Anything which is in consonance with the scriptures proves to be ideal and beneficial. According to this rule, if the Idol of Shri Ganesh is sculpted as per the science behind the Idol, then the pure spiritual particles of Shri Ganesh get attracted towards the Idol to a greater extent and those worshipping it are benefited. Unfortunately today, Idols are worshipped in various forms and shapes based on one’s liking and imagination without taking into account the science behind the Idol. During the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi, the Ganesh Idol is worshipped on a large scale, both, individually and in a collective manner. The non-conformity of the Idols is conspicuous at this time. It is for this reason that it is discussed in depth as to how the Ganesh Idol should be sculpted for Ganesh Chaturthi, the benefits of doing so and the loss if not made in that manner.
1. How the Ganesh Idol should be according to the science behind the Idol
During every Ganesh festival, we bring Ganesh Idol to our home or society. We see various forms of Ganesh Idols in the market. Some may wonder about the aspects to be considered for selecting a Ganesh Idol; how does it matter if we select any form ? There are many fancy forms of Ganesh Idol available in the market, therefore, whether to select from them or is there something more to be considered ? The form of the Idol should be such that bhakti (Devotion) and bhav towards the deity should be awakened instantly on seeing it. The trunk of the Idol should be curved towards the left. Let us see spiritual science related to Ganesh Idol so that we can make or select the one through which we will get maximum spiritual benefit of sattvikta this year.
Sattvik Ganapati Idol for Ganesh festival
A. Science related to Shri Ganapati Idol
According to the science of vibrations, the vibrations from every figure, change as per the combination of the trigunas (Sattva, Raja and Tama) in it. When the figure is altered, the proportion of the trigunas too changes. The same is the case with the Idols of Deities. Even if there is a slight change in the length, size or form of Shri Ganapati’s arm or in the design of the crown, there will be a change in the overall vibrations of the Idol. Hence, while sculpting each part of the Idol, we have to understand the subtle vibrations and then sculpt the part, as would match the vibrations of the original Principle. Though the entire subject is associated with the subtle dimension, we have provided ahead the measurements of a three-dimensional Idol of Shri Ganesh, so that people get an idea of how a sattvik Idol looks like. The Idol of Shri Ganapati of 34.5 centimeters is shown here as an example. The measurements will proportionately change according to the height of the Idol one wishes to sculpt.
B. Details of numbers in the figure
| 1 | From bottom of the wooden seat to the tip of crown | 34.5 cm |
| 2 | Width of the base | 24.5 cm |
| 3 | Depth of the base | 22.5 cm |
| 4 | Thickness of the base | 2.5 cm |
| 5 | Width of the crown | 7.8 cm |
| 6 | Depth of the crown | 9.0 cm |
| 7 | Height of the crown | 7.3 cm |
| 8 | Diameter of the ring behind the crown | 10.1 cm |
| 9 | Space between the eyes | 3.0 cm |
| 10 | Space between the arms at the back | 27.5 cm |
| 11 | Diameter of Shri Ganapati’s stomach | 10.4 cm |
| 12 | Space between the knees | 20.7 cm |
| 13 | Length of the chourang (Seat) on which Shri Ganapati sits | 22.0 cm |
| 14 | Width of the chourang on which Shri Ganapati sits | 14.5cm |
| 15 | Height of the chourang on which Shri Ganapati sits | 4.5 cm |
R.F.I. reading instrument and ‘PIP’ technology proves the superiority of Sattvik Ganesh idol ! (In Marathi)
C. Benefits of a sattvik Shri Ganapati Idol
1. Greater benefit of sattvikta.
2. Easy awakening of bhav (Spiritual emotion).
3. Generation of environment filled with Chaitanya (Divine consciousness).
4. Assistance in eliminating distress due to negative energies.
2. Making an Idol from china clay or mud
One should prepare the Ganesh Idol from china clay or mud. Nowadays, Idols are made from plaster of Paris so that they become light weight and more attractive. There is a difference between Idols made from mud and plaster of Paris. There are references in the Puranas that Shri Ganapati was created from grime. Hence, it is appropriate to use a Ganesh Idol made of mud for ritualistic worship. The pavitraks of Shri Ganapati get attracted to a greater extent towards an Idol made of mud than to that made of plaster of Paris. The following points shall illustrate how it is improper as well as harmful to make Idols from plaster of Paris or from substances other than china clay.
