Earlier, we had a question to the page around a seeming similarity between a Thunderbolt carried by a Roman deific statue - and the famed Vajra so prominent in the Hindu (and Buddhist) sphere. Particularly, around whether what was seen in Hindu art had some deliberate iconographic coterminity with the Trishula (Trident). As applies the … Continue reading Some Brief Points On The Vajra
Demon-Slaying For Fun And Prophet
Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
It is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day. And therefore - fine Roudran (A)Art-i. In this case - potentially - as Midhvan, and we shall explicate that term momentarily. Now, when one thinks of a figure of rather … apocalyptic significance turning up riding a white horse, it is perhaps rare that one's mind would immediately … Continue reading Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
On The Flaming Swords Of Odin & Agni & Rudra – An Excerpt
It is WEDNESDAY - Woden's Day - And Therefore, as has become our custom … we present an (A)Arti-cle. In this case, it is an excerpt from our previous 'On Odin As Agni', and looks at the correlation of Flames and Swords found with both deific expressions. Enjoy! (Also, N.B.: various of the conceptry involved … Continue reading On The Flaming Swords Of Odin & Agni & Rudra – An Excerpt
Vedic Dragon-Slaying In Sogdian Armour ? A Mural Of Panjikent
Something that has truly given me cause for wonder as we've been delving further into the mysteries of Indo-European Central Asia … is just how immediately recognizable certain myths, certain figures, certain truths remain even 'midst seemingly unfamiliar overlay. This fine rendering from Penjikent in modern-day Tajikistan is just such an instance. A Sogdian depiction, … Continue reading Vedic Dragon-Slaying In Sogdian Armour ? A Mural Of Panjikent
On Wolves Against Zoroastrian Identification
Something else that has been playing upon my mind as applies that fine Sogdian funerary sculpture's purported Zoroastrian provenancy … is the name of the Sogdian whose tomb it was. In his own language, it is Wirkak - that is to say, 'Wolf', from the same root a Sanskrit 'Vrka', etc. Now, why that is interesting … Continue reading On Wolves Against Zoroastrian Identification
Ganesha – The Lord On The Gun
It is Tuesday - the Day of Mars (and, for that matter, Mangala). Therefore … an Indian Jawan ['soldier' or 'paramilitary'] with a certain devotional image tied to the foregrip of his rifle. Now, I have occasionally made semi-joking reference to the notion of "Gun-Esha". Of course, this is not the proper understandings for Lord … Continue reading Ganesha – The Lord On The Gun
Towards An Indo-European Theory Of Demonology – Chaos, Devourers, Outsiders, Messengers and Monsters
Something I have long meant to pen is a sort of explanatory typology for 'Demons' in Indo-European understanding. There's almost certainly an entire book which could be written upon the subject - and it is undeniably significantly intriguing. After all, many a great and epic myth requires a suitably monstrous foe in order for the Hero … Continue reading Towards An Indo-European Theory Of Demonology – Chaos, Devourers, Outsiders, Messengers and Monsters
On The Rudraksha – Tears of Rudra
Worn about my wrist upon many occasions are three things - two are bandhs from a Priest; one from my RudraAbhishek, some five and a half years ago, the other from an occasion where I had assisted that same Pandit in another matter. But the third … they are a Mala [akin to 'prayer-beads'] of … Continue reading On The Rudraksha – Tears of Rudra
The Way Of The Gun – The Surprising Re-Development Of A Proto-Indo-European Term Into Modern English … And its Comparative Cognates Considered In Both Ritual And Conventional Phraseology Across The Indo-European Sphere
Something I have long remarked upon is the manner in which certain terms, certain concepts … they are to be found in incredibly archaic spheres, and then they 'fade away' or they undergo some transmogrification which obscures their essence somewhat, only to thence re-emerge somewhere else entirely amidst one of the Indo-European descendant groups who … Continue reading The Way Of The Gun – The Surprising Re-Development Of A Proto-Indo-European Term Into Modern English … And its Comparative Cognates Considered In Both Ritual And Conventional Phraseology Across The Indo-European Sphere
Fire, Walk With Me – A Verse Of The Durga Suktam
"Bravery will take you into the most dangerous of places. Overwhelming firepower will see you safely through them." " पृतनाजितँसहमानमुग्रमग्निँ हुवेम परमात्सधस्थात् ।स नः पर्षदति दुर्गाणि विश्वा क्षामद्देवो अति दुरितात्यग्निः ॥ " "We Invoke From The Highest Place The Ugran Agni [Powerful/Furious Fire], The SahaMana ['Conquering/Overpowering/Powerful Spirit/Anger/Sentience'] Unvanquishable In Battle ; May She Greatly Protect … Continue reading Fire, Walk With Me – A Verse Of The Durga Suktam
