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Story of Ganapati – from Shiva Purana

Dec 1

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Stories relating to birth of Sri Ganapati are found in purana’s with varying details. However one story in particular, which I will try to narrate here, is vary popular. Almost everyone of us has heard this story with great enthusiasm when we were children. This narration appears in the Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana.

Once, Parvati wanted to have guards to her private chambers. But in Kailasa all the attendants were servants of Lord Shiva. So she thought of creating a attendant of her own. She created a child out of the scurf of her body and gave it life. She called the boy as her son, since he has appeared from her body. She gave him a danda (a stick) to hold. She ordered him to guard her house and not to allow anyone inside.

Lord Shiva came soon and wanted to enter the house. The boy rudely prevented Shiva in doing so. By looking at this shivagana’s got angry and attacked boy. The boy defeated all of them and placed his danda before Lord Shiva stopping him to proceed further. At this behavior of the boy Lord Shiva got vary angry and took his fierce form of Rudra. He then with his shoola beheaded the boy. Seeing this act of her husband Parvati out of motherly affection and grief started lamenting. At the same time she got angry towards rudragana’s who attacked her little child. She created powerful shakti’s and ordered them to attack gana’s. The gana’s unable to face the powers of Durga surrendered to their Lord, Shiva.

Lord Shiva trying to console his grieving consort Parvati, asked her what to do. She demanded her husband to resurrect the child and bless him. Shiva ordered his attendants to go north and bring the head of any creature they can find at first. When Shiva beheaded the boy the head was gulped by one of his gana. They found an elephant and brought its head. The elephant head was then grafted to the body of the boy. Lord Shiva blessed the boy as his son too and made him adhipati (master) of his servant gana’s. He was thus called as Ganapati. News of this strange event spread everywhere and all devata’s, rishi’s, gandharva’s came to see Ganapati. Lord Vishnu and Brahma also blessed him. Shiva again graced Ganapati by making him always to be first honored in all activities thereafter. This is how Ganapati became first venerable (prathama vandita) by all gods and humans alike.

Similar to above story, the event of Sri Ganesha’s marriage is also wonderful. The story goes as following. Once in Kailasa Loka, an argument took place between both brothers Ganapati and Shanmukha. The argument was about who to get married first among the two. Both were able and come of age, seeing this Lord Shiva called for a competition on both. He will be married first who circumambulates the earth and return back to Kailasha. Kumara left for the task immediately riding on his vahana (vehicle) the peacock. Whereas Ganapati thought for a while and started doing pradakshina to his father and mother Shiva Paravati. Entire creation is present in Shiva and Parvati, so Ganapati didn’t bothered doing the instructed task literally. This pradakshina of his father and mother was more than circumambulating of any material object.

Both his parents Lord Shiva and mother Parvati pleased by the intellect of their son, blessed Ganapati. Soon Sri Ganesha accepted the two daughters of Viswarupa Prajapati, Siddhi and Buddhi as his consorts. Beautiful description of this marriage is given in the purana.

The variation occurring and different versions of the same event in various scriptures is due to kalpa-bedha. Similar events take place with variations in different kalpa’s. In the next post we shall see the story of Lord Ganesha from another purana.

http://phalajyotish.com/story-of-ganapati-shiva-purana/

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Ganapati: First and foremost

Oct 5

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The Matsya Purana says that Ganesha (lord of the ganas or hosts) was lovingly moulded by his mother Parvati out of the scented scrapings of bath-paste and oil from her own body. The Varaha Purana has it that Ganesha sprung from the radiance of his father Shiva’s luminous gaze. A popular legend recounts how Parvati’s “baby shower” for her handsome son turned into a terrible tragedy when the malefic gaze of Shani or Saturn fell upon the child, causing its head to burst into a thousand pieces. This resulted in a unique identity for Ganesha or Ganapati as an elephant-headed, corpulent personality who loves his modaks and laddoos. The elephant is regarded as wise and mature in Indian lore, hence Ganapati’s formidable intellect continues to inspire men of letters.

