We mainly explore the topics of astro-mythology and traditional cosmology, but also other topics rel Thus by Tārā-Māyā we mean all of the above.
We mainly explore topics concerning astro-mythology and traditional cosmology, but also other topics such as: archaeoastronomy, astrotheology, astrology, catastrophism, ethnoastronomy, idolatry, stellar symbolism and iconography. The word Tārāmaya (तारामय) relates to the 'war in heaven' in Vedic mythology; the struggle between the gods and the asuras for the rescue of Tārā, or Tārāka, the wife of
Brihaspati, who had been carried off by Soma. Although, all major world mythologies and religions have narratives concerning astral battles, wars in the heavens, so we use this word to represent our study of this theme. Sanskrit tārā (तारा) means 'star', and we play on words with maya and māyā, where māyā means 'illusion' and 'magic'. However, the term has multiple meanings depending on the context. In earlier older language it literally implies extraordinary power and wisdom, in later Vedic texts and modern literature dedicated to Indian traditions, māyā connotes a 'magic show, an illusion where things appear to be present but are not what they seem'. In Indian philosophies, māyā is also a spiritual concept connoting 'that which exists, but is constantly changing and thus is spiritually unreal', and the 'power or the principle that conceals the true character of spiritual reality'.
