|
|
|
|
"In heaven Lord Ganesh will establish the predominance of gods, on earth that of people, in the nether world that of serpents and anti-gods"
~A Hymn from Sri Bhagavat-Tathva~ |
|
|
|
|
|
The chubby, gentle, wise, elephant-headed Ganesh, or Ganesha, is one of Hinduisms most popular deities. He is the remover of obstacles, the deity whom worshippers first acknowledge when they visit a temple. He is also patron of letters and of learning; he is the legendary scribe who, using his broken tusk, which he often holds, wrote down parts of the Mahabharata epic. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak ( knowledgeable ) or Vighneshwer (god to remove obstacles). He is worshipped, or at least remembered, in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.
Ganesh is usually depicted colored red; he is pot bellied, has one tusk broken, and has four arms that may hold a pasam, a goad, and a pot of rice or sweetmeats. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), and a sweet dessert ball -laddoo- (to reward devotees for spiritual activity). His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Meaning of Ganapati
Ganesha is a son of lord Shiva and Parvati. When Shiva was coming back from his "Samadhi", he didn't know that Ganesha was his son. Ganesha didn't let lord Shiva in the house because mother Parvati was bathing. Lord Shiva got mad and cut his head off and went in to the house. When Parvati saw the bloody 'Trishul' she got scared and asked him what happened. Lord Shiva said that he had cut a little boy's head off because he wouldn't let him in to his own house. Parvati cried and told Shiva that Ganesha was his son. Shiva felt bad for what he did, and threw his "Trishul." The "Trishul" returned with a head of a baby elephant. Lord Shiva put the head on Ganesha's body and gave him life. Lord Shiva also gave him a 'Vardaan' that, every time something good is supposed to happen, then people will take your name before mine.
Why the Elephant Head
Why did Shiva decided to put elephant's head instead of his own head lying on the ground? The big ears, nose, small eyes, big belly and head are the signs of a "Mahapurush." The big head symbolizes lots of knowledge. Big ears symbolizes the ability to hear well and that listening makes you a better person. Small eyes symbolizes the ability to see the future and the reality instead of the fake outside. Big nose (trunk) symbolizes the ability to smell good and the bad in the person from far away. The big belly symbolizes the ability to digest everything good or bad from the people.
What about the Mouse?
Mouse is considered to be his vehicle for transportation. The mouse is chosen for his speed. Because mouse runs around all the time it needs a heavy person like Ganesha to sit on it. This symbolizes your thoughts and hopes. Thoughts and hopes run around in any direction and you need to control them. |
|
|
|
|
|
The different names of Lord Ganesh are
- Ganapati (Lord of the tribe or attendants "lord of the ganas", Shiva's multitude of attendants)
- Vinayak( knowledgeable)
- Vighnesvara (controller of all obstacles)
- Gajanana (elephant-faced)
- Gajadhipati (Lord of elephants)
- Lambkarn (long-eared)
- Lambodar (pendant-bellied)
- Ekadant (having one tusk)
- Pillaiyar (In south India)
- Shakti Ganpati (Tantric Cult)
- Suryanganpati (Nepal)
- Prahaganpati (Cambodia)
- Vinayakshra (Japan)
- The Greek God of wisdom is known as Janus and is pictured with the head of an elephant.
- In Mexico, an elephant headed, human torso God is worshipped.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