The story of how Ganapati came to possess the privilege of being the foremost among the devas is variously told in the Puranas but the broad consensus is that both his powerful parents granted him this boon in different contexts.

That he should be worshipped first by all humans and celestials is a dictum followed to this day by the devout as well as the ritually casual. Commencing a pilgrimage or any new venture with an invocation of him is a time-honoured tradition handed down to us by our ancestors. The first invitee to a wedding is always Ganesha.

Modern variants involve the collection of Ganesha figurines to tastefully decorate our homes.
Inherent in these practices lies an instinctive belief in the power of Ganapati to grant kaaryasiddhi or success in our efforts. He is the Vighna-nashak or remover of obstacles and is therefore famously saluted as Jai Mangalmurti (Victory to the auspicious being). Bringing Ganesha home and keeping him in it, figuratively speaking, is to usher peace and prosperity into our homes. Great powers are attributed to this lovable deity.

A hymn venerates him as parabrahma roopam or verily the Supreme Absolute:
Ajam nirvikalpam niraakaaram ekam
Niraanandam aanandam advaita poornam
(He is the unborn, formless, unique embodiment of the supreme, the absolute, the infinite and the complete. He is bliss.)
One may offer garlands and sweets to a bejewelled, richly clad Ganesha at a large temple this Ganesh Chaturthi. Or one may dip one’s head in hasty obeisance to a vazhi pillaiyar (Tamil term for the roadside Ganesha peeping out of niches in boundary walls).

Our prayerful sentiments are beautifully captured in the celebrated hymn, Bhadram Karnebhih (from the Ganapati Atharvashirsha): May we always hear and see auspicious things; may we live our entire lifespans healthy even as we praise the lord, who guides our thoughts and deeds and protects us from evil.

Source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/editorial/op-ed/ganapati-first-and-foremost-872

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Exercise control over power, says Ganesha

Sep 30

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Power can be self-destructive. Hence, with great power comes a great responsibility.

For an elephant, the trunk is the most important part of his body. It enables the animal to pick up food, collect water, breathe and also communicate with each other.

The elephant, when angry, also uses its trunk to punish miscreants.

If you observe the trunk of Ganesha on any idol, it is always rolled up in a certain fashion. This suggests that he controls the power he wields.

While it is important to possess power, which can come from wealth, intelligence or one’s success, it is equally pertinent to have control over it.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-life-lessons-from-ganesha/20120921.htm

 

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Make the most of what you have, says Ganesha

Sep 29

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It is human to crib and complain about what we don’t have. But this story of Ganesha shows you how to make the most of what you do possess.

Both Shiva and Parvati loved to play with their two sons, Ganesha and Kartikeya. One day, the parents decided to issue a challenge to test their children’s skills.

The winner of the challenge, they said, would earn a miracle fruit — a fruit which would provide supreme knowledge and immortality to its owner.

The challenge was that both of them had to run three times around the world. Whoever came first would earn the fruit as a gift.

As soon as the task was announced, Kartikeya left immediately. He rode his peacock and left on his world tour. On his way, he halted at every sacred place, praying and seeking their blessings.

On the other hand, Ganesha stood there and put on his thinking hat. He looked down at his stout body and his vehicle — the rat. In his head, he was sure that no matter how hard he tried, it would be impossible to compete with his brother.

He collected his thoughts and turned to face his parents. When Shiva asked why he did not start on the journey, he replied: “To me, my parents are my world. I would prefer circumnavigating you thrice.”

Needless to say, when Kartikeya returned, Ganesha was already smiling because he knew he had won the race.

This story tells us how we must not fret over our physical weaknesses or limitations, and instead use our wisdom and intelligence to overcome difficult situations.

Source: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-specials-life-lessons-from-ganesha/20120921.htm

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Ganesh Galli 2012 – Pashupatinath Temple

Sep 22

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This year, the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal has recreated the famous shrine in Nepal to give devotees a truly spiritual experience

If you have always cherished the dream of visiting the famous Pashupatinath mandir in Nepal, you have a reason to smile this year — the shrine is being recreated at the famous Ganesh Galli Ganpati.

