There are few situations which cannot be matched with a fine exemplar of the artwork of Abhishek Singh. In this case, he had chosen to depict Bhairava & Kali at the end of a Kalpa ('Cycle of Time'). He later refined the Bhairava into a full-colour work; yet I think that there is something immensely … Continue reading Bhairava & Kali For The Transition Of The Cycle Of Time On New Year’s Eve / Day
Glorious Modern Hindu Art
Kali & Ganesha For The End Of The Old Year & Beginning Of The New
As we creep inexorably forward toward the End of 2021 and the Beginning of 2022, this image seemed apt to post. Why? Because here we have Kali - Goddess of Time, and also of Endings ; and Her Son Ganesha - a God of Openings, and One Who is prayed to at Beginnings. Perhaps entirely … Continue reading Kali & Ganesha For The End Of The Old Year & Beginning Of The New
We Bow Before The Lion Throne
It is said of Devi Durga that She rules from the Lion Throne Hence our statements: "We Bow Before The Lion Throne", "We Serve The Lion Throne". And, of course, from the Lalita Sahasranama [The Thousand-Names (Sahasra-Nama) of The Goddess]: श्री महाराज्ञी , श्रीमत् सिंहासनेश्वरी , भुवनेश्वरी, देवी दुर्गा Sri MahaRajni , Srimat SinhAsanEshvari , … Continue reading We Bow Before The Lion Throne
Ganesha – The Modern Protector Of India
This is your occasional reminder that Hindu religious iconography also occasionally 'moves with the times' - as befits a Living Religion. [Which does not mean that the modern nor the novel 'displaces' the Past - only that there can be co-occurrence. And, as applies Ganesha specifically - remarkable ways for Him to continue to Get … Continue reading Ganesha – The Modern Protector Of India
The AtharvaVeda’s Invocation Of The Mother Of Indra To Impart Strength And Splendour To The Worshipper
The AtharvaVeda is a trove of interesting and otherwise under-thought of lore. It has to be due to the nature of its subject-matter - the invoking via allusion of elements to pointed projects and intended outcomes. Here are two translations of AV VI 38, entitled by Griffith as "A prayer for surpassing strength and energy" … Continue reading The AtharvaVeda’s Invocation Of The Mother Of Indra To Impart Strength And Splendour To The Worshipper
Ganesha, Peacocks, & Shivling – Glorious Modern Hindu Art
Lord Ganesha , Lord of Obstacles ( Vinayaka ) and Remover of Obstacles ( Vighnahara ) , depicted in front of a ShivLing (an aniconic - other than the crescent Moon sliver - representation of His Father) , and peacocks - a bird with which He has association.Art by Lisha N Tॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिं … Continue reading Ganesha, Peacocks, & Shivling – Glorious Modern Hindu Art
The Description Of The Vajra In The Vedas – Some Initial Points
This is a modern depiction of Indra, and it forms a bit of a counterpoint to the more simple Vajra renderings you'll often see - however, the interesting thing is … this is actually rather close to how the Vajra is described in various RigVedic verses. [Although this *specific* version may in fact be intending … Continue reading The Description Of The Vajra In The Vedas – Some Initial Points
The Six-Faced Son Of The Sky Father
Apt for a Tuesday (that is to say - Mars' Day: Dies Martis, Hemera Areos, etc.) 'Kumara', by Kedaram Vishwanathan. Better known as Skanda or Kartikeya - Kumara ['Son'], the prominent Hindu War God (well, one of … look, we have quite a few) Whose Vahana ('Vehicle'/'Steed') is the Peacock or Rooster (although I have … Continue reading The Six-Faced Son Of The Sky Father
On Robert Sepehr’s Spurious Suggestion That Vanaras Constituted A “Simian Slave Race”
Earlier today, an associate alerted me to some annoying remarks by one Rober Sepehr - a pseudo-anthropologist of dubious standing yet notable following, who appears to have made a small mint off conspiratorial ravings with a veneer of 'serious' sounding mythological referencing. This time, he's taken as his target some bizarre prognostications about a 'hidden history' … Continue reading On Robert Sepehr’s Spurious Suggestion That Vanaras Constituted A “Simian Slave Race”
On The Etymology Of Airavata – The Elephant Of Indra
Airavata is the Vahana ['Steed/Mount/Vehicle'] of Lord Indra; and with a rather apt etymology to connect it to the Thunderer. It effectively works out as 'Rain-bearing Cloud' ; which is rather apt, given that a stormcloud is, of course, large, grey, and may make a thunderous noise ['Garja'] … like an Elephant (indeed, गर्ज can … Continue reading On The Etymology Of Airavata – The Elephant Of Indra
arya-akasha 