Ganesh Chathurthi

[Guest guest]

Revered Maharshi Veda Vyasa,

 

It has been a long time since I have written anything for you or to you. Do

you remember the time when you called me to help you write the Mahabharata? Can

you recall the conversation between us thousands of years ago? You had asked me

to be your steno for your epic. I remember you had said “I shall narrate the

text from memory and you keep writing”.

 

I had laid down a condition. I said to you, if while writing, my pen does

not stop for even one moment, then I don’t mind being the steno for this test.

And how vividly I remember your sage words in hearing this “Don’t write a word

without fully understanding it. I agreed and we got down to writing that mother

of all epics.

 

Understanding. That was it. This is what is missing today. That is the

reason I write to you after such a long spell of silence. People today worship

me more than ever before. I am the backbone of the handicraft industry. My

idols adorn drawing rooms and all sorts of other places. Many people “collect”

me. I have been reduced to the status of a cuddle toy.

 

But do people understand me? Understanding, I suppose, is not possible

when people today are obsessed with one of the most reductive of human

inventions: The sound bite. I wonder whether the human need to tell and to hear

a complete story, has almost become extinct. When there is little understanding

and still less patience to hear someone out, no wonder people don’t know who I

am.

 

They invoke my name before getting on with anything. And they are certain

that their task would get done without impediments. Do they think I am some kind

of fixer? People think of ends and not means. I bless only those efforts, which

are guided by noble means and intentions.

 

Moreover, I am Ganapati, or Ganesh. If you please, I am the leader and

protector of the entire community, not just of self-seeking individuals. I am

Gajanana. Gaja, as you know, is Brahman (they confuse these days between

Brahman and the creator of the universe, Brahmaa). My elephant head therefore,

signifies the ultimate non-duality of all things. Isn’t it logic also that the

head should preside over the body?

 

I have always agonized about people speculating about my only tusk, the

right one. Why should they not understand that It again signifies the oneness of

Brahman, only maya is dual. If only people would draw a connection between the

head, the single tusk and the things I carry in my four hands, they will know

better. I am here to remove ignorance, illusion and bring about peace and

security.

 

My ears are like that implement they use to remove the rice from the chaff.

Need I say more? I stand for “discrimination between good and evil”. Oh God, how

old fashioned I sound.

 

Actually, as I write, I know what seems to be the problem. It is like

this. Today my mouse – you know I have retained him as my steed – has become

more popular than me. He represents all those things that people readily

identify with: Division, hair-splitting, analysis and excessive theorizing.

 

The mouse is the master of night, The night represents ignorance, or,

rather it did during your time. Today, the mouse of ignorance bites, gnaws and

steals. As long as I sat on him and people could actually see me sitting on him,

I had control over him. Now they put me on their computer monitors and give

pride of place to the mouse. They even give him a nice, soft pad to sit. What

next?

 

And to think of it, they don’t even enjoy the modak any longer. What

represents joy, ananda, has become for them a source of cholesterol, diabetes

and all such fancy lifestyle ailments.

 

Enough of this raving and ranting. I write this also to solicit your

blessings for my birthday, which falls on 31ST August this year.

 

With salutations

 

Yours “Ganesha”

 

 

 

(REPRODUCED FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA (OLD ISSUE AUGUST 2001) AND IT IS BEING SENT

TO ALL FRIENDS ON THE OCCASION OF VINAYAKA CHATURTHI WITH PRAYERS TO THE ALL

MIGHTY, ALL KNOWING, ALL PERVASIVE VINAYAKA – ‘MOOLADHARASTITHA’ OF THE KNOWN

AND UNKNOWN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Namaste!

I was having a rather difficult day today and just by chance

picked up your E-Mail about Ganesha. I truly enjoyed the format of the

letter. It made me feel closer to Ganesha, and it warmed my heart. Thank

you so very much.

