Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya Dear All, This ia my first posting in this forum. Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same. Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query. Thanks, Ramesh M Bangalore Fitness on your mind? Check out nearby gyms on India Local http://in.local./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Temples may not accept the idol unless it meets the requirements of Agama Sastra. No harm in trying your luck. If accepted by temple, you may have to donate money to the temple for conducting daily pooja. In Tamilnadu, Rightside trunk Ganesha is called Valamsuzhi Pillayar . Best of Luck!G.BalasubramanianRam R <mantra2379alam harm in trying your luck.Wednesday, September 2, 2009 1:22:07 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya Dear All, This ia my first posting in this forum. Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same. Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query. Thanks, Ramesh M Bangalore Fitness on your mind? Check out nearby gyms on India Local http://in.local. / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 If temples don't accept then the last option would be to immerse the idol in water with the help of local priests. Sudha --- On Wed, 9/2/09, Ram R <mantra2379 wrote: Ram R <mantra2379 Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 10:22 AM OM Namo Bhagvate VenkateshayaDear All,This ia my first posting in this forum.Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.Thanks,Ramesh MBangalore Fitness on your mind? Check out nearby gyms on India Local http://in.local. / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Hi, Your are a very LUCKY person who have such a Deity in your family. You should never ever think of giving it away or any other such wrong thing. Do we throw away or immerse in water our Good Fortune??? Do not worry for a single second if you are not able to do Puja now. Ask HIM TO Guide you and other members of your family for puja or worship etc.I have written from my personal experience. I usually do not write but I opened my PC and saw your post and could not believe it and others response to it.Take care.LaxmiNarayan--- On Wed, 2/9/09, Ram R <mantra2379 wrote:Ram R <mantra2379 Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Date: Wednesday, 2 September, 2009, 6:22 PMOM Namo Bhagvate VenkateshayaDear All,This ia my first posting in this forum.Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.Thanks,Ramesh MBangalore Fitness on your mind? Check out nearby gyms on India Local http://in.local./---|| Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 Dear Laxmi ji, I didn't mean to sound rude or disrespectful towards the Lord. With due respect to Lord Ganesha I wasn't very happy when I suggested immersion. Moreover I suggested it as the last option. My family has seen bad things happening when we had Lord Ganesha's idol. Our family priest gave us the same suggestion to immerse it. My belief is if not treated well it can get angry. Also during Ganesh chaturthi we immerse the diety in water is it bad. Why don't we preserve the idol for good fortune. Does it mean we are disrespecting the god. We can keep the god without immersing but the reason is that its very difficult to maintain. That's my understanding. If the idol is at home then it is important to fulfill the obligations like cleaning the idol, offering prayers, flowers, prasadam, extreme cleanliness etc. I am open to valuable inputs afterall we are all here for gyan. --- On Wed, 9/2/09, Laxmi Narayan <shrijishrihari wrote: Laxmi Narayan <shrijishrihariRe: Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 4:08 PM Hi, Your are a very LUCKY person who have such a Deity in your family. You should never ever think of giving it away or any other such wrong thing. Do we throw away or immerse in water our Good Fortune??? Do not worry for a single second if you are not able to do Puja now. Ask HIM TO Guide you and other members of your family for puja or worship etc.I have written from my personal experience. I usually do not write but I opened my PC and saw your post and could not believe it and others response to it.Take care.LaxmiNarayan--- On Wed, 2/9/09, Ram R <mantra2379 (AT) (DOT) co.in> wrote: Ram R <mantra2379 (AT) (DOT) co.in> Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha IdolWednesday, 2 September, 2009, 6:22 PM OM Namo Bhagvate VenkateshayaDear All,This ia my first posting in this forum.Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.Thanks,Ramesh MBangalore Fitness on your mind? Check out nearby gyms on India Local http://in.local. /------------ --------- --------- ------|| Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009  Namaste Ram and other friends, Before I try to address this quandary, I want to tell a small story. * * * More than 120 years ago, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a priest at the Kaali temple at Dakshineshwar. Next to the Kaali shrine, there was a Krishna shrine with a beautiful Krishna idol and Ramakrishna used to meditate there sometimes. Due to an accident when another priest was carrying the idol during a festival, the idol broke oneday. The priests and the highly learned scholars were in a quandary and conferred to decide what to do. The shastras were clear that a broken idol could not be worshipped at a temple and had to be immersed in flowing water. So the learned scholars recommended immersing the idol in Ganges. Ramakrishna was asked by the temple administration for his view. He thought for a while and said calmly, "Suppose you have a son and his leg is broken. Will you try to fix it and keep the son at home and continue to love him or will you throw your son into Ganges?" His simple common