The Powerful Elements Of Lord Ganesh-Part 1
June 3, 2007
Gaja or elephant is known for its large stature that lives on simple foods like grass, fruits (A Vegetarian). Its physiological strength surpasses most four-legged creatures and yet it is a calm animal, in tune with its surroundings. Rarely, it is a threat to its fellow animals and leads a peaceful life, either as a pair or in a herd.
In Anchorage, Alaska zoo authorities are trying to persuade their elephant, Maggie to walk on a custom designed treadmill. This $100,000 treadmill has been built to accommodate the weight of the 8,000 pound animal. In two months, her trainer Rob Smith has managed to get her two feet on the machine and slowly the third one as well. They give Maggie her favourite treats like watermelon, apples, carrots, peanuts in the shell, banana slices and sweet potatoes. Trainers can tell just by looking at her that some days she wants to train and other days she doesn’t.
“They are like people,” said Smith. “Just like in school, there were days you didn’t want to be in the lecture hall.”
The zoo director Pat Lampi feels that this may take a year or even more to get her on the treadmill and walk. “You can’t predict these things. It is up to her entirely,” said Smith. (Source Mumbai Mirror May 18, 2006, India.)
This article gives an insight to the intelligence of an elephant. It is totally capable of making its own decision. It has moods, likes and dislikes and cannot be coerced into doing anything it doesn’t want to.
******
What sets Lord Ganesh apart from the rest of the deities is His extraordinary form. It is not just His elephant head but His every attribute bestows unlimited guidance and teaches invaluable lessons.
The Mudgala Purana states that Ganesh is the depiction of the highest reality -Brahman derived from Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art) where His human body represents Tvam and His magnanimous tolerance is Tat. Merging these create Tvam (You-the limited individual) and Tat (Brahman). Lord Ganesh’s form is thus an iconology of Vedantic dictum. He is known as Aumkar / Omkar.
Aum / Om is known as Pranavam. Pra denotes Prakriti (Nature) and Navam means an excellent boat. Thus with the support and faith in Aum, one can cross the ocean of worldly entanglements and Samsara. (The endless cycles of birth and death)
The Ganesh Upanishad states that He has one tusk and four arms. Two of His hands hold the emblems like the Noose and the Goad. While the remaining two are poised in the Mudras (Positioning of the hand) of Varada which grants boons and fulfils the wishes of the devotees and the Abhaya Mudra eradicates feelings of fear and anxiety.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Similar Posts
Comments
Got something to say?
