Do hindus worship elephant sitting on a rat?.. can't you come up with more believable lies?

Answer 1

Can't make up any more lies than there is in the Bible.

Answer 2

No, Hindus don't worship the elephant on a rat. It's a symbol. Even the name of the symbol is a symbol. Hindus don't worship the symbol (no more than Muslims worship the crescent moon and star or Christians worship the cross or Jews worship the star of david or Wiccans worship the Pentacle or Atheists worship the symbol of the atom with the center highlighted to form the letter A...that's the symbol on the American Atheists website). It's all just symbolism.

Ganesh is just a symbol, not an actual being. The name Ganesh means "First Lord" and symbolizes making God a priority in our life (to remember that all things are manifested from God and contain the divine spark and therefore deserve to be given the same respect as God). The elephant head represents God removing obstacles in our lives that keep us from spiritual progress. In ancient India the elephant was used to bulldoze and remove things. The human body connected to the elephant head represents that with God all things are possible. The large belly symbolizes that the entire universe is contained in God (again symbolizing that everything merged out of God and therefore retains the divine spark). The large ears symbolize that God hears our prayers (no matter what name you call God by). The missing tusk symbolizes the sacrifices we make along the spiritual path (sacrificing time for meditation so that we can look inward to come closer to God because God is not "out there", God dwells within all creation). There are four arms and hands. The first hand holds a rope to symbolize God pulling us closer to God. The second hand holds an axe. This symbolizes God cutting away our attachments (habits) that hold us back spiritually. The third holds a tray of sweets symbolizing the bliss of God and the rewards of the spiritual path. The fourth makes a gesture that symbolizes blessings which is to remind the viewer of the symbol that God is the source of blessings. Ganesh then rides around on Mooshika, a mouse/rat. Mooshika represents our ego which is always scattering around here and there trying to satisfy it's desires. Ganesh riding Mooshika symbolizes that we should let God be our guide and not our ego.

As a person who uses the symbol of Ganesh on my home altar for worship and meditation I can say that each time I go to my home altar and I see that symbol with all its symbolism I am reminding of all those qualities of God and the guidance it gives. I then perform puja (ritual worship) at the altar to God. I light a candle (symbolizes our inner light, the divine spark within), I light incense (symbolizes our desires being lifted to God), I offer food and water (symbolizes our sufferings and rewards which we offer up to God first), and flowers (symbolizes all the good that has blossomed in our life), and then red kumkum powder (symbolizes our emotions). I say prayers and mantras, sing songs, and then meditate. The symbol acts as a focal point for the mind. Of course, it is important to realize that not all Hindus use symbols like the one I described. They do sometimes use Yantras which are geometric diagrams that are meant to represent the same things that the image I described also means.

Some good resources on Hinduism:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion
http://www.sacred-texts.com
http://www.religioustolerance.org
Books:
"Complete Idiot's Guide To Hinduism"
"Am I A Hindu?"
"Paths to God : Living The Bhagavad Gita"
"Windows Into The Infinite"

Answer 3

You mean Ganesha? You might want to learn a little about Hinduism before criticizing it. Check out this symbolism chart:

http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/asnarendra/images/ganesha.gif

Okay, an elephant-headed god is weird, but the symbolism isn't so bad. Makes much more sense than a god who came to Earth to sacrifice himself to himself to save humanity from himself.

Answer 4

so your angle is to belittle other religions. why cant you accept that youre no better than a school bully. I want you to know that most angels are Pagans and the God you worship was destroyed for being stupid and egotistical. if you dont believe me ill be happy to chew you out the minute you die. see you at the trial sucker

Brianna the Guardian Angel.

Answer 5

It's much more believable than worshiping a giant invisible man in the sky.

Answer 6

Mythology are full of synonyms. The image of God is merely a representation - like the cross of the christ.

If you see God all around you - you will see God in a stone as well. If you are only full of hate, prejudice then all you will do and say will reflect the hate you have in you.

By saying so - you are only telling us more about your own self and your prejudices !

Answer 7

how about a guy dieing on a cross and then coming back from the dead

is that a good lie?

Answer 8

Symbolism is something which is beyond shallow people's understanding-

"Bhains ke age been bajave bhains khari pagurave".

Answer 9

I'm not sure why anyone would want to answer a question like yours when it's phrased so rudely.....

Answer 10

Can't you realize that ALL scripture is composed from analogy?