The Archetypal Origins Of Norse And Celtic Sea Deities
Long before the chemical composition of water was discovered, ancient cultures recognized it as the elixir of life, protected and ruled over by Read More
The Legend of Shikhandi, the Transgendered Warrior Who Paid the Price of Opposing Powerful Men
Chauvinism existed even in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The ancient text depicts the legendary eighteen-day bloodbath, dubbed the Kurukshetra War, where the hero/heroine’s greatest feat was not defeating the enemy, but overcoming stereotyped pre...
From the Ancient Greek Pleiades to the Hindu Matrikas: Mother Goddesses, Music and the Sacred Number 7
In Brihat-Samhita, Indian astronomer Varahamihira (505–587 CE) says that "Mothers are to be made with cognizance of gods corresponding to their names” leading to the birth of Matrikas (“Divine Mothers”) who are then asso...
What Really Happened in the Celestial Palace? Daughters of Pleasure, Courtesans of the Gods
It takes much willpower to resist the temptation of the asparas; beautiful dancing women in the court of Indra, king of the gods, in the celestial palace in Hindu mythology. They are the heavenly charmers who fascinated heroes and allure...
Goddess… or Demon? Hidden History of Vinayaki, the Mysterious Elephant-Headed Woman of Hindu Myth
In one of the shrines of the Thanumalayan temple in Kanyakumari district, India, is the stone sculpture of a four-armed deity sitting cross-legged in Sukhasana (“easy pose” - similar to sitting in a simple cross-legged position) holding a bat...
Understanding Ganesha: Legendary Wise Hindu God who Removes Obstacles, Ensures Success
Ganesha is one of the most distinctive Hindu deities. His role is to remove obstacles and ensure success as well as creating obstructions for those whose ambition has become destructive. He is also the patron of travelers, students, commerce and ...
Impossible Quest to Have the ‘Perfect Man’? The 5 Imperfect Brothers of the Mahabharata
The two major Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, still appear widely in popular folk drama, tales and art all over Southeast Asia with slight adaptations in all the myriad cultures of the region. Scenes from the epics are illustrated ...
Semar: The Fallen God and Divine Jester of Indonesian Mythology
Semar is probably one of the oldest characters in Indonesian mythology who was said to not have been derived from Hindu mythology. He was made famous by performances of Wayang (Shadow Puppets) in the islands of Java and Bali as a rather ...
Dancer, Lover, Destroyer: The Life and Loves of Lord Shiva, Hindu Deity
According to Hindu belief, destruction and rebirth destroy the illusions and imperfections of this world, paving the way for beneficial changes. Shiva, the god of destruction, is therefore seen as the source of both good and evil. He embodies man...
The Legends of the Panchakanya - The Five Virgins of Ancient India
The Panchakanya (the five virgins) are female characters in the two great epics of India, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Each of them is described as extraordinarily beautiful and virtuous. The literal meaning of 'kanya' means ‘gir...
