Path of devotion, gods and demi-gods

[BlueElephant]

There is one more - more recent Tradition:
Smarta tradition (स्मार्त) is a movement in Hinduism that developed during its classical period around the beginning of the Common Era. It reflects a Hindu synthesis of four philosophical strands: Mimamsa, Advaita, Yoga, and theism.[1] The Smarta tradition rejects theistic sectarianism,[1] and it is notable for the domestic worship of five shrines with five deities, all treated as equal – Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Ganesha, and Shakti.[2] The Smarta tradition contrasted with the older Shrauta tradition, which was based on elaborate rituals and rites.[3][4] There has been considerable overlap in the ideas and practices of the Smarta tradition with other significant historic movements within Hinduism, namely Shaivism, Brahmanism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.[5][6][7]

Bhagavan Shiva responds to devotion rather quickly, while Bhagavan Ganesh Ji also does and is very much more involved with this planet. Do you know about the Milk Miracle - Ganesh Ji started drinking milk in the Temples for one full day in India and all over the world - in one or more Hindu Temples this lasted for a full 3 days. I was able and went to a local Hindu Temple, got in line with my milk and offered a spoonful to Ganesh and he drank it before my eyes.

Krsna Bhagavan is much more difficult to get into a relationship with - but is Very Worthwhile - it can take decades before he will deeply reveal Himself to one. One can get Darshan (the Holy sight of) much earlier though, even within months or a year.

Hope this helps.

[BlueElephant]

Jai Shiv-Parvati !

Originally Posted by BlueElephant

Do you know about the Milk Miracle - Ganesh Ji started drinking milk in the Temples for one full day in India and all over the world - in one or more Hindu Temples this lasted for a full 3 days. I was able and went to a local Hindu Temple, got in line with my milk and offered a spoonful to Ganesh and he drank it before my eyes.

I remember hearing about the milk miracle. One thing I have always wondered (maybe you know?) is, why was someone holding a spoon of milk to his murti in the first place? Is there a tradition that always does offerings that way?

[BlueElephant]

as far as I know that would be an individual thing Aditi. But knowing Hindu Devotional path, what most likely happened was that Ganesh Ji spoke to the pujari (Priest/Priestess) asking to be given a spoonful of milk.

I guess it could be a natural impulse, if one were worshipping him as Bala Ganesha.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by BlueElephant

There is one more - more recent Tradition:
Smarta tradition (स्मार्त) is a movement in Hinduism that developed during its classical period around the beginning of the Common Era. It reflects a Hindu synthesis of four philosophical strands: Mimamsa, Advaita, Yoga, and theism.[1] The Smarta tradition rejects theistic sectarianism,[1] and it is notable for the domestic worship of five shrines with five deities, all treated as equal – Shiva, Vishnu, Surya, Ganesha, and Shakti.[2] The Smarta tradition contrasted with the older Shrauta tradition, which was based on elaborate rituals and rites.[3][4] There has been considerable overlap in the ideas and practices of the Smarta tradition with other significant historic movements within Hinduism, namely Shaivism, Brahmanism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism.[5][6][7]

Bhagavan Shiva responds to devotion rather quickly, while Bhagavan Ganesh Ji also does and is very much more involved with this planet. Do you know about the Milk Miracle - Ganesh Ji started drinking milk in the Temples for one full day in India and all over the world - in one or more Hindu Temples this lasted for a full 3 days. I was able and went to a local Hindu Temple, got in line with my milk and offered a spoonful to Ganesh and he drank it before my eyes.

Krsna Bhagavan is much more difficult to get into a relationship with - but is Very Worthwhile - it can take decades before he will deeply reveal Himself to one. One can get Darshan (the Holy sight of) much earlier though, even within months or a year.

Hope this helps.

I enjoyed this immensely.

[Unseeking Seeker]

Originally Posted by Aditi

I remember hearing about the milk miracle. One thing I have always wondered (maybe you know?) is, why was someone holding a spoon of milk to his murti in the first place? Is there a tradition that always does offerings that way?

Capillary action

[BlueElephant]

Originally Posted by Miss Hepburn

I enjoyed this immensely.

We all Love Ganesh Ji so much !!! The whole world does !!! (with a few exceptions of course).

Originally Posted by Unseeking Seeker

Capillary action

That is a thing.

I wasn't there, but, never having held a spoon to a murti myself, I don't think questioning the motivation is unreasonable.
I actually do believe in miracles. Journalism? Not so much. And that got so much coverage, there must have been a lot of money made through temple foot traffic and milk sales.

Besides, Ganapati is entirely capable of inspiring devotees through his wisdom, his compassion and the general goodness of his character (and the fact that elephants are cute), he has no need to show off.

[BlueElephant]

With enough discernment and applied intelligence one can see that their experiments to re-enact what Ganesh Ji did, was not the same.

For the toys that were offered milk - the milk pooled on the floor in large amounts - you can clearly see some of the experiments on youtube.

However with Ganesh Miracle, with hundreds of times more milk was given there was relatively little milk pooling on the floor(s).

I myself participated in the event in a Hindu Temple in USA and watched carefully. It was a true extraordinary miracle.

I wonder why people are so close minded at times... trying to prove their points, even if they are not true.