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

On The World-Spear of the Sky Father – Trishula, Gungnir, Pinaka

One of the most iconic identifying attributes of the Indo-European Sky Father deific is His Spear. Whether Gungnir of Odin, the Trishula of Mahadeva, or the javelin-like Thunderbolt of Zeus Pater/Jupiter (interestingly frequently depicted as three-pronged), as soon as we think of these deific expressions, the Weapon is never far from His Hand. Indeed, 'ShulaPani' … Continue reading On The World-Spear of the Sky Father – Trishula, Gungnir, Pinaka

Shravan Maas – The Shaivite Holy Month, The Samudra Manthan, and The Self-Sacrifice of Yama and Odin

Today marks the start of the Shaivite holy month of Shravan Maas [at least, according to my Mandir's Gujarati derived calendar. In various other parts of India it's already been going for two weeks]. I say 'Shaivite holy month', but it is not only Shiva-oriented observances that take place during this time. Other prominent occasions … Continue reading Shravan Maas – The Shaivite Holy Month, The Samudra Manthan, and The Self-Sacrifice of Yama and Odin

The Radiant Queen of the Heavens – On Scythian Tabiti As Template For The Greater Indo-European Solar Goddess [Part 3 – The Wide Shining One And The Eye Of The Bright Sky]

The point of all of this, has been to attempt to sketch out in broad (solar-ray-diant, perhaps via illumination, provided you don't look too directly at it) brush-strokes a sort of typology for the situation. One wherein we can clearly see that the Sky Father's Consort may have been 'replicated' and referred to in various … Continue reading The Radiant Queen of the Heavens – On Scythian Tabiti As Template For The Greater Indo-European Solar Goddess [Part 3 – The Wide Shining One And The Eye Of The Bright Sky]

The Radiant Queen of the Heavens – On Scythian Tabiti As Template For The Greater Indo-European Solar Goddess [Part 1 – The Figurative Eclipse And Unconquered Re-Emergence Of The Solar Goddess Deific]

It is one of those curious little mysteries of our sphere - how particular portions of the Indo-European mythology have changed and shifted to acquire the now entrenched archetypal connotations we are so familiar with today ... especially in those areas wherein the modern perception of things is so clearly at odds with how things … Continue reading The Radiant Queen of the Heavens – On Scythian Tabiti As Template For The Greater Indo-European Solar Goddess [Part 1 – The Figurative Eclipse And Unconquered Re-Emergence Of The Solar Goddess Deific]

The Indo-European Man – Sons of the Sun [Part II]: Yama And Manu – Firstborn of the Indo-Aryans

So, with that in mind - let us take a brief look at probably the oldest Indo-European origin myth that has come down to us: the Vedic understanding, which is to my mind also the 'cleanest' and easiest to directly understand. Both due to its age, and the strong presence of pretty much all the … Continue reading The Indo-European Man – Sons of the Sun [Part II]: Yama And Manu – Firstborn of the Indo-Aryans

On The Mumbai Banishing Ritual Against The Coronasur

Seeking The Blessings Of Lord Agni During This Trying Time - Against The Covid-19 'Coronasur' Something I've often been quite warmly regarding of, is the manner in which Hinduism has managed to move with the times and make use of traditional and ancient practices in a modern context. For a good example of this in … Continue reading On The Mumbai Banishing Ritual Against The Coronasur

Of Mrityunjaya and Modern Hinduism – The Deathless And Unceasing Glory Of The Three-Eyed One

ॐ त्र्य॑म्बकं यजामहे सु॒गन्धिं॑ पुष्टि॒वर्ध॑नम् ।उ॒र्वा॒रु॒कमि॑व॒ बन्ध॑नान् मृ॒त्योर्मुक्षीय॒ मा ऽमृता॑त् । Something which keeps coming up in various circles proximate to the ones we move in, is this idea that contemporary Hinduism, (post-)Puranic Hinduism, is somehow largely if not entirely distinct from Vedic Hinduism. There are various reasons why people occasionally suggest to assert this … Continue reading Of Mrityunjaya and Modern Hinduism – The Deathless And Unceasing Glory Of The Three-Eyed One

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