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Colliding galaxies-only one will remain © Webb/Hubble

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One legend even tells of a kitsune who married her human lover and bore his children. However, when the true nature of a fox is revealed—even in human form they have fox traits, like a fox-shaped shadow or a tail hidden under the kimono—the spirit runs away, never to return.

Kitsune are believed to possess superior inteligence ie this matches the 'Knowledge Seeker' part, where as Huli Jing are usually malicious. Both can take the form of human women. We know, Zei, we know.

Kitsune are well known for their elaborate tricks and illusions, often taking the form of beautiful women to deceive men.

While both can have multiple tails, the "nine-tailed fox" concept is more strongly associated with the Huli Jing in Chinese mythology.

In the spiritual form, kitsune is able to possess people or enter their dreams through nails. The most common legends speak of kitsune with one, five, seven or nine tails.

🦊

That is the nine-tailed fox, a deity beast appearing alongside Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West) with the Rabbit, the Toad, and the Three-foot Blue Bird. In the Qin Dynasty, the nine-tailed fox was an auspicious symbol. The appearance of a nine-tailed fox symbolizes peace and prosperity in the world.

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Inktober day 26: Dark

Demongo from Samurai Jack animated series.

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Lucy Lui

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Lord Indra - King of the Devas Talon Abraxas

Background of Lord Indra

Origin and Mythology:

Lord Indra's roots are firmly planted in the Vedic scriptures, especially the Rigveda. Born to the sage Kashyapa and the primordial goddess Aditi, his divine lineage sets the stage for a mythic narrative of cosmic significance. The Rigveda sings hymns praising Indra's valor, recounting his legendary battles against the serpent demon Vritra. This epic clash establishes Indra as a heroic figure and the vanquisher of chaos.

Role in the Hindu Pantheon:

Beyond the Rigveda, Lord Indra's role in the Hindu pantheon is multifaceted. As the ruler of Svarga, the heavenly abode, he governs with regal authority and martial prowess. Indra emerges not only as a warrior defeating demonic adversaries but also as the upholder of dharma, ensuring that cosmic order and righteousness prevail.

Attributes and Depictions

Physical Appearance:

Lord Indra is often depicted with regal splendor. His robust and youthful form exudes strength and vitality. Indra is adorned with divine ornaments, and his countenance reflects wisdom and authority, befitting his role as the king of gods.

Symbolic Elements:

Indra's symbolism extends to his mighty weapon, the Vajra, a thunderbolt representing destructive force and indestructible purity. His mount, Airavata, the celestial white elephant, symbolizes majesty and purity, further enhancing the divine aura surrounding Lord Indra.

Iconography and Representations in Art:

In artistic representations, Lord Indra is portrayed in various mediums. Paintings, sculptures, and temple carvings capture his dynamic presence, often surrounded by celestial elements and mythic symbolism. These depictions serve as visual narratives, conveying the essence of Lord Indra's divinity.

Titles and Epithets

Lord Indra is adorned with various titles and epithets, each illuminating different facets of his divine persona. As "Shakra," he is mighty, symbolizing strength and power. "Vajrapani" emphasizes his wielding of the thunderbolt, while "Meghavahana" highlights his association with clouds and rainfall, crucial for agricultural prosperity.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership in the Heavenly Abode:

Svarga, the celestial realm ruled by Indra, is a realm of divine splendor and eternal bliss. As the king of gods, Indra leads the celestial beings in a harmonious existence, reflecting the cosmic order envisioned in Hindu cosmology.

Protector of Dharma:

Indra's role extends beyond the celestial realms; he is a guardian of dharma, ensuring the preservation of moral and cosmic order. His interventions in the cosmic balance, often through epic battles, exemplify his commitment to righteousness and the greater good.

God of Rain and Thunderstorms:

Indra's influence is felt in the natural world through his association with rain and thunderstorms. Devotees invoke him for bountiful rainfall, crucial for agricultural abundance. This aspect of Lord Indra reinforces his connection to the cyclical rhythms of nature.

Lord Indra - Kings of the Devas | Wielder of Thunderbolt

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Soma, the divine plant and drink of the Vedic gods. Confers power, vitality, wisdom, healer of ailments, and bestower of riches.

