Gajah

Balinese constellation: Gajah (an elephant), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Gajah is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of gajah is found in intersection of Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Paing (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang gajah means an elephant constellation.

Etymology and History

Gajah (IPA: /ˈɡad͡ʒah/ [ˈɡa.d͡ʒah]) is derived from Sanskrit गज, gaja, means elephant.

Spelling Variants

• gadja (old spelling)
• gaja

Origin of Constellation

Among the various animals, elephants are animals that have almost always appeared in the history of human civilization. In this world, animals that are part of the Elephantidae family only have two types left, namely, the African Elephant - Loxodonta africana - the largest elephant species in the world, and the Asian Elephant - Elephas maximus. From the genus Loxodonta, there are two subspecies: Loxodonta africana - the African Elephant that lives in savanna areas, and Loxodonta cyclotis - the African Elephant that lives in African forests.

While the distribution of Asian Elephants is only in several Asian countries, including parts of West Asia, the coast of Iran, China, Bhutan, India, parts of Nepal, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The Asian Elephants are also divided into several subspecies; Elephas maximus indicus - Indian Elephant, the elephant with the largest population in Asia, and Elephas maximus maximus - a subspecies of elephant known as the Sri Lankan Elephant. These subspecies have the largest body size among other Asian elephants.

Although researchers have divided elephants into two species and several subspecies, it turns out that all elephants in the world are considered to have several similarities. In addition to being the largest mammal on land, elephants are also classified as the smartest animals in the world. In addition to their special abilities, elephants also have a psychology that is very similar to humans, they have emotions. With the various specialties they have, it is not surprising that elephants often appear in the history of human civilization. It is recorded that several nations in the world, especially Asia, have a close relationship with this elephant figure, of course, in a cultural context.

In Hinduism, the elephant has a connection with deities. On the one hand, an elephant is a vehicle of the God Indra; together they eradicate the forces of evil. Known as Airawata, this elephant takes the form of a white elephant. Airawata is also often referred to as the leader of the elephants in the world as well as the guardian of the universe.

On the other hand, God Ganesha is a god who has an elephant’s head with a human body. In India,  Ganesha is one of the most widely worshiped gods. Ganesha is worshiped as the god of salvation and the wards off disaster or danger. In this aspect, the manifestation of Ganesha as a statue is often found in various places, such as riverbanks, ravines, and other places considered dangerous by the Hindu community. While in Indonesia, especially Bali and Java, Ganesha is well known as the god of knowledge, wisdom, peace, and the arts.

Mythology / Religion

Gajah Airawata

India

In the Hindu concept, Airawata is the son of Irawati. She is one of the daughters of Daksha, one of the sons of Brahma. Many versions call Daksha one of the creator gods. In another version, Daksha is also called Kasyapa.

Thailand

Many versions also say that Airawata is the most famous mythological animal in Thailand, perhaps because of this animal, Thailand is nicknamed the land of the "White Elephant". Unlike the Indian version, in Thailand Airawata is known as Erawan. Its form is also slightly different from the Indian version. In Thai culture, Airawata or Erawan is an animal that takes the form of a three-headed white elephant with more than two tusks.

Puppet Version (Wayang)

Airawata is said to have originated from the process of digging the Samudera Manthana (Manthana ocean). Once upon a time, Garuda was on his way to find Tirta Amerta to free Kasyapa, his mother, who was being enslaved by Kadru, the mother of the dragons. In his searching, Garuda was told by the gods to cut the peak of Mount Mandaragiri and then dig the Manthana ocean using the peak. With the help of Vishnu, Garuda was able to find the Tirta Amerta. In the digging process, new figures emerged in the concept of this puppetry, including the Goddess Laksmi, later known as the shakti of Bhatara Visnu, Laksmi is worshiped as the god of fertility, prosperity, wealth, luck, justice, and wisdom, the Moon, Tirta Amerta and the Airawata Elephant itself. This version also says that the elephant Airawata had a brother, namely the elephant Puspadhenta, who was the mount of King Baladewa - in the Indian version known as Balarama, he was the older brother of Bhatara Kresna, ruling in the country of Mandura, the son of King Vasudewa.

Ganesha

In Hindu mythology, Ganesha is the son of Bhatara Siwa and the goddess Parvati. From this physical form, he is often called by the name Gajanama.

Once, Goddess Parvati, the wife of Lord Shiva, decided to take a bath in her palace located on the peak of Mount Kailash. However, every time she prepared to take a bath, the palace guards seemed unable to provide her with a peaceful privacy. Therefore, Goddess Parvati decided to create a loyal guard who would protect her while she took a bath. Parvati then collected the turmeric paste that covered her body, and from this simple material, she formed the figure of a boy. With her powers, she gave life to the figure and named him Ganesha. Parvati then gave a command to Ganesha, "My son, I am going to take a bath. Stand at the door and do not let anyone enter without my permission." Ganesha, full of responsibility, was ready to carry out his task faithfully.

