Shri Ganeshaya Dhimahi (I meditate on Thy)

An abstract endeavor to paint the most worshipped God by the Hindus. The finished painting resonates these words in my mind, "Vakratundaya Bhalachandraya Shri Ganeshaya Dhimahi." It means, "I meditate on Thy who has the head of an elephant and holds a half moon on His forehead." The story of Lord Ganesha is very fascinating. He is the son of Shiva, the trinity God in Hindu Mythology, the powerful of all and the destroyer of the Universe. While guarding his mother Parvati's dignity, he disallowed Shiva to enter her bathing palace. Shiva, in anger, cut his head off, to later realize Ganesha was only following his mother's orders. Shiva had to bring Ganesha back to life by replacing his head with an elephants' and giving him a boon that He, Ganesha, will be worshipped first before any others. To this day, Hindus worship Ganesha first before staring any auspicious work and praying for success in their new endeavor.

This abstract was done with acrylic on a 16x20 canvas and using only a palate knife.