Ganesha.
By Rummuser. Filed in People, Philosophy, Religion, Uncategorized |Tags: Anarchic Religion, Ganesha, Hinduism
This post is a direct result of landing myself in trouble at Grannymar’s post, Shapely Legs.
One commentator there said something about elephants with which I disagreed and Grannymar had to put out the fires that developed after that. Please do visit her post and read all the comments. Totally fascinating.
In the process of putting out the fire, Grannymar has suggested that I write about Ganesha.
I am not an expert on Ganesha. I shall leave experts to tell my readers all about Ganesha in a nut shell. (What a paradox!)
I am a Hindu. What that makes me is an anarchist as far as religion goes. I can do anything I want, or not do anything, believe or not believe, pray or not pray, visit temples or not, perform sacrifices or not and so on so forth. There is no one sitting over my head and telling me that I will either go to heaven to enjoy the company of virgins or pomegranates, or to hell and roast at very high temperatures. Some Hindus go to elaborate lengths with rituals and ceremonies and many like me, do not. We live and let live. God is strictly personal and we do not like to be told how to approach him. So, you have a colourful kaleidoscope of deities, festivals, ceremonies, rituals etc and all dovetail nicely into a hotchpotch called Hinduism.
In this chaos, Ganesha plays a very important role. It is not because he is a funny figure but because of what he represents. The link would have given you some background about that. For Hindus, the attitude is the most important aspect of worship and prayer, and it has been rightly observed by many that Indians worship milestones too. Yes, they do. If the milestone remotely resembles some fancied deity, some Indian will anoint it with sandalwood paste and red coloured powder called kumkum and start a worship. He will however first invoke Ganesha to remove all obstacles in the process of anointing and then only proceed. How does he do this? He takes bit of sandalwood or turmeric powder, add water and make a dough to form a cone shaped figure. He then summons Ganesha to come and sit in that shape and bless the proceedings. After they whole affair is over, he will dissolve the shape in a plate of water, throw it out and bid Ganesha farewell after profusely thanking him for being symbolically present and preventing any mishaps.
This is not because he is stupid. For a Hindu, it is simply a form to focus his attention on. For a Hindu, there is not many Gods, or one God, but there is ONLY GOD. He therefore does not find it odd to worship a milestone. He will worship anything that takes his fancy because he cannot picture anything without it representing God.
My very first blog post on this site, made last June, is an invocation to Ganesha to bless this blog. You can read it here.
Maria, I hope that you are reading this. You and Grannymar expressed the desire to learn something about our religion and culture. This is an attempt to briefly give you the role Ganesha plays in it. To talk in detail about the whole subject, I will need to write a tome. I am however willing to answer any questions that you may have on what I have written and elaborate where necessary to explain.
Tuesday, July 21st 2009 at 20:50 |
Great post! next how about some photo’s from “Ganapati” holidays that will spark some interest.
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:50
Phil my dear Indophile, yes indeed. Will give me great pleasure.
Tuesday, July 21st 2009 at 21:09 |
Thank you Ramana, that was so interesting to read.
Grannymar´s last blog ..I am learning….
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:49
My pleasure Grannymar. I enjoyed writing it. My Muse who is Ganesha helped me.
Tuesday, July 21st 2009 at 21:16 |
As far as I know, there are similarities in India and Chinese society namely, both are have a lot of gods and goddesses.
Nevertheless, Chinese people recognize the existence of the supreme God (God of all gods/goddesses) namely “Shang Di” or “Tian” (in others dialect).
visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_terms_for_God
Balinese society in Indonesia who majority were Hindu also believe in one supreme God called “Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa” (in Balinese language).
visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_Hinduism
Who is the supreme God in Hindu in India?
Tikno´s last blog ..Bombing victims at JW Marriot and Ritz Carlton
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:48
That is a difficult question to answer in brief Tikno. In one word however it is Brahman. You may understand that term better as The Tao, if you understand the Chinese system. We also have a God responsible for creation called Brahmaji, and Brahman should not be mistaken for Him.
Tuesday, July 21st 2009 at 23:35 |
Rummy, this is very interesting. What do you and other people of the Hindu religion think of so called missionaries coming to your country and trying to convert you to western Christianity? I guess you answered my question in your post above, I went back and reread, “we do not like to be told how to approach him” (God). Missionaries from the West like to do this. Do you tell them to go back home and leave you alone?
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:46
We do, and they do not listen. What has happened Gail, is that they have now hired local goons to do the job as Hindu extremists have taken to violence against this proselytizing. There is something very peculiar going on in this business. The goons are paid on a per head converted basis. It is comic seeing them in street corners preaching and handing out pamphlets. On some occasions they crossed decency and criticized in print Hindus, and riots took place. They go about trying to convert uneducated and poor low caste people and Tribals with all sorts of inducements. There is also a very strong leftist element involved in this. The older established churches, who have lived in harmony with us for centuries do not do this, but it is some new evangelical sects, primarily from the USA that do this. There have been all sorts of violence becasue of this, and as usual, our politicians fish in troubled waters for vote bank politics too. Poor people, and I mean economically speaking, are the ones that get affected most. There is a funny game going on which is based on our affirmative action for the lower castes and tribals. Once they convert, because they are now Christians and not Hindus, they lose a lot of benefits and so they want to keep one foot on either camp with disastrous effects in the form of retaliation from those that do not convert. Over all, it is a messy situation.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 00:04 |
this is very interesting, Ganesha is a symbolism of intelligence, There are no gods sitting above us and commanding us, Lord and idols do symbolize us something, that is related to us, our body, and our intellectual.
