Author: Daljeet
Publisher: Aravali Books International
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 12
ISBN/UPC (if available): N/A
Description
Lord Ganesha, or Ganapati, is worshipped in India and abroad for removing adversities, keeping the evil under his yoke and containing the detrimental forces. With a number of colorfuil plates and a 6-page text, this portfolio expalins the importnce and relevance of this son of Uma.
Born of Uma, or Parvati, the illustrious daughter of Himalayas, and bestowed with the tenderness of lotus-flowers which have him perpetually seated on them and have become a part of his cult the cool, soft and kindhearted Ganesha is the auspicious god of good beginning and the harbinger of good fortune, success and prosperity.
Nirvighnam kuru mey deva sarva karyeshu sarvatha, or O lord, let all that I do be without obstructions, that is, without first invoking lord Ganesha for containing the detrimental forces of evil nothing has an obstruction-free beginning, at least nothing which is considered to be auspicious-the marriage and the birth rites, or the rites relating to yajnopavita or naming a new-born, entering a new house or a new business, laying the foundation of a building or some other construction, consecrating a deity, commencement of a public feat or tournament or even an Yajna or Puja, the sacrificial rites and the worship rituals for invoking a god other than lord Ganesha himself.
Ganesha, the Lord of ganas, is also Ganapati, the giver of the right wisdom operating for righteousness. Ganapati who has synthesized in him Ga or the wisdom, na or the moksha and pati or the supreme being, is on the earth the harbinger of prosperity and success and beyond it the subtlest means for attaining the moksha and the supreme being. In Indian thought wisdom is the attribute of soul and the offshoot of the supreme being and is thus unerring. Wisdom moves and prompts human action only in the right direction essentially liberating the soul from the temporal bonds and temptations and leading to the attainment of the ultimate good, the moksha, the salvation.
Thus, lord Ganesha bestows all created beings with the liberating wisdom leading to the supreme good and also commands the forces that obstruct it in its course.
Contents
PLATE I
Simhasanasina Ganesha
PLATE II
Modakamagna Ganesha
PLATE III
Tribhanga Ganesha
PLATE IV
Lord Ganesha
PLATE V
Gajamukha Ganesha
PLATE VI-A
Prani-palaka Ganesha
PLATE VI-B
Enraptured Ganesha
PLATE VI-C
Ganesha: The Bhang Grinding
PLATE VI-D
Yoga-murthi Ganesha
PLATE VI-E
Kamalashana Ganesha