Ganesha

This is not to convert anyone into Hinduism or suggest that the exect details described here truly took place. This is to expend the knowledge of history and cultural traditions. Ignorance s is one of the sources for suffering. Thus, knowledge and awareness are there to offset the ignorance. Therefore, I am making my attempt to bring you the knowledge and awareness of  the world outside of our small lives …. I am sharing with you some Wikipedia facts about the very poplar festival that is taking place in India at this time.

I received this gift from a dear friend from India.

I read the story about Ganesha about 10-12 years ago and it stuck with me for all this time.

I do not know why. It is not part of my culture or religious traditions. But, the name and the story were deeply deposited in my heart.

Ganesa, also known as Ganapati. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of success, intellect and wisdom. Ganesha is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. Ganesha has the head of an elephant and a big belly. Puranic myths provide many explanations for how he got his elephant head.

Traditional story tell that Lord Ganesha was created by goddess Parvati, a wife of Lord Shiva. Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste that she used for her bath (or a dirt of her body) and breathed life into the figure.

She then set him to guard at her door while she bathed. Lord Shiva (husband) was out on a journey and when he came back to the gate (returned home) , as Ganesha didn't know him, he didn't allow him to enter. Lord Shiva became enraged and asked his followers to teach the child some manners. Ganesha, being born of Goddess Parvati, possessed great powers. He defeated the attackers. More powerful attackers attempted to kill Ganesha, but all failed. Ganesha loved his mom and was prepared to give his life protecting her. He kept on fighting  each attacker.

After the numerous battles, the Lord  Shiva himself launched an attack against Ganesha. Shiva , possessing the supreme powers, detached the head of the child. With that he brought on Parvathi's rage. Seeing her son dead, Parvathi revealed her true self, the prime energy that fuels the universe and sustains matter. Taking on a terrible form, she swore to destroy the universe where her son was killed and re-create a better one. The other Gods begged her forgiveness and the Lord Shiva promised that her son will live again. The mother was enraged. ...

A search for a head went on and Gods came across a mother elephant crying for her dead baby. They comforted the mother and fixed the head of the baby elephant in place of Ganesha's head.

Lord Shiva also declared that from this day, the boy would be called as "Ganesha". In this way, Lord Ganesha came to be depicted as the elephant-headed God. He became the most popular among all. He was fun and genuine. His elephant head (being hideous on the human body) did not diminish his happy attitude and his love to all. He teaches us that regardless of your appearance, you can be happy and shine love upon others.

Ganesha is worshipped on many religious and secular occasions; especially at the beginning of ventures such as beginning a travel, buying a vehicle (large investment) or starting a business. An annual festival honors Ganesha for ten days; the festival typically falls in late August or early September.

I love my little statue of Ganesha.  I thought I would share with you this small piece of Indian culture….

Namaste~