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Tirisilex
19 August 2010, 08:15 PM
I'm getting ready to draw up some T-Shirts to sell for Charity. I've already finished one of Krishna.. I'm gonna start doing Ganesh and then Saraswati or maybe vice versa since she is the Goddess of the Arts.

I just have one question.. Does Ganesh always have a Pot belly? Because I'm thinking of giving him Muscular Abs.. So Pot Belly or Nice Abs??

Darji
19 August 2010, 11:51 PM
:o

Where's Rajan Zed when you need him???

Firstly, there's a reason Ganesh has a pot belly, he likes his sweets :P
Secondly.... well I'm not sure I'm too keen on wearing images of the deities so casually. I am sure a good many will agree. Sorry

Ramakrishna
20 August 2010, 12:47 AM
Namaste Tirisilex,

From what I've seen, Lord Ganesh is always portrayed with a pot belly. In the scriptures He is portrayed as having a sweet tooth, but there is also symbolism behind it. Lord Ganesh is arguably the deity with the most symbols, as He has so many wonderful attributes. Generally from what I've seen, the pot belly symbolizes the digestion of all that life has to offer, both good and bad. But of course there are different takes on it.

Here are a few websites about the symbolism of Lord Ganesh:

http://www.indiaparenting.com/indianculture/festivals/fest061.shtml

http://www.angelfire.com/id/croon/india/ganeshabody.html

http://www.religionfacts.com/hinduism/deities/ganesha.htm

As for images of deities being of t-shirts, it's definitely a touchy subject. I myself was originally against it, then I supported it, and now I'm generally against it. Images of deities are just too important and honorable to be placed on clothing and worn on the body. But that's just my opinion.

Jai Sri Krishna

Eastern Mind
20 August 2010, 06:52 AM
Vannakkam Tirisilex:

Ganesha always has a pot-belly. Abs would be in for criticism, for distorting tradition. Warriors like Murugan or Rama might be more appropriate with abs. Temple guardian statues are always well build tough looking guys.

I was given or bought a Murugan t-shirt in Mauritius. Amazingly, when I got back home, it was one of those items of clothing that 'disappeared'. I have no idea where it went. I took that as a bit of a sign.

So although personally, I wouldn't wear a t-shirt, I have no problem if others do. We have no right to dictate these relatively minor (compared to crimes like adultery or vandalism to our temples) things to anyone, as it is a personal choice.

I believe you are doing drawings on your own. I 'd like to see them, so why not post them on here?

Aum Namasivaya

Tirisilex
20 August 2010, 11:00 AM
So Pot belly it is.. I'll post the pics up once they are finished.

saidevo
20 August 2010, 11:16 AM
namaste Tirisilex.

I think this matter was discussed earlier in HDF. Many people might favour T-shirts with Hindu God images, but if one looks at it, I think it would be mostly Hindu converts who like such ideas perhaps because of notions of personal assertion to their favoured deity: 'Hey, look, I wear you even on my chest, not just keep you in the shirne room.'

IMHO, since the Hindu tradition has not done it, it is better to refrain from such ideas. For one reason, personal clothes get soiled and dirty, and no one would want their Gods to come to such state. Most traditional Hindus do not keep God images in the form of metal or stone in their pUjA rooms and do abhiSheka, since such rituals require strict rigours.

I have no reservations, however, about Hindu symbols such as AUM, jyoti, svastikA, etc. being used in personal clothing, but these should not be used in sandals, shoes or in the restroom.

Although Hindu Dharma is most liberal in the path of jnAna yoga, when it comes to karma and bhakti, dos and don'ts are alwyas there, decided by scriptures, sages and traditions.

Tirisilex
20 August 2010, 12:53 PM
I don't see it as "Hey! Look at what I'm into." It's like "Hey, I think this is Cool." Where one is trying to portray something and the other isn't a statement but an interest.

I've seen shirts online

http://www.hinduartyogaclothing.com/Hindu-Gods.Goddesses-T-shirts.Womens-Yoga-T-shirts.htm

There are more out there..
I don't see the problem wearing a shirt.. What If I wanted to put a Mandala on a T-Shirt??

