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Ganesha, the elephant-headed Hindu god who rides a mouse, is one of the faith's most important deities. One of the five primary Hindu deities, Ganesha is worshiped by all sects and his image is pervasive in Indian art.
Origins of Ganesha
Foremost among the many Hindu gods and goddesses are the Holy Triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of worlds (in that order). Sometimes, the three may appear in the form of an avatar, embodied by a Hindu god or goddess. But the most popular of these gods and goddesses are important deities in their own right. Three Headed Hindu God Shiva Image src. Tri Mukhi Hindu Lord Mahadev. Having three faces seated in a “yoga posture” tell the creator of yoga. Three faces shiva is also called as Trimurti. We can find many photos, images, wallpapers of Shiva’s Trimurti. This three faces photos is closest to that of Brahma, the creator or Uma or Vamadeva.
The son of Shiva and Parvati, Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears atop the pot-bellied body of a four-armed man. He is the lord of success and the destroyer of evils and obstacles, worshiped as the god of education, wisdom, and wealth.
Ganesha is also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Binayak. Worshippers also regard him as the destroyer of vanity, selfishness, and pride, the personification of the material universe in all its manifestations.
Ganesha's Symbolism
Ganesha's head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the supreme reality of human existence, while his body signifies Maya or mankind's earthly existence. The elephantine head denotes wisdom and its trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality.
In his upper right hand, Ganesha holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's upper left hand is a gentle implement to capture all difficulties. The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata, one of Sanskrit's two major texts. The rosary in his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous.
The laddoo or sweet he holds in his trunk represents the sweetness of the Atman. His fan-like ears convey that he will always hear the prayers of the faithful. 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.
The Origins of Ganesha
The most common story of Ganesha's birth is depicted in the Hindu scripture Shiva Purana. In this epic, the goddess Parvati creates a boy from the dirt she has washed off her body. She assigns him the task of guarding the entrance to her bathroom. When her husband Shiva returns, he is surprised to find the strange boy denying him access. In a rage, Shiva decapitates him.
Parvati breaks down in grief. To soothe her, Shiva sends out his warriors to fetch the head of any sleeping being who is found facing the north. They return with the severed head of an elephant, which is attached to the boy's body. Shiva revives the boy, making him the leader of his troops. Shiva also ordains that people will worship Ganesha and invoke his name before undertaking any venture.
An Alternative Origin
There's a less popular story of Ganesha's origin, found in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, another significant Hindu text. In this version, Shiva asks Parvati to observe for one year the teachings of the Punyaka Vrata, a holy text. If she does, it will appease Vishnu and he will grant her a son (which he does).
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When gods and goddesses assemble to rejoice in Ganesha's birth, the deity Shanti refuses to look at the infant. Perturbed at this behavior, Parvati asks him the reason. Shanti replies that his looking at the baby would be fatal. But Parvati insists, and when Shanti looks at the baby, the child's head is severed. Distressed, Vishnu hurries to find a new head, returning with that of a young elephant. The head is attached to Ganesha's body and he is revived.
The Worship of Ganesha
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Unlike some other Hindu gods and goddesses, Ganesha is nonsectarian. Worshippers, called Ganapatyas, can be found in all sects of the faith. As the god of beginnings, Ganesha is celebrated at events big and small. The biggest of them is the 10-day festival called Ganesh Chaturthi, which typically takes place each August or September.
For Hindus, there is a single, universal god known as the Supreme Being or Brahman. Hinduism also has numerous gods and goddesses, known as deva and devi, who represent one or more of Brahman's aspects.
Foremost among the many Hindu gods and goddesses are the Holy Triad of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of worlds (in that order). Sometimes, the three may appear in the form of an avatar, embodied by a Hindu god or goddess. But the most popular of these gods and goddesses are important deities in their own right.
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Ganesha
The son of Shiva and Parvati, the pot-bellied elephant god Ganesha is the lord of success, knowledge, and wealth. Ganesha is worshiped by all sects of Hinduism, making him perhaps the most important of Hindu gods. He is typically depicted riding a mouse, who assists the deity in removing barriers to success, whatever the endeavor.
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Shiva
Shiva represents death and dissolution, destroying worlds so they may be recreated by Brahma. But he is also considered the master of dance and of regeneration. One of the godheads in the Hindu Trinity, Shiva is known by many names, including Mahadeva, Pashupati, Nataraja, Vishwanath, and Bhole Nath. When he is not represented in his blue-skinned human form, Shiva is often depicted as a phallic symbol called the Shiva Lingam.
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Krishna
One of the most beloved of Hindu gods, blue-skinned Krishna is the deity of love and compassion. He is frequently depicted with a flute, which he uses for its seductive powers. Krishna is the central character in the Hindu scripture 'Bhagavad Gita' as well as an avatar of Vishnu, the sustainer of the Hindu Trinity. Krishna is widely revered among Hindus, and his followers are known as Vaishnavas.
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Rama
Rama is the god of truth and virtue and another avatar of Vishnu. He is considered the perfect embodiment of humankind: mentally, spiritually, and physically. Unlike other Hindu gods and goddesses, Rama is widely believed to be an actual historical figure whose exploits form the great Hindu epic 'Ramayana.' Hindu faithful celebrate him during Diwali, the festival of light.
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Hanuman
Monkey-faced Hanuman is worshiped as a symbol of physical strength, perseverance, service, and scholarly devotion. This divine primate aided Lord Rama in his battle against evil forces, described in the epic ancient Indian poem 'Ramayana.' In times of trouble, it is common among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymn, 'Hanuman Chalisa.' Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.
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Vishnu
The peace-loving deity of the Hindu Trinity, Vishnu is the preserver or sustainer of life. He represents the principles of order, righteousness, and truth. His consort is Lakshmi, the goddess of domesticity and prosperity. Hindu faithful who pray to Vishnu, called Vaishnavas, believe that in times of disorder, Vishnu will emerge from his transcendence to restore peace and order on earth.
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Lakshmi
Lakshmi's name comes from the Sanskrit word laksya, meaning an aim or goal. She is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. Lakshmi is depicted as a four-armed woman of golden complexion, holding a lotus bud as she sits or stands upon a massive lotus blossom. The deity of beauty, purity, and domesticity, the image of Lakshmi is often found in the homes of the faithful.
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Durga
Durga is the mother goddess and she represents the fiery powers of the gods. She is the protector of the righteous and destroyer of the evil, usually portrayed as riding a lion and carrying weapons in her many arms.
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Kali
Kali, also known as the dark goddess, appears as a fierce four-armed woman, her skin blue or black. She stands atop her husband Shiva, who lies calmly beneath her feet. Bloodsoaked, her tongue hanging out, Kali is the goddess of death and represents the ceaseless march of time toward doomsday.
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Saraswati
Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, art, and music. She represents the free flow of consciousness. The daughter of Shiva and Durga, Saraswati is the mother of the Vedas. Chants to her, called Saraswati Vandana, often begin and end with lessons in how Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech and wisdom.