Einstein: “God does not play dice with the universe” Now, it's worth contextualizing that Einstein's aphorism was a one-sentence metaphorical rejection of the notion of randomness and quantum uncertainty. Hence, after some decades of further development in the relevant area ... Hawking: "Thus it seems Einstein was doubly wrong when he said, God does not … Continue reading On Indo-European Gods Playing Dice With The Universe
Shaktism
Glorious Modern Art For An Ancient Hindu Hymnal
Friday Evening Devi-otional (A)Art(I) Posting This is some truly excellent art which helps to illustrate evocatively a rather core series of principles to Shakta theology and cosmogony; which are also extolled in the course of my favourite of the RigVedic Hymnals - the renowned DeviSukta [RV X 125]. Note that it is the Hand of … Continue reading Glorious Modern Art For An Ancient Hindu Hymnal
A visage less commonly depicted – White Kali and the Cremation Cranes of Metempsychosis
Now, while the unexpectedness of a White Kali is remarkable in and of itself (indeed, in a certain sense, it might even be thought of as 'oxymoronic' - Kaal, after all, means 'Blackness', inter many alia); what makes this fine 17th century painting a worthy Friday Night Devotional (A)Art(I) posting goes rather beyond that. Take … Continue reading A visage less commonly depicted – White Kali and the Cremation Cranes of Metempsychosis
RigVeda X 127 – Ratri (Night)
[There are many mentions for Ratri Devi in the verses of the RigVeda; but this Hymn, addressed to Ratri Herself, is unquestionably the grandest. Following on from this morning's article the coterminities of 'rulership' and 'night/darkness' in both PIE and subsequent mytholinguistics, it seemed only appropriate to present this Hymnal. This time, in three translations … Continue reading RigVeda X 127 – Ratri (Night)
Kali in the Vedas Part 1 – A Hymn of Praise and prayer to Night
It is occasionally suggested that there is no Kali in the Vedas. Now, to this I do not agree. Partially, this is because there is quite clearly Devi, with a veer-y much Capital D to be found in the Vedas, as the Ultimate Power both within and beyond the Universe. But also, it is because … Continue reading Kali in the Vedas Part 1 – A Hymn of Praise and prayer to Night
The DeviSukta & (A)Art(I)
जय माता दी ! " 1. I proceed with the Rudras, with the Vasus, with the Ādityas and the Viśhvadevas; I support both Mitra and Varuṇa, Agni and Iñdra, and the two Aśvins. 2. I support the foe-destroying Tvaśtṛ, Pūśan and Bhaga; I bestow wealth upon the institutor of the rite offering the oblation (havis) … Continue reading The DeviSukta & (A)Art(I)
Brahmacharini – The Second of the NavaDurgas, The Second Night of NavRatri
The Second Night of #NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Brahmacharini – the Seeker of the Absolute. This is a rather direct rendering of Her theonym, as can be seen from the constituent parts: Brahman, and Charya (Charini is the feminine form of this noun). But what is actually meant by these terms, and what … Continue reading Brahmacharini – The Second of the NavaDurgas, The Second Night of NavRatri
Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
The first night of NavRatri is dedicated to Ma as Shailaputri – the Daughter of the Mountain. As noted in the introductory piece, the Mountain in question refers to King Himavat – the Lord of the Himalayas, and the father of Parvati [‘[Daughter] Of the Mountain’] in this particular cycle of Her incarnation. However, I … Continue reading Shailaputri – First of the NavaDurga
The Departure And Arrival Of No Moon – Sarva Pitru Amavasya And Devi Mahalaya
Tonight marks the last night of Pitru Paksha - the Fortnight of the Ancestors; and is also the MahaLaya event which precedes and forms a bridge with the NavRatri (Nine Nights) of Goddess Durga yet to come. The purposes of this occasion, then, whether regarded as Sarva Pitru Amavasya, or as the 'prelude' to NavRatri, … Continue reading The Departure And Arrival Of No Moon – Sarva Pitru Amavasya And Devi Mahalaya
For Friday & For Full Moon – MahaGauri Devi
In light of the full moon, and also that it is Friday - Devotional (A)Art(I) posting of Devi as (Maha)Gauri. Direct meaning of Gauri, is "fair", "brilliant", "white", "radiant", "beautiful", and also, the Moon. MahaGauri, then, is the most brilliant, the great white one, the radiant splendour, the full moon. I have written elsewhere, as … Continue reading For Friday & For Full Moon – MahaGauri Devi
arya-akasha 