Ganesha.
Ganesha is one of the first Gods of Hinduism. All Hindus worship Ganesha regardless of their sectarian belief. Ganesha has many stories as to how he became a Hindu God, but the most popular starts off with his mother, Goddess Parvati taking a bath. While bathing, she created a boy out of the dirt she had washed off of herself and assigned him to guard the entrance of her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned home, he was surprised to find a stranger denying his access to his wife. Shiva struck the boy's head off in rage, which made Parvati break down in grief. To soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad to fetch the head of any sleeping being that is facing north. His squad found a sleeping elephant, brought back it's severed head and attached it to the boy's body. Shiva restored his life and made him leader of his troops.
Ganesha has 4 arms. This represents four Vedas (ancient sacred books). He can hold many things in his many hands. All of which hold a different meaning.
Own tusk: Sacrifice.
Money: Wealth.
Lotus Flower: Peace.
Fire: Power.
Etc.
Other details of Ganesha also hold meaning:
Large Ears: He listens.
Large Stomach: Helps Ganesha digest all of the world's problems.
Food below him: Control.
Forward Hand: Blessing.
Human Body: Earthly Existance.
Large Head: Soul.
Artist : Rajiv Lochan
OM.
This sacred syllable represents Brahman. It is the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so this symbol helps us realize the unknowable. Om represents both the unmanifest and manifest aspects of God.
All newly born Hindu children are welcomed into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is cleansed and the syllable Om is written on their tongue with honey.
The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindu temple or in some form or another on family shrines.
During meditation, when Hindus chant Om, it creates a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and they begin to think universally. The mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until it ceases the sound. In the silence, there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the infinite self in the moment of realization. It is a moment when worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal.
My art :
When researching Hindu art I noticed a lot of the modern pieces were done in color pencil and watercolor. My drawing of Ganesha is mostly color pencil with water color in the clouds. The lotus flower is done in all color pencil and was outlined with a metallic marker.