Tirisilex
20 August 2010, 01:37 PM
Also I kind of see wearing a Shirt with Divinities as a practice of Bhakti

Eastern Mind
20 August 2010, 03:16 PM
Vannakkam Tirisilex:

I am really torn on this one. On pilgrimage in India, the prime land of the Hindus, I cannot actually once remember seeing any t-shirts with Gods on them. Admittedly, I was too focused on God to notice. This next time when I go, I'll take a good look at the temple bazaars in Madurai, Palani, Tiruchendur, Haridwar, etc. ... I'm not too blissed out to remember. It seems like its the American .. it's cool, but I don't really understand syndrome.

On the other hand, the spread of Hinduism in whatever way it happens is a good thing. All life is sacred. Gandhi cleaned toilets. There is actually no harm in anything. God is all and in all. Free speech and free expression is part of American society I so admire that. But then there are the raves where ecstacy, marijuana, and Hindu imagery go hand in hand. There is something wrong with that association of lose morality to Hionduism that does happen in the American subculture.

So, I am torn. In the end it is up to you, and you alone, as always. I believe if you are in tune with lord Ganesha`s darshan, you will be given a sign in one way or another so that it is more clear.

BTW, who is the fundraiser benefitting.

Aum Namasivaya

BryonMorrigan
20 August 2010, 03:25 PM
The thing is...IMO anyways...many people in the West wear t-shirts or have tattoos of Hindu deities, while not having any adherence of, or even knowledge about, the actual religion. I mean, I've seen many tattoos...especially of Ganesha...on just hear that he's the "remover of obstacles" and think of him as nothing more than a symbol of such a thing.

It reminds me of the people who get tattoos of Chinese calligraphy characters on them, often taking the tattoo artists' word for what it means, when often neither of them have a clue. For example, this website is devoted to helping misguided Westerners find out what their tattoos REALLY mean: http://hanzismatter.blogspot.com/ It's good for a laugh.

Don't get me wrong though. I love well-executed tattoos, and have quite a few myself. I even have one tattoo that is in Ancient Greek. (*) But see, I can actually READ Ancient Greek, and made sure that the tattoo artist copied my notes exactly...


____________________________________________________________

(*) It says, Μολὼν λαβέ, which means, "Come and take them!" It was King Leonidas's response to the Persian Emperor Xerxes at the Battle of Thermopylae, when 300 Spartans held off the Persian army of hundreds of thousands. Xerxes said that the Spartans would be free to leave with their lives if they just handed over their weapons. Of course, this response "Come and take them!" meant that Leonidas was prepared to fight to the death. (This was depicted in the very "over the top" movie 300...) I was in the Army, and have a bit of a क्षत्रिय spirit, I guess you might say. I'm also considering getting the verse from the Bhagavad Gita that starts with: "Die, and you win heaven. Conquer, and you enjoy the earth." Exhortations to fight always inspire me, regardless of whether that fight is internal or external.

Tirisilex
20 August 2010, 03:39 PM
BTW, who is the fundraiser benefitting.

Aum Namasivaya


I've got my eyes on a few places.. There is a Free Dinner place that really could use the money.. There is also food pantries I may decide to help.
I'm even planning on giving a look out for people who are sick and need extra cash? I have a bunch of friends who I may confide with and vote on which needs it most.

I'd like to make a charitable foundation to help those in need..

saidevo
20 August 2010, 07:08 PM
namate everyone.

I googled for 'Jesus T-shirts' and found that many of them either have only Christian religious symbols and text on them; some do have portraits of Jesus who certainly looks less divine on them. And then they describe Jesus as 'sin killer', 'Jesus saves with coupons', 'Jesus pop-art', 'Jesus was funky', 'Quench your thirst', "Please Jesus, perfect me from your followers', 'Hero hooded sweatshirt', 'Jesus Liked Dinosaurs', and so on.
http://www.zazzle.com/jesus+tshirts

I am sure, with the spread of the T-shirt fad, Hindu Gods would come to have such portraits and descriptions, and that would be described as 'trendy'.

saidevo
21 August 2010, 08:57 AM
namate.

