Ganesh

Ganesha

see our collection of Ganesh sculptures

Perhaps the most beloved deity in India today is Ganesha, or Ganapati, both of which mean the “Lord of Hosts.” Who were the ‘hosts’ that Ganesha was ‘Lord’ of? What ‘hosts’ originally referred to is not certain; it may indicate a group of kindred gods, demi-gods, human devotees, or attendants. Later ‘hosts’ in this context simply referred to the throngs of devoted worshippers of the beloved elephant-headed god. Ganesha worship is focused utterly on success, on the removal of life’s obstacles. Ganesh shrines abound throughout India, from the thousands of shrines on street corners to the renowned temples of Maharashtra, including the famous Ganapatiphule temple located in the seashore town of that name. The first records of Ganesha in Hindu mythology occur in the Puranas (the ‘Old Stories’) around the 6th century C.E., while the earliest portrayal of the elephant-headed son of Shiva iconographically may be in the famous Elephanta caves [image], dated to the same period. The beloved festival Ganesh-Caturthi is a time wherein Ganesha is believed to fully bestow his presence on the earth for the benefit of all of his devotees. It lasts for 10 celebratory days between mid-August to mid-September each year.

Yogic Significance
Ganesha embodies the pure sweetness of compassion; his selfless, playful, giving nature causes him to be a living embodiment of ‘varada mudra,’ (boon-bestowing gesture) and ‘abhaya mudra’ (fear-dispelling gesture), two blessings that he often offers in sculptural representations. Ganesha evolved from an Indian deity to a Tibetan one; some of the 30 Tibetan tantras featuring Ganesha equate him with Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist Bodhisattva of infinite compassion. As Vignesha, the “Lord who removes obstacles,” He holds great significance to practitioners of yoga as the beneficent, playful Lord who removes obstacles along the path of practice until the yogin is liberated. Consequently, his image is often a central murti (a sanctified sculpture or painting adorning one’s meditation altar) for those on the yogic path. His presence bestows a playful intimacy, one that teaches us to not take life too seriously; the Divine, expressed as our highest nature, is fully engaged in the rhythms of life.

Ganesha’s story: An excerpt from the Shiva Rudra Purana
Known in the Puranas as Mahodara (“Great-Bellied One”), the beloved elephant-headed god rides a rat named Mushika and is often depicted snacking on sweets known as modakas; he is frequently called “Ekadanta,” the “Single-Tusked One,” due to an incident wherein as a baby he broke off a tusk to throw at the moon, the light of which was annoying him. The more popular of Shiva and Parvati’s two sons, Ganesha’s birth is told in several variations. The most famous version, which includes the story of how the son of Shiva lost his head, is told in the 7th century Shiva Rudra Purana:
“Once upon a time, while Parvati was taking a bath, the always auspicious Shiva threatened Nandin (Shiva’s own bull vehicle), who was guarding the goddess’ bath chamber, to step aside. Parvati, embarrassed by the unsolicited invasion of her privacy, thought to herself, ‘I should have a servant of my very own. He will be favorable to me, obeying my command and nobody else’s…he will not stray from my side.’ Thinking these thoughts, the Goddess fashioned from the dirt of her body a young man who possessed all of these good traits. He was handsome, flawless of limb, reliable, well-adorned, valorous, and strong. She gave to him various garments, abundant ornaments, and a big blessing. ‘You are my very own son! I have no one else who is mine alone.’”
Having made this young man her doorkeeper, Parvati instructed him to let no one in without exception. “Then she kissed his face lovingly, embraced him with affection and stationed him, with staff in hand, at her door.” Naming him the “Lord of Ganas,” as he was now in charge of all of her servants (ganas), she went off to play with her friends in the bath. Soon after, Shiva, eager to see Parvati, arrived at the bath-chamber door. Ganesha, standing firm and not recognizing his Father, said “You may not enter here, O God, without permission of Parvati, who is inside bathing. Where do you think you’re going? Leave at once!”
Looking at him sternly, Shiva replied, “You silly fool, who are you to keep me out? Don’t you recognize me, stupid? I am none other than Shiva himself!” Following his orders to protect his Mother, Ganesha attacked Shiva. A long battle ensued. Shiva, recognizing the strength of this young man who was unknown to him, thought to himself, “This one can only be killed by a trick! Surely there is no other way.” Vishnu and the other gods arrived to assist Shiva, but was astonished to see the son of Parvati besting the armies of Shiva one by one in combat. Recognizing the young man’s tremendous shakti (power), bestowed by his own Mother, Vishnu exclaimed, “He is most powerful, a great hero fond of battle! I have seen many gods, demi-gods, and demons, but there is none equal to this hero in brilliance, beauty, valor, and other fine qualities in any of the three worlds!” Ganesha thereafter bested Vishnu, knocking him to the ground. But as the son of Parvati approached the fallen god, Shiva swiftly cut off his son’s head with his trident.
After arriving at the battle scene, Parvati, seething with rage and sorrow, bellowed, “All the gods and ganas have killed my son. I shall wreak utter havoc! I shall destroy the entire world!” Se sent her own shaktis (personifications of her destructive powers) out to obliterate the universe. Even Shiva himself, sorry for what he had done, was powerless to stop her. Begging her forgiveness, the gods implored of her, “Forgive us O Goddess! We are the very gods, Vishnu, Brahma, Indra, and the others! Forgive our fault! Grant us peace!” Ignoring the gods, Parvati told a group of devoted yogins, “If you can revive my son, I shall stop my devastation. If you honor him and make him overseer of everything, there will be peace and safety in the world.” The yogins went to the gods, who in turn presented Parvati’s request to Lord Shiva, who replied, “Do whatever is necessary to revive my wife’s son and to revive all of the worlds. Go north and cut off the head of whomever you first encounter. After doing this, fasten it to Ganesha’s body.” After bathing and worshiping the body, the gods went out towards the north. The first creature they met was an elephant:
Taking its head, all of the deities fastened it firmly to the body of Ganesha. Worshipping Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma, they bowed and said, ‘We have done as you told us. Now you must finish the task. Since all of us (gods) were born from your radiance, now let it also enter this body by our reciting of Vedic mantras!’ While reciting, the gods sprinkled the body with blessed holy water. At the mere touch of these drops, Ganesha regained both consciousness and life as Shiva’s radiance filled him. The boy arose as though from sleep. He was handsome, noble, and resplendent, with a pleasing shape, a jolly manner, and a ruddy elephant head. Everyone rejoiced, their sorrows banished, O devotees, at the sight of Parvati’s son restored to life. Filled with happiness, they showed him to the Goddess. When she saw her son alive, she was overcome with joy.

Ganesha Mantras

The Ganesha Gayatri Mantra is recited to help the devotee to overcome obstacles before challenging endeavors are undertaken:

OM eka dantaya vidmahe
vakra tundaya dhimahi
tan no danti prachodayat

(translation>)
OM to the Single Tusked Lord whom we worship!
Our heart is on the one with the curved trunk!
O Tusked One, impel us to safety and success!
OM Shri Ganeshaya Namah!
OM. Salutations to the Beloved Lord Ganesh!