Many people have asked about the elephant-headed deity in our altar. He is Ganesha, a Hindu deity of great importance. As a remover of obstacles, he is worshipped before all other Hindu deities. The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has the head of an elephant as a symbol of his wisdom. He rides along atop a rat, a symbol of one's ego, to demonstrate his mastery over such earthly obstacles. In his four hands he holds a water lily - to show the truth, an axe - to cut attachments, sweet dessert called laddoo - to reward spiritual activity, and his fourth hand is extended in blessing. Whatever contribution Ganesha has made to our small successes, we feel fortunate to have him with us.

The third and most powerful deity in the Hindu trinity is Shiva - the Destroyer. While this sounds horrific to a westerner, a hindu sees Shiva's cosmic dance as symbolic of the unity in all things. Stylized as a "cubed" version in the middle room of Parallel 33, Shiva or Nataraj, is dancing within a ring of fire which represents the cosmos and consciousness. In his upper right hand is a drum which emanates the rhythms and cycles of creation. His upper left hand holds the flame of dissolution and destruction of form. The lower right hand is held in blessing, while the lower left hand points to the holy left leg. The right leg stands atop ignorance, and the left leg is lifted to reveal grace and the release from bondage. Shiva's dance is beyond the realm of purposes. The dance and dancer are one. Next time you dine at Parallel 33, pause to admire the strength and beauty of Shiva, the Lord of the Dance.