Ganesha: Oh My God!

We sing His appraisal, we worship His deity, we believe in His powers blindfolded and yet distance Him from us by pining to see what lies deep within us.  God, to which the world bows down has in fact been reincarnated into an issue of communal dispute, a reason for violence and an agenda to be banked upon for mere votes.  Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva or be it Allah, Wahe Guru or Jesus, all personify the beauty of the unpolluted soul within us which is deep-rooted and blanketed by earthly desires.

While mythological studies knit stories of the Almighty’s existence, the fact remains that human being is bestowed with the untainted potential of recognizing heavenly facets in his own self. Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati is likewise the name given to the harmonious Aacharan or characteristic disposition of man. Remembered and ritually worshipped before starting a new venture, the entity of Ganesha has in store the facets of a complete man. The magnanimous head of the Ganesha, which is that of an elephant, represents wisdom, intelligence and a healthy mind capable of making sound decisions.  Not in vain is it said that ‘think before you speak’, which implies Ganesha’s huge head, that is identified with the need for a thoughtful and retrospective attitude.  The big ears of this elephant-deity instills among the earthly man the patient channel of lending ears to the echo produced by others’ deeds and speech. It is said that half the dispute is resolved when an ear is lend most patiently.  The Ganapati’s extremely small mouth characteristically represents the need for a limited dialogue and the vanity of chattering. Over-expression through words triggers unsought problems many a times which otherwise could be avoided by a tight lip.

Ganesha also represents the guru of stress-affected individuals. Shiva’s most promising son, Ganesha, by virtue of his small eyes, highlights the need of a focused outlook in life.  Such an outlook not only redefines and foresees the right goals, but also relieves one from the stress-manifested episodes from the various chapters of life.  The long trunk identifies with the power of discrimination.  The sensitivity of Ganesha’s long nose has the strength to uproot a tree and the competency of picking up a pin from the ground.  Such should be the approach of an individual who should be capable enough to perceive the good and the bad for himself besides the undaunted strength of overcoming all odds.  The tusks and the small teeth of Ganesha should however, be recollected with the loss and gains in the life of a man. Man similarly ought to engrave his mental stature in such a manner that the ups and downs may not deter him from his honest endeavor and the balance of inevitable bliss and sorrow is maintained to add spice in the earthly existences. This stable healthy mental stature is only possible if the physical, social, spiritual and environmental requirements of the body are fulfilled. For the needful, individuals need to be bestowed upon a complete mental and physical health.

Further the big tummy of Ganapati Deva preaches the need for retaining information.  Acquiring knowledge, utilizing it and retaining it for years to come, becomes the crux of ‘big-belly commandment’.

The Char-Bhuja Dhari Ganesha, further represents strength by virtue of the four hands in which the Lord entraps his attachments, desires and greed.  Two of the arms of Ganesha, which hold rope, symbolize control over the attachments.  The laddoo or sweet in the other two shows command over the desires and earthly delusion.  The mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha represents greed and gluttony upon which the Almighty rides, propagating a control over the evils.

Ganesha’s physical traits are an assembly of the characteristics most required in an individual of substance.  Disposition incarnated with the goodness of such features will result in success in life and will positively procure an ailment-free survival. Specifically for executives, Ganesha’s characteristic principles may be incorporated in a time-table format which will help in the dawn of a conformable work-atmosphere along with congenial relationship between the management and the union of workers. Deciding the first day of the week to hear all grievance and woes of the workers, the second for thinking and planning strategies to work upon and finally setting targets to be achieved may utilize three days of the week very constructively. Further, a day devoted to evaluating losses and gains (Ganesha’s teeth principle) may help additionally in business management. Retaining the information and filing all the pending work can affirmatively call upon the fifth day of the week, which works entirely on the principle of Ganesha’s tummy, which is massive by the virtue of holding tremendous loads of information.  Contemplation, discrimination and judging the good and the bad for the entire unit may take another day, leaving the Sunday for self-retrospection through meditation and yoga. One should strive and adopt Ganpati’s principles of life management rather than worshipping him with vanity.  Life has much in store besides bothering about unnecessary qualms. Giving into a disciplined attitude may assuredly dawn upon a peaceful life.  Heaven is where you are, it’s only a matter of perception which makes life as difficult as hell.

