Adopted by the Elephant God

If you are willing, and if you are wanting, the Lord Ganesha lifts you out of the fog of the materialistic conscious mind, establishing a connection and a relationship with you. This is a personal relationship with the Deity. There is nobody in between - just you and the God, Lord Ganesha....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, and can be found in its entirety here: Adopted by the Elephant God

The Symbolism of Ganesh Art

I found this really interesting, and a meditation in and of itself. Definitely food for thought. To view a larger (readable) version of the image, click on the picture.

About the Swastika Symbol

The swastika has been regarded as the symbol for good luck, protection and auspiciousness for over five thousand years in India. It is derived from 'SU-VASTI' and means "The essence of all goodness". For Hindus the swastika is a lucky cross associated with the good fortunes given by Lord Ganesha. It also represents the sun and the cycle of life.

This ancient benign symbol is used today by housewives to guard thresholds and doors, by priests to sanctify ceremonies and offerings and by businessmen to bless the opening pages of account books each New Year's day. No ceremony or sacrifice is considered complete without it, for it is believed to have the power to ward off misfortune and negative forces....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Sigils Symbols and Signs, and can be found in its entirety here: The Swastika

Ganesh and Science

Tradition describes the entire universe as being contained in Lord Ganesha’s big belly. Thus we look upon Him as the overlord who holds sway over the material universe, the sum of cosmic mass. One of His potencies is gravity.

Gravity is a mysterious force to the scientist even today. It is the galactic glue that draws and holds larger mass together and gives order to the macrocosm. It is an instantaneous force, so that when one celestial body moves in a remote corner of a galaxy, all other masses through out the galaxy adjust simultaneously, even though it would take light, at its incredible speed, millions of years to travel the distance....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Ganesh and Science

Fun with Ganesh

The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things

Click on the image to enlarge it. You can then print it the image and enjoy a few moments of "connecting" with Ganesha.

And if you enjoyed that little exercise, here are three images you can enlarge, copy, print, and color. I find coloring to be great way to focus and meditate, while at the same time allowing the child in me to play....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things, and a bunch more images to color can be found here: Coloring Ganesh

Recipe for Modaka

The following recipe will make approximately 20 lime-sized modakas, a treat for the children, and a traditional offering in the temple. It takes about two hours to make them.

Ingredients and Utensils:
1 lb rice flour
2 cups jaggery (or 2 cups brown sugar with 4 tbsp dark molasses added)
2 cups raw sesame seeds
2 grated coconuts (optional)
2 cups melted ghee (melted butter will also work)
1 tsp salt
Banana leaf or waxed paper
A flour sifter or fine sieve
An iddli or vegetable steamer

Directions:

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Recipe For Modaka

Make a Papier Mache Ganesh

A simple method for a paper mache Ganesh
By Sri Sateesh N. Apte M.D.

The materials needed are:

- Paper mache
- Latex or other water-based paint in a variety of colors
- Gold-leaf or metallic gold paint
- Paint brushes
- Sand paper
- Putty or joint compound
- Miscellaneous ornaments and cloth for dressing the image
- Replicas of the various implements he will be holding

Instructions:

- Mix paper mache to a firm but homogeneously wet consistency....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Making A Papier Mache Ganesh

How Ganesh came into being.

The legend behind the birth of Ganesha is as follows:

It is said that Goddess Parvati, before taking an elaborate bath, wanted someone to stand guard at the door. Not finding anyone, she created the idol of a child from the sandalwood paste that she had applied on herself, and breathed life into it....


... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: How Ganesh Came Into Being

Who is Ganesh?

Ganesha is India’s cutest god. He has the head of an elephant on which is perched a dainty tiara, four pudgy hands joined to a sizeable belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks – his favourite sweet). His appetite for sweets is legendary and offerings of them are often left at his shrine...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Who Is Ganesh?