sense view prevailed and shastras were set aside! In fact, Ramakrishna himself fixed the broken idol. It was re-installed at the temple and continued to be worshipped. * * * The idol was in your house for 56 years. Suddenly, the new found knowledge is creating problems in your mind, after all these years! What good is that knowledge which spoils mental peace by creating doubts, fear and insecurity? One is better off being ignorant than having such knowledge. If you have an idol that was worshipped to some extent by your ancestors for 56 years, it would've captured and stored some of the positive energy and positive thoughts of those people. It would be a great blessing to have at your house. It should not be a problem if you cannot do much ritual worshp to the idol. Just doing simple things should suffice. Whenever you see the idol, imagine that there is Ganesha in it for real. Love the Ganesa who is in that idol. Bow to him now and then, when you get a chance. Show some fruit or raisins or something to the idol now and then, when you get a chance, and imagine that Ganesa tasted them. Every few months, clean the idol in water and wipe it (to keep it clean). The key is not how detailed your rituals are and whether you are doing 5 or 16 or 64 or more services in your ritual. The key is how strongly you imagine a real deity in that idol and how deeply you love that real deity that you visualize in the idol. Rituals are only meant to facilitate such a visualization and increase such a love. They are neither necessary nor sufficient for establishing a relationship with a deity (which is, after all, the purpose of keeping an idol)! * * * How does a metallic (or stone or whatever) object become divine? Of course, each object and each atom of this universe is filled, in essence, by Aatman or Brahman, i.e. non-dual god. But, that would apply to the idol as well as a sofa. But you look at an idol as being more divine than the sofa. So we are not talking about the all-pervading non-dual god here. We are talking about a deity within the field of duality here. That deity is not present in sofa, but present in the idol. But, how does the deity get into the idol? Does the idol get that deity in it simply because of its shape? Of course not! All lokas and all devatas are present within you in a microcosmic form. By the force of your thought, you concentrate a part of the deity who is within you into the idol (or any object). When a priest with a good level of purity and good ability to visualize (which comes from internal purity and lack of ego) does praana pratishthaa in an idol, his visualization works using the praana pratishthaa mantra as an instrument and a deity's essence enters the idol. Even if you do not do a praana pratishthaa formally, deity's essence will slowly be established in the idol if you keep imagining deity in the idol. It is all about the power of thought! Thoughts of a pure mind that is not weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and not colored by too many terrible vaasanaas work faster, but even thoughts of an impure mind that is weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and colored by several terrible vaasanaas will also work, albeit slowly. If you keep imagining a deity with some qualities in an idol over a long time, essence of such a deity will invariably be established in the idol over the time! Otherwise, it is just a metallic object. If you imagine a deity who is angry with you for not taking good care of him, you will slowly create such a form in that idol. Please stop this negativity. Imagine a beautiful, pleasant, happy and saattwika form with whom you can fall in love. If a feeling of love overwhelms your mind when you see the idol (instead of thoughts of fear and deity's anger), it will indeed create such a presence in the idol and do you good. * * * There are several *well-meaning* people out there with half-baked understanding that is not based on any direct experience, who go around scaring people in several matters relating to god, religion and spirituality. But god is not to be feared. Love god. Do not fear god. When your father or mother shout at you or punish you, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. They are not really angry at you and they actually love you. Similarly, when god punishes you or gives bad results, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. Do not fear god even when god gives you bad results. Always *love* god and love god very deeply. More deeply than you love your parents, spouse, children etc. That is a simple principle for sureshot spiritual progress. Good luck with your Ganesha idol no matter what you decide to do with it! Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpanaSpirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org - "Ram R" <mantra2379 Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:22 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol > OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya> > Dear All,> > This ia my first posting in this forum.> > Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. > > I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.> > Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.