Who is Ganesha
Ganesh is arguably one of the most beloved and worshiped Hindu diety of all. Being the eldest son of Lord Shiva; the Destroyer, and his wife Parvati, Ganesh is the God of Wisdom and destroyer of vanity, selfishness, pride and also the remover of obstacles. Before any undertaking is begun, a prayer to Ganesh is said to ensure success.
Ganesha Tales..
Birth of Ganesha
The Hinduism sacred texts give a variety of stories narrating the sequence of Ganesha's birth, the most popular being the one mentioning that Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvathi as a guardian to her privacy as depicted in the ancient Hindu text called the "Shiva Purana" which says:
Parvathi while bathing rubbed off the sandalwood paste on her body and out of it created the figure of a young boy. She infused life into the figure and told him he was her son and should guard the entrance while she bathed.
Meanwhile Shiva came to see Parvathi but the young boy blocked his way and would not let him in. Shiva, unaware that this was his son, struck off the boys head in rage. Parvathi, returning from her bath, saw her headless son threatened in her rage to destroy the heavens and the earth, so great was her sorrow.
Shiva pacified her and instructed his ganas to bring the head of the first living and north facing being they encounter. They found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy and breathed life into him.
Shiva has given the name Ganesha to his son and made him the leader of his ganas, hence his name Ganapati. Shiva also bestowed a boon that people would worship him and invoke his name before undertaking any venture. Shiva further blessed the boy, decreeing that all shall pray to Ganesh before enlisting any undertaking.
Significance of Ganesha's form
Ganesha is usually depicted either as a pictograph or as an idol with the body of a man and the head of an elephant, with four arms and having only one tusk, the other tusk appearing broken. On his waist, is his sacred thread, often in the form of a snake. The vehicle of Ganesha is the mouse, often seen paying obeisance to his lord. In essence Ganesha is the personification of material universe in all its various magnificent manifestations and symbol of abundance.
- The head of Ganesh represents the Atma (the soul or ultimate reality), while his body signifies the world and earthly realm of human beings.
- His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our petitions.
- The elephant trunk had the symbol of OM on it, which is the primal sound and symbol of the Universal reality.
- In three of his hands he holds various objects that are symbolic tools for enlightenment: a pasam or rope, goad or axe, and a bowl of rice of or a sweet dessert ball.
- The pasam or rope has three braids, each braid representing a different cautionary lesson: arrogance, Maya or the illusionary nature of the world, and ignorance.
- The goad is a staff used to herd elephants and reminds the devotee to steer clear of a self-defeating path, while the axe represents the ability to cut unhealthy attachment to the material world.
- The rice or sweet dessert represents the reward, or the sweetness of living in enlightenment, and the fullness of wisdom. It promises happiness in return for devotion.
- Ganesh's fourth hand is always free, palm extended in a blessing.
- The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms and also remind us Ganesha is Shiva's son.
- Ganesha's vehicle is a mouse, representing not only how much importance a wise man gives to the tiniest of creatures, but also agility and resourcefulness.
108 Names of Ganesha and their meanings
Akhuratha: One whose chariot is pulled by a mouse
Alampata: One who is forever eternal
Amit: One who is incomparable
Anantachidrupamayam: One who is the personification of the infinite consciousness
Avaneesh: Master of the universe
Avighna: The remover of obstacles
Balaganapati: Beloved child
Bhalchandra: One who is moon crested
Bheema: One who is gigantic
Bhupati: The lord of lords
Bhuvanpati: The lord of the heaven
Buddhinath: The God of wisdom
Buddhipriya: One who bestows of knowledge and intellect
Buddhividhata: The God of knowledge
Chaturbhuj: The four-armed lord
Devadeva: The lord of lords
Devantakanashakarin: Destroyer of evils and demons
Devavrata: One who accepts all penances
Devendrashika: The protector of all gods
Dharmik: One who is righteous and charitable
Dhoomravarna: One whose skin is smoke-hued
Durja: The invincible
Dvaimatura: One who has two mothers
Ekaakshara: One who is of a single syllable
Ekadanta: Single-tusked
Ekadrishta: Single-focused
Eshanputra: The son of Shiva
Gadadhara: One whose weapon is the mace
Gajakarna: One who has elephantine-ears
Gajanana: One who has an elephantine face
Gajananeti: One who has the looks of an elephant
Gajavakra: The trunk of an elephant
Gajavaktra: One who has an elephantine mouth
Ganadhakshya: The lord of lords
Ganadhyakshina: Leader of all celestial bodies
Ganapati: The lord of lords
Gaurisuta: The son of Gauri
Gunina: The lord of virtues
Haridra: One who is golden-hued
Heramba: Mother's beloved son
Kapila: One who is yellowish-brown
Kaveesha: The lord of poets
Kirti: The lord of music
Kripalu: Merciful lord
Krishapingaksha: One who has yellowish-brown eyes
Kshamakaram: The abode of forgiveness
Kshipra: One who is easy to appease
Lambakarna: One who has large ears
Lambodara: One who has a big belly
Mahabala: One who is enormously strong
Mahaganapati: The Supreme Lord
Maheshwaram: Lord of the universe
Mangalamurti: The all auspicious Lord
Manomay: The winner of hearts
Mrityuanjaya: The conqueror of death
Mundakarama: The abode of happiness
Muktidaya: Bestower of eternal bliss
Musikvahana: One who rides a mouse
Nadapratithishta: One who appreciates music
Namasthetu: Destroyer of evils and sins
Nandana: Lord Shiva's son
Nideeshwaram: Bestower of wealth
Omkara: One who has the form of 'Om'
Pitambara: One who has yellowish skin
Pramoda: Lord of all abodes
Prathameshwara: First among all Gods
Purush: The omnipotent personality
Rakta: One who is blood-hued
Rudrapriya: One who is the beloved of Shiva
Sarvadevatman: One who accepts all celestial offerings
Sarvatman: Protector of the universe
Shambhavi: Son of Parvati
Shashivarnam: One who has a moon-like complexion
Shoorpakarna: One who is large-eared
Shuban: The all auspicious Lord
Shubhagunakanan One who is The Master of All Virtues
Shweta: One who is as pure as the white
Siddhidhata: Bestower of accomplishments and successes
Siddhipriya: Giver of wishes and boons
Siddhivinayaka: Bestower of success
Skandapurvaja: Elder of Skanda or Kartikya
Sumukha: One who has an auspicious face
Sureshwaram: The lord of lords
Swaroop: Lover of beauty
Tarun: One who is ageless
Uddanda: The nemesis of evils and vices
Umaputra: The son of Goddess Uma
Vakratunda: One with a curved trunk
Varaganapati: Bestower of boons
Varaprada: One who grants wishes
Varadavinayaka: Bestower of success
Veeraganapati: The vigorous lord
Vidyavaridhi: The God of wisdom
Vighnahara: Remover of obstacles
Vignaharta: Destroyer of all obstacles
Vighnaraja: Lord of all obstacles
Vighnarajendra: Lord of all obstacles
Vighnavinashanaya: Destroyer of all obstacles
Vigneshwara: Lord of all obstacles
Vikat: One who is huge
Vinayaka: The Supreme Lord
Vishwamukha: Master of the universe
Vishwaraja: King of the world
Yagnakaya: One who accepts sacrificial offerings
Yashaskaram: The bestower of fame and fortune
Yashvasin: The beloved and ever popular lord
Yogadhipa: The lord of meditation