Typhoeus, Typhon (Greek) Typhoeus in Hesiodic theogony is a son of Tartarus and Gaia, a fire-breathing titan with a hundred heads and begetter of destructive hurricanes. He rebels against the gods and is killed by Zeus with a thunderbolt and buried under Mount Etna. Typhon was originally his son -- post-type of himself -- but the two were later identified. He represents the necessary counterpart of Zeus, as darkness is of light, Set of Osiris, or Satan of God. He is the Dragon Apophis, the Accuser in The Egyptian Book of the Dead, murderer of Osiris, destroyed by Horus; the dark side of Zeus, as Set is the dark side of Osiris, and night the dark side of day; Python, Loki, Rahu, and falling demons in general. In one form he is the dragon slain by St. Michael or St. George.

The original meaning is sublime, for Typhon in its prototypal significance is chaos, the unorganized womb or fountain of production, which calls forth the creative energy by resisting it, and is equally necessary with the former. When humanity falls into matter, then these dark-side potencies of nature acquire for mankind a distinctly evil connotation, and their names can be given to vast destructive forces which the misuse of the human will has engendered.

In a more restricted sense as connected with our earth, Typhon was not only the causative agent, but likewise the symbol of all seismic and volcanic phenomena, as well as being, even according to ancient Greek philosophical thought, in intimate connection with meteorological phenomena as evidenced by winds and storms.

See also SET; CROCODILE

(See also: Typhoeus, Typhon, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Astrology and Ayurveda: Gemology

In exactly the same manner precious gemstones such as rubies, diamonds, pearls, red corals, sapphires etc. can influence the effects of the planets substantially. Although they can minimise the impact of planetary afflictions, they should always be worn with care and on recommendation of an experienced astrologer. For the wrong stone can aggravate the condition and even cause fresh problems.

PLANET * DISEASE *GEM

Mars, Mercury, Moon

Rheumatism, musculo skeletal

Red coral, emerald, dark blue pearl,

Saturn, Sun

Problems and bone diseases

sapphire, ruby

Mars, Mercury

Digestive diseases, diabetes

Red coral, white coral,emerald

Saturn, Ketu

Diseases of the nervous system

Dark blue sapphire

Mercury, Mars, Ketu

Psychol0ogical diseases, including hysteria

Emerald in the night, red coral in the day

Mars, Saturn, Rahu

Skin diseases

White coral, yellow sapphire

Saturn, Mars, Moon,Venus, Mercury, Jupiter

Urinary and gynecological problems

Pearl, diamond, red coral, yellow sapphire, emerald, topaz

Saturn, Mars

Dental problems

Sapphire, red coral

Saturn, Mars

Ear nose, and throat problems

Yellow sapphire, white coral

Saturn, Mars

Blood-related problems

Dark blue sapphire, emerald, ruby

(See also: Gemology, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Python (Greek) The serpent slain by Apollo, who was therefore called Pythius. At one time the world was covered with temples to the sun and dragon: the Ophites adopted it from Egypt, whither it had come from India. It is seen in the story of Bel and the Dragon, of St. George or St.

Michael and the Dragon, of Osiris and Typhon, Krishna and Kaliya, and the Lord God and the Serpent of Eden. The cosmic dragon represents the shadow side of the logos, and the opposition between these two is the so-called war in heaven.

The dual nature of the serpent is seen in Rahu and Ketu, the Dragon's head and tail; and Typhon or Apophis, slain by Horus is also called Set, who is in one of his permutations Hermes, god of wisdom, and whose name likewise is that of the Biblical Seth and Satan.

In initiations the inner enlightened individual had to confront his lower passions, now personified into a veritable astral monster, and to be either its victor or its victim; when victorious he became the spiritual serpent in its other sense of the dragon of wisdom. This double meaning has its correspondence in the fact that snakes shed their skin and reemerge purified, just as the neophyte through training and initiation sheds the Old Person and reemerges from the tests as the New Person.

(See also: Python, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Dragon (from Greek drakon, serpent, the watchful)

Known to scholarship as a mythical monster, a huge lizard, winged, scaly, fire-breathing, doubtless originating in the memory of an actual prehistoric animal. Dragon is often synonymous with serpent.

The dragon and serpent, whether high or low, are types of various events in cosmic or world history, or of various terrestrial or human qualities, for either one can at different times signify spiritual immortality, wisdom, reimbodiment, or regeneration. In the triad of sun, moon, and serpent or cross, it denotes the manifested Logos, and hence is often said to be seven-headed. As such it is in conflict with the sun, and sometimes with the moon; but this conflict is merely the duality of contrary forces essential to cosmic stability.

