing that I want to ask, though - what is the 'Eliadian Eternal Return' you speak of in so many places?" I have addressed this elsewhere at greater length and depth and detail, but … Continue reading brief notes on ‘eternal return’ – in answer to questions from a reader [Arya Akasha Arka]
On Minerva And The Very Threatening Cat
…as it happens, I Have Theology For That. Specifically, it's a Puranic account [Shiva Purana, VII 1 25] wherein … well, we'll quote from the Shastri translation. Effectively what happens is Devi is meditating in a forest grove, and a ferocious tiger turns up, sees Her and feels that this female is "Ah .. Lunch." … Continue reading On Minerva And The Very Threatening Cat
A Brief Rant About A Curious Academic Omission
RARGH! I'm writing two [abstracts for] academic conference papers atm that are about, effectively, the continuity of some pretty important stuff from the Vedic era to the current day. Namely, i) Goddess elements (and Shakta theology specifically); and ii) one of Rudra's retinues that's pointedly all-female, very well armed, and metaphysically powerful. And, like, I … Continue reading A Brief Rant About A Curious Academic Omission
Hestia & Vak – The Voice In The Flame Of The Goddess At The Center Of Indo-European Faith !
Over and over again, we are told that prominent Goddess figures are somehow 'foreign' to the Indo-European world - that these 'have' to have been picked up from various non-IE groups, and in any case 'must' be merely peripheral to the actual Indo-European religions, much less the archaic Proto-Indo-European belief from which it all descends. … Continue reading Hestia & Vak – The Voice In The Flame Of The Goddess At The Center Of Indo-European Faith !
“Not without pains are the Gods made friends”
"Not without pains are the Gods made friends" Kaegi / Arrowsmith translation (1886) A line from RV IV 33 11, in the words of the Rsi Vamadeva Gautama, that has stuck with me this morning. For additional clarity - here's three further translations from the past century and a half of the same verse. "Not … Continue reading “Not without pains are the Gods made friends”
arya-akasha 