To answer Nirjharaḥ Mukhopādhyāyaḥ's question … "No World Beyond HER RuleNo Enemy Beyond HER Wrath" is what I think about this. Now I know that Sadhguru prides himself on not letting himself be "cluttered" by reading scripture - however it does not take a pervasive engagement with our texts to see that the "Feminine", Devi, … Continue reading On Sadhguru’s Recent Curious Comment About (Hindu, Divine) Feminine And Conquest
MahishasuraMardini
Adorned By The Mantle Of Fire And The Masque Of Death
A fitting image, we had felt, to resonate with a figure encountered at various points in our work over this past year, and that we might perhaps think of as something of a 'Para-Kali' or even 'Proto-Kali' (and, of course, Chandika / Chamunda, and Durga, are also heavily in-mind here for reasons that ought prove … Continue reading Adorned By The Mantle Of Fire And The Masque Of Death
A Combat Of Piety – Lord Rama’s Averted Eye Sacrifice To Devi For Victory And Its Vedic Antecedents
To explain what's going on here - this is a Ramayana episode of particular significance to us in relation to #NavRatri and its apex. Although the occurrence in question is drawn from other sources than the familiar Valmiki Ramayana. It illustrates a particular ritual observance hailed within the realm of Myth (and which I believe … Continue reading A Combat Of Piety – Lord Rama’s Averted Eye Sacrifice To Devi For Victory And Its Vedic Antecedents
The Divine Invocation Of The War Goddess – Katyayani Prayed To For Victory By The Gods
Illustration: 'Rama’s Sharadiya Durga Puja' - Ratan Acharya Something that I feel deserves greater prominence when we speak of Indo-European theology - is the fact that Our Gods Have Gods. Or, more pointedly - Goddess. This isn't just a Hindu thing. It is also encountered - at least, inferentially - in the Hellenic sphere. There, … Continue reading The Divine Invocation Of The War Goddess – Katyayani Prayed To For Victory By The Gods
Devi Worship In Puerto Rico For NavRatri [Operation VaishvaDevi]
For this year's #NavRatri, we said we would be doing something a little different - a 'Show of Force' [Shakti] A tangible demonstration that Devi (and Her Devotees) can be found not only in the Hindu perspective (or, for that matter, what we often think of as the Hindusphere) … but right across the Indo-European … Continue reading Devi Worship In Puerto Rico For NavRatri [Operation VaishvaDevi]
Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
This is just absolutely exquisite. 14th century Nepali depiction of Devi Durga as Mahishasura Mardini ['Slayer of the Buffalo[-headed] Demon'], in copper. There's a real glorious sense of motion to the sculpture, and you can just imagine how radiant this would have looked in the original bright (dare we suggest almost 'saffron') hues of the … Continue reading Dynamism & Control – The Perfect Poise Of A Nepali Durga Sculpture As Mahishasura Mardini
Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
The Sixth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Katyayani - in many ways, perhaps the most iconic understanding for Devi amidst the modern Hindusphere. When we think of Durga - this tends to be Whom we are praising. For She is MahishasuraMardini - The Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon - Herself ! However, as … Continue reading Katyayani for Chaitra Navratri – MahishasuraMardini (The Destroyer of the Demon) Herself
Chandraghanta for Chaitra Navratri – Radiancy of the Foe-Destroying Splendorous Moon
The Third Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Chandraghanta - which we might directly translate as 'Moon Bell', although this does not *quite* capture the true sense of the latter term's meaning. Now a Ghanta, for us, is a bell. Particularly of the sort rung during religious purposes. The sense is not merely … Continue reading Chandraghanta for Chaitra Navratri – Radiancy of the Foe-Destroying Splendorous Moon
For A Sword
Much of today has been Svati - The Sword (although several other meanings/etymologies are noted - and as for which one is correct .. the answer is 'Yes'). And so, therefore we have beautiful art of Kali wielding a fine Ramdao - the famously distinctive curved and eyed blade utilized in the practice of Bali, … Continue reading For A Sword
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
arya-akasha 