Often it seems that the interpretation and the 'accepted wisdom' on various more archaic Indo-European mythic figures is effectively an exercise in agenda-pushing and confirmation bias. One deific seemingly singled out for far more than His fair share of such torturous misperception is, of course, Lord Indra. Otherwise known as the Vedic facing of the Indo-European … Continue reading On the Indo-European Etymology of Indra
Indo-European
On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
This would appear to be a case of, as the kids might say - "New School Nikes, Old School Kicks". But one point absolutely must be made here - Mahmud of Ghazni was a warlord who fought and died of disease a millennium ago. He is, in a word - "history", a footnote. Cleaved to … Continue reading On The Taliban’s Enthusiasm For Mahmud Of Ghazni As Smasher Of Somnath
The Indo-European Queen of the Dead – A Bridging-Place Between Pitru Paksha And NavRatri
Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors - is nearly at a close ; and immediately after it comes NavRatri - the Nine Nights of the Mother Goddess. The former, is when the veils between the worlds are thinner, and one's ancestors (Pitrs - etymologically cognate with 'Fathers') are able to come and visit, to receive … Continue reading The Indo-European Queen of the Dead – A Bridging-Place Between Pitru Paksha And NavRatri
On The Adamantine Harpe Of Perseus In Light Of The Vajra Of Indra – A Weapon Of The Striker/Thunderer (Briefly) Comparatively Considered
Something we have written a fair bit upon this year has been the identification of Perseus as an expression of the Striker/Thunderer Indo-European deific. As it happens, the Harpe wielded by the hero is - entirely unsurprisingly - strikingly correlate with the Vajra of Indra, as well. How do we know? Consider the following. The … Continue reading On The Adamantine Harpe Of Perseus In Light Of The Vajra Of Indra – A Weapon Of The Striker/Thunderer (Briefly) Comparatively Considered
The Description Of The Vajra In The Vedas – Some Initial Points
This is a modern depiction of Indra, and it forms a bit of a counterpoint to the more simple Vajra renderings you'll often see - however, the interesting thing is … this is actually rather close to how the Vajra is described in various RigVedic verses. [Although this *specific* version may in fact be intending … Continue reading The Description Of The Vajra In The Vedas – Some Initial Points
Some Brief Points On The Vajra
Earlier, we had a question to the page around a seeming similarity between a Thunderbolt carried by a Roman deific statue - and the famed Vajra so prominent in the Hindu (and Buddhist) sphere. Particularly, around whether what was seen in Hindu art had some deliberate iconographic coterminity with the Trishula (Trident). As applies the … Continue reading Some Brief Points On The Vajra
Devi At Panjikent – A Sogdian Depiction Of The Great Goddess Accompanied By The Spear-Wielder
I am a bit late with this one - but Friday's Day is Devi's Day, and with Dawn just creeping over the horizon … outline reproduction of one of the incredible mural paintings from Panjikent, a Sogdian centre in modern-day Tajikistan. The central figure to the depiction is Nana, mounted upon a lion-like vahana. As … Continue reading Devi At Panjikent – A Sogdian Depiction Of The Great Goddess Accompanied By The Spear-Wielder
On Roman Vejovis or Vediovis Via Light Of Vedic Rudra
It is Thursday - more properly, Dies Iovis, the Day of Jupiter (in Vedic terms - Brihaspati is the figure hailed for this occasion). And therefore … a brief look at the likely Indo-European positioning for a lesser-known Roman figure - the deific known as 'Vejovis' ('Veiovis', sometimes 'Veiove' or 'Vejove') or 'Vedius' / 'Vediovis'. … Continue reading On Roman Vejovis or Vediovis Via Light Of Vedic Rudra
The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
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 ]
‘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
arya-akasha 