makinggodsofindia

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Ganesha's Symbolism

Ganesh, also known as Ganesha, is one of the most beloved and revered Hindu deities. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. Ganesh is easily recognizable by his unique iconography, which features various symbolic elements. In this essay, we will explore the symbolism behind the various parts of Ganesh's iconography.

The Elephant Head : The most distinctive feature of Ganesh's iconography is his elephant head. According to Hindu mythology,

Ganesh was originally a human boy, but his head was severed by Lord Shiva during a fit of anger. In order to restore him to life, Lord Shiva replaced his head with that of an elephant. The elephant head represents wisdom, intelligence, and memory. The large ears symbolize the ability to listen attentively, while the small eyes represent concentration and focus. The trunk is said to symbolize the ability to discriminate between good and bad, and the ability to remove obstacles.

The Broken Tusk Ganesh is often depicted holding a broken tusk in his right hand. According to legend, Ganesh was writing the epic Mahabharata with a quill when the quill broke. Ganesh then used his tusk to continue writing, thus demonstrating his resourcefulness and adaptability. The broken tusk also represents sacrifice and the willingness to give up something in order to gain wisdom.

The Four Arms Ganesh is often depicted with four arms, each holding a different object. The four arms represent the four aspects of the mind: the intellect, the ego, the conscience, and the consciousness. The objects held by the arms have various symbolic meanings. The lotus flower represents purity and enlightenment. The axe symbolizes the ability to cut off attachments and overcome obstacles. The rope represents the power of love to bind people together. The sweetmeat (laddoo) represents the reward of spiritual attainment.

The Big Belly Ganesh is often depicted with a big belly, which is said to represent his ability to digest all experiences, good and bad. The belly symbolizes the need to overcome greed and material desires, and to cultivate contentment and detachment. The large belly also represents abundance, prosperity, and fertility.

The Mouse Ganesh is often depicted riding on a mouse, which is considered to be his vehicle or mount. The mouse represents the ego, which is often seen as a small and insignificant part of the mind, yet one that can cause great trouble if left unchecked. Ganesh's ability to ride the mouse represents his mastery over his ego, and his ability to control his desires and impulses.

Each element represents an aspect of the human psyche and provides guidance on how to live a virtuous and fulfilling life. Ganesh's elephant head symbolizes wisdom, intelligence, and memory. His broken tusk represents sacrifice and the willingness to give up something in order to gain wisdom. His four arms represent the four aspects of the mind, and the objects held by the arms have various symbolic meanings. His big belly represents contentment and detachment, as well as abundance and prosperity. Finally, his mouse represents the need to control the ego and cultivate self-mastery. By understanding the symbolism behind Ganesh's iconography, we can gain a deeper appreciation for this beloved deity.

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Teacher 3D Prints a Museum

My 3D printing journey was originally inspired by the scantheworld initiative. With increased vistualisation of everything, learning has been reduced to staring at a screen. A metareverse movement is needed to bring physical objects to the classroom to learn by touch and feel. Thought I should share this heartwarming story of metareverse here!

3D printing can be a valuable tool to learn about world culture. In interactive way the 3D prints engages students and helps them gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. A teacher from Canada printed designs from my profile to teach kids about other religions. That post on reddit subsequently inspired debate on which who actually qualifies as a 'god' in Hindu religion. The teacher brought the debate back into his classroom. Overall it was a wonderful use of 3D printing and all credit to the dedicated teacher who too the time to print these complicated designs on FDM!

Here's the original reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/hinduism/comments/mv6e1t/this_teacher_in_the_us_3d_printed_out_a_whole/

(Images created by Midjourney AI - Prompt: 'kids learning about Hindu sculptures in a 3d printing lab')

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Documentary Series by DD on Sculpture of India

The most comprehensive documentation on the Sculpture of India shot in India and around the world. The series is written, produced, directed and photographed by acclaimed conservationist Benoy Behl. Bhel entered the record books for travelling 80,000 km all over India and in museums overseas filming the 26 episode series.

Doordarshan or DD is the National broadcaster of India, much like PBS of United States. The DD series is not created for ad revenue but with the mission to document India's sculptural history. This series provides the perfect foundation to branch off and explore the topic in a deeper manner.

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Traditional Chola Bronze Casting in Tanjavur, India

The centuries old technique to make solid bronze sculptures in the Chola style

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Much Maligned Monsters: A History of European Reactions to Indian Art

Why did Medieval Europeans perceive Indian art as monstrous? Was this reaction universal and how has western view of Hindu art changed over the years? Prof Partha Mitter explains..

If you want to know more, get hold of his seminal book "Much Maligned Monsters". Partha Mitter traces the history of European reactions to Indian art, from the earliest encounters of explorers with the exotic.

The author applies eminent historian Ernst Gombrich's theory of mental schema, correction, and the formation of stereotypes as key to appreciation and evaluation of art. Mitter's treatment of misperceptions, exaggeration, carelessness, and underlying political and cultural tensions are incisive. At the same time, he is generous and leaves some questions open. He points out bad judgment but doesn't shame or denigrate.

If you cant get hold of the book, check out the video and the accompanying PDF of a lecture by Prof Mitter

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In this article, Professor George P. Bickford explains the central role art and sculpture plays in the daily rituals of hindu life. Art made not for glory or for the sake of it but as a conduit to the divine. The author also delves into meaning and significant of various common elements of hindu gods like multiple arms and heads.

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I tried to recreate a 11th Century Chola Bronze and made the design open source