A divine drink. But, what was it? The stories tell us it was a drink made from honey likely and a plant that had to be distilled.

Soma in fact means in Sanskrit: distill, extract, sprinkle. Sounds like words to brew up a...brew.

Interestingly enough, though, scholars theorize that part of the drink was most definitely honey, and....magic mushrooms. Magic Mushroom wine, in fact.

Now, another interesting tidbit is that the Zoroastrians had a similar drink called Haoma - which scholars also theorize was made along the same lines and had the same benefits.

Does divine honey wine sound familiar? <Mead has entered the chat>

Then there is the Greek Ambrosia, nectar of the gods (NECTAR) that can grant immortality, just like some of the drinks I mentioned from other myths.

Here we get into some actual comparative mythology stuff as the concept of immortality linked to drinks exists in written in the Greek and Vedic with the word ambrosia being semantically linked to amṛta - concept of immortality -- food/drink to reach that path. This makes sense because the words come from the proto indo european: ṇ-mṛ-tós, "un-dying".

Many of the early epics seem to feature some kind of overall divine healing plant or divine drink that empowers its heroes. Why is that?

Simple as people just loved booze and the idea of super magic special booze? "Honey, I'm not drinking...I'm communing with god to make the strongest of our bloodline!!!! I SWEAR."

Or...was it something else? Is there a shared older story beat that all these epics draw from?

Right now? People still figuring that out. But there are _some_ connections. And they're fascinating.

(As I don't drink, you'll have to tell me if getting sloshed on honey wine has given you power, magic, healed you, or let you see god.)

In the Vedic stories, the Artisan and craftsman god, Tvashtr, creates this magical drink, along with Indra's lightning bolt (that myth sound familiar?), the creator of forms, living wombs, and oh, he creates vritra, the three-headed asura dragon that captures and holds hostage the waters of the world and is slain by Indra. Vritra becomes so dangerous and empowered by, you guessed it, drinking all the Soma at Tvashtrs house.