The dragon itself is often dual, and it may be paired with the serpent, as with Agathodaimon and Kakodaimon, the good and evil serpents, seen in the caduceus. Again the dragon is two-poled as having a head and a tail, Rahu and Ketu in India, commonly described as being the moon's north and south nodes, the moon thus being a triple symbol in which a unity conflicts with a duality.

A universal myth is that of the sun god fighting the dragon and eventually worsting it, which represents the descent of spirit into matter and the eventual sublimation of matter by spirit in the ascending arc of evolution. There are Bel (and later Merodach) and the dragon Tiamat in Babylonia and with the Hebrews; Fafnir in Scandinavia; Chozzar with the Peratae Gnostics; among the Greeks Python conquered by Apollo and the two serpents killed by Hercules at his birth; the fight between Ahti and the evil serpent in the Kalevala; and many other such stories.

In the Christian Apocalypse the dragon plays a great part, but it has been often misinterpreted as evil just as Satan or the Devil has been imagined as the foe of divinity and humanity. Cosmologically, all dragons and serpents slain by their adversaries are the unregulated or chaotic cosmic principles bought to order by the spiritual sun gods or formative cosmic powers. The dragon is the demiurge, the establisher or former of our planet and of all that pertains to it -- neither good nor bad, but its differentiated aspects in nature make it assume one or the other character.

The dragon symbol, then, is both cosmic and human in its applications: it may stand for powers of nature, which first overcome man, but which he must eventually overcome, as well as the monad atma-buddhi, which through the manasic principle seeks imbodiment, but needs the help of the still lower principles in order to effect a union with the principles of earth.

Cosmologically analogies are drawn between the north polar constellation Draco and one or the other of the great floods, and the word dragon is sometimes used to denote such a flood; for the position of this constellation relative to that of the earth's axis of rotation is intimately connected with cataclysms.

The dragon in its higher or superior sense means among other things divine wisdom, especially where the serpent is used for terrestrial wisdom; and adepts or initiates were frequently called dragons. The dragon may be the symbol of a cycle; and the sevenfold dragon may mean the seven minor cycles in a great cycle.

(See also: Dragon, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

The Churning of the Ocean of Milk ia a Hindu story about a conflict between the Adityas and their enemies the Asuras. The most popular version is found in the Eighth Canto of the Bhagavata Purana [1]. The story begins with Indra riding his elephant. He came upon a sage named Durvasa. The sage decided to honor Indra by giving him a scented garland. Indra took the garland, but placed it on the forehead of his elephant. The elephant was irritated by the scent and threw the garland off, trampling on it. The angry sage gave Indra a ...

Including:

• Churning of the ocean of milk - Appeal to Brahma
• Churning of the ocean of milk - Churning the mountain
• Churning of the ocean of milk - Halahala
• Churning of the ocean of milk - The nectar of immortality

Read more here: » Churning of the ocean of milk: Encyclopedia - Churning of the ocean of milk

Kumbakonam is a town in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu state in southern India. Kumbakonam is sometimes called temple town because of the large number of temples within the town and the nearby areas. The festival of Kumb Mela is celebrated every 12 years at the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam. Kumbakonam - History. It is said that the town was once the Capital of Cholas in the 7th century. Kumbakonam - Geography. Kumbakonam is located 273 km south of Chennai, 90 ...

Including:

• Kumbakonam - History
• Kumbakonam - Geography
• Kumbakonam - Administration
• Kumbakonam - Economy
• Kumbakonam - Temples
• Kumbakonam - Chakrapani Temple
• Kumbakonam - Somessar Temple
• Kumbakonam - Kumbeswara Temple
• Kumbakonam - Nageswaran Temple
• Kumbakonam - The temple at Thirunageswarar
• Kumbakonam - Airatesvara Temple
• Kumbakonam - Education
• Kumbakonam - People from Kumbakonam

Read more here: » Kumbakonam: Encyclopedia - Kumbakonam

The Bhrigu Samhita is an astrological (jyotish) classic attributed to Maharishi Bhrigu during the Vedic period, although the available evidence suggests that it was compiled over a period of time by the various sishyas (students in the lineage) of Maharishi Bhrigu. Maharishi Bhrigu was the first compiler of predictive astrology. He compiled about 500,000 horoscopes and recorded the life details and events of various persons. This formed a database for further research and study. This study culminated in the birth ...

