question that turned up on the youtube channel [that i've taken .. long to respond to]; answer below: i mean, as you know, there's quite some complexity when it comes to this kind of theology - for a start, it's not always the case that a particular theonym that we are used to encountering for … Continue reading A Brief Point On Hindu Theonymics [Arya Akasha Arka]
Sanskrit
Glorious Art Of The One Eyed God For Wednesday – Rudra
It is Wednesday ! Woden's Day ! And therefore … art of a One Eyed God (and His Wife) Now, of course, it becomes immediately apparent that this is Shaivite art - and so some might ask what I mean by this here. After all, whilst Rudra is Odin … Lord Shiva is also so … Continue reading Glorious Art Of The One Eyed God For Wednesday – Rudra
On Brigid And Brhati – Some Preliminary Observation
Recently, we were asked a question pertaining to the figure of St Brigid - and, of course, the Celtic deific of the similar name (which may have further bearing for the somewhat distinct Brigantia … although we aren't going to get into that herein). Part of the question concerned the potential for Brigid to be an … Continue reading On Brigid And Brhati – Some Preliminary Observation
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
Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
The Fourth Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Kushmanda - which I have figuratively chosen to render as 'the Power of the Sun'. In essence, the reason that the Sun is ... well ... the Sun - rather than some abstract 'ball of flaming gas', or even simply an inanimate, lifeless object, is … Continue reading Kushmanda for Chaitra Navratri – The Power of the Sun
Brahmacharini for Chaitra Navratri – Seeker of the Absolute
The Second Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Brahmacharini - the Seeker of the Absolute. Now as we will recall - 'Brahman' is from Proto-Indo-European *bʰerǵʰ-. This term in PIE refers to something that is 'high', 'exalted' - and also produces, unsurprisingly, terms for 'mountain' (like the Germanic 'Berg'). It would perhaps be improper … Continue reading Brahmacharini for Chaitra Navratri – Seeker of the Absolute
Shailaputri for Chaitra Navratri – Daughter of the Mountain
The First Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Shailaputri - the Daughter of the Mountain. In English, 'Daughter of the Mountain' would be quite a frequent hailing for Devi - 'Girija' [i.e. Giri - Mountain, plus Ja - 'born from'], and even 'Parvati' may be translated in such a manner ['Parvata' - Mountain; … Continue reading Shailaputri for Chaitra Navratri – Daughter of the Mountain
On The Mytholinguistics Of The Solar Speech
It is SUNDAY - The Day of the Sun ! And, in fact, twice over - for today is also Bhanu Saptami : The Shining (Bhanu) Day on the Seventh (Saptami). The reason for the observance is often said to be a (Re-)Birth Day of the Sun. AV XIII 2 25 therefore springs instantly to … Continue reading On The Mytholinguistics Of The Solar Speech
On Why Gods Are Gods – A Response To A Question
Earlier this evening, I was asked to contribute my thoughts on a frequently occurrent question - "What makes a God a God?" Now in this day and age of ever-shifting meanings and the relativism that enables the worship of literal out-and-out demons or flawed mortal would-be 'messiahs' in personality-cults across the land, it is a … Continue reading On Why Gods Are Gods – A Response To A Question
The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?
A carved Surya from Magadha, likely about 21-22 centuries old. Now, I felt this deserved a brief commentary due to the two decidedly female figures either side of Lord Surya in the Solar Chariot. Per the Suprabedhagama and Amsumadbhedagama (manuals of Hindu iconographic depiction, inter alia) - we may find Surya flanked by Prathyusha & … Continue reading The Maricis Of Lord Surya – A Solar Warrior Women Typology ?