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Tuesday, January 19, 2010
When I grew up in the 40’s and 50’s, certain jeweled ornaments worn around the neck were mainly called “lockets.” I don’t recall those pieces of memorabilia designated as “pendants.” They occupied a special sentimental place in your heart and upon your person. When you touched them, you would feel that special close contact with whomever’s picture was safely ensconced in such locket or pendant. In these lockets could be found locks of hair, pictures of your most beloved parent, sibling or other relative; or if you were especially lucky, a picture of a favorite saint. In the 1970’s I remember a friend of mine whose ashes were consecrated in a specially made locket which some of us wore around our necks to commemorate our special friendship with this man.
Nowadays deity pendants such as those displayed in Ma’s India, have similar purposes, but the picture of the beloved is on the outside for all to see. These deity pendants have multipurpose uses. Some deity pendants might be considered merely ornamental as with jewelry.
Some deity pendants are considered amulets for self-protection. The Kali Pendant Necklace is one such deity pendant. Consuming demons that represent the ego, one need not be afraid of anything with Kali.
Another deity pendant represented might be the Shiva Necklace (painted) beautifully encased in pewter. 
This powerful God sitting in deep meditation upon Mount Kailash sits firmly against evil and those who would distract him from a peaceful and solitary contemplation.
Another feminine deity pendant representative of a protective amulet would be the Durga Deity pendant. Durga is another representation of Kali but seen as less fierce to those who know nothing about her. In reality, she is as fierce as Kali but with a different visage to hide her true identity from those who might not take her seriously. Durga is the true Mother of all the goddesses and on her deity pendant is pictured standing supreme upon her lion above all others.
Some who wish to use the deity pendants as mere ornaments, might consider the Lakshmi Resin Deity Pendant and the Saraswati Resin Pendant, both stately in faux marble resin, although when one is a true student of the Hindu goddesses, one sees that although they are worshipped for prosperity and the arts, these goddesses are just as capable of fierceness and protection. One might also consider the colorful and feminine Painted Lakshmi Deity Pendant as another choice.
For those who wish to cultivate the attributes of Ganesh, may we suggest Ganesh Pendant Necklace in sterling silver as their deity pendant, a powerful invocation of the Great God Ganesh. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles and is the fierce representation of loyalty. When one chooses Ganesh as her protector in a deity pendant, it is as if a whole army has come to her aid.
And of course, for those who wish to call upon Ganesh’s equally as fierce trusted humble ally, there is the Hanuman Necklace (painted) deity pendant, showing this representation of humility and perseverance, beautifully and stylistically encased in pewter.
For those desiring to follow the feminine Christian path in choosing a deity pendant, there is the saintly St. Therese of Avila Necklace who in 1970 was finally honored for her work in founding a convent and order of nuns and the Guadalupe Pendant beautifully rendered in faux white resin marble.
Whatever deity pendant you choose, there can be no mistake if one follows the yearnings of the heart.
by: Mas India 0 Comments
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Thursday, September 24, 2009
It’s that time of the year again: Durga Puja, an uncommonly extravagant and colorful festival celebrating the great Goddess Durga. Celebrated mainly in India, and predominantly in Bengal, it has found popularity in other places around the world. Various orders or ashrams in the States are celebrating Durga Puja three, four, five and even as many as nine or ten days during the months of September-October. Fasting, festival dishes, devotional songs, decorations are some of the main aspects of the Durga puja festivals. Durga puja is a festival, which epitomizes the victory of good over evil. Mother of the universe, Durga represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. A beautiful and fierce Goddess, Durga is depicted with ten arms, a weapon in each hand, her right leg resting on a lion and her left leg resting on the Demon Mahishasura. 
Mahishasura was a buffalo demon and did penance for many years for his evil. After his penance, which consisted of promises by Brahma that he would not be slain by gods, men, spirits or any aspect of nature, he re-mobilized his evil ways and began to tyrannize the entire world. However, Mahishasura had forgotten to include the name of “woman” when asking for his boon of protection. Therefore, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva created Durga, an incarnation of Shakti, divine power, and ended his reign of terror. Thus, Durga Puja has come to be the triumph of good versus evil. 
Mother of the universe, Durga represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. The manifestation of Goddess Durga is said to emerge from her formless essence and the two are inseparable. Durga has many aspects and she is celebrated through other feminine manifestations of her. Durga is actually seen as a kind of over-Goddess in some ways, although devotees of Kali, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and other Goddesses might argue that point. However, during the Puja, it is customary to invoke all or many aspects of the Mother in General. While the Durga Puja is propitiating mainly the Shakti, the divine power of the Mother during this time, Durga is also invoked to dispense her divine grace and bestow upon all wealth, prosperity, health, aesthetics, artistry and all other potent powers that the devotees seek. 