Read more here: » Bhrigu Samhita: Encyclopedia - Bhrigu Samhita

Aryabhata (आर्यभट) Āryabhaṭa) is the first of the great astronomers of the classical age of India. He was born in 476 AD in Ashmaka but later lived in Kusumapura, which his commentator Bhāskara I (629 AD) identifies with Pataliputra (modern Patna). His book, the Āryabhatīya, presented astronomical and mathematical theories in which the Earth was taken to be spinning on its axis and the periods of the planets were given with respect to the sun (in other words, it was heliocentric).He believes that the Mo ...

Including:

• Aryabhata - Overview

Read more here: » Aryabhata: Encyclopedia - Aryabhata

Mohini is one of the 25 avatar of Vishnu found in the Puranas. The main story, or lila, concerning Mohini is the Sagar or Samudra manthan, a lila that includes: Indra, Lakshmi, Kurma, Dhanvantari, and numerous other Hindu divinities. This lila details the conflict between the Daitya (demons) and the Adityas (demigods), as well as their quest for amrita. In this lila, there is a time when the demons overpowered the demigods and take possession of the amrita. In order to rescue the demigods, Vishnu takes the form of a beautiful w ...

Including:

• Mohini - Mohini-lila
• Mohini - The Mysterious Pastimes of Mohini-murti

Read more here: » Mohini: Encyclopedia - Mohini

In Hinduism, Kurma was the second avatar of Vishnu. He took the form of a tortoise and sat on the bottom of the ocean after the Great Flood. A mountain was placed on his back by the other gods so that they could churn the sea and find the ancient treasures of the Vedic peoples. Kurma - Samudra manthan. Kurma - Appeal to Brahma. The Devas feared that the Asuras would take over the whole world. Therefore, they prayed to Brahma, who suggested a solution: churn the Ocean of Milk in ...

Including:

• Kurma - Samudra manthan
• Kurma - Appeal to Brahma
• Kurma - Churning the mountain
• Kurma - Halahala
• Kurma - The nectar of immortality

Read more here: » Kurma: Encyclopedia - Kurma

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita Govinda Hatha Yoga Pradipika Vahana is the being or object that serves as the mount or vehicle of a deity in Indian mythology. Vah in Sanskrit ...

Including:

• Vahana - Symbolism
• Vahana - Origins
• Vahana - Vahanas of some major and minor deities

Read more here: » Vahana: Encyclopedia - Vahana

The earliest swastika-like symbols preserved appear on pottery dated from around 4000 BC, as part of the "Vinca script". The Swastika symbol was also used as part of the Indus script from around 3000 BC, from which the later Hindu/Jain/Buddhist use of the symbol probably evolved. Pottery dating to ca. 2000 BC found at Sintashta is also decorated with the swastika symbol [4]. Swastika-like symbols also appear in Bronze and Iron Age designs of the northern Caucasus (Koban culture), and Azerbayjan, as well as of Scythians and Sarmatians [5]. In ...

See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - History

The earliest swastika-like symbols preserved appear on pottery dated from around 4000 BC, as part of the "Vinca script". The Swastika symbol was also used as part of the Indus script from around 3000 BC, from which the later Hindu/Jain/Buddhist use of the symbol probably evolved. Pottery dating to ca. 2000 BC found at Sintashta is also decorated with the swastika symbol [4]. Swastika-like symbols also appear in Bronze and Iron Age designs of the northern Caucasus (Koban culture), and Azerbayjan, as well as of Scythians and Sarmatians [5]. In ...

See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Comet/bird hypothesis, Swastika - Early Hinduism, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - History

Of the many temples in Kumbakonam, the most striking is the Lord Sarangapani Temple, a Vaishnavite temple. This twelve storied 147 feet high temple was built by the Nayak Kings during 15th Century. The Ramaswamy Temple which depicts the paintings of Ramayanam is another important Vaishanavite temple in Kumbakonam. The greatness of Ramasamy Temple is said to be the only temple where Rama, Sita are in the same platform and also that Hanumar instead of Reading the Ramayana is playing the Veena. The entire deity is said to be made from Saligrama ...