Why Lord Ganesha Never suffered From Diabetes inspite of having pot belly obesity

Today the developing world is facing an epidemic of potbelly obesity-related diabetes and the same has been linked to eating refined carbohydrates especially refined sugar.

Lord Ganesha is depicted with big tummy and sweet (laddoo) in one of his hands and yet he never suffered from diabetes.

There are two interpretations of this. The first is a spiritual interpretation and i.e. that in mythology Ganesha depicts principles of stress management and sweet laddoo means control of desires. The big tummy symbolizes retaining all information gathered from hearing with two big elephant ears.

The second is a medical interpretation where the big tummy represents the susceptibility of Indians to metabolic syndrome, the present epidemic related to abdominal obesity. Indians have a weakness for eating sweets as well as being vulnerable to developing pot belly obesity.

This is shown as uncontrolled desire to eat sweets (Laddoos) and the prevention of the same is shown by all the fruits or leaves, offered to Ganesha, that have anti diabetic properties.

The main Ganesha Mantra can also be interpreted as explaining anti diabetes properties of Ganesha offerings.

“Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi Sevitam; Kapittha Jambu phalasara bhakshitam; Umasutam Shoka Vinasha karanam; Namami Vighneswara pada pankajam”.

The Mantra means

a.  ”Oh Elephant-faced, worshipped by the existing beings, of all living beings, tasting the elephant apple (kaith) and jambolana (jamun), the Son of Uma, destroyer of grief, I bow to the lotus feet of Ganesha who is lord of all.”

 

b. Or Gajananam (the big tummy one worshipped by all) Bhoota (Durva grass and Bilva patra used for worshipping Ganesha) Ganadi (in equal quantity) Sevitam (if consumed); Kapittha (Kaith) Jambu (Jamun) phalasara (fruits) bhakshitam (to be consumed); Umasutam (son of Uma) Shoka (diseases) Vinasha karanam (get rid of); Namami (I bow to) Vighneswara (destroyer of grief) pada pankajam (feet of lord)”

 

The mantra talks about four medicinal herbs: Durva grass and Bilva patra (Bel leaves) used for Ganesha worship; fruit of elephant apple (Kaith) and fruit of Jambolona (or Jamun). All four have anti diabetic properties and can be mixed in equal quantity and prepared as a medicinal juice.

Medically, Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon) has been shown to possess anti diabetic, cholesterol lowering, immune-modulatory, DNA protective, aphrodisiac, male fertility, anti cancer and anti inflammatory activities. Similarly Bilva Patra has both anti diabetic and fertility promoting properties.

Elephant apple (Limonia acidissima) also named as Wood Apple, Elephant Apple, Monkey Fruit, Curd Fruit, Koth Bel, Kaitha  and Kath Bel, has been shown to possess strong anti diabetic properties.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) also has DNA protective, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and is an essential ingredient of most antidiabetic Ayurveda preparations.

Worth trying: Regularly take equal mixed quantity of Durva grass, Kaith fruit and Jamun fruit juices to prevent diabetes and to reduce the ill effects of metabolic syndrome.

Note: This article is the author’s personal interpretation based on listening to many Ayurveda experts.

Why is Ganesha worshipped in every pooja?

Every Hindu ritual traditionally begins with a prayer to Lord Ganesh. The wedding ceremony too begins with a pooja of Lord Ganesha invoking him to bless the couple and to ensure that the ceremony goes off well.

Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati, is the harmonious Aacharan or characteristic disposition of man. Remembered and ritually worshipped before starting a new venture, the entity of Ganesha has in store the facets of a complete man.

Ganesha’s head, that of an elephant represents wisdom, intelligence and a healthy mind capable of making sound decisions. Think before you speak, implies Ganesha’s head.

