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
MahishasuraMardini
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
The AtharvaVeda’s Invocation Of The Mother Of Indra To Impart Strength And Splendour To The Worshipper
The AtharvaVeda is a trove of interesting and otherwise under-thought of lore. It has to be due to the nature of its subject-matter - the invoking via allusion of elements to pointed projects and intended outcomes. Here are two translations of AV VI 38, entitled by Griffith as "A prayer for surpassing strength and energy" … Continue reading The AtharvaVeda’s Invocation Of The Mother Of Indra To Impart Strength And Splendour To The Worshipper
Masik Durgashtami – Victory On The Eighth
Today is Masik Durgashtami - a monthly (Masik) High Holy Day to the Goddess Durga, celebrated on the 8th (Ashtami). The observance itself entails a fast during the day (with such self-imposed conditions upon one's behavior known as a 'Vrat' - a 'Vow', and from the same PIE etymological root as modern English 'Word' (as … Continue reading Masik Durgashtami – Victory On The Eighth
Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part Two – Tracking the Skeins of Fate Via The Golden Bowstring
A particularly intriguing resonance is pointed via Artemis' Χρυσηλακατος ('Khryselakatos' - 'of the Golden Distaff'), for whilst we are not accustomed in the mythology to perceiving Artemis as engaged in such a 'housewife' and literally 'economic' role … this is not exactly what is meant via the term in specific application to Her. The notion of … Continue reading Artemis Orthia – The Inescapable Indo-European Goddess Of Cosmic Law ‘Midst The Mediterranean : Part Two – Tracking the Skeins of Fate Via The Golden Bowstring
The Divine Art Of Devi Kothi Temple
These absolutely beautiful frescos are from a Devi temple more than a quarter of a millennium old in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The name of the site is, aptly enough, Devi Kothi - and the presiding form of the Goddess is Chamunda. Depicted, is the great battle of the Goddess against a demon army. An artistic … Continue reading The Divine Art Of Devi Kothi Temple
Devi Durga As Mahishasura Mardini – Glorious Modern Hindu (A)Art(i) For Friday, Devi’s Day
Amazing modern (A)art(i) for Friday - Devi's Day. Durga as Mahishasura Mardini - the Destroyer of the Buffalo-Demon. Dawon, Her Lion Vahana [vehicle/steed] is looming behind. And Mahishasur, of course, is the exsanguinating horned figure under Her Feet and Spear. To quote from one of my previous works via way of explication - "To this … Continue reading Devi Durga As Mahishasura Mardini – Glorious Modern Hindu (A)Art(i) For Friday, Devi’s Day
Quenching Cyrus’ Blood-Thirst – The Tale Of Tomyris Of The Massagetae , A #GangSteppe Exegesis
'The Queen Tomyris with Cyrus II' - Art by Mossacannibalis This Is #GangSteppe I had been meaning to write of this occurrence for some time - as it's quite a resonant one for various elements of our work, in perhaps unexpected ways. Depicted is, as some of you could probably have guessed, the Massagetae Queen … Continue reading Quenching Cyrus’ Blood-Thirst – The Tale Of Tomyris Of The Massagetae , A #GangSteppe Exegesis
Durga Near Ghazni – A “Buddhist” Representation Afghanistan’s Hindu Past – Arte-Facts #10
Further art and artefact representation for Vijayadashami - a fragmentary Durga MahishasuraMardini depiction from Tapa Sardar in modern-day Afghanistan near Ghazni; then part of Zabul. Even though most of the statue is now missing (all that is blue or green in the reconstruction), it's still impressive! Especially considering that head, alone, is about 64 cm … Continue reading Durga Near Ghazni – A “Buddhist” Representation Afghanistan’s Hindu Past – Arte-Facts #10
arya-akasha 