Recently, we'd had somebody write in via the site with relation to the 'Storm' characteristic in association with Athena. It's something which one should think would enjoy more prominence in the perception as to the Goddess - but despite various attestations from around the Classical legendaria, as well as the strong implicit sense to such a prospect … Continue reading The Thunderbolt (And Storm Shield) Of Athena – A Brief Compilation
Nagara Devata
A Half-Decade’s Anthology – Arya Akasha Indian Independence Day Articles 2018-2022
Every year for India's Independence Day , I tend to try and put together a commentary in honour of the occasion. Here's the links to the past … half-decade's suite of offerings in this regard. Plus some brief annotation as to the contents. 2018 - 'Bharat Mata And The Indo-European Deific Of National Identity' https://aryaakasha.com/2018/08/15/bharat-mata-and-the-indo-european-deific-of-national-identity/ … Continue reading A Half-Decade’s Anthology – Arya Akasha Indian Independence Day Articles 2018-2022
The Divine Empress And The Fire God – Beautiful Newari Art And The Durga Suktam
Very, very cool ! On the left, is Maheshvari (Devi) - on the right, Agni. Now, it might at first seem a little curious - we are used to thinking of Agni as a 'two-faced' figure in the iconography. Yet in a way … These depictions are, quite literally, two sides of the same artwork. … Continue reading The Divine Empress And The Fire God – Beautiful Newari Art And The Durga Suktam
Apollo ‘The Three-Eyed One’ . . . ?
We were rather interested, just now, to read of Apollo's epithet of Τριοπιον - 'Triopion' Why? Because the name in question appears to mean 'Three-Eyed'. Now ostensibly, it pertains to an Anatolian town - and therefore Apollo Triopion is the Apollo of Triopion. Triopion having being founded by a figure bearing such a 'Three-Eyed' (Triopas) … Continue reading Apollo ‘The Three-Eyed One’ . . . ?
On A Potential Afghan Origination For The Elephant Visage Of Lord Ganesha
In amidst the fusillading frequency of my Ganesha posting this week, we had had a rather intriguing question. Namely, whether - given the irreducibly Elephantine iconography of Ganesha - there were any clear cognates for this in the Western (i.e. European) Indo-European sphere. I have to say - none spring instantly to mind. Which doesn't … Continue reading On A Potential Afghan Origination For The Elephant Visage Of Lord Ganesha
Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
The Acropolis at Athens - Leo von Klenze, 1846. Note the very, very large Athena statue in pride of place upon the Acropolis. This is Athena Promachos (Ἀθηνᾶ Πρόμαχος) - Athena Who-Fights-In-The-Front-Line. The meaning of the epithet is reasonably direct - the 'foremost fighter', the warrior at (and as) the proverbial 'tip of the spear'. … Continue reading Athena Promachos – Immortal Sentinel of the City
On The Bharat Mata Of Kashi Vishwanath Temple – And Some Curiously Modern Objections To Same
There is currently some controversy about installation of a Bharat Mata murti at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The claim is that this is installing 'fake & modern political deity' - something with no connection to the authentic religious sphere. This is false. Bharat Mata is 'recent', in the sense that this form of the deific appears … Continue reading On The Bharat Mata Of Kashi Vishwanath Temple – And Some Curiously Modern Objections To Same
The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
In our field, we are so often delving into impressive legends of long ago - myths about men who once lived and wrought deeds so mighty that they seem frankly 'incredible' (in the old sense of the term) today. And that can leave one quite jaded about the modern era for reasons that ought be … Continue reading The Ganesha Of Kabul – And His Custodian Guard [ Arte-Facts #14 ]
arya-akasha 