> > Thanks,> Ramesh M> Bangalore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 Most respected Narsimhaji, The way you are guiding us is so sweet and so beutiful, I have no words. This is real understanding. Most of us are suffering from ritual fears like -do this and don't do this. Something will happen and like. Your words are like God himself speaks to us. Thanks Sir.Dr.Ashwin Rawal--- On Thu, 3/9/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Date: Thursday, 3 September, 2009, 8:09 AM  Namaste Ram and other friends, Before I try to address this quandary, I want to tell a small story. * * * More than 120 years ago, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a priest at the Kaali temple at Dakshineshwar. Next to the Kaali shrine, there was a Krishna shrine with a beautiful Krishna idol and Ramakrishna used to meditate there sometimes. Due to an accident when another priest was carrying the idol during a festival, the idol broke oneday. The priests and the highly learned scholars were in a quandary and conferred to decide what to do. The shastras were clear that a broken idol could not be worshipped at a temple and had to be immersed in flowing water. So the learned scholars recommended immersing the idol in Ganges. Ramakrishna was asked by the temple administration for his view. He thought for a while and said calmly, "Suppose you have a son and his leg is broken. Will you try to fix it and keep the son at home and continue to love him or will you throw your son into Ganges?" His simple common sense view prevailed and shastras were set aside! In fact, Ramakrishna himself fixed the broken idol. It was re-installed at the temple and continued to be worshipped. * * * The idol was in your house for 56 years. Suddenly, the new found knowledge is creating problems in your mind, after all these years! What good is that knowledge which spoils mental peace by creating doubts, fear and insecurity? One is better off being ignorant than having such knowledge. If you have an idol that was worshipped to some extent by your ancestors for 56 years, it would've captured and stored some of the positive energy and positive thoughts of those people. It would be a great blessing to have at your house. It should not be a problem if you cannot do much ritual worshp to the idol. Just doing simple things should suffice. Whenever you see the idol, imagine that there is Ganesha in it for real. Love the Ganesa who is in that idol. Bow to him now and then, when you get a chance. Show some fruit or raisins or something to the idol now and then, when you get a chance, and imagine that Ganesa tasted them. Every few months, clean the idol in water and wipe it (to keep it clean). The key is not how detailed your rituals are and whether you are doing 5 or 16 or 64 or more services in your ritual. The key is how strongly you imagine a real deity in that idol and how deeply you love that real deity that you visualize in the idol. Rituals are only meant to facilitate such a visualization and increase such a love. They are neither necessary nor sufficient for establishing a relationship with a deity (which is, after all, the purpose of keeping an idol)! * * * How does a metallic (or stone or whatever) object become divine? Of course, each object and each atom of this universe is filled, in essence, by Aatman or Brahman, i.e. non-dual god. But, that would apply to the idol as well as a sofa. But you look at an idol as being more divine than the sofa. So we are not talking about the all-pervading non-dual god here. We are talking about a deity within the field of duality here. That deity is not present in sofa, but present in the idol. But, how does the deity get into the idol? Does the idol get that deity in it simply because of its shape? Of course not! All lokas and all devatas are present within you in a microcosmic form. By the force of your thought, you concentrate a part of the deity who is within you into the idol (or any object). When a priest with a good level of purity and good ability to visualize (which comes from internal purity and lack of ego) does praana pratishthaa in an idol, his visualization works using the praana pratishthaa mantra as an instrument and a deity's essence enters the idol. Even if you do not do a praana pratishthaa formally, deity's essence will slowly be established in the idol if you keep imagining deity in the idol. It is all about the power of thought! Thoughts of a pure mind that is not weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and not colored by too many terrible vaasanaas work faster, but even thoughts of an impure mind that is weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and colored by several terrible vaasanaas will also work, albeit slowly. If you keep imagining a deity with some qualities in an idol over a long time, essence of such a deity will invariably be established in the idol over the time! Otherwise, it is just a metallic object. If you imagine a deity who is angry with you for not taking good care of him, you will slowly create such a form in that idol. Please stop this negativity. Imagine a beautiful, pleasant, happy and saattwika form with whom you can fall in love. If a feeling of love overwhelms your mind when you see the idol (instead of thoughts of fear and deity's anger), it will indeed create such a presence in the idol and do you good. * * * There are several *well-meaning* people out there with half-baked understanding that is not based on any direct experience, who go around scaring people in several matters relating to god, religion and spirituality. But god is not to be feared. Love god. Do not fear god. When your father or mother shout at you or punish you, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. They are not really angry at you and they actually love you. Similarly, when god punishes you or gives bad results, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. Do not fear god even when god gives you bad results. Always *love* god and love god very deeply. More deeply than you love your parents, spouse, children etc. That is a simple principle for sureshot spiritual progress. Good luck with your Ganesha idol no matter what you decide to do with it! Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - "Ram R" <mantra2379 (AT) (DOT) co.in> <> Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:22 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol > OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya> > Dear All,> > This ia my first posting in this forum.> > Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. > > I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.> > Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.> > Thanks,> Ramesh M> Bangalore Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 Om Namo Bhagavate Venkateshaya  Dear Narasimhaji and other Friends, First of all would like to thank everybody for the generosity in replying and sharing their insights! I am truly overwhelmed at the responses! To be honest I was really scared/worried when I saw the idol during the puja at home on Shri Ganesha Chaturthi and all sorts of thoughts were running in my mind. Your mail is a real eye-opener for me. I think every now and then I have to keep coming back to this mail re-read your wonderful words. Have decided to continue having the idol in the house and do puja for the same more regularly as per my ability. Would like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for taking your precious time out and helping me out! Warm Regards, Ramesh M Bangalore --- On Thu, 3/9/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Thursday, 3 September, 2009, 8:09 AM   Namaste Ram and other friends,  Before I try to address this quandary, I want to tell a small story.  *       *       *  More than 120 years ago, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a priest at the Kaali temple at Dakshineshwar. Next to the Kaali shrine, there was a Krishna shrine with a beautiful Krishna idol and Ramakrishna used to meditate there sometimes. Due to an accident when another priest was carrying the idol during a festival, the idol broke oneday.  The priests and the highly learned scholars were in a quandary and conferred to decide what to do. The shastras were clear that a broken idol could not be worshipped at a temple and had to be immersed in flowing water. So the learned scholars recommended immersing the idol in Ganges.  Ramakrishna was asked by the temple administration for his view. He thought for a while and said calmly, " Suppose you have a son and his leg is broken. Will you try to fix it and keep the son at home and continue to love him or will you throw your son into Ganges? " His simple common sense view prevailed and shastras were set aside! In fact, Ramakrishna himself fixed the broken idol. It was re-installed at the temple and continued to be worshipped.  *       *       *  The idol was in your house for 56 years. Suddenly, the new found knowledge is creating problems in your mind, after all these years! What good is that knowledge which spoils mental peace by creating doubts, fear and insecurity? One is better off being ignorant than having such knowledge.  If you have an idol that was worshipped to some extent by your ancestors for 56 years, it would've captured and stored some of the positive energy and positive thoughts of those people. It would be a great blessing to have at your house.  It should not be a problem if you cannot do much ritual worshp to the idol. Just doing simple things should suffice.  Whenever you see the idol, imagine that there is Ganesha in it for real. Love the Ganesa who is in that idol. Bow to him now and then, when you get a chance. Show some fruit or raisins or something to the idol now and then, when you get a chance, and imagine that Ganesa tasted them. Every few months, clean the idol in water and wipe it (to keep it clean).  The key is not how detailed your rituals are and whether you are doing 5 or 16 or 64 or more services in your ritual. The key is how strongly you imagine a real deity in that idol and how deeply you love that real deity that you visualize in the idol. Rituals are only meant to facilitate such a visualization and increase such a love. They are neither necessary nor sufficient for establishing a relationship with a deity (which is, after all, the purpose of keeping an idol)!  *       *       *  How does a metallic (or stone or whatever) object become divine?  Of course, each object and each atom of this universe is filled, in essence, by Aatman or Brahman, i.e. non-dual god. But, that would apply to the idol as well as a sofa. But you look at an idol as being more divine than the sofa. So we are not talking about the all-pervading non-dual god here. We are talking about a deity within the field of duality here. That deity is not present in sofa, but present in the idol. But, how does the deity get into the idol? Does the idol get that deity in it simply because of its shape? Of course not!  All lokas and all devatas are present within you in a microcosmic form. By the force of your thought, you concentrate a part of the deity who is within you into the idol (or any object). When a priest with a good level of purity and good ability to visualize (which comes from internal purity and lack of ego) does praana pratishthaa in an idol, his visualization works using the praana pratishthaa mantra as an instrument and a deity's essence enters the idol.  Even if you do not do a praana pratishthaa formally, deity's essence will slowly be established in the idol if you keep imagining deity in the idol. It is all about the power of thought! Thoughts of a pure mind that is not weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and not colored by too many terrible vaasanaas work faster, but even thoughts of an impure mind that is weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and colored by several terrible vaasanaas will also work, albeit slowly. If you keep imagining a deity with some qualities in an idol over a long time, essence of such a deity will invariably be established in the idol over the time! Otherwise, it is just a metallic object.  