R.g. Watts Ganesha
Tom Ayers
389660
REL 2300-641
Mr. R.G. Watts
Ganesha the Elephant God
Our beliefs determine our thoughts and attitudes about life, which in turn direct our actions. By our actions, we create our destiny. For over 200 years western scholars have struggled to understand Hinduism a faith whose followers would arbitrarily worship one of 12 gods. A religion that is vastly diverse. I would like to touch on one of the deities that are worshiped by Hindu people. The most common is Ganesha remover of obstacles and God of success; he is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is one of the five prime Hindu deities worshiped in India. He is the most widely worshipped God in India, and also beyond, when a new home is built or a business is opened he is called upon to bless the act. Lord Ganesha rides a rat and has four hands which he holds a shell, a chakra, a mace, and a water-lily. He has a head of an elephant and a pot belly which is normal for both male and female deities in Hindu, which shows prosperity. Ganesha was born a normal boy; there are several versions of the story of why he has the head of an elephant. Ganesha’s mother, the goddess Parvati, created Ganesha while bathing by using the dirt from her body. Afterwards she instructed Ganesha to guard the entrance to her bathroom. When her husband, Shiva, came home, he saw a stranger blocking his access and became angry, so he cut off Ganesha’s head in a fit of rage. Parvati was struck with grief, and to console her, Shiva restored Ganesha to life, giving him an elephant head. Another story is Parvati brother Saturn was cursed but at her request he looked upon her newborn Son and by doing so reduced his head to ashes. Vishnu the God of love intervened and searched for another head and returned with an elephant head. As the story changes so does his image, the objects in his hands differ as does the story about his image missing a tusk. Ganesh is a beneficial God to have on your side. No matter the irregularities
389660
REL 2300-641
Mr. R.G. Watts
Ganesha the Elephant God
Our beliefs determine our thoughts and attitudes about life, which in turn direct our actions. By our actions, we create our destiny. For over 200 years western scholars have struggled to understand Hinduism a faith whose followers would arbitrarily worship one of 12 gods. A religion that is vastly diverse. I would like to touch on one of the deities that are worshiped by Hindu people. The most common is Ganesha remover of obstacles and God of success; he is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is one of the five prime Hindu deities worshiped in India. He is the most widely worshipped God in India, and also beyond, when a new home is built or a business is opened he is called upon to bless the act. Lord Ganesha rides a rat and has four hands which he holds a shell, a chakra, a mace, and a water-lily. He has a head of an elephant and a pot belly which is normal for both male and female deities in Hindu, which shows prosperity. Ganesha was born a normal boy; there are several versions of the story of why he has the head of an elephant. Ganesha’s mother, the goddess Parvati, created Ganesha while bathing by using the dirt from her body. Afterwards she instructed Ganesha to guard the entrance to her bathroom. When her husband, Shiva, came home, he saw a stranger blocking his access and became angry, so he cut off Ganesha’s head in a fit of rage. Parvati was struck with grief, and to console her, Shiva restored Ganesha to life, giving him an elephant head. Another story is Parvati brother Saturn was cursed but at her request he looked upon her newborn Son and by doing so reduced his head to ashes. Vishnu the God of love intervened and searched for another head and returned with an elephant head. As the story changes so does his image, the objects in his hands differ as does the story about his image missing a tusk. Ganesh is a beneficial God to have on your side. No matter the irregularities