Mystical Reverence for Asura Vendhya reveres the mystical religion of Asura, a revealed religion born of enormously complex rituals derived from four great books, the compilations of centuries of religious thought and practice. Worship consists primarily of sacrifices and chanting. Asura is the chief god of Vendhya and the protector of the royal family there and anywhere else they have influence.
Cosmic Order The people believe in a cosmic order, cause and effect that extend beyond the physical realm. Even as the Vendhyan civilisation was taking shape, the priests taught that if these mysterious and shadowed rituals were performed incorrectly, the cosmic order would be disturbed and catastrophe would follow, for Asura kept a keen eye on how smoothly the world ran. Of course, the priests are the only ones able to perform these clamorous rituals properly, allowing them to rise above even the Kshatriyan rulers, at least in spiritual matters. As a result of this sense of cosmic order and justice, Vendhyans believe in a heaven, a hell and the judgment of souls.
The Vendhyans do not believe that time is a steady, linear progression; rather, they believe that time is a cyclical perception. Time is a revolving cycle where everything that has happened before will happen again and nothing will ever happen that has not happened before, and this cycle binds the universe together with Asura. Again, the priests insist their rituals are necessary for the proper functioning of this all-important cycle, for each ritual is a mystical repetition of events crucial to the continuation of the universe.
Vendhya
Religion in Vendhya
Some known rituals (called yagnas) include various fire rituals. The Agnihotra is an oblation to Agni, the spirit of fire. Other rituals are sacrificial, such as the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Purushamedha (human sacrifice). At dusk and dawn most Vendhyans perform the Agnihotra, which is a spiritual ritual healing. The practitioners of Agnihotra purify themselves with water, build or stir a sacred fire, chant sacred songs and recite a prayer to Asura through Agni (the fire).
Art & Religious Expression Vendhya is a mysterious, philosophical, religious culture, but its mysteries and philosophies and culture are geared around enjoying life. Vendhyan artwork exemplifies this love of life and much of their artwork and written literature is of an erotic nature. The highest art is the dance. Dance in Vendhya is often a spiritual experience, telling of gods, great heroes or even moral lessons. Dancing is an art in which artist and the art he creates are one and the same. As with all of its art, Vendhya’s dance is striking and distinctive, especially the beautiful and complicated codes of handgesturing included in the various dances. For the Vendhyans, the hand alone can portray emotions of all sorts, as well as gods, humans, nature, action and animals. Each pose, each movement of the body or hand creates an effect or atmosphere that borders on magic, affecting man and nature equally. The combination of man and nature impacts not just dance, but all of Vendhya’s art. Paintings, carvings and sculptures feature hallowed, multi-armed gods and goddesses as well as inspiring
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