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:36
Thank you.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 01:29 |
Hi Ramana:
I am very happy to read such a wonderfully written post that is factually accurate and pleasing to read. The best part of the post to me ( being Indian by birth ) is how you describe the worship of even milestones. When I was growing up, I was so interested in the study of metals and metallurgy that I vividly remember telling my mom that I saw the beauty of God in the microstructures of materials. My mom probably thought I was out in left field, but just like the Indian that may worship a milestone, I worshipped the science of metallurgy! Thank you.
Raj Krishnaswamy´s last blog ..Grit blast cabinet release
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:36
Thank you. You must then read Fritjof Capra’s The Tao Of Physics.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 01:40 |
Ramana said that I was a Hindu because I was born in Indonesia. Yes, I can call myself a Hindu because that religion fits me to a T. (Fits to a T is an America expression meaning perfect fit, but don’t know how that expression came about.)
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:33
Yes BHB, that has been one of the mysteries that I need to solve. Fits to a T I mean. I am glad that you too are an anarchist. We are not very popular I can assure you.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 05:14 |
A very enlightening post Ramana … I could be classed as a live and let live Hindu too …. I’m a live and let live lapsed Catholic … I gotta start living!
(I can’t access my blogs tonight ….
….hopefully it will sort itself ot tomorrow).
Ramana … take care of Sienna for me … I can’t access her and keep you hand on your gear lever … I haven’t got an automatic!
Paddy Bloggit´s last blog ..Sienna Miller – I’ll drive your car!
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:25
A pleasure.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 06:58 |
As born Hindus, Lord Ganesha has played an all important part in the life of our family and will always do. Everything starts with a prayer to Lord Ganesh, and appropriately, ends with thanksgiving to Him.
For the last few years, due to many associated & lopgistics difficulties, largely commercialisation, our reverence to Ganesha has been in the privacy of our home in Mumbai to the extent that Neena & our daughter Anisha cast / sculpt the figure at home and paint it beautifully.
This figurine only becomes “Lord Ganesha” on its installation on Ganesh Chaturthi. It then an acquires life and lustre that only needs to be seen to be believed.
Am not sure how pictures can be attached to this blog but am sending them separately to Rummy’s mail.
Thank you, Ramana, for that brilliant mail written as only you know how.
Rgds / Anil
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:23
Anil, I intend following up with another post, more emphasis on the Ganesh festival and shall include the phtographs sent by you. Thanks.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 07:07 |
Hi Ramana, nice to see you again.
I really like the article about religion and culture. I always interesting about somebody’s belief and religion. I my country I also recognize Ganesha, but I dont know much. i just ever see in many temples like in Prambanan temples. In Bali the hindustant culture is also stunning there are many of way in their belief that seems so unique. But one think that I was admired from them is their strength in their belief which can defeated others. I mean, In Bali, many Hindustant always pray and do some ceremony perfectly without think the situation around them ( you that Bali is the Place where there are people from many countries meet and gather). They always lay a sesaji ( small offering that usually placed in front of home or building), wear a custom when they will make a ceremony, and do a ceremony well. They also have a big solidarity.
I always admire the hindustant in Bali. Hopefully one day you can go to my country and visit Bali.
niar´s last blog ..Hi…
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:20
Niar, what a lovely surprise. I thought that with all your studies, you are too busy to visit blogs and blog or comment. Nice to know that you are keeping track of me!
All going well, beginning of 2010 should see me in Indonesia. Bali is certainly on my itinerary.
Wednesday, July 22nd 2009 at 11:03 |
One more update, Lord Ganesha’s vehicle being the mouse, he was recently the designated God of the Internet from what I hear.
Ashok´s last blog ..Accross the divide
Rummuser Reply:
July 22nd, 2009 at 17:14
Why am I not surprised?
Thursday, July 23rd 2009 at 07:08 |
I need to apolgize for not replying sooner. I came down with a massive head cold and have been in bed the past few days. After all, I was the one who asked all the questions and helped to fan the flames . . . a little.
I want to thank you for taking time to post about Ganesha. I found the symbolism fascinating and full of meaning. I like that you refer to yourself as anarchist. I like that you choose your own path and that you live and let live. All which are remarkably similar to my way of thinking. I left Catholicism sometime during my college years so perhaps anarchist is a good word for me, too.
You didn’t get yourself in trouble over at GrannyMars, you just gave us all something to think about and what could be better than that.
Maria´s last blog ..Medical Tests at UCLA
Rummuser Reply:
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:12
Maria, I am sorry to hear about your illness. I hope that you are well now and will visit more often and comment. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.
Monday, July 27th 2009 at 15:00 |
Hi,
can I copy paste your ganesha and send to some of my friends. It is great.
Rummuser Reply:
July 27th, 2009 at 16:50
Indeed you may. You can perhaps find better ones from Google Images if you just search for Ganesha.