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
Indra
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
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
Vedic Dragon-Slaying In Sogdian Armour ? A Mural Of Panjikent
Something that has truly given me cause for wonder as we've been delving further into the mysteries of Indo-European Central Asia … is just how immediately recognizable certain myths, certain figures, certain truths remain even 'midst seemingly unfamiliar overlay. This fine rendering from Penjikent in modern-day Tajikistan is just such an instance. A Sogdian depiction, … Continue reading Vedic Dragon-Slaying In Sogdian Armour ? A Mural Of Panjikent
On Bowing To Gods – AND Drinking With Them !
I've had this image - and its underlying sentiment - on my mind for a few days now. It's something that often comes up in Western (neo-)pagan circles, and represents multiple layers of fundamental misapprehension about Indo-European religion. Indeed, it is very much a modern take - reflective of modern prejudices, (mis-)perceptions, and hangups - masquerading … Continue reading On Bowing To Gods – AND Drinking With Them !
On The ‘Prime Deity’ Of The RigVeda
This poll somebody ran on twitter is interesting. Now, I have my own biases, of course, but I'm not sure that the results are especially accurate. For instance, it would take quite a .. selective reading to conclude Vishnu to be the "prime deity" of the RigVeda - that would seem to be a modern … Continue reading On The ‘Prime Deity’ Of The RigVeda
On The Archaic Notion Of The Indo-European Demigod
Recently, in the course of a discussion elsewhere, an occasional correspondant - 'Indian History' on twitter - made mention of a most intriguing Sanskrit term he'd observed in a Hymnal of the RigVeda. We were discussing 'Demigods', and whether these were a more exclusively Greek / Classical phenomenon or something of a broader Indo-European provenance. … Continue reading On The Archaic Notion Of The Indo-European Demigod
Towards An Indo-European Theory Of Demonology – Chaos, Devourers, Outsiders, Messengers and Monsters
Something I have long meant to pen is a sort of explanatory typology for 'Demons' in Indo-European understanding. There's almost certainly an entire book which could be written upon the subject - and it is undeniably significantly intriguing. After all, many a great and epic myth requires a suitably monstrous foe in order for the Hero … Continue reading Towards An Indo-European Theory Of Demonology – Chaos, Devourers, Outsiders, Messengers and Monsters
On The Spurious De-Indo-European-ization Of The Gods On Wikipedia And Elsewhere
This is what we're up against. And yes, yes I know - the hazards of reading Wikipedia … but that's just it, isn't it. So many people do. The stuff they see on that website is their first (and quite frequently, last and only) meaningful introduction to a topic, its nuances and its intricacies. As … Continue reading On The Spurious De-Indo-European-ization Of The Gods On Wikipedia And Elsewhere
On Herakles As Thunderer – The Recollection Of The Weapon In The Classical Conceptual Sphere
There are a few falsehoods in our field which stubbornly refuse to die. One of them is this ongoing notion that Zeus Pater / Jupiter is somehow the Indo-European Striker/Thunderer deific … rather than the Sky Father, Dyaus Pitar, that is the Father of said God. We have earlier poured quite some effort into demonstrating … Continue reading On Herakles As Thunderer – The Recollection Of The Weapon In The Classical Conceptual Sphere
arya-akasha 