In the past, the mandal has successfully recreated various holy pilgrimage spots situated all around India. Pashupatinath mandir is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is regarded as one of the most holy sites for Hindus, situated in Kathmandu on the bank of the River Baghmati.

The temple dates back to 400 AD. “Our main aim behind recreating Pashupatinath mandir in Mumbai is because there are many Hindus who wish to visit the holy site in Nepal but don’t get a chance to do so. So we thought that we should come up with the concept of Pashupatinath mandir so that people feel that they have actually visited the mandir in Nepal,” said Sanjay Sawant, vice-president of the Ganesh Galli Mandal.

This year, the idol at the Ganesh Galli mandal is similar to the one that was installed in 1989, a creation of the well-known sculptor Dinanath Velinge, who first started sculpting massive Ganesh idols.

The same idol was remade by Velinge’s apprentice and now famous sculptor Vijay Khatu. The contract for designing the replica of Pashupatinath Temple was given to Biharilal Giri, owner of Maharaja Arts. Giri started work two months away from the festival and around 40-50 artisans and worked round the clock to turn the vision into a reality.

The organisers of the mandal are known for various charitable activities like blood donation. “It is a very proud moment for me, as I am going to make the same idol which was made by my guru Dinanath Vilenge in 1989 at Ganesh Galli and I am very thankful to the mandal for giving me this chance,” said Khatu.

Source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/aug/210812-mumbai-See-Pashupatinath-temple-in-Ganesh-Galli-this-year.htm

Posted in Ganesh Chaturti 2012, Ganesh Festival in Maharashtra, Ganesh Festival in Mumbai, Ganesh Mandals, Lalbaug - Ganesh Galli (1977 to 2012), Sarvajanik Ganesh Installations

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Is Lord Ganesha Married?

Sep 14

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Is Lord Ganesha, the lord of the people, married or is he a bachelor? If you ask this question in different parts of India, you will get different answers. There are several culture specific stories related to the wife of Ganesha. A majority of people seem to believe that Lord Ganesha is married but there are many ambiguity too! There seems to be some confusion regarding who are the consorts of Ganesha.

Here are some of the prominent mythical explanations to answer the question about Lord Ganesha’s marital status.

The Story Of Kartikeya & Ganesha: Ganesha and Kartikeya (sons of Lord Shiv and Parvati) once had a wager. They decided that whoever goes around the Universe 7 times and comes back first will be the first to get married. Ganesha with all his bulk and only a mouse as his vehicle was sure to lose to the agile Kartikeya who flew on a peacock. But Ganesha was smart, he declared that his parents were the entire Universe for him and went around Shiva and Parvati 7 times. He was married by the time his younger brother came back.

Evidence From The Purana: Some tales from the ancient Puranas state, that Lord Ganesha was a bal bramhchari (sworn to be a bachelor and a monk). This version of the myth is popular down South in India. Ganesha in many of the temples is depicted as a bachelor.

Ridhi & Siddhi: When a Maharashtrian family brings home a Ganpati idol, it is never alone. Ridhi (fame) and Siddhi (prosperity) always comes along. It is believed in Northern India that Ridhi (fame), Sidhi (prosperity) and Buddhi (intellect) were turned into goddesses and given to Lord Ganesha as wives. When Ganesha is pleased He blesses you with name, fame and good judgement; so he is has the women with these three qualities as his consorts.

Kala Bou: In the eastern part of India, mainly Bengal and Assam, Ganesha has a ‘green’ consort. During Durga Puja, a freshly cut banana plant is draped in a saree and placed next to Ganesha as his wife. Actually, the Kala bou (bride of Banana plant) has no connection with Lord Ganapati according to our scriptures. This was a local and primitive practice to worship Mother Earth for a bountiful harvest. When Durga Puja became a part of popular culture, Kala Bou was assimilated into the rituals and placed by Ganesha’s side because Kartikeya is a bachelor, so there is no place for a woman by his side.