A. Plaster of Paris does not dissolve easily in water and hence the Idol floats on water after immersion. Sometimes in cities, the remains of Idols which have not dissolved in water for a long period are collected and a bulldozer is run over them to convert them into mud. This amounts to extreme denigration of the Deity. The Deity should be offered the same reverence when immersing it as when it is invoked. Since the Idol is not immersed properly, in a way it amounts to dishonouring the Deity.
B. Mixing of the plaster of Paris in water pollutes the river, sea, lake, etc. and can have an adverse effect on the health of living beings.
C. Nowadays a wrong trend has set in whereby Idols are made from coconuts, bananas, betulnut, silver, coins, etc. Some of these objects do not dissolve in water after immersion of the Idol. The remains of such Idols are used for other purposes or as toys by children.
Spiritual experiences of Idol makers when making Idols of mud or clay : Many Idol makers get the spiritual experience of the God principle when making Idols of mud rather than of plaster of Paris.
3. Sculpting an Idol is superior to using a mould
Nowadays, Idol making houses have taken the form of a vocation to earn money rather than considering it to be a holy mission or art. The Ganesh Idols are made using a mould so that they can be made available for sale faster, merely keeping a commercial angle. However, as far as possible, a readymade mould should not be used. The reasons for this are as follows. When making the Idol manually, Idol makers get an excellent opportunity to exhibit their artistic skill and consequently they obtain satisfaction. Besides, sculpting the Idol generates more bhav (Spiritual emotion) in the sculptor and such an Idol is more sattvik (Sattva-predominant). From a sculptor’s viewpoint, the amount of spiritual emotion generated when sculpting the Idol is more important than making the Idol artistic and attractive. Hence, as far as possible, Idol makers should make Idols manually. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s perspective too is ‘Art for God realisation and not merely art for the sake of art or as business’.
4. Colour of the Idol
An Idol made with natural colour looks more appealing and imparts more Anand than one made with artificial red colour.
5. Necessity of observing religious restrictions when making an Idol
According to the scriptures, prior to the commencement of making Ganesh Idols, it is necessary to perform religious rituals such as puja (Ritualistic worship), etc. It is vital that the Idol maker observes all the religious restrictions in the Idol making house when making the Idol. The Idol maker should observe restrictions such as abstaining from eating meat, not wearing footwear, not allowing women having menses to enter the room where the Idols are made, etc.
7. Making Idols considering it to be a holy mission
The Idol maker should harbour the bhav that it is not he who is making the Idol, rather it is God Himself who is getting it done through him. He should repose faith that making Idols is not a vocation, but a holy mission. When an Idol is made with this faith and with chantingof God’s Name along with observance of all the restrictions given above, it becomes more sattvik (Sattva-predominant).
‘Since I made the Idols considering it to be a holy mission, I always got all my promotions in service at the time of Ganesh Chaturthi itself. Although there are numerous obstacles yet by the time the Idols of Shri Ganesh are to be made, they get resolved and by the grace of Shri Ganesh who eliminates obstacles, only auspicious events take place during this period.’ – Mr. Tulshidas Naik, Madgaon, Goa
3. How Ganesh Idols should not be ?
Since 1980, there has been a considerable increase in the number of huge Idols used in the Ganesh festival celebrations. Prior to that, the Idols were made till a maximum height of 5 feet. Nowadays, Idols of 11, 21, 51 feet height are made. The possible losses which can be incurred due to huge Idols are given below.
-
According to the scriptures, the height of the Ganesh Idol should be limited. The Idol should have a maximum height of 1.5 meters, because an Idol larger than that makes it difficult to perform ritualistic worship. The custom of keeping a small Idol for ritualistic worship and a huge Idol for exhibition is absolutely incorrect. Idols of Deities cannot be objects of exhibition.
-
As sufficient clay is not available to make huge Idols, sometimes the Idols are made from dry leaves and grass with a coating of clay over it. How much divinity will be present in such an Idol ?
-
When making huge Idols, iron rods, bamboos, etc. are required to be inserted within them for support. It is improper to use such objects in the Idols. Besides, if these Idols surface above the water source after immersion, some people even break them and sell the iron rods and wooden plates found within.
-
It is very cumbersome and expensive to transport huge Idols. Traffic congestion during transportation of these Idols is a common phenomenon. There is also the risk of touching electric cables when transporting Idols which are 51 feet high. At times, people even get injured while loading and unloading the huge Idols from trucks.