See also:

Kumbakonam, Kumbakonam - History, Kumbakonam - Geography, Kumbakonam - Administration, Kumbakonam - Economy, Kumbakonam - Temples, Kumbakonam - Chakrapani Temple, Kumbakonam - Somessar Temple, Kumbakonam - Kumbeswara Temple, Kumbakonam - Nageswaran Temple, Kumbakonam - The temple at Thirunageswarar, Kumbakonam - Airatesvara Temple, Kumbakonam - Education, Kumbakonam - People from Kumbakonam

Read more here: » Kumbakonam: Encyclopedia II - Kumbakonam - Temples

-Accurately computed pi -Explained solar eclipses -Expounded a heliocentric model of the solar system and accurately computed the length of earth's revolution around the sun. ...

See also:

Aryabhata, Aryabhata - Overview

Read more here: » Aryabhata: Encyclopedia II - Aryabhata - Overview

In iconography, the vahana is both the symbol and the emblem of the deity that it carries. Nandi the bull, vahana of Shiva, represents strength and virility. Parvani the peacock, vahana of Skanda, represents splendour and majesty. The swan, mount of Saraswati, represents grace and beauty. As the assistant of a deity, the vahana serves the function of doubling his or her powers. Durga the warrior could not have destroyed the demon Mahishasura without the aid of her mount, Manashthala the lion. Lakshmi, goddess of fortune, dispenses bot ...

See also:

Vahana, Vahana - Symbolism, Vahana - Origins, Vahana - Vahanas of some major and minor deities

Read more here: » Vahana: Encyclopedia II - Vahana - Symbolism

The Ocean was churned by using the mountain Mandara and the snake Vasuki wrapped around it. Each side would hold an end of the snake and pull on it alternately, causing the mountain to rotate, which in turn would cause the Ocean to be churned. However, once the mountain was put on the Ocean, it began to sink. Then, Vishnu incarnated in the form of a turtle to support the mountain. ...

See also:

Kurma, Kurma - Samudra manthan, Kurma - Appeal to Brahma, Kurma - Churning the mountain, Kurma - Halahala, Kurma - The nectar of immortality

Read more here: » Kurma: Encyclopedia II - Kurma - Churning the mountain

Geometrically, the swastika can be regarded as an irregular icosagon or 20-sided polygon. The arms are of varying width and are often rectilinear (but need not be). However, the proportions of the Nazi swastika were fixed: they were based on a 5x5 grid.[7] Characteristic is the 90° rotational symmetry (that is, the symmetry of the cyclic group C4h) and chirality, hence the absence of reflectional symmetry, and the existence o ...

See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - Geometry and symbolism

The word swastika is derived from the Sanskrit svastika (in Devanagari, स्वस्तिक), meaning any lucky or auspicious object, and in particular a mark made on persons and things to denote good luck. It is composed of su- (cognate with Greek ευ-), meaning "good, well" and asti a verbal abstract to the root as "to be"; See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - Etymology and alternative names

In 2004, Microsoft released a "critical update"[39] to remove two swastikas and a Star of David from the font Bookshelf Symbol 7. The font had been bundled with Microsoft Office 2003. During their 2004 live show Skinny Puppy showed imagery that involved the presidential seal and the swastika as well as a staged assassination and beheading. This resulted in a boycott by a group called PABAAH and during a show in Atlanta ...

See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - Popular culture and media

The swastika is common as a design motif in current Hindu architecture and Indian artwork as well as in ancient Western architecture, frequently appearing in mosaics, friezes, and other works across the ancient world. Ancient Greek architectural designs are replete with interlinking swastika motifs. Related symbols in classical Western architecture include the cross, the three-legged triskele or triskelion and the rounded lauburu. The swastika symbol is also known in these contexts b ...

See also:

Swastika, Swastika - Overview, Swastika - Etymology and alternative names, Swastika - History, Swastika - Adoption of the swastika in the West, Swastika - Geometry and symbolism, Swastika - Sauwastika, Swastika - Art and architecture, Swastika - Religion and mythology, Swastika - Hinduism, Swastika - Buddhism, Swastika - Jainism, Swastika - The Abrahamic religions, Swastika - Other Asian traditions, Swastika - Native American traditions, Swastika - Pre-Christian European traditions, Swastika - Early 20th century, Swastika - Britain, Swastika - North America, Swastika - Russia, Swastika - Poland, Swastika - Finland, Swastika - Sweden, Swastika - Latvia, Swastika - Icelandic, Swastika - Ireland, Swastika - Nazi Germany, Swastika - Taboo in Western countries, Swastika - Popular culture and media, Swastika - Notes

Read more here: » Swastika: Encyclopedia II - Swastika - Art and architecture