If you imagine a deity who is angry with you for not taking good care of him, you will slowly create such a form in that idol. Please stop this negativity. Imagine a beautiful, pleasant, happy and saattwika form with whom you can fall in love. If a feeling of love overwhelms your mind when you see the idol (instead of thoughts of fear and deity's anger), it will indeed create such a presence in the idol and do you good.  *       *       *  There are several *well-meaning* people out there with half-baked understanding that is not based on any direct experience, who go around scaring people in several matters relating to god, religion and spirituality. But god is not to be feared.  Love god. Do not fear god. When your father or mother shout at you or punish you, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. They are not really angry at you and they actually love you. Similarly, when god punishes you or gives bad results, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. Do not fear god even when god gives you bad results. Always *love* god and love god very deeply. More deeply than you love your parents, spouse, children etc. That is a simple principle for sureshot spiritual progress.  Good luck with your Ganesha idol no matter what you decide to do with it!  Best regards, Narasimha ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------  - " Ram R " <mantra2379 (AT) (DOT) co.in> <> Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:22 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol  > OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya > > Dear All, > > This ia my first posting in this forum. > > Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. > > I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same. > > Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query. > > Thanks, > Ramesh M > Bangalore Love Cricket? Check out live scores, photos, video highlights and more. Click here http://cricket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 Respected Sir, This was indeed an eye opener for me too. Can't thank you enough for imparting us with such divine knowledge? Thanks, Sudha--- On Wed, 9/2/09, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Re: Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 7:39 PM  Namaste Ram and other friends, Before I try to address this quandary, I want to tell a small story. * * * More than 120 years ago, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a priest at the Kaali temple at Dakshineshwar. Next to the Kaali shrine, there was a Krishna shrine with a beautiful Krishna idol and Ramakrishna used to meditate there sometimes. Due to an accident when another priest was carrying the idol during a festival, the idol broke oneday. The priests and the highly learned scholars were in a quandary and conferred to decide what to do. The shastras were clear that a broken idol could not be worshipped at a temple and had to be immersed in flowing water. So the learned scholars recommended immersing the idol in Ganges. Ramakrishna was asked by the temple administration for his view. He thought for a while and said calmly, "Suppose you have a son and his leg is broken. Will you try to fix it and keep the son at home and continue to love him or will you throw your son into Ganges?" His simple common sense view prevailed and shastras were set aside! In fact, Ramakrishna himself fixed the broken idol. It was re-installed at the temple and continued to be worshipped. * * * The idol was in your house for 56 years. Suddenly, the new found knowledge is creating problems in your mind, after all these years! What good is that knowledge which spoils mental peace by creating doubts, fear and insecurity? One is better off being ignorant than having such knowledge. If you have an idol that was worshipped to some extent by your ancestors for 56 years, it would've captured and stored some of the positive energy and positive thoughts of those people. It would be a great blessing to have at your house. It should not be a problem if you cannot do much ritual worshp to the idol. Just doing simple things should suffice. Whenever you see the idol, imagine that there is Ganesha in it for real. Love the Ganesa who is in that idol. Bow to him now and then, when you get a chance. Show some fruit or raisins or something to the idol now and then, when you get a chance, and imagine that Ganesa tasted them. Every few months, clean the idol in water and wipe it (to keep it clean). The key is not how detailed your rituals are and whether you are doing 5 or 16 or 64 or more services in your ritual. The key is how strongly you imagine a real deity in that idol and how deeply you love that real deity that you visualize in the idol. Rituals are only meant to facilitate such a visualization and increase such a love. They are neither necessary nor sufficient for establishing a relationship with a deity (which is, after all, the purpose of keeping an idol)! * * * How does a metallic (or stone or whatever) object become divine? Of course, each object and each atom of this universe is filled, in essence, by Aatman or Brahman, i.e. non-dual god. But, that would apply to the idol as well as a sofa. But you look at an idol as being more divine than the sofa. So we are not talking about the all-pervading non-dual god here. We are talking about a deity within the field of duality here. That deity is not present in sofa, but present in the idol. But, how does the deity get into the idol? Does the idol get that deity in it simply because of its shape? Of course not! All lokas and all devatas are present within you in a microcosmic