NEW YORK - For years, resin figurines of Hindu deities have adorned the houses and even altars of ISKCON devotees. While these hand painted miniatures of Siva, Laxmi and baby Krishna go unnoticed, collecting dust upon countless whatnot shelves, the most recent edition from Hindu-Tacki Collectibles has stirred undeniable controversy and, according to some, has led the the degradation of the human race.
The Ganesha Lingam Fountain features Ganesha, the elephant-headed demigod, hugging a Shiva Lingam. According to the manufacturer’s website and catalog, “water flows from top of lingam into lotus flower; internal light in his body glows in the dark.”
The contention seems to have been started by concerned area brahmacari, Mahasucaha das, who, in an angrily written letter to the GBC, described the sculpture as “a raunchy display of Hindu impersonalism at its worst” and demanded that it be taken out of circulation immediately.
The controversial icon went unnoticed by senior devotees until the most recent annual GBC (ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission) meetings. A special top-secret caucus was called to discuss Hindu-Tacki Collectibles’s decision to release the fountain.
While the discussions of the meeting are held under tight confidentiality, the exposure of the figurine has stunned many ISKCON devotees.
Immediately following the special caucus, six prominent sannyasis, including three gurus in good standing, publicly stepped down, unable to maintain their strict vows.
“How could I continue in the saffron dress of a renunciate after seeing such an abominable image?” asked Ahirikam das, former sannyasi.
Several other ex-sannyasis are also struggling with their return to householder life, one even marrying the first woman he saw. “If I didn’t marry a woman, the fountain would have made me think so many abominable thoughts.” said newlywed Upadana das.
“Since viewing the fountain of water spurting from the lingam, I have been unable to think of anything else for days, even weeks,” reveled ex-sannyasis Moha das, adding “I am frightened of continuing such a deviant lifestyle.”
Hindu-Tacki Collectibles CEO, Dandal Patel, issued a press release stating he “sees nothing wrong with Ganesha hugging a Lingham with water spurting from its tip.” However, even with the public outcry in mind, he refuses to consider pulling the Lingham fountain from circulation.
Sannyasis weren’t the only victims of this bawdy knick knack. Seven of ISKCON’s thirteen American brahmacaris put on white after hearing of such a display. Dvesha das, ex-brahmacari, relates, “This is just another attempt by corporate Hinduism to proliferate immoral ideals throughout ISKCON.”
Unable to cope with the shock of the figurine, a two of the seven ex-brahmacaris left ISKCON completely, purchasing a pastel-colored historical row house in San Francisco’s Sunset District.
Due to Hindu-Tacki Collectibles’s failure to immediately act upon their wishes, the GBC declared the statue “amoral.” Though many individual temple gift shops have curbed the sale of it, the GBC stopped short of placing a movement-wide ban upon the lurid sculpture of the Lingham.
Instead, they issued a decree that every package containing the Ganesha Lingham fountain be labeled with a Renunciate Advisory sticker to “warn sannyasis and brahmacaris that the contents of the package may be offensive and detrimental to their spiritual wellbeing.”
“Hopefully the movement can recover from this hardship,” said GBC spokesperson Satyendra Nandi, “our job is to focus on the important issues effecting the devotees spiritual lives.” He added, “And today, we can most definitely claim big, big victory.”
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10 responses so far ↓
1 Rati // Apr 25, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Oh…..now this is kind of embarrassing. Does this mean you’d like me to take down the Ganesha Lingham Fountain altar before you get here? Or would it be good enough if I just turned off the “spurting” feature?
2 Devak // Apr 26, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I’m very upset this morning.
I read this article about one of my favorite demigods and now I am beginning to worry about the possible fallen status of the other four million Hindu demigods.
I don’t mind the hugging of the lingham but it’s the spurting that’s bothersome. That’s really going a bit too far!
I first met Ganesha back in September, 1995 when he was drinking milk at a shine in a local sari store. All the ladies were giving him spoonfuls of milk , the floor was covered with empty milk cartons and more were arriving by the hour. Those were great days. After I saw this I knew my days as a Zen Buddhist were over.
And now this awful naughty Lingham Fountain. Are other demigods going down this path to hell? I can only wonder.
I think I’ll call Master Roshi Suzuki and ask his opinion. Maybe the Zendo will take me back.
Devak….questioning everything
3 Devak // Apr 26, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Dear Rati:
Please turn off the ’spurting’ feature before prahbu arrives at your home to have the Saturday Nama Hatta program. Enough of the ISKCON community has already been offended.
I like subji without that sauce! Thank you!
