As we have often observed, purity is a foundation for good piety. By which we (also) mean - the acts of purification are a necessary predicate for engaging in proper formalized ritual worship.After all, one would hardly seek to petition and to honour the rulers of the cosmos in a manner that might seem 'lacking in … Continue reading Two Operations For Ritual Purification – The Invocation Of The Seven Rivers & The All-Conditions Purification Mantra
Hinduism
“Not without pains are the Gods made friends”
"Not without pains are the Gods made friends" Kaegi / Arrowsmith translation (1886) A line from RV IV 33 11, in the words of the Rsi Vamadeva Gautama, that has stuck with me this morning. For additional clarity - here's three further translations from the past century and a half of the same verse. "Not … Continue reading “Not without pains are the Gods made friends”
Pradosha Vrat – The Fortnightly Evening Observance For Lord Shiva
Pradosha Vrat tonight … so here's a pretty aesthetic shot of the Shiva Temple at Kedarnath Pradosh Vrat [literally 'Evening Observance' - 'Vrata', from the same root as our English 'Word', communicates the sense of a 'Vow', giving somebody your Word] is hailed as an ideal time to approach the Lord in supplication. This is, … Continue reading Pradosha Vrat – The Fortnightly Evening Observance For Lord Shiva
Ravens For Rudra ?
It is interesting how things work out. We have known for some time now that Lord Shiva and Odin are the same deific - expressed prominently to two broad Indo-European mytho-religious sphere : the 'Vedic' and 'Eddic', we might say. We have spent much time over the past few years tracing out the various coterminities … Continue reading Ravens For Rudra ?
On The Bharat Mata Of Kashi Vishwanath Temple – And Some Curiously Modern Objections To Same
There is currently some controversy about installation of a Bharat Mata murti at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The claim is that this is installing 'fake & modern political deity' - something with no connection to the authentic religious sphere. This is false. Bharat Mata is 'recent', in the sense that this form of the deific appears … Continue reading On The Bharat Mata Of Kashi Vishwanath Temple – And Some Curiously Modern Objections To Same
Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
Since it is Shaani's Hora [Saturn's Hour] on a Monday [Moon's Day - Lord Shiva's Day] - and something Lunar resonant has been reminded of … it seemed appropriate to post this. Rahur dhanavamanthri cha simhika chitha nandana,Ardha kaya, sada krodhi, chandradhithya vimardhana Rahu, Vizier of Danavas and Delighter of Simhika [His Mother]Half-Bodied, Ever Wrathful, … Continue reading Brief lines from the Rahu Stotra
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
In Honour Of The BanaLingam Upon The Occasion Of Its Arrival – The Living Altar Of Narmada That Is Shakti & Shiva Rightfully Conjoined
We have attained the BanaLinga ! Yet what is this mighty stone, inset within a shining Yoni of Silver ? The easiest way to explicate it is to start with the very basic and work our way up from there. At its core, a ShivLing is an 'aniconic' embodiment of the Lord Shiva. It may also … Continue reading In Honour Of The BanaLingam Upon The Occasion Of Its Arrival – The Living Altar Of Narmada That Is Shakti & Shiva Rightfully Conjoined
Indo-European Worship Of The God As Guest – A Ritual Primer Overview
'Dost thou know how to ask, dost thou know how to offer,dost thou know how to send, dost thou know how to spend?"- Havamal, verse 143 Something we have often been asked for is a simple 'how-to' for regular devotional offerings / observances. There are certainly a few of these out there for various Indo-European … Continue reading Indo-European Worship Of The God As Guest – A Ritual Primer Overview
Motivational with Nayaka art
"Though silver in your palms weighs lightCompared to death by blast and sword,Do not shy the hopeless fight,For Endeavour is its own reward."The evocative fresco painting comes from the Brihadisvara Temple complex in South India - a Chola site that had been renovated under the (iirc Telugu) Nayaka rulers in the 16th-17th century.
arya-akasha 