These are the different stories related to the wife of Lord Ganesha. Do you know of any other consort that Ganapati is seen with?

Source: http://www.boldsky.com/yoga-spirituality/faith-mysticism/2012/lord-ganesha-wife-030252.html

 

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Story of Ganesha as Gajanana and Lobhasura

Sep 13

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Gajanana is one of the eight avatars of Ganesha as per the Mudgala Purana. It is stated in the Mudgala Purana that one of the mission of the Gajanana Avatar was to annihilate Lobhasura – the demon greed.

Kubera, the treasurer of wealth, once visited Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Pleased with the devotion of Kubera, Shiva blessed him with the vision of the divine couple whenever he wanted.
After the blessing Kubera made it a point to have the vision of divine couple daily. Soon Kubera was enamored by the beauty of Goddess Parvati and he gazed Her with lustful thoughts. Goddess Parvati who realized this gave an angry look at Kubera. Kubera was trembling in fear at the look of the Goddess and from the fear was born the demon named Lobhasura.
Lobhasura did penance and propitiated Shiva. He was granted the boon of fearlessness. The spiritual strength and lack of fear made Lobhasura powerful and he became to the ruler of the three worlds.
Power made the asura corrupt and he led a demonic life killing and looting innocents. Fed up with Lobhasura, people approached Sage Raibhya. He instructed them to offer prayers to Ganesha in Gajanana form.
Gajanana was pleased with the devotion of the people and decided to annihilate the demon. Ganesha did not want war and destruction. So He asked Vishnu to apprise Lobhasura of the strength of Gajanana.
Vishnu was able to convince Lobhasura about Gajanana’s strength and the futility of opposing him. Lobhasura who also had a spiritual side realized that he did not have the power to stand before Ganesha. The demon surrendered before Gajanana without a fight.
Symbolically, the story indicates that those who are overpowered by the demon of greediness can overcome it by surrendering before Gajanana.
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Story of Ganesha’s broken tusk

Sep 12

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Shri Ganesh had two tusks, but he had a great fight with Parshuram, when Ganesh laid claims to immortality.

There are only seven who are immortal :-
1) Shri Hanumanji
2) Vibhishan
3) Kripacharya
4) Shri Parshuram
5) Ashwathama
6) Bali and
7) Ved Vyas (Markandey Rishi also joined their ranks later)

These great men do not die and even when the world dissolves and a new world takes birth they will be here.

They are not born again and again. They live on the mighty Himalayas and it is said that some great souls do come across them.

Anyway, Shri Ganesh declared that he was eligible for such a position, but Shri Parshuram was not satisfied and wanted to test him. Parshuram loses his temper at the drop of a hat (as the saying goes), so he declared he would fight with Shri Ganesh; and if Shri Ganesh won, only then he would be immortal.

There ensued a terrible battle. Shri Parshuram became very ferocious in the heat of the moment and in the process he dealt a deadly blow, which Shri Ganesh took on his left tusk and as a result, it broke in the heat of the battle.

From that moment on, Shri Ganesh is called as Ekdant (The ONE with One Tusk)

Shri Ganesh was chosen by Naradji to write down the Mahabharata for posterity, while Ved Vyasji related the tale of his grandsons to him.

He chose his broken tusk to write.

He told Vyasji that he would only write if he gave the dictation continuously and did not stop or hesitate and waste time.

His mother Bhagwati (Parvati) asked Shri Ganesh to also use his buddhi while writing also and explain certain points so that the generations to come would understand the great epic as it was meant to be understood.

SO IS THE REASON WHY Saraswati – The Goddess of Learning, is prayed to after Shri Ganesh. …

Source: http://silenceofsoul.com/articles/Story-of-Ganeshas-broken-tusk-a195.html

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Maha Gopuram at Maha Ganapati Temple- An architectural marvel

Jul 5

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Picture of a Vimana

The next two years will be one of many “firsts” in Arizona architecture as the Maha Ganapati Temple enters the next phase of its growth. The successful completion of the Prana Prathistha (enshrining) of new deities and the re-consecration of the Maha Ganapati Temple was witnessed by thousands of devotees over the Memorial Day weekend. Energized by the desire expressed by the community, the temple commenced construction of the Vimanas (tower above the sanctum sanctorum) earlier this month. Vimanas have enormous significance in Hindu temple architecture. They are considered the physical manifestation of a devotee’s spiritual aspiration to reach the divine. It is believed that a darshan of the Vimana alone provides the benefit of having taken darshan of the deity that resides in the temple.

