Ganesha

Ganesha is an Indian god. He is one of the most popular Hindu deities. He is depicted as having the head of an elephant with yellow skin. He has a large belly and 4 arms, sometimes holding a shell, discus, club and a lotus. In other images, three of his arms hold a rope, a spear like weapon, and modaka. The fourth is outstretched to offer help to those that worship him. He is seen with a rat, and he is sometimes pictured riding on it.
Parvati formed Ganesha from her sweat and dust to be her servant. She was very pleased with her creation and loved him. She set him to guard her door while she bathed. Shiva tried to enter and Ganesha, being very loyal to Parvati, fearlessly guarded the door and refused to let him pass. Shiva cut off his head and passed anyway. Parvati was enraged over the death of her son and began to avenge his death. To appease her and restore peace, Shiva said Ganesha could have the head of the next animal that passed. An elephant calf was the next animal to pass. Ganesha was given its head and instantly restored to life.
Once Shiva gave Ganesha the task of walking around the world.. Ganesha immediately circled Shiva and Parvati, saying that to him, his parents were the world. Shiva was very pleased with him and said that from that time on, Ganesha would be worshipped before all other gods. Because of this, many people pray to Ganesha before any and every undertaking to ensure its success.
Ganesha is considered the lord of obstacles. He has the ability to remove any obstacle, regardless of how complicated or impossible it seems. His rat is sometimes considered symbolic of this ability. In one interpretation, his rat symbolizes his power to gnaw away at obstacles until they are destroyed. In another, the rat symbolizes evil and Ganesha rides on it to show the ability to stay on top of it and keep it in check. Ganesha is also the god of knowledge, education, creativity, wisdom, happiness and success. He can also help separate reality from unreality and help one see past all illusions to find the truth.
It’s believed that those who worship Ganesha with devotion will be free of troubles. It’s said that he loves his followers. He always listens to their requests and gives them what they truly need. He is a benevolent god, and those who ask his aid do so without fear. The numbers 8 and 4 are sacred to him. His festival, called chatur or chaturti, is held during the month of August. He is worshipped for various lengths of time throughout the month but the fourth night after the new moon is considered the most important.


References and Further Reading

About Ganesha
Ganesha
Lord Ganesha
Ganesha Page

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