When the Elephant grows furious…
The elephant in front of a temple in India walks majestically and yet meekly and nods its head as the temple bells ring and the chief deity is worshipped. A puny man controls it as it heads its way back to its shed. This is a typical scene in front of ancient temples in India. The goddess is depicted with elephants with raised trunks showering water and gold coins or a wilder goddess rides an elephant. Lord Indra was synonymous with ‘airavata’ or the white elephant. Temple carvings and sculptures were never complete without elephants. Kings mounted on elephants was perhaps the best description for a king. Wars were fought and won and battlefields invaded aggressively with the infantry. The elephant stands for wealth and power while fighting an elephant also implied strength and valour. And when a queen dreamt of an elephant entering her womb one night, the next day was born from her womb the child that grew to become the Buddha. And when Shiva asked for the head of a living being from the North, his attendants brought home the head of an elephant which established the mightiest God amongst us Lord Ganesha. And when these elephants are angry, their wrath is uncontrollable, the destruction caused is unfathomable and they are unstoppable and dangerous
Talking about dragons, Indian temple structures have these mysterious creatures who are seen sculpted in ancient temples on pillars. They are referred to as ‘Yali’ and look powerful and dangerous and beastly. While within the temple they are guardians of the deities. Dragons are also connected in Indian mythology with the planets: Rahu and Ketu. While Rahu is described as fixed in the sky with the head of the dragon, Ketu is said to be the tail of the dragon. Considered to have malefic influences on life, these planets can play havoc with life. What is consoling then is that Rahu’s controlling deity is Goddess Durga, while Ketu is governed and controlled by Lord Ganesha.
The year 2020 is believed to be good for those born in the year of the Chinese zodiac dragon..also the year 2020 adds to number 4 is what is believed. A year of changes and that is what it has been…too many changes and turbulence around and one awaits peace and healing. Not a very lucky number for the Chinese either. But what is in focus is that when the elephant is furious, it would break the branches and uproot trees, the branches, and trees where the dragons climb. As we await festivities like that of Ganesha and festivals of the Goddess, let us pray that the Elephant God brings peace and healing to the world…the elephant has to overcome the power of the dragon…..