Man found the unlimited rare candy glitch. -_-

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~ “SEVEN HORSES OF SUN GOD The seven horses are named after the seven meters of Sanskrit prosody: Gayatri, Brihati, Ushnih, Jagati, Trishtubha, Anushtubha, and Pankti. If you consider the modern Scientific explanation, you can say that the WWhite light emitted by the Sun God consists of 7 (seven ) of the constituent colours of the White light, namely : Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. सप्त त्वा हरितो रथे वहन्ति देव सूर्य I (RigVeda 1.50. Rudras are the Eleven immortals created by God Shiva. Since Shiva is the creator or head of these 11 Rudras, Shiva is referred as Rudra. The eleven Rudras are Kapali, Pingala, Bhima, Virupaksha, Vilohita, Ajesha, Shasana, Shasta, Shambu, Chanda and Dhruva. Prajapathi Daksha had total 62 daughters, and Sage Kashyapa married 13 sisters and Diti and Aditi were among them. The children born to Diti and Sage Kashyapa were the Daitya (demons ). The children born to Aditi and sage Kashyapa are Adityas ( devas or Gods). The 12 Adityas are described in the RigVeda as solar dieties. The twelve Adityas are Vishnu, Sakra, Aryaman, Dhaataa, Vidhaataa, Twashtaa, Pooshaa, Vivaswaan, Savitaa, Mitraavarun, Ansa and Bhaga. In the Vedas, Surya Deva is the most powerful and in the top Deities along with Sri Rudra, Vishnu, and Brahmanaspati (Ganesha). Even the Hiraynagarbha Suktam can be interpreted for Surya as he is also known as Hiraynagarbha. The deity Surya is called as All-knowing: उदु॒ त्यं जा॒तवे᳚दसं दे॒वं व॑हन्ति के॒तवः॑ । दृ॒शे विश्वा᳚य॒ सूर्य᳚म् ॥ १.०५०.०१ The all-knowing Sun, the God is carried up by the rays of wisdom so that all may behold him - Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 1, 50th Suktam. He is the one who creates the light, Surya Deva is not to be confused with the Solar orb that we see. Surya in the Vedas it not a the ball of hot plasma rather he is the supreme light of the Brahman. We will see these in futhur verses. प्र॒त्यङ्दे॒वानां॒ विशः॑ प्र॒त्यङ्ङुदे᳚षि॒ मानु॑षान् । प्र॒त्यङ्विश्वं॒ स्व॑र्दृ॒शे ॥ १.०५०.०५ (You are the ferrier, the object of all sight and the creator of light, O Surya. You shine illumining all) - Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 1, 50th Suktam. The mere sight of Surya Bhagwan nourishs all and removes us of our impurity. Here Hiranyagarbha is called as Varuna. Not get confused with the other deity. There are many instances where one Deva is refered with many names, like Vishnu is called as Indra, Surya is called as Varuna, Agni is called as Mitra, Rudra as Soma, and so on. येना᳚ पावक॒ चक्ष॑सा भुर॒ण्यन्तं॒ जना॒ँ अनु॑ । त्वं व॑रुण॒ पश्य॑सि ॥ १.०५०.०६ (O Purifier, with your eyes you nourish the mortals into succession. By merely looking at them, O Varuna you nourish)- Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 1, 50th Suktam. Probably in the Vedas the feat of Bhagwan Surya destorying the Maya of the Asura Svarbhanu is a very important verse symbolically. His mere rays destoryed the Maya of Svarbhanu. Svarbhanu covered Surya with darkness from all sides. Atri worshipped Surya and then Surya destroyed the darkness. A detialed account can be found in Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 5, Suktam 40. Surya is credited for killing Vritra, infact his mere light can kill Vritra, Dasyus, Asuras and all the evil forces: वि॒भ्राड्बृ॒हत्सुभृ॑तं वाज॒सात॑मं॒ धर्म᳚न्दि॒वो ध॒रुणे᳚ स॒त्यमर्पि॑तम् । अ॒मि॒त्र॒हा वृ॑त्र॒हा द॑स्यु॒हन्त॑मं॒ ज्योति॑र्जज्ञे असुर॒हा स॑पत्न॒हा ॥ १०.१७०.०२ (Radiant, as high Truth, cherished, best at winning strength, Truth based upon the statute that supports the heavens. He rose, a light, that kills Vṛtras and enemies, best slayer of the Dasyus, Asuras, and foes) - Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 1, 170th Suktam. The light of Surya is the supreme and there is no light that is greater than his. इ॒दं श्रेष्ठं॒ ज्योति॑षां॒ ज्योति॑रुत्त॒मं वि॑श्व॒जिद्ध॑न॒जिदु॑च्यते बृ॒हत् । वि॒श्व॒भ्राड्भ्रा॒जो महि॒ सूर्यो᳚ दृ॒श उ॒रु प॑प्रथे॒ सह॒ ओजो॒ अच्यु॑तम् ॥ १०.१७०.