Ganesha was very fond of sweets. There was one that he especially adored, a dumpling called a modaka, which has a steamed wrapping made of rice flour and a filling that absolutely bursts with coconut and dried fruit. Whenever Ganesha saw a dish of modakas, he had to stop and eat one. Of course, once he had eaten one, he had to eat another. Then another, and another, until the dish, in no time at all, was empty.
Once it so happened that the people on earth were preparing for a special feast. In a village house, someone had set out an enormous platter of modakas to cool. "Aha!" cried Ganesha, when the aroma reached him, his trunk twitching in delight. He hurried to the thatched house, and slipped in unobserved through the back-door. Making himself comfortable he then began to help himself with the modakas.
Soon even his tremendous belly was filled. Ganesha looked at the platter. "There are still some left," he remarked in surprise. He picked up the last few modakas and stuffed them into his mouth.
"That was good," he said, climbing on to the mouse's back. "Let us go." The mouse started up obediently.
At that very moment a snake slithered across the threshold. The mouse startled, tripped, and his master went flying off his back.
Alas, Ganesha's great stomach was like a sack that is too full and can hold no more. When his body hit the ground, his stomach burst, spilling modakas in every direction.
"Oh master, forgive me," said the mouse. "You are hurt."
"Shhh," said Ganesha, reaching out for the spilled modakas and hurriedly trying to put them back into his stomach. "No one saw this happen."
Looking around for something to hold his belly together, he saw the snake, still in the doorway.
"The very thing," said Ganesha, and he picked up the snake and tied it around his waist like a belt, to hold in the modakas and keep his belly closed.
He still wears the snake around his middle.
This description by Nitin Kumar, Executive Editor, Exotic India.
References:
Krishnaswami, Uma. The Broken Tusk, Stories of the Hindu God Ganesha: Calcutta, Rupa & Co, 1997.
Of Related Interest:
Book: Ganesa The Enchanter of The Three Worlds
Comic Book: Ganesha
Jewelry: Ganesha Sandalwood Necklace
Dolls: Twelve inch high sitting Ganesha Doll
Textiles: Shri Ganeshai Namah Prayer Shawl
How to keep a Brass statue well-maintained?
Brass statues are known and appreciated for their exquisite beauty and luster. The brilliant bright gold appearance of Brass makes it appropriate for casting aesthetic statues and sculptures. Brass is a metal alloy composed mainly of copper and zinc. This chemical composition makes brass a highly durable and corrosion-resistant material. Due to these properties, Brass statues and sculptures can be kept both indoors as well as outdoors. They also last for many decades without losing all their natural shine.
Brass statues can withstand even harsh weather conditions very well due to their corrosion-resistance properties. However, maintaining the luster and natural beauty of brass statues is essential if you want to prolong their life and appearance.
In case you have a colored brass statue, you may apply mustard oil using a soft brush or clean cloth on the brass portion while for the colored portion of the statue, you may use coconut oil with a cotton cloth.
Brass idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses are especially known for their intricate and detailed work of art. Nepalese sculptures are famous for small brass idols portraying Buddhist deities. These sculptures are beautified with gold gilding and inlay of precious or semi-precious stones. Religious brass statues can be kept at home altars. You can keep a decorative brass statue in your garden or roof to embellish the area and fill it with divinity.
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