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 ]
Rudra
‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
Following on from our earlier piece looking at 'Barbarian' in Vedic understanding - here are several further examples .. along with broader Indo-European comparanda contextualizing each. Two of these were furnished by the same associate [A.P.] whom I had been discussing with in the excerpt posted earlier. I have not independently tracked them down in … Continue reading ‘Nomads’, ‘Murmurers’, & ‘Death-Seekers At the Border’ – Three Further Perspectives On Barbarians Drawn Into The Broader Indo-European Sphere
Deific On Horseback With Two Ravens From Central Asia
Another votive panel from the Khotanese Saka (Scythians) at Dandan Oilik in the Taklamakan. Now there are a few points of interest here. Obviously, one of these is the fine horseman figure on the right of the image. He's a direct resonancy with the similar figure I wrote about yesterday - tentatively identifiable as a … Continue reading Deific On Horseback With Two Ravens From Central Asia
Sirius In Central Asia – Soma, Tisya, Tishtrya, Rudra
It is Wednesday - Odin's Day - and so therefore, as has become our custom, some fine devotional (a)art-i. Except this exquisite piece is not from the Northlands of Scandinavia - rather, its provenance is that most mysterious of Indo-European lands … far-flung Central Asia. Khotan, amidst the deserts and mountains fringing China's western edge in … Continue reading Sirius In Central Asia – Soma, Tisya, Tishtrya, Rudra
Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
It is Monday - Lord Shiva's Day. And therefore - fine Roudran (A)Art-i. In this case - potentially - as Midhvan, and we shall explicate that term momentarily. Now, when one thinks of a figure of rather … apocalyptic significance turning up riding a white horse, it is perhaps rare that one's mind would immediately … Continue reading Midhvan for Monday – Lord Rudra’s Day
Response To Some Curious Krishnaite Claims On Comparative Indo-European Mythology
Several associates summoned me to respond to this post. Now, for context on what's going on here, this "Germanic Vedic Alliance" page appears to be some kind of Hare Krishna style 'outreach effort' that's targeted at the Nordic / Germanic revivalist sphere and making occasional forays into broader Indo-European spheres. I've deliberately refrained, in my … Continue reading Response To Some Curious Krishnaite Claims On Comparative Indo-European Mythology
On The Flaming Swords Of Odin & Agni & Rudra – An Excerpt
It is WEDNESDAY - Woden's Day - And Therefore, as has become our custom … we present an (A)Arti-cle. In this case, it is an excerpt from our previous 'On Odin As Agni', and looks at the correlation of Flames and Swords found with both deific expressions. Enjoy! (Also, N.B.: various of the conceptry involved … Continue reading On The Flaming Swords Of Odin & Agni & Rudra – An Excerpt
Islamic Influence On A Kalasha Rite
As we have previously asserted, the emphasis upon the Kalasha as some sort of 'More Pure' and 'Pre-Vedic' Hinduism is mistaken. There is no doubt that they - as with any other surviving Indo-European faith - do preserve very ancient and archaic elements indeed; however, the belief that this places them as an unadulterated "pre-Vedic" … Continue reading Islamic Influence On A Kalasha Rite
Grandfather In The Sky – An Account Of Nuristani Imro Appearing To His Shamans, Situated In Indo-European Context
It is Wednesday - Woden's Day - and therefore, something a little different. This is another excerpt from Richard Strand's interview with the Nuristani Vasi headman, Zaman Xan, in 1973. See if you notice anything … familiar sounding from a comparative Indo-European perspective: Speaking of his tribe's shamans, and their manner for encountering Imra / … Continue reading Grandfather In The Sky – An Account Of Nuristani Imro Appearing To His Shamans, Situated In Indo-European Context
The Sogdian Shiva Weshparkar of Panjikent – Arte-Facts #13
It is Wednesday - which, in the Northern European end of things, is Woden's Day. Therefore, as has become our custom … fine Shaivite devotional (A)Art-i posting. Now this beautiful depiction has been upon my mind for some weeks now - because if you were asked to draw a fearsomely formidable Lord of the Wind … Continue reading The Sogdian Shiva Weshparkar of Panjikent – Arte-Facts #13