The Fourth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Kushmanda – the Power of the Sun. Now, this is my own somewhat figurative rendering of the name; with a more direct translation working out something like “Warmth of the Cosmic Egg”. And while it might be tempting, I suppose, to think of the Sun … Continue reading Kushmanda – 4th Navadurga, The 4th Night of NavRatri
To Navigate The Seas Of The Sun – What Kepler’s Letter To Galileo Can Tell Us About Reading The Past
I've had this quote upon my mind since this morning. It's from a letter written by Kepler to Galileo in April of 1610: "There will certainly be no lack of human pioneers when we have mastered the art of flight. Who would have thought that navigation across the vast ocean is less dangerous and quieter … Continue reading To Navigate The Seas Of The Sun – What Kepler’s Letter To Galileo Can Tell Us About Reading The Past
Brahmacharini – The Second of the NavaDurgas, The Second Night of NavRatri
The Second Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Brahmacharini – the Seeker of the Absolute. This is a rather direct rendering of Her theonym, as can be seen from the constituent parts: Brahman, and Charya (Charini is the feminine form of this noun). But what is actually meant by these terms, and what … Continue reading Brahmacharini – The Second of the NavaDurgas, The Second Night of NavRatri
Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
The first night of NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Shailaputri – the Daughter of the Mountain. As noted in the introductory piece, the Mountain in question refers to King Himavat – the Lord of the Himalayas, and the father of Parvati [‘[Daughter] Of the Mountain’] in this particular cycle of Her incarnation. However, I … Continue reading Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
Navratri – The Nine Nights of Goddess Durga
Tonight marks the start of NavRatri – the Nine Nights of Goddess Durga. In North Indian tradition, we mark each one of the Nine as being dedicated to a particular NavaDurga Aspect of MataDI; whereas in South India, it is more common to regard it as three sets of three days apiece – one for … Continue reading Navratri – The Nine Nights of Goddess Durga
The Departure And Arrival Of No Moon – Sarva Pitru Amavasya And Devi Mahalaya
Tonight marks the last night of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors; and is also the MahaLaya event which precedes and forms a bridge with the NavRatri (Nine Nights) of Goddess Durga yet to come. The purposes of this occasion, then, whether regarded as Sarva Pitru Amavasya, or as the 'prelude' to NavRatri, … Continue reading The Departure And Arrival Of No Moon – Sarva Pitru Amavasya And Devi Mahalaya
A Lesser Son Of Greater ForeFathers – A Thought On The Last Night Of Pitru Paksha
"To be Indo-European, I think, means to be acutely conscious that one is the lesser son of Greater (Fore)Fathers." Tonight marks the end of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors; and that maxim, which I've been turning over in my head ever since it first ... turned up therein, seemed an appropriate thought … Continue reading A Lesser Son Of Greater ForeFathers – A Thought On The Last Night Of Pitru Paksha
Cybele In Spain – The Return of Myth to Madrid
It is FRIDAY - Therefore, Devi-otional (A)Art(I) One theme I've attempted to weave into my work is "Indo-Europeanism For The Modern Age" - the notion, the concept that what we do is not merely "mythology", in the sense of pouring over musty tomes [and/or online scan-uploads of same] to attempt to describe and detail the … Continue reading Cybele In Spain – The Return of Myth to Madrid
#NAS Liturgy – WE HAVE PURPOSE
"Without RATRI, there can be no AARTI,-" "We have purpose" "Without KAAL, there can be no SVAR,-" "We have purpose" "Without VIDYUTA, there can be no VEDA,-" "We have purpose" "Without TRISHULA, there can be no TRILOKA,-" "We have purpose" "Without KRITYA there can be no KRIPA,-" "We have purpose" "Without DHARMA-YUDDHA there can be … Continue reading #NAS Liturgy – WE HAVE PURPOSE
NandiJi – Seneschal of the Shaivite House
It is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day ; Therefore, in a bit of a different spin to usual, a hail to an under-acknowledged figure - Nandi Puja. Nandi means "Happiness", and is also a way to refer to an inceptor - an opening prayer, particularly in a dramatic context. He is the Vahana of Shiva, … Continue reading NandiJi – Seneschal of the Shaivite House
arya-akasha 