form. By the force of your thought, you concentrate a part of the deity who is within you into the idol (or any object). When a priest with a good level of purity and good ability to visualize (which comes from internal purity and lack of ego) does praana pratishthaa in an idol, his visualization works using the praana pratishthaa mantra as an instrument and a deity's essence enters the idol. Even if you do not do a praana pratishthaa formally, deity's essence will slowly be established in the idol if you keep imagining deity in the idol. It is all about the power of thought! Thoughts of a pure mind that is not weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and not colored by too many terrible vaasanaas work faster, but even thoughts of an impure mind that is weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and colored by several terrible vaasanaas will also work, albeit slowly. If you keep imagining a deity with some qualities in an idol over a long time, essence of such a deity will invariably be established in the idol over the time! Otherwise, it is just a metallic object. If you imagine a deity who is angry with you for not taking good care of him, you will slowly create such a form in that idol. Please stop this negativity. Imagine a beautiful, pleasant, happy and saattwika form with whom you can fall in love. If a feeling of love overwhelms your mind when you see the idol (instead of thoughts of fear and deity's anger), it will indeed create such a presence in the idol and do you good. * * * There are several *well-meaning* people out there with half-baked understanding that is not based on any direct experience, who go around scaring people in several matters relating to god, religion and spirituality. But god is not to be feared. Love god. Do not fear god. When your father or mother shout at you or punish you, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. They are not really angry at you and they actually love you. Similarly, when god punishes you or gives bad results, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. Do not fear god even when god gives you bad results. Always *love* god and love god very deeply. More deeply than you love your parents, spouse, children etc. That is a simple principle for sureshot spiritual progress. Good luck with your Ganesha idol no matter what you decide to do with it! Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - "Ram R" <mantra2379 (AT) (DOT) co.in> <> Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:22 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol > OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya> > Dear All,> > This ia my first posting in this forum.> > Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. > > I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.> > Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.> > Thanks,> Ramesh M> Bangalore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2009 Report Share Posted September 3, 2009 Respected Narasihma ji, When I read Shri Ram ji's mail and some responses from fellow members, I wished to write him saying please don't immerse Lord Ganesha's idol. If at all you decide to give away then, please give me your address so that I can come and take Lord Ganesha to my home in Dubai. Because, my belief is God can never do anything wrong to us. Even we commit some blunders he would not even think of punishing us. In my purview, god treat us like new born babies. Can a mother think of punishing her child when it does something wrong? In fact I think in this way, when we do something wrong, like mother god starts thinking of how to protect us from those possible results (evil effects) of our misconduct. So I firmly believe that, God will never think of punishing. Yes it is quite appropriate to believe that when we grow and keep on repeating mistakes then yes we are bound to get punishments. But those punishment will surely be for betterment only. This is how I take it. When I scroll down I found your message and it is so much enlightening to all of us. We are really so lucky to a person like you as spiritual guide. In fact I think God has sent you to enlighten us. Please continue enlightening all of us.With thanks,OmprakashOn Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 6:39 AM, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:   Namaste Ram and other friends, Before I try to address this quandary, I want to tell a small story.  *       *       * More than 120 years ago, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was a priest at the Kaali temple at Dakshineshwar. Next to the Kaali shrine, there was a Krishna shrine with a beautiful Krishna idol and Ramakrishna used to meditate there sometimes. Due to an accident when another priest was carrying the idol during a festival, the idol broke oneday. The priests and the highly learned scholars were in a quandary and conferred to decide what to do. The shastras were clear that a broken idol could not be worshipped at a temple and had to be immersed in flowing water. So the learned scholars recommended immersing the idol in Ganges.  Ramakrishna was asked by the temple administration for his view. He thought for a while and said calmly, " Suppose you have a son and his leg is broken. Will you try to fix it and keep the son at home and continue to love him or will you throw your son into Ganges? " His simple common sense view prevailed and shastras were set aside! In fact, Ramakrishna himself fixed the broken idol. It was re-installed at the temple and continued to be worshipped.  *       *       *  The idol was in your house for 56 years. Suddenly, the new found knowledge is creating problems in your mind, after all these years! What good is that knowledge which spoils mental peace by creating doubts, fear and insecurity? One is better off being ignorant than having such knowledge.  