To explain what's going on here - this is a Ramayana episode of particular significance to us in relation to #NavRatri and its apex. Although the occurrence in question is drawn from other sources than the familiar Valmiki Ramayana. It illustrates a particular ritual observance hailed within the realm of Myth (and which I believe … Continue reading A Combat Of Piety – Lord Rama’s Averted Eye Sacrifice To Devi For Victory And Its Vedic Antecedents
Divine Judgement
The Divine Invocation Of The War Goddess – Katyayani Prayed To For Victory By The Gods
Illustration: 'Rama’s Sharadiya Durga Puja' - Ratan Acharya Something that I feel deserves greater prominence when we speak of Indo-European theology - is the fact that Our Gods Have Gods. Or, more pointedly - Goddess. This isn't just a Hindu thing. It is also encountered - at least, inferentially - in the Hellenic sphere. There, … Continue reading The Divine Invocation Of The War Goddess – Katyayani Prayed To For Victory By The Gods
Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
Today marks Shaani Jayanti ! Who is Lord Shani ( शनि ) ? An Archer, Crow-associated, Son of the Sky Father ; an Enforcer of Divine Justice and the Cosmic Order. He of the Dread Glare, and the Inevitability - not so much of Time (Kala), but rather of Consequence. This is what 'Shani' means … Continue reading Shani Jayanti – Graha Adrasteia
The Indo-European Death And Resurrection Show – A Remarkable Persistence Even At The Periphery Of Modern (Myth)Understanding
The recent Pew Research Forum analysis of religion in India makes for interesting reading. One point which has attracted some surprise is the finding that apparently 'only' 40% of Hindus really believe in Reincarnation (as compared, as a point of interest, to 27% of Indian Muslims, 29% of Indian Christians, 18% of Indian Sikhs, 18% … Continue reading The Indo-European Death And Resurrection Show – A Remarkable Persistence Even At The Periphery Of Modern (Myth)Understanding
The Doom That Never Dies – On The Judgement Of The Dead
Deyr fé, deyja frændr,deyr sjalfr it sama,ek veit einn,at aldrei deyr:dómr um dauðan hvern. These are famous words - even if you do not recognize them in the Old Norse, then you will almost certainly have heard them at some point in life. They are from the Havamal - the Sayings of the High One. … Continue reading The Doom That Never Dies – On The Judgement Of The Dead
OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE, Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric perspectives upon Lore and Order [Part 4C] Bhikshatana – The Path Of The Divine Exile
Following on from Bhairava's decapitation-strike and humbling blow against Brahma, The Terrifying Executioner ('Headsman', as we shall soon see) incurred the sin of Brahmanicide - Brahmahatya. And this is quite important, for while Brahma's egregious misdeed had themselves both represented and perpetuated a grievous 'imbalance' - Bhairava's forcible correction thereof had also created an 'imbalance' … Continue reading OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE, Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric perspectives upon Lore and Order [Part 4C] Bhikshatana – The Path Of The Divine Exile
OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE, Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric perspectives upon Lore and Order [Part 4B] The Emanation Of Rta As Balance – Justice As The Maintenance Of Divine Order
But before we continue with our travel through the Myth of Bhairava towards this proffered Syzygy, it is necessary to dwell upon a vitally important concept which underpins the vast majority of what comes next. We've also met it before, as an effective core theme of much that has been said thus far; albeit, even when … Continue reading OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE, Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric perspectives upon Lore and Order [Part 4B] The Emanation Of Rta As Balance – Justice As The Maintenance Of Divine Order
OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE – Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric Perspectives Upon Lore And Order In The Indo-European World View [Part 1]
One of my favourite myths from the Hindu - and more especially, Shaivite - legendarium, is that which surrounds Kaal Bhairava. Not merely because it is there are some cool happenings within it, or because we see one of the two best-presented incidences of an Axe as a Roudran Theological Argument [the other, of course, … Continue reading OF BHAIRAVA AND BALANCE – Vedic, Eddic, and Homeric Perspectives Upon Lore And Order In The Indo-European World View [Part 1]