காப்பு
வடவரு கிற்சென்று கண்டுகொண் டேன்வரு வார்தலையிற்
றடபடெ னப்படு குட்டுடன் சர்க்கரை மொக்கியகைக்
கடதட கும்பக் களிற்றுக் கிளைய களிற்றினையே.
In potent Arunai,
North of the Temple towers,
I sought and found:
the rat-tat-tat of rapping knuckles
on temples of all-comers,
the Elephant with broad, high crown,
who swills sugar with his trunk:
I sought and found
His younger brother-elephant.
This is not exactly a good translation, I know, but this gives you the idea of what this stanza is about.
Arunagirinathar follows the conventional prayer to Lord Ganesa, but with some slight change: this verse is not addressed directly to Him, but in invoking Him as the elder brother of Muruga, he pays obeisance to Him.
I find that interpretations of the symbolism of the form and qualities of our Gods are gaining ground today, as if the Gods are not real as themselves, but stand as some kind of signpost.
If we are going to pray to any God, I feel, let us pray to Him as He is. Let us not interpret Him to our convenient fads.
If Ganesa has elephant-head, let it be so.
We do not gain anything in seeing any 'deeper meaning' in it.
Celebrate the form and not interpret it.
ReplyDeleteChild: Why does he have an elephant head?
Answer: he was made/painted that way.
Cheers to creativity.
Thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeletePlease feel free to criticise... It will help these posts.
Regards,
Of course, when it's needed.
ReplyDeleteSome time back a family was giving me reasons for the elephant face of Ganesha. They were thrilled that he was basically an off shoot of better Gods. I listened to them and finished my glass of water.
In Hinduism, we can create Gods and be the sole worshipers. Nobody will castigate me. That's wonderful.
Yes, it is heartening to have that liberty.
ReplyDeleteOur strength is this freedom.