- Dimension: 14 x 9 cm, height 18 cm
- Weight: 1.5 kg
- Material: Stone + Cement
- Root: Hinduism
- Source: Bali, Indonesia
- Price: USD 24 (before shipment)
This small statue is sourced directly from Bali island, Indonesia. Traditionally made by local artist using local stone and cement, it is the expression of their Hinduism.
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Background
Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश), also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. Although Ganesha has many attributes, he is readily identified by his elephant head. He is widely revered, more specifically, as the remover of obstacles; the patron of arts and sciences; and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rites and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions.
Ganesha is Vighneshvara (Vighnaraja, Marathi – Vighnaharta), the Lord of removing Obstacles, both of a material and spiritual order. He is popularly worshipped as a remover of obstacles, though traditionally he also places obstacles in the path of those who need to be checked. Hence, he is often worshipped by the people before they begin anything new.
Ganesha is considered to be the Lord of letters and learning. In Sanskrit, the word buddhi is an active noun that is variously translated as intelligence, wisdom, or intellect. The concept of buddhi is closely associated with the personality of Ganesha, especially in the Puranic period, when many stories stress his cleverness and love of intelligence. One of Ganesha's names in the Ganesha Purana and the Ganesha Sahasranama is Buddhipriya. This name also appears in a list of 21 names at the end of the Ganesha Sahasranama that Ganesha says are especially important. The word priya can mean "fond of", and in a marital context it can mean "lover" or "husband", so the name may mean either "Fond of Intelligence" or "Buddhi's Husband".
The roots of Ganesha worship have been traced back to 3,000 BCE since the times of Indus Valley Civilisation. Representations of elephants appears on Indus Valley seals, but they do not seem to have had connotations of sacredness. In 1993, a metal plate depiction of an elephant-headed figure, possibly interpreted as Ganesha, was discovered in Lorestan Province, Iran, dating back to 1,200 BCE.
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