Aim

To become familiar with the wider Hindu pantheon.
To begin to understand why Ganesha (pronounced Ganesh) is special to Hindus.

Preparation

Before the lesson photocopy images of the three goddesses and of Ganesha. Prepare story.

Lesson

Begin by playing the game "If I were a..." (See notes)

Explain that some people find it easier to describe themselves by referring to something else rather than by trying to explain in words. Hindus do this when they try to describe Brahman.

Revise what was taught in the previous lesson about the gods of Hinduism.

Inform the children that while Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the three main gods, there are many more gods and goddesses within Hinduism. In fact, some people have said that there are as many gods as there are different things to say about Brahman.

Use the resource sheet to introduce the children to the wives of the three main gods.

Allow children time to explore the images of the goddesses and their own responses to them? Can they match up these goddesses with their husbands?

Inform the children that many stories have been told about the gods and goddesses. Share with them the story concerning the birth of Ganesha.

What do the children think of the story?

Following discussion, show children an image of Ganesha.

How do they respond to it? Discuss with children their knowledge/experience of elephants. What does an elephant symbolize? (Strength, unfailing memory, gentleness, fun...)

Ganesha is one of the most popular Hindu gods. At the beginning of each act of worship and ceremony, it is necessary to pray to him. It is believed that he 'clears the path' for all the other prayers which are to follow.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by informing the children that Ganesha is so important for Hindus that he 'appears' in the sacred OM symbol. Can they see him?

The character to the right of the symbol is his trunk.

Teachers' Notes

"If I were a..." is a simple game which helps children better understand symbolism. Sit children in a circle, introduce an object, such as a toy animal. Ask them, "If you were an animal, which animal would you be?" Pass object to those willing to answer the question.

Introduce another object, say a piece of fruit. This time the children tell you why they would be the a particular piece of fruit.

Introduce the final object - a toy car. The children, who ask for the object, should be encouraged to talk about themselves as the object; for example, "I'm a Roll's Royce, expensive and stylish".

Like their male counterparts, the Hindu goddesses each represent different aspects of Brahman. Together, they reflect the female side of Brahman. Saraswati is the consort of Brahma and is the goddess of art, literature, music, learning. Lakshmi is the consort of Vishnu and is the goddess of good fortune. Kali is one of the different aspects of Shiva's consort. She is also represented as Durga and Parvati. As Parvati, or Umer, she is beautiful, mild and gentle.