Later, Lord Shiva, the husband of Goddess Parvati, returned to his palace. He was surprised to see an unfamiliar figure standing at the door. When Shiva tried to enter the room, Ganesha blocked his way. Shiva looked at him in surprise and asked, "Who are you, young man, who dares to block my way?". Politely and firmly, Ganesha replied, "My mother is taking a bath and does not want to be disturbed. I have been ordered not to let anyone enter, not even Lord Shiva himself."

Shiva, offended by the boy's audacity, glared at Ganesha sharply. "Little boy, you may not know who I am. I am Shiva, the ruler of the universe. No one can block my way, especially in my own house."

However, Ganesha remained loyal to his mother's orders and said that he was only carrying out the duties given by her.

Shiva was offended. Shiva then called the Ganas (his followers) to get rid of Ganesha, but none of them succeeded in defeating him. Seeing the situation getting tense, Shiva, who was impatient, finally released his Trident and cut Ganesha's head, separating it from his body. At that time, Goddess Parvati came out of her bathroom and found Ganesha lying lifeless. She cried seeing her son lying on the ground without a head. While Shiva stood nearby with his trident still in his hand. Parvati shouted angrily at Shiva in sadness while telling how Ganesha was created.

The remorseful Shiva promised to bring Ganesha back to life, but his body had to be given a new head. To get a human head, of course there had to be a severed toddler's neck. The beheading process could be done, only on the condition that the toddler had to be kidnapped when he was not in his mother's arms while sleeping. (Then this is one of the reasons why parents in India, Bali or Java have a habit of not putting their babies out of reach).

Because they could not find a baby or toddler sleeping separately from their mother, they looked for an animal head as a replacement. Shiva sent the Ganas (his followers) to look for the head of the first living creature they found facing north. After searching, they found an elephant. At that time the elephant ridden by the God Indra named Airawata was drunk and fell asleep in a position that violated the rules, namely sleeping with his head facing north. For this violation, the Ganas then beheaded the Elephant Airawata, and the elephant's head was then brought back to Shiva.

With his power, Lord Shiva attached the elephant's head to Ganesha's body and gave him life again. Ganesha came back to life, but this time with the head of an elephant. With this awakening, Shiva gave Ganesha the powers of the God of Dispelling Obstacles and the God of Wisdom, ensuring that he would be respected throughout the universe.

Image Variants

• 

  Lintang Gadjah (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)

• 

  Lintang Gajah in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali)

• 

  Lintang Gajah (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) has a value of 5 and Paing (in pancawara) has a value of 9. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 14.

Astrological Characteristics

Authoritative, have supernatural powers, can get rich quickly, have a long life, have many children, but unfortunately they find it very difficult to accept criticism from others and are too firm in their positions.