Peace and Love Always,

Sarojini

-

"R.S.MANI" <r_s_mani

<advaitin>; <iyer123>

Friday, August 29, 2003 7:28 PM

Ganesh Chathurthi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revered Maharshi Veda Vyasa,

 

It has been a long time since I have written anything for you or to

you. Do you remember the time when you called me to help you write the

Mahabharata? Can you recall the conversation between us thousands of years

ago? You had asked me to be your steno for your epic. I remember you had

said "I shall narrate the text from memory and you keep writing".

 

I had laid down a condition. I said to you, if while writing, my pen

does not stop for even one moment, then I don't mind being the steno for

this test. And how vividly I remember your sage words in hearing this

"Don't write a word without fully understanding it. I agreed and we got

down to writing that mother of all epics.

 

Understanding. That was it. This is what is missing today. That is the

reason I write to you after such a long spell of silence. People today

worship me more than ever before. I am the backbone of the handicraft

industry. My idols adorn drawing rooms and all sorts of other places. Many

people "collect" me. I have been reduced to the status of a cuddle toy.

 

But do people understand me? Understanding, I suppose, is not possible

when people today are obsessed with one of the most reductive of human

inventions: The sound bite. I wonder whether the human need to tell and to

hear a complete story, has almost become extinct. When there is little

understanding and still less patience to hear someone out, no wonder people

don't know who I am.

 

They invoke my name before getting on with anything. And they are

certain that their task would get done without impediments. Do they think I

am some kind of fixer? People think of ends and not means. I bless only

those efforts, which are guided by noble means and intentions.

 

Moreover, I am Ganapati, or Ganesh. If you please, I am the leader and

protector of the entire community, not just of self-seeking individuals. I

am Gajanana. Gaja, as you know, is Brahman (they confuse these days between

Brahman and the creator of the universe, Brahmaa). My elephant head

therefore, signifies the ultimate non-duality of all things. Isn't it logic

also that the head should preside over the body?

 

I have always agonized about people speculating about my only tusk, the

right one. Why should they not understand that It again signifies the

oneness of Brahman, only maya is dual. If only people would draw a

connection between the head, the single tusk and the things I carry in my

four hands, they will know better. I am here to remove ignorance, illusion

and bring about peace and security.

 

My ears are like that implement they use to remove the rice from the

chaff. Need I say more? I stand for "discrimination between good and evil".

Oh God, how old fashioned I sound.

 

Actually, as I write, I know what seems to be the problem. It is like

this. Today my mouse - you know I have retained him as my steed - has

become more popular than me. He represents all those things that people

readily identify with: Division, hair-splitting, analysis and excessive

theorizing.

 

The mouse is the master of night, The night represents ignorance, or,

rather it did during your time. Today, the mouse of ignorance bites, gnaws

and steals. As long as I sat on him and people could actually see me sitting

on him, I had control over him. Now they put me on their computer monitors

and give pride of place to the mouse. They even give him a nice, soft pad to

sit. What next?

 

And to think of it, they don't even enjoy the modak any longer. What

represents joy, ananda, has become for them a source of cholesterol,

diabetes and all such fancy lifestyle ailments.

 

Enough of this raving and ranting. I write this also to solicit your

blessings for my birthday, which falls on 31ST August this year.

 

With salutations

 

Yours "Ganesha"

 

 

 

(REPRODUCED FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA (OLD ISSUE AUGUST 2001) AND IT IS BEING

SENT TO ALL FRIENDS ON THE OCCASION OF VINAYAKA CHATURTHI WITH PRAYERS TO

THE ALL MIGHTY, ALL KNOWING, ALL PERVASIVE VINAYAKA - 'MOOLADHARASTITHA' OF

THE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discussion of Shankara's Advaita Vedanta Philosophy of nonseparablity of

Atman and Brahman.

Advaitin List Archives available at:

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To Post a message send an email to : advaitin

Messages Archived at: advaitin/messages

 

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Namaste Ganesh-ji.