The big ears of this elephant deity signify the lending of a patient ear to the echo produced by others’ deeds and speech. It is said that half the dispute is resolved by patiently lending an ear to the words of the other. It also denotes that one must patiently listen to all sides before reaching a decision.

Ganesha’s extremely small mouth characteristically represents the need for a limited dialogue and the vanity of talking too much. Overexpression through words results in unsought-for problems which could have been avoided.

Ganesha’s small eyes, highlight the need for a focused outlook in life.  Such an outlook not only re-defines and foresees the right goals, but also relieves one from the stress-manifested episodes in life.

The long trunk identifies with the power of discrimination. Ganesha’s long nose has the strength to uproot a tree and the competency of picking up a pin from the ground.  Such should be the approach of an individual who should be capable of perceiving the good and bad for one’s own self, and then have the strength to overcome these against all odds.

The tusks and the small teeth of Ganesha tell us to maintain a balance between loss (broken tooth) and gains (whole tooth) in the life. Man ought to maintain his mental state so that ups and downs do not deter him from his honest endeavors.

The ample stomach of Ganapati Deva advocates the need for retaining information.  Acquiring knowledge, utilizing it and retaining it for years to come, is the crux of ‘big-belly commandment’.

The Char-Bhuja Dhari Ganesha, further represents strength by virtue of his four hands in which the Lord entraps his attachments, desires and greed.  Two of the arms of Ganesha, which hold a rope, symbolize control over the attachments. The laddoo or sweet in one shows command over desires and earthly delusions.

The mouse sitting near the feet of Ganesha represents greed and gluttony upon which the Almighty rides, exhibiting control over evils.

Ganesha’s physical traits are an assembly of the characteristics most desired in an individual of substance.

Why Puffed Rice And Not Rice Are Offered To Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is shown with big tummy and craving for eating sweets (ladoo or modakas) and puffed rice.

Both sweets and rice are addicting in nature and consuming them regularly can lead to metabolic syndrome which presents with diabetes and high blood pressure. In Hindu mythology for this reason it is said to avoid eating carbohydrates atleast once in a week.

Ganesha is in each one of us depicting our inherent weakness for eating carbohydrates.  To prevent metabolic syndrome Ganesha is shown to consume Bilva leaves, Durva grass juice, fruits of elephant apple and Jamun, all having anti diabetic and insulin sensitizing properties.

Ganesha is also shown to be eating puffed rice and not plain rice. Puffed rice is a safer carbohydrate than plain rice.

The importance of puffed rice is mentioned in many places in mythology. The main mention comes in Kubera Ganesha interaction in one of the Purana (Vedic message in the form of stories) story.

Kubera (the god of wealth) became proud of his wealth and invited child Ganesha for a meal. Ganesha increased his appetite so much that there was nothing else to eat. When Kubera made Shiva to intervene, Shiva gave Ganesha a handful of puffed rice, which he ate, and immediately his hunger was suppressed.

This teaches us two Vedic lessons. Firstly that handful of puffed rice given with love and eaten with devotion is more important and filling than all the wealth of Kubera flaunted to impress others.

Secondly that a man of perfection (Ganesha) has an endless appetite for experiences. Lord Shiva, the perfect Guru, alone can satisfy the hunger of such devotee by giving them a handful of “puffed rice”, representing the “baked vasanas”, burnt in the fire of knowledge’. Only when the lust is burnt up the enthusiasm for experiencing life is quietened.

The spiritual message is that one should learn to control the lust and burn it in the fire of knowledge.

In mythology the symbolic representation of rice is for lust (attachments, desires and greed) and puffed rice for baked lust.   Rice is equated to lust being a carbohydrate with high glycemic index and proneness to obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Apart from carbohydrates lust can also be for sex, cigarettes, alcohol and narcotics. The answer for any lust is either to discard the lust or to think before getting indulging in it.