-
Since transportation of huge Idols is very slow, their arrival at the site of immersion is delayed. By then if there is high tide, one cannot go deep into the sea. By rule, the huge Ganesh Idols should be taken into the sea for immersion before high tide, where the water is 10 to 15 feet deep. In reality however, the huge Idols are immersed in water which is merely 6 to 7 feet deep. During immersion, the Idols on trolleys are thrown into the water by fastening a rope around the neck of the Idol. Thus the Idol cracks and breaks down into several pieces. So also, sometimes the volunteers of the festival committees are so exhausted by singing and dancing in the procession that they are not prepared to immerse the Idol in deep water. They partially immerse the Idol in water, place it horizontally and leave.
-
The other Idols and scenes kept along with the Ganesh Idol should not be huge in size. When offering obeisance, one should touch the feet of the Deity by which one can derive greater benefit of the energy emitted by the deity. This is not possible in the case of huge Idols. The government itself should enact a law to check the production of huge Idols. If those making huge Idols and Ganesh festival committees are fined heavily then it will curb this practice.
A. Idols of Shri Ganesh should not have weird forms and attires
Nowadays, the custom of making Idols of Shri Ganesh in varied forms and attires has become prevalent, e.g. Shri Ganesh attired in a loin cloth, resembling Shrikrushna adorning a peacock feather on the head, resembling Deity Dattatraya, attired as a child, etc. are seen. During the period of the freedom struggle, Ganesh Idols would be made in the form of Gandhiji or Nehru on public demand. Similarly, Idols resembling King Shivaji Maharaj or a Saint are made today also. Idols of Ganapati playing cricket or football, riding a motorcycle, etc. are also made. A Ganesh festival committee in Kalyan near Mumbai had made a Ganesh Idol from medical equipment, a syringe to depict the trunk, kidney trays were used for the ears, a bottle for the crown, gloves for the hands and capsules for eyes. An unnecessary and futile effort merely to combine imagination and modern lifestyle is seen when making such Idols. This is totally erroneous, because Shri Ganapati cannot be compared to a leader, soldier, sportsman, etc. The Ganesh Idol is humanised to gain cheap popularity and publicity.
There is a difference between Saints and Deities; hence Idols should not be made in the form of Saints too. In 1950, the Maharashtra government had imposed a ban on the variation in attires of Ganesh Idols and their humanisation. However in the course of time, these rules were relaxed. Idols in varied forms and attires adversely affect the shraddha (Faith) and bhav harboured by people towards the Deity. So also, depicting the Deity in such weird forms amounts to disrespect for the Deity. According to the science of Spirituality, each Deity is a specific principle. According to the doctrine that the word, touch, form, taste, fragrance and the energy associated with them coexist, only if the Idol is made in accordance with the science behind the Idol, is the principle of the respective Deity drawn towards it. If this doctrine is not followed when making the Idol then that principle is not imbibed in that Idol. Consequently, the devotee does not benefit from that Idol from the view point of Spirituality.
B. Idol should be a seated one, not standing
If a guest pays a visit, we offer him a seat and not keep him standing. During Ganesh Chaturthi, we invoke Shri Ganapati, that is, invite Him. One should offer Him a seat and proper hospitality, harbouring the bhav that Shri Ganapati has actually come to visit us. In some cases, due to the entire weight of the Idol resting on the feet, the Idol may even break if it is kept in the standing position for ten consecutive days. Hence, one should make an Idol which is seated on a pat (Wooden seat).
C. Idol makers should refuse to make Idols not in consonance with science
Refusal by the Idol makers to make Idols which are not in consonance with the science behind the Idol shows their commitment to Dharma (Righteousness) and their dutifulness. If Idol makers emphatically refuse to make such Idols, such Idols will not be made at all. It is now necessary that Idol makers themselves take the initiative to eliminate the ignorance of the society and the Ganesh festival committees about the science behind the Idol. They should not worry about losing customers and starvation, because if we make a sacrifice for the sake of Righteousness, then God will certainly take care of us.
8. Scenes displayed around the Idol should have a religious background
Many a time, scenes related to politics, the Kargil war, etc. are erected around the Idol. Such Raja–Tama items erected merely for public entertainment and cheap popularity adversely affect the overall sattvik atmosphere there. If at all any scenes are to be displayed in front of or behind the Idol of Shri Ganesh or other Idols are to be kept there, then they should be associated with Shri Ganapati. This helps to generate bhav in the devotees.
Reference : Sanatan Sanstha’s Holy text ‘Shri Ganapati’.
