In amidst the fusillading frequency of my Ganesha posting this week, we had had a rather intriguing question. Namely, whether - given the irreducibly Elephantine iconography of Ganesha - there were any clear cognates for this in the Western (i.e. European) Indo-European sphere. I have to say - none spring instantly to mind. Which doesn't … Continue reading On A Potential Afghan Origination For The Elephant Visage Of Lord Ganesha
Afghanistan
Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
[Author's Note: This piece was originally intended for India's 2022 Independence Day observances. However, ill-health and fatigue on my part meant that it could not be completed in time. I therefore present the finished half today - and shall follow up with the subsequent portion and conclusion as and when it is ready.] And so … Continue reading Glory, Even Amidst Ruins – The Lessons Of Some Previous Historic Resistances To Foreign Dominions
Of Rudra Bhava & Χαος Amidst The Indo-Greeks
It is MONDAY - Lord Shiva's Day ! And therefore … something perhaps unexpected. A 'Greek' Rudra ! As pointed out to me by that eminent explorer of such finds, the sage Manasataramgini. Now, in the course of our work we have frequently discussed how the north-western zone of the ancient Hindusphere formed quite the … Continue reading Of Rudra Bhava & Χαος Amidst The Indo-Greeks
On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
This would appear to be a case of, as the kids might say - "New School Nikes, Old School Kicks". But one point absolutely must be made here - Mahmud of Ghazni was a warlord who fought and died of disease a millennium ago. He is, in a word - "history", a footnote. Cleaved to … Continue reading On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
In our field, we are so often delving into impressive legends of long ago - myths about men who once lived and wrought deeds so mighty that they seem frankly 'incredible' (in the old sense of the term) today. And that can leave one quite jaded about the modern era for reasons that ought be … Continue reading The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
Islamic Influence On A Kalasha Rite
As we have previously asserted, the emphasis upon the Kalasha as some sort of 'More Pure' and 'Pre-Vedic' Hinduism is mistaken. There is no doubt that they - as with any other surviving Indo-European faith - do preserve very ancient and archaic elements indeed; however, the belief that this places them as an unadulterated "pre-Vedic" … Continue reading Islamic Influence On A Kalasha Rite
Grandfather In The Sky – An Account Of Nuristani Imro Appearing To His Shamans, Situated In Indo-European Context
It is Wednesday - Woden's Day - and therefore, something a little different. This is another excerpt from Richard Strand's interview with the Nuristani Vasi headman, Zaman Xan, in 1973. See if you notice anything … familiar sounding from a comparative Indo-European perspective: Speaking of his tribe's shamans, and their manner for encountering Imra / … Continue reading Grandfather In The Sky – An Account Of Nuristani Imro Appearing To His Shamans, Situated In Indo-European Context
Interview With A Nuristani – The Mediation Via Memory Of Some Detail Of Their Once-Living Faith
Earlier this week, we ran an article looking at some of the issues with Kalasha / Nuristani religion - specifically, why claims of its being a somehow 'more pure' and 'pre-Vedic' Indo-Aryan faith don't really stack up. I said in the course of that piece that I'd be adding more substantive material in subsequent efforts, … Continue reading Interview With A Nuristani – The Mediation Via Memory Of Some Detail Of Their Once-Living Faith
The Religion(s) Of The Kalash & Nuristanis – Psychoanalyzing The Pre-Occupation With Proclaiming Them ‘Pre-Vedic’
Something I have meant to write upon for some time, are the religions of the Kalasha and Nuristani groups found in the mountainous northern borderlands of Pakistan and Afghanistan. They attract attention for obvious reasons - because they are not what we expect from this area. This is partially because of their sympathetically resonant story … Continue reading The Religion(s) Of The Kalash & Nuristanis – Psychoanalyzing The Pre-Occupation With Proclaiming Them ‘Pre-Vedic’
Durga Near Ghazni – A “Buddhist” Representation Afghanistan’s Hindu Past – Arte-Facts #10
Further art and artefact representation for Vijayadashami - a fragmentary Durga MahishasuraMardini depiction from Tapa Sardar in modern-day Afghanistan near Ghazni; then part of Zabul. Even though most of the statue is now missing (all that is blue or green in the reconstruction), it's still impressive! Especially considering that head, alone, is about 64 cm … Continue reading Durga Near Ghazni – A “Buddhist” Representation Afghanistan’s Hindu Past – Arte-Facts #10
arya-akasha 