Medically also puffed rice is better than plain rice. Puffed rice or murmura is to rice what popcorn is to maze. Puffed rice however lacks the essential amino acid lysine and therefore is not a complete meal by itself. It is about 10 times the volume of regular rice. A cup of plain puffed rice contains only 20-25 calories. Puffed rice is recommended healthy snack and healthy fast food for preventing diabetes. It is light, dry and gives a feeling of fullness. It is also gluten-free.

In mythology puffed rice has been mentioned at many other places also.

1.When Sudama went to meet Krishna he carried puffed rice as a gift which Krishna relished. Puffed rice indicates a healthy gift and that only a person who has controlled his lust can meet Krishna the consciousness.

2.Ramakrishna has been mentioned having his first spiritual ecstasy at the age of six or seven while eating puffed rice. Spiritually again it means that only those can achieve spiritual ecstasy who have mastered lust.

3.In marriage rituals also both bride and groom are required to offer puffed rice into the fire. The spiritual message is again that both groom and bride need to leave their lust before they enter into a new relationship. This is again shown in another marriage ritual Laaja Homam where the bride with the assistance of her brothers makes offerings of puffed rice into the sacred fire.

4.In Buddhist mythology puffed rice also depicts the end “one who cannot be reborn” and puffed rice is used at funerals. Puffed rice represents rice that cannot be grown again.

Let the mud settle down

Once Buddha while travelling happened to pass a lake. Buddha told one of his disciples, I am thirsty. Do get me some water from that lake there. 

The disciple noticed that some people were washing clothes in the water and, right at that moment, a bullock cart started crossing through the lake. As a result, the water became very muddy, very turbid. The disciple thought, how can I give this muddy water to Buddha to drink! So he came back and told Buddha, The water in there is very muddy. I don’t think it is fit to drink. 

After about an hour later Buddha asked the same disciple again to go back to the lake and get him some water to drink. This time the disciple found that the lake had absolutely clear water in it. The mud had settled down and the water was fit for drinking. So he collected some water in a pot and brought it to Buddha.

Buddha looked at the water and said, See what you did to make the water clean. You let it be … and the mud settled down on its own and you got clear water… Your mind is also like that. When it is disturbed, just let it be. Give it a little time. It will settle down on its own. You don’t have to put in any effort to calm it down. It will happen. It is effortless. 

Tips to Fight Depression

During the phase of depression sometimes we become pessimist and our negative thoughts make it hard to attain back the peaceful state. As we are already depressed due to tough circumstances, these negative thoughts add fuel to fire and steal our peace of mind making it really hard to concentrate even on routine things. So what should be done to fight the depression and negativity? Below are the tips to be considered:

1- Try not to think about problems and rough circumstances again and again; instead focus on the solution. Think what needs to be done to fix the issues.
2- Change your environment. Take a break from your routine life and visit some relative or explore some new city/country.
3- Stay away from negative people. Remember, if someone is negative, he/she is spreading negative germs. Keep yourself germ-free.
4- Read newspaper or a good book on daily basis.
5- Go to market and buy yourself something you like. Feel good about it.
6- Surround yourself among happy people. Spend quality time with joyful and colorful friends.
7- Adopt some good hobby and spend time on it e.g. gardening, blogging, book reading etc.
8- Visit an Orphan house and spend time with children. Help them financially if possible. Give gifts. This act gives real inner happiness.
9- Think about the positive events of your life. About your childhood, education, fun trip, a friend's wedding etc.
10- Go to a religious place and spend time in prayers to get peace of mind

Why Lakshmana could not kill Ravana?

We need to understand Ramayana in the language of Internal Ramayana taking place in the body everyday in which Rama represents consciousness, Sita the body and Lakshmana, the determined mind with an aim. 

Ravana is synonymous with ego, which the determined mind (Lakshmana) cannot kill. Only the consciousness can kill the ego. Consciousness gets activated only in parasympathetic mode, which in turn takes over only when the person has control over the breathing.

Control over breathing in mythology means your friendship with Hanumana which represents the Prana Vayu.