when_is_ganesha_birthday=?=

July 24, 2002

Thanks for both your profound insights about the subject. Lionserpent, yours is

quite an eye-opener in regards the comparison with Voudou Orishas. I read quite

a bit about Vodoun but hadn't come across info like you'd posted here - plenty

of food for thought. Actually you'd just given me a crash course! Many

blessings,

Sy

lionserpent358 (AT) aol (DOT) com wrote: In a message dated 7/22/2002 9:53:49 AM Eastern

The numbers associated with Ganesha are 4, and multiples of 4. 8 symbolizes the

swastika, which has four arms, each of which is bent in two. In the Puranas,

there is a list of 16 sacred names of Ganapati (Ganesha); and another source

doubles this list to 32 names. Note that all these numbers are multiples of 4.

Nice to see your great observations there. It's funny how in ancient Greek myth

the god Hermes, or the Roman Mercury was considered the lord of gates and doors

and was worshipped before other Gods, just like Ganesha. His holiday was on the

4th day of a lunar month and he was worshipped at crossroads (4) given

offerings of money and sweets. His symbol was the Caduceus which is now known

popularly as a symbol of medicine. It is a rod with two serpents entwined about

it. This perfectly symbolises the three nadi's Ida Sushumna and Pingala. I

studied Voudou for awhile and in their system you must first worship Legba

whose number is 4!!! He is left offerings at crossroads and is said to

transcend duality being the lord of Loa (angels) and the Demons. All

belief-systems ultimately show the same trends. The energy is the same although

the names and forms may be different, but not by much! Ganesha himself obviously

shows us to transcend duality in how he is both the Elephant (great) and the

Mouse (small) he weilds both the Noose (restraint) and the Goad (action) When

we free ourselves from the limitations of clinging to false personalty traits,

mental habits and such we can become anything we want because truly we are

free. I feel that when I invoke Ganesha I tap into this formless aspect of

myself which knows no limit. Then, if I invoke another God it is easy to unite

with that God! Ganesha does indeed open the gates for us. The number 4 like the

Swastika, his holy symbol leads us back to the center of all things. It is a

perfectly balanced number and to unite with the divine, I feel it would be

important to connect with the divine in all things and be perfectly balanced

ourselves. For me at least, Ganesha shows a way to that balance. Just some

thoughts.............

Health - Feel better, live better

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