०३ (This light, the best of lights, supreme, all-conquering, winner of riches, is exalted with high laud. All-lighting, radiant, mighty as the Sun to see, he spreadeth wide unfailing victory and strength)- Rig Veda Samhita, Mandala 1, 170th Suktam. He is the supreme Brahman as mentioned in the Taittriya Aranyaka, Chapter 10. आ॒दि॒त्यो वै तेज॒ ओजो॒ बलं॒ यश॒श्चक्षुः॒ श्रोत्र॑मा॒त्मा मनो म॒न्युर्म॒नु॑र्मृ॒त्युः स॒त्यो मि॒त्रो वा॒युरा॑का॒शः प्रा॒णो लो॑कपा॒लः कः किं कं तत्स॒त्यमन्न॑म॒मृतो॑ जी॒वो विश्वः॑ कत॒मः स्वय॒म्भु ब्रह्मै॒तदमृ॑त ए॒ष पुरु॑ष ए॒ष भू॒ताना॒मधि॑पति॒र्ब्रह्म॑णः॒ सायु॑ज्यꣳ सलो॒कता॑माप्नोत्ये॒तासा॑मे॒व दे॒वता॑ना॒ꣳ सायु॑ज्यꣳ सा॒र्ष्टिता॑ꣳ समानलो॑कता॑माप्नोति॒ य ए॒वं वेदे᳚त्युप॒निषत् Aditya is verily all these energy, splendour strength, reown, sight, hearing, body, mind, anger, Seer, Devas, the deities of Death, Satya, Mitra, Vayu, Akasha (space), Prana (life energis), the ruler of the worlds, the Indeterminable one, happiness that transcends the senses, truth, food, life span, Immortality (established in Brahman), Jiva (the individual soul), the Universe, blish, and the self born Brahman. This Purusha (Surya) is eternal. He is Lord of all creatures. He who meditates upon him attains Brahman and lives in the same region of enjoyment with him. He attains union, co-residence and enjoyment with the Devas in their worlds. The secret knowledge is thus imparted. (Taittriya Aranyaka, Chapter 10, Section 15) This pretty much is enough to say that Surya Deva is beyond feats. There are some idiots who make claims that Aditya is Vishnu and not Surya. These claims do not have any evidence, Surya is Aditya as Rig Veda makes it very clear. The Sooryopanishad also talks the same. As per Sooryopanishad, it is Aditya that creates Brahma, Vishnu, Kalarudra, Adityas, Indra, Vayu, Mitra, Devas and he is the basis for anger, happiness, consciousness, etc… Thus the chariot of the sun-god, which is trayimaya, or worshiped by the words om bhur bhuvah svah, travels through the four residences mentioned above at a speed of 3,400,800 yojanas [27,206,400 miles] in a muhurta. SB 5.21.12 The chariot of the sun-god has only one wheel, which is known as Samvatsara. The twelve months are calculated to be its twelve spokes, the six seasons are the sections of its rim, and the three catur-masya periods are its three-sectioned hub. One side of the axle carrying the wheel rests upon the summit of Mount Sumeru, and the other rests upon Manasottara Mountain. Affixed to the outer end of the axle, the wheel continuously rotates on Manasottara Mountain like the wheel of an oil-pressing machine. SB 5.21.13 आदिदेव नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसीद मम भास्कर । दिवाकर नमस्तुभ्यं प्रभाकर नमोऽस्तु ते॥ सप्ताश्व रथमारूढं प्रचण्डं कश्यपात्मजम् । श्वेत पद्माधरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥ लोहितं रथमारूढं सर्वलोक पितामहम् । महापापहरं देवं तं सूर्यं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥ As in an oil-pressing machine, this first axle is attached to a second axle, which is one-fourth as long [3,937,500 yojanas, or 31,500,000 miles]. The upper end of this second axle is attached to Dhruvaloka by a rope of wind. SB 5.21.14 My dear King, the carriage of the sun-god’s chariot is estimated to be 3,600,000 yojanas [28,800,000 miles] long and one-fourth as wide [900,000 yojanas, or 7,200,000 miles]. The chariot’s horses, which are named after Gayatri and other Vedic meters, are harnessed by Arunadeva to a yoke that is also 900,000 yojanas wide. This chariot continuously carries the sun-god. SB 5.21.15 (In Visnu Purana it is mentioned the seven horses yoked to the sun-god’s chariot are named Gayatri, Brhati, Usnik, Jagati, Tristup, Anustup and Pankti. These names of various Vedic meters designate the seven horses that carry the sun-god’s chariot). Although Arunadeva sits in front of the sun-god and is engaged in driving the chariot and controlling the horses, he looks backward toward the sun-god. SB 5.21.16 According to Rig Veda 1.50.8, Surya, the Hindu Sun god travels in a chariot driven by seven horses All scriptures are about the seven stage muscle tone. There are sixty thousand saintly persons named Valikhilyas, each the size of a thumb, who are located in front of the sun-god and who offer him eloquent prayers of glorification SB 5.21.17 Similarly, fourteen other saints, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Nagas, Yaksas, Raksasas and demigods, who are divided into groups of two, assume different names every month and continuously perform different ritualistic ceremonies to worship the Supreme Lord as the most powerful demigod Suryadeva, who holds many names SB 5.21.18 (In Visnu Purana it is mentioned: Worshiping the most powerful demigod Surya, the Gandharvas sing in front of him, the Apsaras dance before the chariot, the Nisacaras follow the chariot, the Pannagas decorate the chariot, the Yaksas guard the chariot, and the saints called the Valikhilyas surround the sun-god and offer prayers. The seven groups of fourteen associates arrange the proper times for regular snow, heat and rain throughout the universe). Suryadev’s going around the earth on a chariot with 7 horses (VIBGYOR) is allegorical, as we observe from the earth. Indian astronomers were always aware of the fact that earth is going around the sun and the sun itself is moving within the Milkyway. For example, they know that as on date the first point of Aries has moved from Aries to Pisces. The Panchank ( Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Yoga, and Karana prescribed for every day). Solar and Lunar Eclipses are predicted several years ahead and Panchank always mentions where these eclipses will be visible. My dear King, in his orbit through Bhu-mandala, the sun-god traverses a distance of 95,100,000 yojanas [760,800,000 miles] at the speed of 2,000 yojanas and two krosas [16,004 miles] in a moment SB 5.21.19. The scientific theories mentioned in Vedas and Upanishads follow the rule of “108” in relation to formation and movement of universe and earth. 