Today marks the commencement of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors. This is an ancient Hindu custom whose core elements will be immediately familiar to you. Partially due to the existence of somewhat comparable observances in Western European cultures such as the Celts and the Romans (such as the strikingly similar annual 'Parentalia' … Continue reading Pitru Paksha – The Fortnight of the Ancestors
Indo-European
“Cyclone Mahavatya Rudra” Jai
I've seen a bit of chatter on here about the naming conventions for cyclones/hurricanes in the US/Caribbean - and, in particular, how these may possibly be both sexist AND ineffectual, on grounds that the average American apparently finds storms with female names less threatening [thus leading to reduced readiness, and often a higher death toll … Continue reading “Cyclone Mahavatya Rudra” Jai
Make Afghanistan Gandhara Again
I have been told I bear a certain resemblance to this chap. Sculpted head of a Brahmin of the area now known as Afghanistan, dating from the 3rd-4th century A.D. It may seem somewhat curious to us now - when Afghanistan is mostly known to us as the area upon this Earth where "empires go … Continue reading Make Afghanistan Gandhara Again
BHARAT MATA AND THE INDO-EUROPEAN DEIFIC OF NATIONAL IDENTITY
August 15th is India's National Day - the hallowed anniversary of Independence. And for that, we have prepared something a little bit different for publication here at AA. Now, you may be wondering why we are posting to mark a civic, political observance rather than something which is prima facie a religious one of ancient … Continue reading BHARAT MATA AND THE INDO-EUROPEAN DEIFIC OF NATIONAL IDENTITY
On The Indo-European Days Of The Week – An Introduction To The Comparative Mythography Of Arya Akasha
It can often seem rather daunting attempting to get to grips with the more in-depth material used to illustrate the underlying cultural unities between the Indo-European peoples ... so we thought we'd start with something different. Something simpler. Something so sufficiently common-place that you encounter it every day. Literally, in fact - for we're talking … Continue reading On The Indo-European Days Of The Week – An Introduction To The Comparative Mythography Of Arya Akasha
Hinduism: Universalist Or Specificist Creed
I'm doing some thinking atm about Hinduism (when am I not?) and whether the Faith constitutes a Universalist or a specifist religion. Obviously, these days, there are a number of Hindu (or Hindu-derived) religious movements and sects which are pretty decidedly convinced that they are, indeed, universally applicable - the Hare Krishnas are probably the … Continue reading Hinduism: Universalist Or Specificist Creed
The Origin of the Indo-Europeans, Part I: Early Theories
The scientific study of the Indo-European language family is generally dated to 1786, when Sir William Jones read his famous paper before the Asiatic Society of Calcutta, which includes these immortal lines: ‘The Sanscrit language, whatever be its antiquity, is of a wonderful structure; more perfect than the Greek, more copious than the Latin, and … Continue reading The Origin of the Indo-Europeans, Part I: Early Theories
arya-akasha 