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
Durga
Skanda , Heimdall , Kumara – The Star-Borne Son Of The Sky Father
A brief Indo-European observation inspired by the SkandaMata Night of NavRatri - Skanda, the War God Son of Shiva, has Six Heads. This is due to the rather unique manner of His Birth - wherein the embryonic Skanda is transplanted to six mothers via Agni, the Krittika Stars (we would know these in the West … Continue reading Skanda , Heimdall , Kumara – The Star-Borne Son Of The Sky Father
Foe-Slayer Claims Our Eulogy – Understanding RigVeda VIII 100: Indra, Vak
Every so often, we come across a Hymnal that really really deserves a broader audience. In this case, RV VIII 100 - which details a rather lesser-known element to the Slaying of Vritra by Indra. Namely, the salient role of Vak Devi (Saraswati) in this conflict. It therefore seemed most appropriate to prepare a brief … Continue reading Foe-Slayer Claims Our Eulogy – Understanding RigVeda VIII 100: Indra, Vak
The Corona Muralis of Cybele, Parvati Durga, Freyja Frigg Haglfaldini
It is Friday - Therefore, Devi Durga Devotional (A)Art(I); and, as has become my custom, a perhaps unexpected representation which helps us to illustrate something a little less well known about the Goddess. Now, something I genuinely love about our work is the manner in which the same Gods appear across the Indo-European-isphere - in … Continue reading The Corona Muralis of Cybele, Parvati Durga, Freyja Frigg Haglfaldini
MahaShivRatri And The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 3] – The Mind, The Mania, The Manyu
[Author's Note: It is said that some efforts take on a 'mind of their own'. While this was initially intended as the third part to our MythoLinguistics of War series, with a focus more narrowly upon the strong saliency of Indo-European concepts of "Mind" and 'Spirit' with those of Warfare - as the writing progressed, … Continue reading MahaShivRatri And The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 3] – The Mind, The Mania, The Manyu
On Indo-European Gods Playing Dice With The Universe
Einstein: “God does not play dice with the universe” Now, it's worth contextualizing that Einstein's aphorism was a one-sentence metaphorical rejection of the notion of randomness and quantum uncertainty. Hence, after some decades of further development in the relevant area ... Hawking: "Thus it seems Einstein was doubly wrong when he said, God does not … Continue reading On Indo-European Gods Playing Dice With The Universe
Saraswati Puja – The Power Of The Smiter Of Foes
Yesterday (by now) marked Saraswati Puja ; and as has become my custom, I present some brief thoughts and enlightenment via way of tribute. Seems the appropriate thing to do, given the nature of the Devi in question, and customary associations of Same. And speaking of just those customary associations - it seems to me … Continue reading Saraswati Puja – The Power Of The Smiter Of Foes
Glorious Modern Art For An Ancient Hindu Hymnal
Friday Evening Devi-otional (A)Art(I) Posting This is some truly excellent art which helps to illustrate evocatively a rather core series of principles to Shakta theology and cosmogony; which are also extolled in the course of my favourite of the RigVedic Hymnals - the renowned DeviSukta [RV X 125]. Note that it is the Hand of … Continue reading Glorious Modern Art For An Ancient Hindu Hymnal
On The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 1]
In many ways, it is not at all a controversial thing to assert that War is rather fundamental to the Indo-European View of the Universe. One of the first mythemes that almost everybody tends to identify when they begin their journey along the skeins of comparative Indo-European mythography - is that of the 'Chaoskampf', the … Continue reading On The Mytholinguistics Of War [Part 1]
The Tenth Day – The Death of the Demon – Dussehra / VijayaDashami
The Day after NavRatri [the 'Nine Nights' of Goddess Durga] is known as Vijaya Dashami / Dussehra - Victory on the Tenth,the Destruction of Evil. In many places, the Day is held to commemorate the Victory of Lord Rama over the demon-emperor Ravana. In others, it celebrates the Victory of Durga over Mahishasura. Others still, … Continue reading The Tenth Day – The Death of the Demon – Dussehra / VijayaDashami