Ganesha
Today in CNX Ganesha is being honored at the Puja ceremony. This is a ritual performed by Hindus and Buddhists to offer devotion and prayer to its deities. During this event, light, flowers, water, and food is offered to the divine. The worshipper acknowledges the divine and the divine does the same in return. This interaction between human and deity is called darshan, seeing. The most literal translation means ‘divine sight.’ It is a reciprocal experience of looking upon the presence of a deity with the purpose of seeing and being seen. Ganesha is one of the most worshipped gods in the Hindu religion and easily identified by his elephant head. He is known as the deity of wisdom who remove of obstacles and brings good luck.
The most popular story regarding Ganesha’s birth is one where the goddess Parvathi is longing for affection and creates a son from clay and ghee (clarified butter). While she is taking a bath her partner Shiva is meditating on Mount Kailash. Parvathi asked her son to stand guard while she bathes. When Shiva returns, he is prevented from entering the bathroom. Because Shiva is offended, he cuts off the boy’s head and then leave to find Parvathi. After realizing what he had done, Shiva left to search for the first creature he could find (an elephant), placing its head on the boy, and naming him “Ganesha” or “lord of the elephants.”
Because Ganesha is the purveyor of good luck he is often worshipped and sort after during events and projects such as starting a business, getting married or buying a car. Many believe that Ganesha gives success, prosperity, and protection against adversity. Followers often offer Ganesha sweets such as modak (Indian dumpling) or sweet balls (laddus) during celebrations and events. Because he identifies with red, he is often worshipped with red sandalwood paste or red flowers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha
https://blog.bhaktimarga.org/what_is_darshan
I enjoyed this post! A timely reminder to connect and show gratitude 🙏🏼💫
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