In our field, we are so often delving into impressive legends of long ago - myths about men who once lived and wrought deeds so mighty that they seem frankly 'incredible' (in the old sense of the term) today. And that can leave one quite jaded about the modern era for reasons that ought be … Continue reading The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
Hinduism
Ganesha Atop The Volcano Of Brahma in Indonesia [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part VI]
For the Sixth Night of Ganesh Chaturthi - the theme of our devotional efforts on each of these nights has been that Ganesha Gets In Everywhere. So here's Ganesh, atop an active volcano in Indonesia where it has been and been in constant use for the past 700 years. The volcano in question is entitled … Continue reading Ganesha Atop The Volcano Of Brahma in Indonesia [Incredible Indo-European Holy Sites Series Part VI]
‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
Following on from our earlier piece looking at 'Barbarian' in Vedic understanding - here are several further examples .. along with broader Indo-European comparanda contextualizing each. Two of these were furnished by the same associate [A.P.] whom I had been discussing with in the excerpt posted earlier. I have not independently tracked them down in … Continue reading ‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
A Brief Point On “Barbarian” Labelling In Sanskrit
Earlier, I'd been discussing with associates the curious co-occurrence of Barbaros / Barbara in Sanskrit and Ancient Greek respectively. This lead to the following - presented here for a broader audience. "as applies the linguistics, I think from memory that earliest attested occurrences in Ancient Greek are some centuries prior to earliest attested occurrences in … Continue reading A Brief Point On “Barbarian” Labelling In Sanskrit
Dhumavati As Bride At The Dawn Of Creation – A Visage Less Commonly Depicted
Today is Friday - Devi's Day And so therefore, in-line with last week : fine Dhumavati (A)Art-i post. As you can see, #CorvidGang is well represented here - apt for the Goddess Whose Animal Is The Crow Interestingly, this particular Dhumavati depiction is in red - and various accouterments one ought expect for a Bride. … Continue reading Dhumavati As Bride At The Dawn Of Creation – A Visage Less Commonly Depicted
Ganesh Gets In Everywhere – The Ganesha Of Endere In The Taklamakan For Ganesh Chaturthi
Tonight marks the first night of Ganesh Chaturthi - and so therefore, some rather amazing art one and a half millennia ancient from the Khotanese Saka ( Scythian ) settlement of Endere, in the Taklamakan Desert of Western China. Why? Well, partially it is because this piece has been on my mind recently and I … Continue reading Ganesh Gets In Everywhere – The Ganesha Of Endere In The Taklamakan For Ganesh Chaturthi
Deific On Horseback With Two Ravens From Central Asia
Another votive panel from the Khotanese Saka (Scythians) at Dandan Oilik in the Taklamakan. Now there are a few points of interest here. Obviously, one of these is the fine horseman figure on the right of the image. He's a direct resonancy with the similar figure I wrote about yesterday - tentatively identifiable as a … Continue reading Deific On Horseback With Two Ravens From Central Asia
Sirius In Central Asia – Soma, Tisya, Tishtrya, Rudra
It is Wednesday - Odin's Day - and so therefore, as has become our custom, some fine devotional (a)art-i. Except this exquisite piece is not from the Northlands of Scandinavia - rather, its provenance is that most mysterious of Indo-European lands … far-flung Central Asia. Khotan, amidst the deserts and mountains fringing China's western edge in … Continue reading Sirius In Central Asia – Soma, Tisya, Tishtrya, Rudra
Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
It is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day. And therefore - fine Roudran (A)Art-i. In this case - potentially - as Midhvan, and we shall explicate that term momentarily. Now, when one thinks of a figure of rather … apocalyptic significance turning up riding a white horse, it is perhaps rare that one's mind would immediately … Continue reading Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
Response To Some Curious Krishnaite Claims On Comparative Indo-European Mythology
Several associates summoned me to respond to this post. Now, for context on what's going on here, this "Germanic Vedic Alliance" page appears to be some kind of Hare Krishna style 'outreach effort' that's targeted at the Nordic / Germanic revivalist sphere and making occasional forays into broader Indo-European spheres. I've deliberately refrained, in my … Continue reading Response To Some Curious Krishnaite Claims On Comparative Indo-European Mythology