Goutham Avarthi's Viewfinder

  Introduction Cernunnos, known as the "Horned God," represents one of the most enigmatic and enduring figures in Celtic religious iconography. Despite the absence of substantial written records—a consequence of Celtic oral traditions and the Roman suppression of Celtic practices—archaeological evidence, particularly from the Gundestrup Cauldron and continental Celtic artifacts, provides critical insight into his symbolic significance and religious function. This article examines the historical context, archaeological findings, and interpretive frameworks surrounding Cernunnos and his consistent association with the serpent, a symbol intimately linked to knowledge, transformation, and fertility in ancient Celtic worldviews. Historical and Archaeological Context The Gundestrup Cauldron: Primary Evidence The Gundestrup Cauldron, a 1.2-meter diameter silver vessel discovered in a Danish bog in 1891 and dated to the 1st century BCE, constitutes the most significant archae...

  Introduction Among the countless sacred texts I have encountered throughout my spiritual journey, few have resonated as profoundly as the Kalama Sutta—a discourse delivered by the Buddha to the Kalama people in the ancient town of Kesaputta, nestled within the kingdom of Kosala. This text stands as a beacon of intellectual freedom and rational inquiry, challenging us to question authority and trust our own discernment. Yet its significance extends far beyond its historical context; it speaks directly to the confusion and uncertainty we face in our modern world, where competing ideologies, beliefs, and worldviews constantly demand our allegiance.  The Problem: A World of Conflicting Doctrines The Kalama People's Dilemma Imagine standing in a marketplace of ideas, unsure which merchant is selling truth and which is peddling falsehood. This was precisely the predicament faced by the Kalama people when they approached the Buddha. The Kalama people were troubled. Different ...