| Okay, the deities of yogic philosophy may not | | | | However, while Shakti was in the bath, Shiva came |
| exactly be lost - they're actually making quite the | | | | home. Not knowing any better, Shiva tried to get |
| comeback - but it is the way they're being | | | | into the bathroom to see Shakti. But Ganesh blocked |
| rediscovered that is remarkable. | | | | him. |
| Yogis and yoginis worldwide are learning about these | | | | At this point, Shiva's wondering who this kid thinks he |
| strange and wonderful beings in a new kind of story | | | | is while trying to explain that it's really okay because |
| time. They appear in bronze statues called murtis, | | | | that's his wife is in there. Ganesh, taking his mother's |
| and are holding their many arms up in yoga studios | | | | wishes very seriously, was adamant that Shiva could |
| and kitchen windows worldwide. Their ancient stories | | | | not pass. |
| are being revived, revamped, and shared in a most | | | | After trying to reason with Ganesh, Shiva still couldn't |
| curious and empowering way. | | | | get in and a full on fight ensues. Apparently it was |
| The strange thing about all the gods and goddesses | | | | quite impressive, considering these are gods we're |
| of Hindu and yogic philosophy is that when you get | | | | talking about. Ganesh didn't budge, even when Shiva |
| down to the essence of the belief you'll find only one | | | | called in his buddies. Finally, after much epic battle, |
| all-encompassing energy; a singular divinity that | | | | Shiva lopped off the kid's head and strolled in to see |
| creates everything out of itself. | | | | Shakti. |
| But the role the gods and goddesses serve is to help | | | | Boy was he in trouble! Shakti was furious that Shiva |
| us, the humans, understand the attributes of divinity | | | | had beheaded their son. Now, if Mama ain't happy |
| within ourselves. Every deity is an archetype, and | | | | ain't nobody happy, so Shiva apologized his way into |
| each archetype resides within us. It's pretty cool | | | | a "Don't worry, I'll sort it all out" and left to fix his |
| when you delve into it, actually. | | | | unknowing mistake. |
| For instance, do you know how Ganesh came into | | | | Shiva told his pals to go out and find the first head |
| being? Do you even know who Ganesh is? | | | | they saw. That happened to be an elephant, so Shiva |
| He's the happy, big bellied, elephant headed being | | | | took the elephant's head, put it on Ganesh, did a little |
| with one tusk and a mouse at his feet. There's a | | | | divine magic and 'vwoallah', Ganesh was all good and |
| couple versions of his creation by his mother Shakti. | | | | had a shiny new trunk to boot. |
| One way I've heard his story told is this: | | | | Good story, 'eh? And that's just the tip of it. We |
| Once upon a time in a realm where time and space | | | | haven't even started to identify all the symbolism |
| have no hold, Shakti was hanging out by herself. | | | | within Ganesh himself, like his vehicle, the mouse, |
| Shakti is the mother goddess; the feminine aspect of | | | | which represents Ganesh's skillful training of the easily |
| the universal energy. Her consort, Shiva (the | | | | distracted mind, or the sweets he holds which signify |
| archetype of masculine divinity), was gone a lot. He | | | | the bliss of enlightenment for those who follow |
| liked to sit on top of the highest mountain meditating | | | | wisdom to oneness. |
| for ages at a time. | | | | You'll notice this story didn't exactly sound like it |
| So Shakti was alone, again, and decided she wanted | | | | would have a thousand years ago. The telling of it |
| a son to keep her company. Since Shiva wasn't | | | | has evolved, but the roots are set in the ground of |
| around to help her out, she created a son herself. | | | | the ancient past. |
| There are two versions of how this happened, but | | | | Storytelling is an art. It is a powerful form of |
| my favorite is that out of her own pure joy she | | | | communication that can be used to shower the |
| laughed and Ganesh was born of that laughter. | | | | senses with deep meaning. This exchange of ideas |
| Ganesh, being a young god, was a very powerful | | | | continues to evolve, and at the same time we are |
| being. Shakti set him to the task of guarding her bath | | | | creatively passing on lessons and legends that have |
| chamber while she bathed. She told him not to let | | | | been handed down for a very, very long time. |
| anyone pass. | | | | |