Haribol,
Devak…..trying not to offend
4 Mog Rhod (Bill) // Apr 29, 2008 at 3:07 pm
My brother was a Brahmachari of Self Realization Fellowship for 14 years but eventually left.
I know for ISKCON who hold very high standards and are sensitive, and other Hindus, this must be a shock. But in impermanence, this too shall pass.
The elephant and Ganesha, are subtly representative of the stabilization of mind, as well as being a Hindu deity. Many Buddhist practices relate stabilization of mind with taming an elephant, once stabilized one can realize the all pervasive reality, and ride the mouse of humility while are obstacles are but a joke.
As Swami Sivananda said “prakriti is the wetnurse of the jivanmukti”, and in this scientific age we should be a little less shocked that to be a wetnurse the Divine Mother occasionally will expose a breast, briefly.
Though I agree this Ganesha representation is not in good taste, similar to maybe a Jesus riding a Harley Davidson with a naked pornstar on the back. Of course it would be ok Jesus riding a Harley Davidson with a clothed Porn Star, this is radical acceptance and nondual compassion for all.
Om Mani Peme Hung
Jai Ganesha
Hare Krishna
5 Mog Rhod (Bill) // Apr 29, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Oh, and it is just an odd and idiotic personal story, but on my road to Buddhist practice, it actually began with the Ganesha Mahamantra.
http://www.kannadaaudio.com/Songs/Devotional/TimesMusicGanesha/Ganesha.ram
May all sentient beings benefit, and meditate carefully.
Om Mani Peme Hung
P.S. In Vajrayana Buddhism they still have Ganesha in Temples, but mostly in Nepal, and Hills. Who knows maybe a Ganesha Sutra will spontaneously merge to unite India with Mayawati Kumari and Dalit Buddhists in full support and in nondual realization of the Buddha Nature of Brahmins.
May peace prevail.
6 lawrence // Jun 14, 2008 at 9:42 am
Oh my God! I can’t believe this. I purchased this lingam fountain 3 years ago from an ISKON website. I thought the Ganesh figure was so child-like and innocent. The lingam fountain is beautiful too and unique. I place ganga water in the fountain and at night it radiates sanctity with its glowing light. Several Indian friends have seen it and remarked how nice it was…even wanted their own!
What is wrong with you people? Stuck in your lower chakras and thinking only with your penises no doubt!
7 Surf's Up dasa // Jul 18, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I realize ISKCON devotees tend to feel themselves on such a high platform that they can make fun of the demigods without fear.
It is very dangerous though to poke fun at Ganeshji (God of Money & Wealth). Srila Prabhupada states that he is one of the great Isvaras of the universe, and controls all the demigods.
I remember the Laughing Man Institute bookstore in Santa Monica used to keep a poster of Lord Ganesh over the toilet, because he removes all obstacles. It was no laughing matter when they closed and went bankrupt. One of my suppliers made a derogitory comment about Lord Ganesh - they too went bankrupt. The famous story is the Moon God himself mocked Lord Ganesh and was cursed for it. Laugh at Ganesh, but only at your own peril.
8 Kenny // Jul 19, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hi Surfy,
While I’m sure your examples are 100% validated by sources and not merely anecdotal, I submit that the article was not making fun of Lord Ganesha, but making fun of the cheap plastic Wal-Martesque disgraces that are passed off as murtis by money-grubbing “Hindus.”
Oh, and it probably makes fun of ISKCON. Hard to tell, really.
Haribol!
9 OTSTAL Om Tat Sat Thanks A Lot // Jul 20, 2008 at 2:06 pm
You are showing a picture of Ganesh in a way that mocks him. Very dangerous. This is what Chandra did - he laughed at Ganesh. Ganesh cursed him in turn that any person who stood in his moonshine would be cursed. Since all of would be cursed for all, all over the universe, he modified his curse, when the moon and sun begged forgiveness, and changed his curse so that anyone who sees the moon, on Ganesh’s birthday, once a year, in August, would be defammed.
I am pretty sure that if you laugh at and mock any ISKCON leader or authority virtually nothing can possibly happen to you. But macking fun of Ganesh is very dangerous.
10 Devi // Apr 7, 2009 at 3:47 am
Ha Ha Ha!
My first impression was I bet the social workers would love to steal that kid elephant from being brainwashed to hug lingams… What a lot of negative rubbishy energy put on something so innocent and adoring. If you can’t get your sexuality under control, and have to pervert everyone elses minds with your dualisitic views then I suggest you go mediate on Genesh, let him melt your blocks from being so anti loving. Rejoice Rejoice in the symbol that lights our life.
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