The Remover of Obstacles in Balmain
Ephemera, ( क्षणभंगुरता kshanabhangurata in Indian) our Elephant gets up at dawn each morning. She collects flowers. She prepares an organic wick in some ghee. And will cut up some fruits for her devotional offering to Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. Shree Ganesha loves the colour Yellow. When starting something new like telling stories about Ephemera, it is also auspicious for us to think of Shree Ganesha. When you travel through India you will see a picture of him in every shop.
Lord Ganesha is the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Lord Shivaji has many roles in the universe, one being the God of Dance.
Why does Shree Ganesha have an Elephant’s head? During some conflicts he lost his own head and to keep him alive any head nearby could keep him alive. And the nearest was an Elephant who had also perished. Lord Ganesha loves Modak, a steamed sweet. ( recipe below). He will also remove all your obstacles
In the bottom left of the picture above, शुभ लभ can be seen. This means Good Fortune
When in Business and to be successful, be like him. What lessons has he for people in business?
1 Keep a long Trunk- to sniff out market conditions even at long distance
2 Small beady Eyes- so as not to miss any details in the paperwork
3 Big Stomach- to hold all your business secrets
4 A small Mouse- who brings all information about what the competitors are up to
5 Large Ears- listening to customers and business noises
6 Several Hands - to efficiently multi-task
शुभ लभ KISMET
And what is a good offering to him? He likes Good Intentions and a Cheerful face
Ephemera our Elephant likes to place the flowers she has collected each day, the fruits she has cut, and the organic ghee light lamp, in nsa dishes. These historic bronze plates are placed in front of all the elephants near her. She murmurs the written words
शुभ लभ Auspicious
This is a small Elephant Light
शुभ लभ Precious
Block Print Elephant
In the picture below taken in Ahmedabad, you see a giant Kansa dish used in the offering
Modak Recipe, Lord Ganesha's favourite Sweet
INGREDIENTS
FOR STUFFING:
1 tablespoon ghee (1)
2 cups grated coconut
1 cup jaggery/brown sugar/Palm sugar(2)
½ teaspoon cardamom powder
FOR DOUGH:
2 cups of water
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ghee(3)
2 cups of rice flour
INSTRUCTIONS
STUFFING
In a large Wok/Flat Pani heat ghee(1) and saute the coconut.
Once aromatic add all the Sugar(2)
mix well and cook on medium heat until sugar melts and thickens but still moist
Add all the cardamon
DOUGH
In a large Wok/Flat Pan mix the water, salt and ghee(3).
mix and bring the water to a boil.
Add the rice flour and mix gently.
mix until the rice flour absorbs all the water.
cover and rest for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl and start to knead the dough. Wet hand to prevent burning.
Knead for 5 minutes or until the dough turns soft.
( Wet your hand and knead if the dough seems dry)
MODAK SHAPING WITH HAND( you can use a Mould too)
take a golf ball-sized bit of dough and flatten it to a circle.
with the help of both thumbs start pressing the edges and create a dent in the centre.
slowly press from edges till it forms a cup.
Create pleats with your index finger and thumb.
now scoop in a tablespoon of the stuffing.
get the pleats together to form a bundle.
close the top by pinching and making it pointed
STEAMING MODAK:
place the Modak in a steamer leaving gaps in between.
cover and steam for 10 minutes or till a shiny texture appears.
finally, offer the Modak to Lord Ganesha.
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