Week 9 Story: Discovering Ganesha

(Image Information: Lord Ganesha 

VedSutra Source: Wikipedia)

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  This story takes place in Norman, Oklahoma. One day, Parvati stepped out to go run some errands. She leave her son Ganesha at home. Ganesha is left in charge of the home. She instructs Ganesha to take guard of the home and to not allow anyone into the home. Parvati left an iPhone with Ganesha as a means of entertaining himself while she was away. Ganesha understood his responsibilities. However, from that day forward, Ganesha always represented himself with an elephant head on all his social media platforms. No one really understands why Ganesha decided to change his profile picture of him with an elephant head, and here is the story about how it came about.

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Lord Ganesha stood endless hours waiting for his mother, Parvati, to return. In the meantime, he kept checking his Facebook, reading about the different recreational activities a boy can do in The Woods, and watching people pass by as he guarded the home.

In the midst of awaiting Parvati's return, Ganesha took a Buzzfeed Quiz titled "What animal are you?". Ganesha thought to himself, "Well, I am a human today, but I wonder what kind of animal I would be if I were one."

Question 1: Which of the following characteristics apply to you? (Check all that apply)

                     A. I like to listen to what people have to say

                    B. I like to think big

                   C. I like to come up with mischievous plans

                  D. I like to be reserved, and enjoy keeping to myself

Ganesha answered A and B.

Question 2: Which of the following animals would you like to keep as a pet? (Choose one)

                     A. Rabbit

                    B. Snake

                   C. Mouse

                  D. Cow

Ganesha answered C.

Question 3: Which of the following would you want to be most known for?

                    A. Cunning 

                   B. Power and Wisdom

                   C. Strength

                  D. Invincibility

Ganesha answered B.

Ganesha went to press submit and the result stated: "You got elephant! You are full of power and wisdom. Your tusk represents doing good and filtering out the bad. People will always desire your blessings, as you are able to bless others with good fortune"

Inspired by his result, Ganesha decided to use photoshop to construct an elephant head to place on his body. This would be the best profile picture yet, and people would think of him as his soul animal, an elephant, for years to come. 

For years now, Ganesha has not failed to post a picture on his Instagram and Facebook with an elephant head. He has become nationally known for being the boy with an elephant head. Ganesha has also become a famous therapist through his career. His clients regard him as the "well-wisher" as he provides a new outlook on life and focuses on the good. 

People now are aware of why Ganesha chose to represent himself as an elephant. His ears represent his desire to listen more, his big mind represents the desire to think big, and his pet mouse represents desire. While scared of mice, Ganesha realizes that if he is able to control his fear with mice, he can control anything.

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Author's Note: This story takes its on toll as to why Ganesha is represented as an elephant. The reading that I did for this week talked about how Indian art can be interpreted in many ways. This is just an example of how there can be variable interpretations to the story of how Ganesha got his elephant head, and also how his actual godly characteristics play into the story.

Bibliography: Pattanaik's Calendar Art Part A Reading Guide