 

Let me greet you in good, true Advaitin style. I waited for 31st

August (see we go by the English calendar - what can chaturti mean to

us?!) to dawn in my part of the world to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU".

May be chaturti has ended here or is yet to begin. I don't have an

Indian almanac. Can't locate the position of the Moon in relation to

the stars. They can't be seen! Light pollution! Please have a great

time nevertheless.

 

If I have moved the mouse of ignorance on its comfortable pad in

sending you this wish, please understand my predicament. We can't

operate without it these days. I can greet you only as long as you

seem apart from me. Isn't that ignorance? Or, without ignorance,

where is there a need to seek out knowledge? So, please bless me

with a Genius of a mouse so that I can keep wishing you without end

and equip me with more and more ignorance so that I can't cease

calling out to you for help.

 

About modak, I confess, I can't have it, for I am diabetic. No

cholesterol yet and I don't want to invite that calamity. However, I

am a little worried about your pot-belly. Please, therefore, be

moderate in your enjoyments. Incidentally, what does pot-belly

signify? Is it the whole of this samSArA? Why did dad give the fruit

of knowledge to the other fellow, your borther, who looks more

physically fit? That is thought for you to ponder today.

 

Lastly, please grant me a wish, Ganeshji. May Maniji, hidden behind

the post under reference, have more of his inimitable sense of humour

so that he can continue to plunge this forum in thoughtful laughter

in the days to come.

 

I join you and all in the joy of this great day.

 

PraNAms to your Head of Knowledge and Single Non-dual Tusk! You look

just wonderful.

 

I remain diabetically at your Feet with the mouse of ignorance at my

fingertips as you revel in the modak of Absolute Bliss.

 

Madathil Nair

__________________

 

 

advaitin, "R.S.MANI" <r_s_mani> wrote:

[Guest guest]

-

"Madathil Rajendran Nair" <madathilnair

> Namaste Ganesh-ji.

 

Namaste, Shri Nair-ji:

> equip me with more and more ignorance

>so that I can't cease

> calling out to you for help.

 

Be careful what you ask for...you just might get it.

> Incidentally, what does pot-belly

> signify? Is it the whole of this samSArA?

 

My pot belly, besides being what it is because I am part elephant,

although an illusory one to advaitins such as yourself,

signifies to some the cosmos, the universe, although also an illusion.

It is this whole samSArA and then some.

 

My belly is big because it has to be, for I govern the universe, all of the

gods and goddesses, since the beginning of time and even before.

Being that all of these are contained within my belly, symbolically,

it is an illusion that takes up much space.

>Why did dad give the fruit of knowledge to the other fellow,

>your borther, who looks more physically fit?

>That is thought for you to ponder today.

 

No it is thought for YOU to ponder today.

> If I have moved the mouse of ignorance on its comfortable pad in

> sending you this wish, please understand my predicament. We can't

> operate without it these days. I can greet you only as long as you

> seem apart from me. Isn't that ignorance? Or, without ignorance,

> where is there a need to seek out knowledge?

 

Is not the Seeker the One who Is Being Sought?

Ah, you have moved the mouse and dislocated me, Shri Nair-ji.

But then, that is fine with me, since today is the day I must depart to

symbolize the cycle of life.

I had to ascend from upon the mouse, so everyone, except you, could indulge

their desires

for sweets in my honor. But don't worry, I will get back upon the mouse of

desire,

so you won't feel too badly about the limits your body, which is, after all,

an illusion.

 

> Can't locate the position of the Moon in relation to the stars. They

can't be seen!

Light pollution!

 

Excuse me, Shri, that is me!!!

Now, I will move myself so you can see the Moon.

I have work to do. Now, repeat after me...

