[Author's Note: This work brings together several (my)themes close and dear to my heart. It had been intended to be published upon MahaShivRatri - the 1st of March in 2022 - however, Time waits for no man (other than Her Husband); and my continuing to find further elements which cried out to be included resulted … Continue reading RudraGanika – A Study In Eternal Return As Manifested Through The Sky Father’s Female Retinue Across The Indo-European World
Lord Shiva
A Verse Of The Shiv Tandav Stotram For Pradosha Vrat
Tonight is Pradosha Vrat - a Shaivite Observance ! And so, therefore : जटाकटाहसम्भ्रमभ्रमन्निलिम्पनिर्झरीविलोलवीचिवल्लरीविराजमानमूर्धनि ।धगद्धगद्धगज्जलल्ललाटपट्टपावकेकिशोरचन्द्रशेखरे रतिः प्रतिक्षणं मम ॥ Jattaa-Kattaaha-Sambhrama-Bhraman-Nilimpa-NirjhariiVilola-Viici-Vallarii-Viraajamaana-Muurdhani |Dhagad-Dhagad-Dhagaj-Jvalal-Lalaatta-Patttta-PaavakeKishora-Candra-Shekhare Ratih Pratikssannam Mama || His Matted Hair (Jatta) Like a Cauldron (Kattaaha) Whirls Around (Sambhrama), Flowing (Bhrama) within it is the Goddess (Nilimpa) of the River (Nirjharii) [i.e. Goddess Ganga] [Note: c.f Kyanokhaitis - … Continue reading A Verse Of The Shiv Tandav Stotram For Pradosha Vrat
The Dhyana of the Dancing Shiva
आंगिकम भुवनम यस्यवाचिकं सर्व वाङ्ग्मयमआहार्यं चन्द्र ताराधितं नुमः (वन्दे) सात्विकं शिवम् Angikam Bhuvanam YasyaVachikam Sarva VangmayamAaharyam Chandra TaradiTam Numah (Vande) Satvikam Shivam Whose Body is the Universe[Whose] Divine Vocalization is the Language of All[Whose] Adornments are the Moon and the StarsTo You we Bow in Reverence, the Truth, Lord Shiva ! ॐ नमः शिवाय ! … Continue reading The Dhyana of the Dancing Shiva
Be The Boys You Wish To See Back In Town – The Ganas of Shiva and Thiasos of Dionysus
Shiva & Dionysus - but, then, I repeat myself. Dionysus pictured alongside His θῐ́ᾰσος (‘Thiasos’ – likely from ‘Thyrsus’, the sharp-pointed staff of Dionysus and borne also by His Ardent Devotees); Shiva, in amidst His Ganas (from the same root as 'Genus' - effectively, groups or companies of His Higher Devotees; most famously, the BhutaGana … Continue reading Be The Boys You Wish To See Back In Town – The Ganas of Shiva and Thiasos of Dionysus
Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Today is TUESDAY - the Day of Mars (Dies Martis in Latin). Therefore, art of Mangala (a term which, intriguingly, may either mean 'Auspicious' - or Mars, a Graha ['Planet'/'Influencer'] often regarded as rather Inauspicious indeed). He is a General of the militant forces of the Gods, and amidst Their foremost martial champions. And therefore, … Continue reading Tuesday – The Day of Mangala (Mars)
Of Rudra Bhava & Χαος Amidst The Indo-Greeks
It is MONDAY - Lord Shiva's Day ! And therefore … something perhaps unexpected. A 'Greek' Rudra ! As pointed out to me by that eminent explorer of such finds, the sage Manasataramgini. Now, in the course of our work we have frequently discussed how the north-western zone of the ancient Hindusphere formed quite the … Continue reading Of Rudra Bhava & Χαος Amidst The Indo-Greeks
Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022
Tonight is Masik Shivratri ['Monthly Night of Shiva'] On MahaShivRatri ['Great Night of Shiva'], we celebrate the glorious and blessed Reunification of Lord Shiva and His Wife, Devi Parvati. And while much attention deservedly goes toward MahaShivRatri, there are also 11 other ShivRatris throughout the year - one for each lunar month, observed on the … Continue reading Masik ShivRatri – First of 2022
Divine Play – The Unfurling Mythic Universe As Wargame And Drama In Nordic And Hindu Perception
As we move toward the close of 2021, there's something I feel is relevant to share. It uses the Binding of Fenrir as a framing device, but has a far broader saliency. And far more personal relevance and application. I've had a rather … difficult - indeed, downright tempestuous, in some respects - last few … Continue reading Divine Play – The Unfurling Mythic Universe As Wargame And Drama In Nordic And Hindu Perception
Bhairava & Kali For The Transition Of The Cycle Of Time On New Year’s Eve / Day
There are few situations which cannot be matched with a fine exemplar of the artwork of Abhishek Singh. In this case, he had chosen to depict Bhairava & Kali at the end of a Kalpa ('Cycle of Time'). He later refined the Bhairava into a full-colour work; yet I think that there is something immensely … Continue reading Bhairava & Kali For The Transition Of The Cycle Of Time On New Year’s Eve / Day
Appealing To Odin Rudra Shiva To Help Find One’s Beloved (Again)
"He gives Victory to some,Money to others,Eloquence to many,and Common Sense to all.He gives Waves to the Sea,Word-Skill to Poets,He gives many the Happiness of Love" Freyja, speaking of Odin, apparently from the Völuspá hin skamma per Dr Jackson Crawford's translation … which appears to be extracted from Hyndluljóð Interested to see this particular verse … Continue reading Appealing To Odin Rudra Shiva To Help Find One’s Beloved (Again)