The Hindu god Ganesha
Essay by Nicole Alexander
Ganesh and also called Ganesha is the Hindu god of success and remover of evil and obstacles from your path. He rules over education, knowledge, health and wisdom. He is the destroyer of pride and selfishness. One must go to him first before others.
Ganesh and also called Ganesha is the Hindu god of success and remover of evil and obstacles from your path. He rules over education, knowledge, health and wisdom. He is the destroyer of pride and selfishness. One must go to him first before others.
Ganesha's Attributes
He has the face of an elephant. As with all Hindu gods and goddesses every part of their body and everything they hold has a specific meaning. His head represents wisdom and His trunk represents OM, the cosmic reality. In his upper right hand Ganesh holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way.
The noose in Ganesh’s left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties. The broken tusk that Ganesh holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which He broke for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in His other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous.
The noose in Ganesh’s left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties. The broken tusk that Ganesh holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which He broke for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in His other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous.
The laddoo (sweet) He holds in His trunk indicates that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman (The spiritual life principle of the Universe or The Soul of Enlightenment). Ganesha fan-like ears convey that He is all ears to our petition. The snake that runs round His waist represents energy in all forms. And He is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse.
His parents are Shiva and Parvati. Shiva decreed that all people shall worship Ganesh and call His name before any endeavors. Saying this mantra before endeavors “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha,” will help you to remove obstacles and purse your goals.
His parents are Shiva and Parvati. Shiva decreed that all people shall worship Ganesh and call His name before any endeavors. Saying this mantra before endeavors “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha,” will help you to remove obstacles and purse your goals.
Ganesha's Favorites
Lord Ganesha loves anything that is sweet. Some of His favorite foods are bananas, plantains, modak (a sweet dumpling), Dhruv (a grass with three blades and known to have an ability to attract Ganesha energy), mangoes and guavas, coconuts doughnuts, spices, nuts, chick peas, lentils, mustard seeds, red chilies, curry rice cooked in sweetened and reduced milk, yellow motichur ladoos (a chickpea flour globules which is fried in ghee or oil, and soaked in sugar syrup.
Ganesha's Altar
For Ganesha We Offer One of His Favorite Sweets, modak or modakam.