Well, seems I was wrong in the last para of my earlier post no.12, about the possibility of Hindu Gods and symbols going trendy in the crazy T-shirt fad. They already have gone trendy:

Ganesha and other gods cut & pasted to cover your body parts:
http://www.siamese-dream.com/ShirtsHDganesha2.html

Ganesh is my om boy
http://www.teesed.com/search/all-products/Hindu/p_1
http://www.teesed.com/design/9813848.html
http://www.teesed.com/design/31270072.html

WWGD -- What would Ganesha do?
http://www.teesed.com/design/14237317.html

Blessed is he who is destroyed by Shiva
http://www.teesed.com/design/14232639.html

Adi Kumbeswarar temple in dog tee:
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/adi_kumbeswarar_temple_dog_shirt-155034904581049019

Vishnu as Santa:
We Vishnu a merry Christmas!
http://www.teesed.com/design/24395071.html

'Hindu' underwear:
http://www.cafepress.com/+hindu+underwear-panties
(seems there were protests as early as Dec 2007, but
the make and sales continue)
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=67274

*****

Incidentally, I came across some nice words too:

Don't just do something, sit there
(I used to joke with these same words in Hindi:
"kuch to karo, chup na raho" as "kuch na karo chup to raho")
http://www.teesed.com/design/42908946.html

View God as a parent or teacher as HIndus do,
not as master or king.
Why be a subject or servant, when you can be
a child or student?
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/view_god_as_a_parent_or_teacher_tshirt-235855903213889497

AUM: stop, breathe, be.
http://www.teesed.com/design/20192686.html

Om sweet Om
http://www.teesed.com/design/25522478.html

Be in the moment
http://www.teesed.com/design/23952102.html

Reincarnation is my only hope
http://www.teesed.com/design/11547002.html

I am so sari
http://www.cafepress.com/+im_sari_classic_thong,38161248

When I grow up, I want to be...
enlightened!
http://www.teesed.com/design/18367433.html

Inquire within
http://www.teesed.com/design/13746911.html

*****

Here is a thread in HDF where this subject was discussed before:
Things that make you wonder
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=4200&highlight=bidi

I may not be surprised to see MF Hussain's Hindu God pictures soon on the Western personal wear and tear of men and pets. Kali's currents have so far run over 5,100 years. In the first part blind and bloody rituals ruled the Hindu world until Adi Shankara came and streamlined the practices. In the second, there was mayhem, massacre and bloodshed under the Islamic rule. And then came the wily European colonists with their personal and religious agenda and corrupted the face and core of Hindu Dharma. Now we have the trendiness of ignorance, indifference and perversion out in the open going under the name of fad, fashion and false shows.

Jainarayan
10 June 2011, 01:33 PM
It reminds me of the people who get tattoos of Chinese calligraphy characters on them, often taking the tattoo artists' word for what it means, when often neither of them have a clue. ...

I even have one tattoo that is in Ancient Greek. (*) But see, I can actually READ Ancient Greek, and made sure that the tattoo artist copied my notes exactly...

(*) It says, Μολὼν λαβέ, which means, "Come and take them!" It was King Leonidas's response to the Persian Emperor Xerxes at the Battle of Thermopylae, when 300 Spartans held off the Persian army of hundreds of thousands. Xerxes said that the Spartans would be free to leave with their lives if they just handed over their weapons.

As usual I am late to the party, and resurrecting an old thread.

I read a blog where the author who is a specialist in Semitic languages and speaks Hebrew pointed out that a tattoo a young guy got supposedly spelling out Yahweh in Hebrew was actually done backwards so it meant something else.

Btw, I have the same tattoo ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ, on my left biceps. I was going to get Η ΤΑΝ Η ΕΠΙ ΤΑΣ, lit. "Either this or on this", for "Come back with your shield or on it" (but you knew that ;)). I used the capital characters because small letters were a later innovation for writing Greek.

I have OM on my right delt. It's red but in a yellow circle.

My concerns about wearing clothing with images of deities is the places it would be worn to, getting soiled or torn, and what happens when it is past its useful life? I would not and could not throw it in the trash. I think burning it would be the only respectful thing to do. So, I'm on the fence about it.