The Egg Of Nemesis In Etruscan Presentation By Turms / Hermes / Mercury

An Etruscan depiction of the Egg of Nemesis being presented to the King of Sparta, hence the labelling of ' Turms ' ( Hermes / Mercury ), 'Tuntle' (Tyndareos / Tyndareus), and 'Latva' (Leda) This is from the lesser-known 'alternate' explication for the Birth of Helen ['Elinei' / 'Elinai' / 'Elina'] in which it is … Continue reading The Egg Of Nemesis In Etruscan Presentation By Turms / Hermes / Mercury

For Pratyangira – Roaring Goddess of the Counter-Fire

A murti of the fearsome Goddess[-form], Pratyangira - a theonymic we would be tempted to translate as "Return Fire!" She is regarded as Goddess of the Atharva Veda via Atharvana Bhadrakali - and also linked to Kali through the Narasimhika ('Heroic Lioness' / 'Lion-(Wo)Man') encountered in the Sri Kalika Sahasranama stotram of MahaKalaBhairava : and … Continue reading For Pratyangira – Roaring Goddess of the Counter-Fire

A Slightly Belated Beltane Commentary (With Additional Slavic Comparanda)

Every year, we try and have (A)Arti-cles ready for the major days of the Indo-European religious calendars. Some years, we do better than others. Other years - a delay turns out to be a blessing in disguise. So it may be viz. Beltane. For we had just in the past few hours happened across postings … Continue reading A Slightly Belated Beltane Commentary (With Additional Slavic Comparanda)

Brief Points On The Relationship Between Hellenic & Hindu Astrology

Recently, we had had a few questions come in about the relationship of the Greek & Hindu astrologies.  Specifically - which bits were Indian versus which bits came in with the Hellenics that arrived under Alexander. And, in particular, whether the Nakshatras (27 / 28 'Lunar Mansions' - Star Signs) were the Indian part, whilst … Continue reading Brief Points On The Relationship Between Hellenic & Hindu Astrology

The Crow-Accompanied Goddess Of Violent Death

The Fierce Warrior-Destroyer Goddess Chandika is depicted in the Kadambari of Banabhatta (and Son) as being accompanied by a most remarkable coterie of worshippers. To quote from my own translation: “Being worshipped from all sides by the Retinue of Crows both razor sharp and unyielding Who sang Her Glories” The Sanskrit reads: “ārādhyamānāṃ sarvataḥ kaṭhoravāyasagaṇena … Continue reading The Crow-Accompanied Goddess Of Violent Death

‘For Want Of A Horse’ – On The Proper Perspective Upon Ritual Offerings And Why The ‘Asva’ Of ‘Asvamedha’ Is Held To Be Necessary As Same

Over the weekend, we had received a question from a reader as to the reasoning underpinning the Asvamedha - the Horse Sacrifice. Specifically, why would one offer a horse given the high value of such a creature in the late Bronze Age / early Iron Age milieu.  Now, several people proffered suggestions as to the answer here, … Continue reading ‘For Want Of A Horse’ – On The Proper Perspective Upon Ritual Offerings And Why The ‘Asva’ Of ‘Asvamedha’ Is Held To Be Necessary As Same