 

Mooshika Vaahana madaka hastha

 

Chaamara karna vilambitha soothra

 

Vaamana roopa Mahaeshwara puthra

 

Vighna Vinayaka paada namasthe

[Guest guest]

advaitin, "Lady Joyce" <ladyjoy@v...> wrote:

> -

> "Madathil Rajendran Nair" <madathilnair>

>

> >

>

> > Incidentally, what does pot-belly

> > signify? Is it the whole of this samSArA?

>

> My pot belly, besides being what it is because I am part elephant,

> although an illusory one to advaitins such as yourself,

> signifies to some the cosmos, the universe, although also an

illusion.

> It is this whole samSArA and then some.

>

> My belly is big because it has to be, for I govern the universe,

all of the

> gods and goddesses, since the beginning of time and even before.

> Being that all of these are contained within my belly,

symbolically,

> it is an illusion that takes up much space.

Namaste.

His elephant-head is adored as the emblem of wisdom. The elephant-

headed God is sitting on a mouse, the smallest of animals – showing

His mastery over everything from the micro to the macro. He is

therefore the wisdom of comprehension of the relationship between

the micro and the macro. The whole figure of vinAyaka with the sweet

dish in His hand and with His pot-belly infuses an utter contentment

typifying wisdom. It is the spiritual contentment of the fullness of

the Absolute. The pot-belly also signifies that the entire universe

is within Him. It is this contentment that makes Him dance sometimes.

 

prANAms to all advaitins

profvk

[Guest guest]

Of all the Gods in the Hindu pantheon, it is Lord Ganesh who is the most

intriguing.

 

Ganesh’s popularity remains for ever in Hinduism. He was so established among

the people of the land that he

continued to retain the most prominent position in both ancient and modern

Hinduism. Every temple has a nook for

Ganesh. Every prayer starts with a recital to Ganesh. At the beginning of every

pooja, Ganesh is remembered. The

concept of Ganesh will never go away.

 

“Parabrahma Roopam Ganesham Bhajama,

Omkara Roopam Ganesham Bhajama.

Pranava Swaroopam Ganesham bhajama”

 

His very form is said to resemble the sacred letter….OM, in Sanskrit.

 

It is perhaps the highest form of worship conceived by the Hindus - worship of

the Infinite, Brahman: the Cosmos. The

Cosmos is every thing that was, is and will be.

Regards,

Ram

 

"V. Krishnamurthy" wrote:

> advaitin, "Lady Joyce" <ladyjoy@v...> wrote:

> > -

> > "Madathil Rajendran Nair" <madathilnair>

> >

> > >

> >

> > > Incidentally, what does pot-belly

> > > signify? Is it the whole of this samSArA?

> >

> > My pot belly, besides being what it is because I am part elephant,

> > although an illusory one to advaitins such as yourself,

> > signifies to some the cosmos, the universe, although also an

> illusion.

> > It is this whole samSArA and then some.

> >

> > My belly is big because it has to be, for I govern the universe,

> all of the

> > gods and goddesses, since the beginning of time and even before.

> > Being that all of these are contained within my belly,

> symbolically,

> > it is an illusion that takes up much space.

> Namaste.

> His elephant-head is adored as the emblem of wisdom. The elephant-

> headed God is sitting on a mouse, the smallest of animals – showing

> His mastery over everything from the micro to the macro. He is

> therefore the wisdom of comprehension of the relationship between

> the micro and the macro. The whole figure of vinAyaka with the sweet

> dish in His hand and with His pot-belly infuses an utter contentment

> typifying wisdom. It is the spiritual contentment of the fullness of

> the Absolute. The pot-belly also signifies that the entire universe

> is within Him. It is this contentment that makes Him dance sometimes.

>

> prANAms to all advaitins

> profvk

>

>

> Discussion of Shankara's Advaita Vedanta Philosophy of nonseparablity of Atman

and Brahman.

> Advaitin List Archives available at: http://www.eScribe.com/culture/advaitin/

> To Post a message send an email to : advaitin

> Messages Archived at: advaitin/messages

>

>

>

> Your use of is subject to