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
Devi
Upon The Erinyes As ‘Sentinel Serpents’ – And Athena As ‘Dragon Queen’
With Naga Panchami - the Celebration of Serpents - just concluded, it seemed an admirable time to return to something we have oft mentioned in passing in the past. That being the most implacable figures of the Erinyes … and the perhaps lesser-known deific that is at Their Head. And, because this is an Arya … Continue reading Upon The Erinyes As ‘Sentinel Serpents’ – And Athena As ‘Dragon Queen’
In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part Two : The Swords Of The Sky Father
As we'd noted towards the outset of Part One, the Scythian religion is endlessly, fascinatingly frustrating. We know so little - and yet we can seemingly 'piece together' a few elements from the scant textual (and usually virtually third hand) viewpoints of their faith that have come down to us from Antiquity. One figure in … Continue reading In Search Of Scythian Ares – Part Two : The Swords Of The Sky Father
The Race Of Skanda & Ganesha For Ganesh Chaturthi In Shravan Maas – Glorious Modern Hindu Art
A fine depiction of the popular mythic episode in which Lords Skanda & Ganesha engage in a 'race around the world'. Now, to explain in a bit more detail what has happened here (and why Lord Ganesha has already won … ): The Sage Narada Muni came to Kailash and presented a most delectable enchanted … Continue reading The Race Of Skanda & Ganesha For Ganesh Chaturthi In Shravan Maas – Glorious Modern Hindu Art
A God-Fearing People – Against The Pretension That One Ought Not Perhaps Fear An Indo-European God
We had recently seen a claim from a prominent American witch that seemed to suggest it was improper to have "fear" of Gods. As they put it: "Not really something considered to be a healthy trait in a relationship - divine or otherwise." We could say quite a bit about this, but let's just stick … Continue reading A God-Fearing People – Against The Pretension That One Ought Not Perhaps Fear An Indo-European God
The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
We had earlier had our attention drawn to this verse (and its backdrop) by several associates. It is a work of one of the great Tamil Shaivite saints, Sambandar (also anglicized, as here, as Campantar) - and, as one can immediately see, it is a verse for the simultaneous praising of Lord Shiva, as well … Continue reading The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
Accessible Shaivite Piety For Shravan Maas
Shravan Maas - the Shaivite Holy Month - is in full swing. We had had some questions as to how one can worship the Lord during this month. So here are a few easy ways. This is particularly for people who may not have the luxury of a fully-equipped Temple or detailed prior knowledge. And … Continue reading Accessible Shaivite Piety For Shravan Maas
Calling Down The Thunder – On The Immanentization Of The Demon-Slaying Divine Voice Through Manifest Action
I'm a great believer. In many things - but in this particular case, well … you'll see what I mean in due course. Earlier this week whilst researching the recent Sacral Cow piece, I happened across the following verse from the Shatapatha Brahmana. And it … resonated with me. Here's the section of text: "14 … Continue reading Calling Down The Thunder – On The Immanentization Of The Demon-Slaying Divine Voice Through Manifest Action
On This Week’s Claims Of Kali Somehow Not Being A Hindu Goddess
There's currently a rather loud contratemps going on in the online Hindusphere over an (Indian) art-film creator's attempt to co-opt Kali. Now, by this I do not really mean the initial photograph which caused all the furore - but rather, the artist's (Leena Manimekalai) frankly bizarre claims in reply to criticism she'd received for how she'd … Continue reading On This Week’s Claims Of Kali Somehow Not Being A Hindu Goddess
No, Fjörgyn Does Not Descend From Perkwunos – It’s Literally The Other Way Around
In the wake of discussion spurred up by that … curious assertion from a popular (neo-)pagan youtuber about two Nordic deifics allegedly having 'swapped genders' and this being demonstrable via linguistics - we encountered a comment asking if Fjörgyn might be something like this, predicated upon the often-encountered notion of Fjorgyn being somehow linguistically descended from … Continue reading No, Fjörgyn Does Not Descend From Perkwunos – It’s Literally The Other Way Around
arya-akasha 