1 signifies everything starts from singularity , 0 refers to an egg shaped universe continuously expanding and 8 refers to destruction of that egg and a return back to singularity. And this cycle continues as energy is neither created nor destroyed. When it is said that Lord Surya is same as Sun then it is to be understood that Lord Surya is the predominating deity or king of the astronomical body called Sun. In other words he is the main deity which controls the movement and internal processes of the star called Sun. Similarly, there is Chandra, Brihaspati and so on. There are different predominating deities which represent different heavenly bodies. The pole star is called ‘Dhruv tara’ in Vedas and it is said that Maharaj Dhruva, who is mentioned in Vedic scriptures live and rule that body. For our Earth, there is Bhoomi Devi who is in-charge of total geological balance. When humans in the ancient Vedic civilization, at times face great problems then they worship her, especially if the problem is related to the planet itself. Similarly, there are different departments in the cosmic governance - just like we have Ministry of Water Resources or Ministry of Renewable Energy in Indian government. For rain there is Lord Indra, for water bodies there is Lord Varuna, for fire and fiery elements there is Lord Agni and so on so forth. Vedic scriptures deals with multiple personalities because the concept of ‘consciousness’ is inherent in Vedas. I will clarify this in further paragraphs. The concept of ‘consciousness’ or soul is deeply rooted in Vedas. Although modern day science has been unable to perceive the gross form of soul but Vedas talk about ways to perceive its subtle forms. The existence of soul is proved in Bhagvad Gita in following verse: dehino ‘smin yatha dehe, kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara-praptir, dhiras tatra na muhyati As the embodied soul continually passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change. It says that since our consciousness is continuous despite us changing the body from time to time, hence we are something beyond body and that something is called soul. Of course Lord Krishna further tells different characteristics and symptoms of soul but that’s for another answer. The point to note is that Vedas talk about soul as a fundamental entity - a unit of consciousness, just like atom can be said to be fundamental unit of matter. The idea of matter and consciousness being two different entities can be found in all the Vedic texts. When Vedas talk about Absolute Truth then also they represent it in 3 forms - i.e. Brahman (eternal aspect of Absolute Truth), Paramatma (eternal and knowledge aspect of Absolute Truth) and Bhagvan (eternal, knowledge and bliss aspects of Absolute Truth). The Brahman is said to be formless, devoid of any personal characteristics. However, it is further explained that ultimately the Absolute Truth is a person i.e. Sri Krishna. Without personality the Absolute Truth would be deficient in something which the creation has i.e. personality, that many living entities possess. This would mean the knowledge of Absolute Truth is incomplete and hence the personal aspect is very much part of Absolute Truth. जय श्री सूर्यनारायण” ~

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“reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.”

~Albert Einstein

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Krishna says:

"Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both." (Bhagavad-gita 2.16)

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Maya is a cosmic force that hides the essence of reality and can distract people from seeing the spiritual truth of life. It can also create confusion and ignorance among living beings.

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Sand Vibration Patterns - Chladni Plate

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Chladni Plates

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“Chladni figures” from 1787 created by German physicist and musician Ernst Chladni, showing nodal patterns made by drawing a bow along the edge of a sand-covered plate. More here: https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/chladni-figures-1787