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Ganesha

Ganesh, the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva and Parvati is the first and foremost deity in the Hindu pantheon whom devotees worship, prior to any important undertakings. Whatever the devotee’s desires, whatever he wishes to venture into, the blessings of Lord Ganesha are first sought.

GANESHA ACQUIRES AN ELEPHANT HEAD

Legend has it that once when Parvati wanted to take a leisurely bath and requested her son Ganesha to mind the entrance to her chamber and prevent anyone from entering the chamber. The obedient Ganesha did as he was told. Soon, Lord Shiva himself walked in, but was stopped by young Ganesha. This enraged Shiva who in a fit of temper, cut off Ganesha’s head! When Parvati learnt of her husband’s wrath and misdeeds, she was overcome with grief and lamented her son’s plight. Shiva realized his foolhardiness and ordered his attendants to bring the head of the first living creature they found in the forest. The attendants gleaned through the forest and the first creature they saw was an elephant, whose head they severed and brought to Shiva. Shiva fixed the head on Ganesha and lo and behold, Ganesha sprang back to life!

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Shiva-Nataraja

Shiva the destroyer in the Hindu pantheon is popularly known as the hermit of the netherworld, as the one who resides in cremation grounds. However, there is another aspect to Shiva- as Nataraja. Nataraja literally translates as the Lord of the Stage.

The western world is familiar with Shakespeare’s words, “All the world’s a stage and all the men and women merely actors.” The soul assumes a physical form only to perform certain functions, duties, to give and receive pleasure, learn karmic lessons, and finally move on to a different realm. In this gross body, we humans who are supposed to be of a higher intellect are merely players and puppets in the hands of an unseen force called God.

Every birth gives us new pleasures, even as it gives us pain. We as living beings, are caught in the grasp of illusions, attachments, bonds that further pull us towards more cycles of birth. Suffering bothers man who ultimately seeks salvation, and he finds himself grappling with the results of his deed. Even as the soul leaves one gross body, it steps onto another womb, in the hope of fulfilling unfulfilled desires, to cleanse itself and perform certain karmas.

Nataraja in his cosmic dance form shows us the path to liberate ourselves from this continuous cycle of birth and death. Shiva stands majestically on the body of ‘Apasmara purusha’ and performs his dance. This body represents the ego, ignorance, the soul’s illusions. By trampling on it, Shiva is seen as controlling this ego and urge. Click Here to read more...

The Evolution of the Japanese Puzzle Box

The Japanese puzzle box is a wonderfully unique item. It seems to be only a nicely decorated box but when looked at closer one will see that it can be opened through a variety of steps. This type of puzzle box has been around for approximately a century's time and the initial purpose of the Japanese puzzle box has evolved greatly from when it first began. The following will provide some general information regarding the evolution of the Japanese puzzle box and relay details as to why these items are so popular today. The Initial Purpose of the Japanese Puzzle Box When the Japanese puzzle box was first created it was done so in order to provide a hiding place for pertinent documents and valuables. The way in which the puzzle box is crafted allows for only the user to know the true combination for opening up the box. The more complex a puzzle box was based upon the steps needed to solve the puzzle and the length, or suns, of the box, the less likely it was that outsiders could get into it and therefore uncover the objects hidden within. In the beginning, those who carried these boxes with them were traveling workers who did so to hide their tools in order to prevent them from being stolen. By needing a "combination" to get into the box, the owner thereof was more likely to prevent their belongings from winding up in the wrong hands. The Japanese Puzzle Box Evolves As the years progressed so did the reasons for not only making these types of boxes but purchasing them as well. Although they were still used to protect belongings from thieves and prying eyes, the craftsman who made such boxes came to the realization that these were popular items not only for their usefulness but for the entertainment value which would surround them as well. Those who first learned about the Japanese puzzle boxes saw them as not only being a good hiding spot but a bit fun as they tried to open them up as quickly as possible and it was this game which provided entertainment. The Japanese Puzzle Box Today Japanese puzzle boxes are widely available these days. Most individuals purchase these items for entertainment purposes, as souvenir items or for decorative reasons and it can be seen that the popularity has definitely increased. What was once a simply decorated wooden box used for safely hiding various items is now a highly coveted decorative conversation piece.

Choosing the Best Style of Japanese Puzzle Box

The Japanese puzzle box is a wooden box which can be opened up by those who know the right steps in order to do so. The way in which the puzzle box is crafted only allows it to be opened if the wood pieces are moved in the right direction and done so in the correct order. Japanese puzzle boxes are not only fun to solve but they can be beautiful decorative pieces as well. When buying a Japanese puzzle box, there are a few factors to consider prior to making the final purchase in order to choose the best style of box. Basic or Ornate Features First and foremost, you should determine whether you want your Japanese puzzle box to be basic in design or stand out from across the room. There are many different styles of puzzle boxes. Some come in a basic wood style with little design on them whereas others have a finished wood component with a glossy overlay that is designed to the hilt. In order to choose a Japanese puzzle box which is designed to suit your tastes, determine whether you want your puzzle box to blend into the woodwork or stand out. Type of Wood You should also decide what type of wood your Japanese puzzle box should be comprised of. The crafters of puzzle boxes use a variety of woods to make these items and no matter what type of wood you prefer, there is sure to be a puzzle box made out of it. Wood types such as walnut, maple and Katsura wood can be fashioned into a Japanese puzzle box and the type of wood which you choose will be dependent on your individual tastes. Shape of the Japanese Puzzle Box Although many may think that Japanese puzzle boxes, by their name, come only in the shape of a square or rectangular box, this is not the case. These puzzles boxes can be made into circular structures, hearts, triangular shapes and more. This feature adds a bit of uniqueness to the Japanese puzzle box as one can add to their collection by straying away from simple boxlike figures and expanding into different shaped puzzle boxes. The availability of various shapes is a beneficial factor as you can purchase unusually shaped Japanese puzzle boxes for puzzle box enthusiasts and it may be much more likely that they do not already have the uniquely shaped type of box.