We had earlier had our attention drawn to this verse (and its backdrop) by several associates. It is a work of one of the great Tamil Shaivite saints, Sambandar (also anglicized, as here, as Campantar) - and, as one can immediately see, it is a verse for the simultaneous praising of Lord Shiva, as well … Continue reading The Sovereign-Sires Of The Sky – Lord Shiva And Devi As The Ultimate Rulers Of The Grahas
Prajapati
No, Sacrifice Hasn’t Ended – A Response To A Case Of Insistently Myth-Taken Myth-Interpretation
We had recently had this passage from a work of the Italian writer, Roberto Calasso, thrust against us by somebody attempting to make a theological argument of sorts. This is infuriating. And not least because in the preceding paragraphs, Calasso does indeed write rather well - stylistically, at any rate. His command of content is … Continue reading No, Sacrifice Hasn’t Ended – A Response To A Case Of Insistently Myth-Taken Myth-Interpretation
Sacral Or Sacrificial ? Interrogating The Position Of The Cosmic Cow Within The Reconstructive Efforts Of The Proto-Indo-European Mythos
It is Wednesday - Woden's Day. And therefore, a particular exploration of a Myth most pertinent to He. That of Auðumbla - the Great Cow. More specifically, how this links to a speculative archaic Proto-Indo-European cosmogonical myth. Or, rather, how it doesn't link to the rather annoyingly pervasive very particular effort at a "reconstruction" I have in … Continue reading Sacral Or Sacrificial ? Interrogating The Position Of The Cosmic Cow Within The Reconstructive Efforts Of The Proto-Indo-European Mythos
On The Wolves Of Rudra – The Terrific, Well-Storied Wolves And Wolf Forms Of The Indo-European Sky Father
We begin to speak upon a theme most close to us - that of the Wolf Form, the Wolf Associations and Associates of Rudra … but also of the Indo-European Sky Father deific complex more generally. Now I state that it is a mytheme close to this author. I mean this quite directly - it … Continue reading On The Wolves Of Rudra – The Terrific, Well-Storied Wolves And Wolf Forms Of The Indo-European Sky Father
The Black First Lord Of Kashi – Kaala Bhairava ! [Glorious Modern Hindu Art]
Intended to post this for Monday - Lord Shiva's Day ! Fine modern art of Bhairava - 'Terror' - The God-Emperor's [Ishvara's] Executioner(-form). Again by Andrey Yarashevich. The severed head He bears in one hand is likely that of Lord Brahma Himself; and we also find the frequently encountered iconographic elements of the Trishula ['Trident' … Continue reading The Black First Lord Of Kashi – Kaala Bhairava ! [Glorious Modern Hindu Art]
Of Artemis And Actaeon, The Wolf As Defender Of The Goddess – A Forensic Theology Examination Of A Classical Myth In The Vedas And In The Stars
Many are aware of the broad outlines of the Classical instance of Artemis having Actaeon put to death. Roughly speaking - Actaeon commits an outrage against the Goddess's modesty, and so is turned into a deer and torn to pieces by his own hunting dogs. What few realize is that this particular story is also … Continue reading Of Artemis And Actaeon, The Wolf As Defender Of The Goddess – A Forensic Theology Examination Of A Classical Myth In The Vedas And In The Stars
Astra – The Star Weapon Of Orion, Ardra, Rudra
Orion is remarkable. Whether the constellation, the Metallica instrumental, or the mythological figure(s) - there is something impressively resonant and incredibly enduring behind the name and figure. I'm currently working upon a 'Forensic Theology' effort to look at the actual underlying archaic Indo-European myth and the figures involved (particularly the Death aspect - and just what, … Continue reading Astra – The Star Weapon Of Orion, Ardra, Rudra
Eight Forms And Energies Of Shiva As Sky Father
It is Wednesday - Woden's Day. And so therefore, as has become our tradition, we present an illumination of Eight Forms or Facings of the God, as attested in archaic Vedic scripture. Now I have chosen this particular set of eight, because they represent a most useful conceptual framework with which to link various Aspects and … Continue reading Eight Forms And Energies Of Shiva As Sky Father
The Birth Of Athena – On The Indo-European Genesis Of Tritogeneia
Earlier this week I encountered something which has, by now, become regrettably familiar to me - although this did not dull my rage at its ridiculous (re-)appearance. Somebody proclaiming that Athena - in amidst a veritable 'Who's Who' of the Greek pantheon - was part of a clade of "certain mythological stories or deities that … Continue reading The Birth Of Athena – On The Indo-European Genesis Of Tritogeneia
On The Rudraksha – Tears of Rudra
Worn about my wrist upon many occasions are three things - two are bandhs from a Priest; one from my RudraAbhishek, some five and a half years ago, the other from an occasion where I had assisted that same Pandit in another matter. But the third … they are a Mala [akin to 'prayer-beads'] of … Continue reading On The Rudraksha – Tears of Rudra