Matching Gemstones

Kecubung (amethyst), Mirah (ruby) dan Nila (Saphire).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Aldebaran	HIP 21421	within constellation lines	0.86
2	Elnath	HIP 25428	within constellation lines	1.65
3	Tianguan	HIP 26451	within constellation lines	3.03
4	λ Tauri	HIP 18724	within constellation lines	3.41
5	Chamukuy	HIP 20894	Inside the Hull	3.41
6	Ain	HIP 20889	within constellation lines	3.53
7	ο Tauri	HIP 15900	within constellation lines	3.6
8	Atlas	HIP 17847	Inside the Hull	3.63
9	Prima Hyadum	HIP 20205	within constellation lines	3.65
10	ξ Tauri	HIP 16083	Inside the Hull	3.75
11	Secunda Hyadum	HIP 20455	within constellation lines	3.76
12	θ 1 Tauri	HIP 20885	Inside the Hull	3.84
13	κ 1 Tauri	HIP 20635	Inside the Hull	4.201
14	τ Tauri	HIP 21881	within constellation lines	4.258
15	υ Tauri	HIP 20711	Inside the Hull	4.282
16	δ 3 Tauri	HIP 20648	Inside the Hull	4.298
17	37 Tau	HIP 19038	Inside the Hull	4.37
18	71 Tau	HIP 20713	Inside the Hull	4.48
19	ι Tauri	HIP 23497	Inside the Hull	4.615
20	σ 2 Tauri	HIP 21683	Inside the Hull	4.665
21	π Tauri	HIP 20732	Inside the Hull	4.69
22	-	HIP 21029	Inside the Hull	4.764
23	δ 2 Tauri	HIP 20542	Inside the Hull	4.8
24	114 Tau	HIP 25539	Inside the Hull	4.868
25	ω 2 Tauri	HIP 19990	Inside the Hull	4.914
26	109 Tau	HIP 24822	Inside the Hull	4.948
27	75 Tau	HIP 20877	Inside the Hull	4.969
28	97 Tau	HIP 22565	Inside the Hull	5.085
29	Pleione	HIP 17851	within constellation lines	5.09
30	4 Tau	HIP 16322	Inside the Hull	5.124
31	58 Tau	HIP 20261	Inside the Hull	5.242
32	κ 2 Tauri	HIP 20641	Inside the Hull	5.264
33	l Tau	HIP 23871	Inside the Hull	5.28
34	56 Tau	HIP 20186	Inside the Hull	5.346
35	χ Tauri	HIP 20430	Inside the Hull	5.378
36	-	HIP 17776	Inside the Hull	5.45
37	81 Tau	HIP 21039	Inside the Hull	5.454
38	118 Tau	HIP 25695	Inside the Hull	5.48
39	53 Tau	HIP 20171	Inside the Hull	5.482
40	103 Tau	HIP 23900	Inside the Hull	5.5
41	ω 1 Tauri	HIP 19388	Inside the Hull	5.504
42	36 Tau	HIP 19009	Inside the Hull	5.512
43	72 Tau	HIP 20789	Inside the Hull	5.514
44	80 Tau	HIP 20995	Inside the Hull	5.552
45	32 Tau	HIP 18471	Inside the Hull	5.617
46	63 Tau	HIP 20484	Inside the Hull	5.625
47	51 Tau	HIP 20087	Inside the Hull	5.631
48	* 80 Tau A	HIP 20995	Inside the Hull	5.666
49	13 Tau	HIP 17309	Inside the Hull	5.69
50	-	HIP 20842	Inside the Hull	5.711
51	89 Tau	HIP 21588	Inside the Hull	5.776
52	98 Tau	HIP 23088	Inside the Hull	5.785
53	99 Tau	HIP 23068	Inside the Hull	5.806
54	* 118 Tau A	HIP 25695	Inside the Hull	5.84
55	HU Tau	HIP 21604	Inside the Hull	5.842
56	-	HIP 18735	Inside the Hull	5.865
57	39 Tau	HIP 19076	Inside the Hull	5.9
58	105 Tau	HIP 23883	Inside the Hull	5.92
59	-	HIP 19376	Inside the Hull	5.927
60	-	HIP 19284	Inside the Hull	5.94
61	-	HIP 18170	Inside the Hull	5.946
62	-	HIP 20417	Inside the Hull	5.95
63	-	HIP 20614	Inside the Hull	5.965
64	-	HIP 22176	Inside the Hull	5.981
65	V1141 Tau	HIP 20493	Inside the Hull	5.986
66	85 Tau	HIP 21137	Inside the Hull	5.998
67	V1116 Tau	HIP 21459	Inside the Hull	6.019
68	33 Tau	HIP 18485	Inside the Hull	6.038
69	-	HIP 17921	Inside the Hull	6.07
70	-	HIP 19261	Inside the Hull	6.07
71	-	HIP 17453	Inside the Hull	6.074
72	-	HIP 19641	Inside the Hull	6.087
73	-	HIP 20255	Inside the Hull	6.094
74	-	HIP 24820	Inside the Hull	6.107
75	V1137 Tau	HIP 19672	Inside the Hull	6.12
76	14 Tau	HIP 17408	Inside the Hull	6.14
77	95 Tau	HIP 21961	Inside the Hull	6.151
78	-	HIP 17900	Inside the Hull	6.153
79	-	HIP 18508	Inside the Hull	6.165
80	-	HIP 17058	Inside the Hull	6.168
81	-	HIP 23589	Inside the Hull	6.188
82	-	HIP 21689	Inside the Hull	6.2
83	-	HIP 24977	Inside the Hull	6.205
84	108 Tau	HIP 24512	Inside the Hull	6.27
85	-	HIP 25806	Inside the Hull	6.291
86	48 Tau	HIP 19877	Inside the Hull	6.3
87	84 Tau	HIP 21082	Inside the Hull	6.303
88	-	HIP 18717	Inside the Hull	6.305
89	-	HIP 22949	Inside the Hull	6.324
90	-	HIP 22128	Inside the Hull	6.329
91	-	HIP 24984	Inside the Hull	6.33
92	62 Tau	HIP 20533	Inside the Hull	6.337
93	-	HIP 22850	Inside the Hull	6.347
94	-	HIP 21408	Inside the Hull	6.35
95	SZ Tau	HIP 21517	Inside the Hull	6.37
96	V766 Tau	HIP 18033	Inside the Hull	6.38
97	NGC 1647	NGC 1647	Inside the Hull	6.4
98	-	HIP 16924	Inside the Hull	6.42
99	70 Tau	HIP 20661	Inside the Hull	6.439
100	26 Tau	HIP 17832	Inside the Hull	6.464
101	-	HIP 21053	Inside the Hull	6.491
102	-	HIP 23949	Inside the Hull	6.5
103	-	HIP 24252	Inside the Hull	6.79

References

• References (general)