The extraordinary thing about this Durga Puja is that it coincides with the Jewish New Year and similar to the Jewish Near Year, one is asked to give up all that is unnecessary and mistaken in one’s lives and pray for the rebirth of a new awareness and consciousness. One of the ways in which one performs this act of renouncing is by throwing rice in a dhuni. In the Jewish tradition, one fasts for 24 hours and prays. In fact, the worship of this Goddess Durga even past this time of puja is always asking for a renewal of sorts. Sometimes people think of these Durga pujas as outdated or have a sardonic view since the pujas, to westerners, appear very dramatic in all their panoply and adornment, pomp and circumstance. However, if one were to watch any of the television programs, we would also see in any of these crime shows, particularly, Law and Order, CSI, etc., there is always the same basic formulation of good versus evil. So even though people might pretend to a kind of faux sophistication, in actuality, every day we are also facing some kind of evil whether it be portrayed on television or the internet wearing the face of some dictator or mass murderer. In this day and time when evil seems to overwhelm and sometimes predominate, humanity needs whatever ritual or worship they require to pray for deliverance from the evil in our lives and the ability to follow the path of virtue and goodness. 
It is also interesting to note that the mythology of Goddess Durga seemed to arise during the Fifteenth Century, a time when some reported the advent of the Dark Ages. Within this backward time, at a time when the Church held sway, there was the Goddess Durga who actually fought evil in a very powerful female form. So one could consider Durga a true light of liberation and feminism at an early time in our history.
In Ma’s India, we have many representations of the Goddess Durga in our Durga Statues, Durga Jewelry and books about Durga.
by: Mas India 0 Comments
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Sunday, August 9, 2009
> Imagine wearing jewelry that is both attractive and spiritual. That is Hindu Jewelry. Hindu Jewelry as worn around the neck as a pendant usually conveys to people “I am a spiritual person.” When one wears Hindu jewelry, especially if you wear it during day at your work, it is as if you are saying your mantra for at least eight hours a day. The particular Hindu jewelry that you select reflects your consciousness and awareness at that moment. The wonderful thing is that you may select any number of Gods or Goddesses to choose from. In fact, a different piece of Hindu jewelry each day of the week shows that you are asking for protection and blessings from the vast pantheon of Gods and Goddesses in the Hindu religion.
This is a spectacularly attractive Ganesh Pendant; one of the reasons being it is cast in this wonderful, very strong, ivory-like substance, which lends an aura of richness which Ganesh represents. Wearing this piece of Hindu jewelry you are asking to have Ganesh, the wonderful elephant God, remove any obstacles that stands in the way of spiritual progress. Ganesh has always been known to have a wonderful sense of humor and when you caress your Hindu jewelry, it is well known that he responds to you and your prayers. It is customary to chant Om Namah Ganesh before you begin your day and at the beginning of any new enterprise or project. You will not regret purchasing this piece of sacred art as an example of Hindu jewelry at its best. Om Sri Ganesh!!
One of the most attractive and spiritually seductive Gods is our beloved Krishna, and his beauty is always spectacularly represented in Hindu jewelry, not the least of which is this Krishna Pendant. He is the lover that appears to the Gopis in myriad forms, suitable to their devotion and wishes. And not to be downplayed is his role as warrior and teacher of non-attachment in the Bhagavad-Gita. His dialogues with Arjuna are to be treasured. Hindu jewelry is replete with representations of Krishna in his many forms and we are pleased to show this Krishna necklace in an unusual pewter frame, another example of fine artisanship in Hindu jewelry. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna Jai Krishna!!!
This beautiful Hanuman Deity Pendant is oval-shaped and thus represents a feminine aspect of Hindu jewelry. Here Hanuman is shown worshipping his God Rama. When one wears this piece of Hindu jewelry, one is asking Hanuman for both strength and humility. He is the beloved and humble warrior and benefactor to all who need him. In fact, the representation of Hanuman exceeds if not equals the representation of Krishna in Hindu jewelry. Famous people have been known to carry this pendant in their pockets, asking that their pride not overtake them in their lives. Carrying this piece of Hindu jewelry especially will remind one of their aspirations to be kind and compassionate in their lives. What is especially wonderful about this Hanuman pendant is that is painted and original.
This silver Kali Yantra Pendant is an exquisite and unusual reflection of Hindu jewelry at its best. It is gold-plated and bears a garnet shown within a triangle, symbolizing feminine energy at its utmost strength, power and perseverance. When one wears this Kali yantra pendant one is most serious in their spiritual aspirations. Calling on the Goddess Kali, the fierce warrior against ego aggrandizement, is no small matter and bespeaks a serious intention. One must not forget, however, in this piece of Hindu jewelry, that Kali also represents extraordinary compassion and is a fierce protector of any who call upon her. She will consume the small ego and leave grace, stillness and devotion behind. This is a formidable piece of Hindu jewelry at its best. Beware all those who hurt any of her devotees. Jai Kali Ma Ki Jai!!
by: Mas India 0 Comments
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