The Maha Gopuram project comprising the Vimanas atop the Lord Ganesha, Lord Siva and Lord Balaji shrines will be undertaken in a phased manner. Construction has begun on the Vimana for the Ganesha shrine expected to be completed by May 2013. The Vimana will be richly decorated, rising 26 feet majestically above the roof of the temple. Shilpis ( artisans) from India are braving the Arizona heat in creating this marvel in the desert. Temple construction on such a scale with unique challenges posed due to the location has not been taken up anywhere in the Southwest in the recent past. Completion of the Vimanas will not only make the temple a source of pride for valley Hindus but will be a cherished monument for all Arizonans.

Building such a tall structure in the open desert requires careful planning and execution. Mr. Kolluri, a civil engineer and volunteer for the temple explained, “The Maha Ganapati Temple is situated in the middle of the desert. It is subjected to an average 55 Mph winds daily with gusts up to 120 Mph as there are no buffers around it like you would see in the city. The tower at 26 feet is taller than the building and needs to withstand these winds throughout the year in addition to the unrelenting desert sun.” The team of engineers is working with the Stapathi (temple architect) to maintain the guidelines laid out in the Shastras while building a structure that can withstand the elements. When completed, the Vimanas will be visible from a few miles away, beckoning devotees to an abode of peace and serenity.

During the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) event last month, devotees expressed joy when future plans werPriest Pt. Vinayaka Sharma, Temple president, engineer and artisans on the commencement of Lord Ganesha’s Vimana (tower)e presented by the temple president, Mr. Mouli Subramanian. Mrs. Suba, a devotee at the event commented, “My father was very involved with supporting temples when I was growing up. It is thrilling for me to be a part of this wonderful project. I can now pass on my father’s legacy to my children”. Children and adults alike marveled at the attention to fine detail involved in the planning and execution of the event and commented that the spiritual energy present at the temple was evident. Recent visitors to the temple have been able to see the construction of the Vimanas close up and a few fortunate devotees even laid the first few bricks to mark the commencement of the construction earlier this month.

Plans are also underway to construct a shrine for Lord Hanuman as Bhakta Anjaneya and Lord Nataraja in the next phase making the temple a spiritual destination for all devotees in the Southwest United States.

Source: http://news.valleyindiatimes.com/2012/07/a1.html

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Lord Ganesha at Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Jun 28

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Statue of Lord Ganesha inside Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

One of the most recognizable of Hindu Gods, the elephant-headed, pot-bellied statue of Ganesha can be found in most Hindu temples. Lord Ganesha is primarily known as the God of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles. But he is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth.

As with all gods, each feature of Lord Ganesha symbolises something. His most obvious feature, the elephant head, symbolises wisdom. The right tusk is broken off and held in his right hand. This was used to help him to write the Mahabharata, and thus symbolises sacrifice.  In the statue, Ganesha is seen stepping on a mouse (only partly visible in the photo). He is actually riding on it, and it shows that he is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures.

The story of how Ganesha got his elephant head is an interesting one.

“Once goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the dirt of her body and assigned him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When Shiva, her husband returned, he was surprised to find a stranger denying him access, and struck off the boy’s head in rage. Parvati broke down in utter grief and to soothe her, Shiva sent out his squad (gana) to fetch the head of any sleeping being who was facing the north. The company found a sleeping elephant and brought back its severed head, which was then attached to the body of the boy. Shiva restored its life and made him the leader (pati) of his troops.”

Source: http://losttravels.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/lord-ganesha-at-sri-maha-mariamman-temple/

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