Ganesha, Hiindu Origins, and Phra Pikanes in Thai Buddhism

The esteemed deity in Hinduism, Lord Ganesha, who is one of the members of the Major Pantheon of Deities, is known as the son of the supreme figures, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is widely venerated. It is customary to worship Lord Ganesha first before commencing any religious ceremony or ritual. He is affectionately referred to as Ganpati, Vinayaka, and Vighnarta. The deity is believed to dispel all obstacles in an individual’s life. One notable feature of Lord Ganesha is his broken tusk, which is a subject of three different narratives.

Here is one such account, as detailed in the Upodghata Pada of the Brahmanda Purana. In this version, Lord Parshurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, visited Lord Shiva to express gratitude for the power he had received to vanquish his foe, Kartavirya Arjuna, and other kings. However, Lord Ganesha prevented him from meeting Lord Shiva, stating that His father was occupied and did not wish to be disturbed.

This angered Parshurama, leading to a conflict with Ganesha. As it seemed that Ganesha was on the verge of victory, Parshurama hurled his axe at Ganesha. Ganesha, who did not retaliate due to the axe being a gift from his father, Shiva, allowed the axe to strike him, resulting in his left tusk being severed and falling to the ground.

The narrative presented in the Mahabharata recounts an episode where Lord Ganesha, in order to ensure uninterrupted writing of the Mahabharata as dictated by Maharishi Ved Vyasa, broke his own tusk. This act was a result of the agreement between Vyasa and Ganesha, where Vyasa would recite the epic in a continuous flow without pausing, while Ganesha would only pen it down if he comprehended each part before recording it. The story goes that when the tool used for writing began to wear down, Ganesha, who had vowed not to be interrupted, broke his left tusk to continue the task, leading to his title ‘Ekdantaya’.

The Mahabharata is an epic heroic poem that contains one hundred thousand verses and is considered an encyclopedia of ethics, knowledge, politics, religion, philosophy, and Dharma. It was composed by Sri Vyasa (Krishna Dvaipayana) and taught to his son Suka and disciples Vaisampayana and others. The epic was recited by Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya at a sacrifice, and later by Suta to Saunaka and others during a sacrifice in Naimisaranya. The opening lines of the epic describe the ineffable greatness and splendour of Lord Vasudeva, and the closing lines emphasize the importance of practicing Dharma for attaining wealth, objects of desire, fame, prosperity, long life, eternal bliss, everlasting peace, and immortality.

Another narrative, known as ‘Ganesha’s and the Moon‘, shares that Lord Ganesha, post his return from Kubera’s feast, was riding a mouse that was startled by a sudden appearance of a snake, causing Ganesha to fall. The Moon, a spectator to this event, laughed, leading to Ganesha’s anger and a subsequent curse where the Moon would wane and any observer on the fourth day (Chaturthi) would be subjected to misfortune, a belief that has attributed the viewing of the Moon on Ganesh Chaturthi to be inauspicious and a cause for Mithya Dosham.

Ganesha, or ‘Phra Pikanes’ in Thai Buddhism

Phra Pikanes, also known as the Thai name for the Hindu deity Ganesha, is a highly venerated figure in both the Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Ganesha is easily recognizable due to his elephant head, which is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. In Thai culture, Phra Pikanes is often invoked for good luck, success, and protection against obstacles. As the remover of obstacles, Phra Pikanes is a popular deity for those seeking to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Above; Phra Pikanes Maha Pokasap Thai Amulet from Kro Ba Krissana Intawanno

The ‘Pra Pikanes Maha Pokasap’ is a truly remarkable white powder Maha Sanaeh amulet, handcrafted by the esteemed Kroo Ba Krissana Intawano. This amulet is a testament to the artisan’s skill and dedication, featuring various 4 Ploi Sek Maha Pokasap, strategically inserted to enhance its potency. The rear face of this masterful amulet boasts a Look Namo plug, intricately adorned with the sacred Taewada Deva Yant, adding a divine touch to the piece. The front face is equally impressive, showcasing the revered Hindu deity, Pra Pikanes, or Ganesha, the elephant god, majestically standing atop an open Lotus flower. This depiction is further enhanced by three ‘Ploi Sek’ gems, nestled in a soothing Aqua border, which adds a serene yet powerful aura to the amulet.

The reverse side is equally captivating, featuring a central open Lotus flower, with a large ‘Ploi Sek’ gem embedded, symbolizing the amulet’s enlightening power and purity. The amulet is also graced with Devangari angelic script, delicately floating around the central image, lending a divine and ethereal touch to the piece. Two silver takrut and a ‘Look Namo’ silver sacred metallic plug further adorn the amulet, enhancing its aesthetic and metaphysical appeal. Each amulet is individually hand-painted, making every piece a unique work of art. This amulet has found immense favor not only among heterosexuals but has also been particularly popular within the Gay Community, attesting to its wide-ranging appeal and the profound impact of Kroo Ba Krissana Intawano’s craftsmanship.

Kroo Ba Krissana Intawano is a multifaceted individual who has made a name for himself as a renowned Sak Yant Master, but is perhaps less well-known for his exceptional skill in creating Sacred tattoos. This is largely due to the fact that his amulets have received an extraordinary amount of attention and acclaim, both domestically and internationally, which has understandably overshadowed his other accomplishments. Kroo Ba Krissana’s amulets are truly exceptional, and have been tried and tested by those who have had the privilege of owning them.

Kroo Ba Krissana is a renowned and skilled medium in Thailand who has mastered a rare and mysterious form of magic called “Montr Teerayaan” under his spiritual teacher Phu Ruesi Bangbod in Laos. This magic is so exclusive that only two mediums have ever been taught this technique. Kroo Ba Krissana’s mastery of this magic is the result of 20 years of intensive study and practice in Cambodia, where he also learned other forms of magic.

His expertise in these magic techniques has earned him great respect and recognition within the spiritual community, and his amulets are highly sought after for protection, blessings, and empowerment. Kroo Ba Krissana’s unique ability to combine different magic techniques has made his amulets one-of-a-kind, and his reputation as a master medium has spread far and wide

These sacred objects are not just mere trinkets, but rather powerful talismans that hold the potential to bring great fortune and prosperity to those who wear them. The ajarn’s amulets are highly sought after by those who are familiar with the benefits and beauty of his wadtumongkol (auspicious amulets) and krueang rang (occult magical items).

Kroo Ba Krissana’s expertise in creating these amulets is unparalleled, and he is highly respected within the spiritual community for his ability to craft these sacred objects with precision and care. His amulets are not mass-produced, but rather created individually, with each one imbued with a unique energy and power that is specific to the wearer. This is what sets Kroo Ba Krissana’s amulets apart from others, and why they are so highly prized by those who are seeking a truly special and powerful talisman.