Chitrakar - Painter, Illustrator, Writer

Shiva Consciousness – 4

In the post-Independence era, Indian policy makers and thinkers relied rather heavily on intellectual and scientific rationalism; and so to say, totally ignored creative innovation. Thus India spent too many years without achievements of creative breakthroughs. Naturally, ‘progress through imitation’ as it were became India’s motto. This sad state of affairs was the result of India’s failure in reviving Shiva Consciousness in general; and in particular the symbolism behind the Ganapati’s image. Thus, in the previous blog post I discussed about the symbolism behind the elephant head of Ganapati. Today, I would like to write about the symbolism represented by the Ganapati’s four arms.

Ganapati’s right arm – particularly the palm, indicates blessings with an appeal to the viewers to understand the benefits of design worship. The image’s raised right hand holds a weapon – a combination of an axe (परशु) and a trident (त्रिशूल). This weapon represents the chief Ganapati’s responsibility to acquire and maintain creative defence preparedness. While the lotus in Ganapati’s left raised hand symbolises freshness of the Ganatantra’s image that is free from the chaotic conditions of lotus roots under the water. The lotus also stands for purity and morality. Ganapati’s left palm holds a sweet called a ‘modak.’ This symbolizes sweetness of Ganatantra as a system. Ganapati’s image has a golden crown and is adorned with many ornaments studded with precious stones, which vouches for the strong economy of the Ganatantra. We also find a sacred thread around the neck and torso of the image. This thread suggests that creation and innovation must not exceed the limits of the welfare of the people.

Then we invariably see a rat (मूषक) as a vehicle of the Ganapati. It suggests an ability to achieve a breakthrough – a matter so much important for any creative person. A rat is considered an expert in finding its way out of an impasse.

A Ganapati image cannot be completed without the two accompanying images of Riddhi and Siddhi (रिध्दी-सिध्दी). Together they suggest that the economic plenty cannot be achieved without wealth-creating achievements.

A perfect symbol for the wellbeing of a Ganatantra, Ganapati’s image kept guiding Indians continually for 2000 years of Ganatantra’s existence between 3000 B.C. to 1000 B.C.

More about this period in my next blog.