If you have an idol that was worshipped to some extent by your ancestors for 56 years, it would've captured and stored some of the positive energy and positive thoughts of those people. It would be a great blessing to have at your house.  It should not be a problem if you cannot do much ritual worshp to the idol. Just doing simple things should suffice.  Whenever you see the idol, imagine that there is Ganesha in it for real. Love the Ganesa who is in that idol. Bow to him now and then, when you get a chance. Show some fruit or raisins or something to the idol now and then, when you get a chance, and imagine that Ganesa tasted them. Every few months, clean the idol in water and wipe it (to keep it clean).  The key is not how detailed your rituals are and whether you are doing 5 or 16 or 64 or more services in your ritual. The key is how strongly you imagine a real deity in that idol and how deeply you love that real deity that you visualize in the idol. Rituals are only meant to facilitate such a visualization and increase such a love. They are neither necessary nor sufficient for establishing a relationship with a deity (which is, after all, the purpose of keeping an idol)!  *       *       *  How does a metallic (or stone or whatever) object become divine?  Of course, each object and each atom of this universe is filled, in essence, by Aatman or Brahman, i.e. non-dual god. But, that would apply to the idol as well as a sofa. But you look at an idol as being more divine than the sofa. So we are not talking about the all-pervading non-dual god here. We are talking about a deity within the field of duality here. That deity is not present in sofa, but present in the idol. But, how does the deity get into the idol? Does the idol get that deity in it simply because of its shape? Of course not!  All lokas and all devatas are present within you in a microcosmic form. By the force of your thought, you concentrate a part of the deity who is within you into the idol (or any object). When a priest with a good level of purity and good ability to visualize (which comes from internal purity and lack of ego) does praana pratishthaa in an idol, his visualization works using the praana pratishthaa mantra as an instrument and a deity's essence enters the idol.  Even if you do not do a praana pratishthaa formally, deity's essence will slowly be established in the idol if you keep imagining deity in the idol. It is all about the power of thought! Thoughts of a pure mind that is not weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and not colored by too many terrible vaasanaas work faster, but even thoughts of an impure mind that is weighed down by a dense and heavy ego and colored by several terrible vaasanaas will also work, albeit slowly. If you keep imagining a deity with some qualities in an idol over a long time, essence of such a deity will invariably be established in the idol over the time! Otherwise, it is just a metallic object.  If you imagine a deity who is angry with you for not taking good care of him, you will slowly create such a form in that idol. Please stop this negativity. Imagine a beautiful, pleasant, happy and saattwika form with whom you can fall in love. If a feeling of love overwhelms your mind when you see the idol (instead of thoughts of fear and deity's anger), it will indeed create such a presence in the idol and do you good.  *       *       *  There are several *well-meaning* people out there with half-baked understanding that is not based on any direct experience, who go around scaring people in several matters relating to god, religion and spirituality. But god is not to be feared.  Love god. Do not fear god. When your father or mother shout at you or punish you, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. They are not really angry at you and they actually love you. Similarly, when god punishes you or gives bad results, it is for a good reason and it will eventually be for your good. Do not fear god even when god gives you bad results. Always *love* god and love god very deeply. More deeply than you love your parents, spouse, children etc. That is a simple principle for sureshot spiritual progress.  Good luck with your Ganesha idol no matter what you decide to do with it!  Best regards,NarasimhaDo a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana Spirituality: Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org  - " Ram R " <mantra2379 Wednesday, September 02, 2009 1:22 PM Right-sided Trunk Shri Ganesha Idol  > OM Namo Bhagvate Venkateshaya> > Dear All,> > This ia my first posting in this forum.> > Am writing in as am in need of advice regarding a Shri Ganesha idol which we found during puja in our home. This idol has its trunk to the right side and has been there in our house since the last 56 years. I recently came to know that when an idol of Shri Ganesha with its trunk to the right is kept at home one needs to worship it daily in a dedicated way and we have honestly not being doing this all these years. It was infact purchased by my grandmother 56 years ago as per my father who has been seeing it since then. > > I feel that it is better to donate it to a temple which would worship it daily. As it has been there for so long in the house we are feeling hesitant about doing this. Would be extremely grateful if I could have advice as to what would be the correct thing to do and how to go about doing the same.> > Kindly pardon me if this is not the appropriate forum for such a query.> > Thanks,> Ramesh M> Bangalore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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