We present a further excerpt from our RUDRAGANIKA work - this time, looking at a most intriguing co-expression in the Vedic, Hellenic, and Nordic spheres. That of figures drawn from this female retinue of the Sky Father 'playing with Their food', and tearing apart wrongdoers. Whilst also weaving webs of fate using the entrails. This … Continue reading Extraordinary Rendition – Specifically, Limb From Limb : Sambhunjati – A RUDRAGANIKA Excerpt
Goddess
Athena Emplaced As The Great Protectress Upon Macedonian Royal Armour [ Arte-Facts #15 ]
It is FRIDAY - Devi's Day ! And therefore, as has become our custom … a beautiful presentation of Her. In this case, via the apotropaic Athena plate that is found on the side of this seriously impressive Macedonian armour - unearthed in the Royal Tombs at Vergina ( Aigai ) … and generally thought … Continue reading Athena Emplaced As The Great Protectress Upon Macedonian Royal Armour [ Arte-Facts #15 ]
On Brigid And Brhati – Some Preliminary Observation
Recently, we were asked a question pertaining to the figure of St Brigid - and, of course, the Celtic deific of the similar name (which may have further bearing for the somewhat distinct Brigantia … although we aren't going to get into that herein). Part of the question concerned the potential for Brigid to be an … Continue reading On Brigid And Brhati – Some Preliminary Observation
On Minerva And The Very Threatening Cat
…as it happens, I Have Theology For That. Specifically, it's a Puranic account [Shiva Purana, VII 1 25] wherein … well, we'll quote from the Shastri translation. Effectively what happens is Devi is meditating in a forest grove, and a ferocious tiger turns up, sees Her and feels that this female is "Ah .. Lunch." … Continue reading On Minerva And The Very Threatening Cat
Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
The Acropolis at Athens - Leo von Klenze, 1846. Note the very, very large Athena statue in pride of place upon the Acropolis. This is Athena Promachos (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος) - Athena Who-Fights-In-The-Front-Line. The meaning of the epithet is reasonably direct - the 'foremost fighter', the warrior at (and as) the proverbial 'tip of the spear'. … Continue reading Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
The Vitality of the Universe Entire – On MahaGauri, SiddhiDhatri, and Demeter
The Eighth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to MahaGauri - The Great Beauty, The 'Great White One' ; The Ninth Night of NavRatri, to Siddhidhatri - the Bestower of Boons, The Giver of Empowerment. Both because I am rather late in my finishing of this piece - but also due to a certain underlying thematic unity ... … Continue reading The Vitality of the Universe Entire – On MahaGauri, SiddhiDhatri, and Demeter
KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death
The Seventh Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Kalaratri - The Night of Death, the Blackest Night, the Darkness at the End of Time Herself ! And yet, as has become something of our theme whenever we discuss the Devi - we are vehement in pointing out that this is only one side to Her, … Continue reading KalaRatri for Chaitra Navratri – The Black Night of Unveiling, The Night of Death
Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
The Sixth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Katyayani - in many ways, perhaps the most iconic understanding for Devi amidst the modern Hindusphere. When we think of Durga - this tends to be Whom we are praising. For She is MahishasuraMardini - The Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon - Herself ! However, as … Continue reading Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
The Fourth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Kushmanda - which I have figuratively chosen to render as 'the Power of the Sun'. In essence, the reason that the Sun is ... well ... the Sun - rather than some abstract 'ball of flaming gas', or even simply an inanimate, lifeless object, is … Continue reading Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
Chandraghanta for Chaitra Navratri – Radiancy of the Foe-Destroying Splendorous Moon
The Third Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Chandraghanta - which we might directly translate as 'Moon Bell', although this does not *quite* capture the true sense of the latter term's meaning. Now a Ghanta, for us, is a bell. Particularly of the sort rung during religious purposes. The sense is not merely … Continue reading Chandraghanta for Chaitra Navratri – Radiancy of the Foe-Destroying Splendorous Moon
arya-akasha 