Stories of Lord Ganesha

[PiyaSoni]

"Flowers and Leaves used in Ganesh Puja "



Each deity in Hinduism has its own favorite flowers and leaves and they are used by Hindus during worship and while performing pujas on festivals. All festivals and rituals in Hindu religion begin with Ganesh Pooja. Red colored flowers are the favorite of Lord Ganesha.

Here is a list of flowers and leaves that are offered while praying to Lord Ganesha:

Durva Grass is an important offering to Ganesh. Especially in South India, you will find vendors selling garlands of Durva outside Ganesh Temples. It is known as arugam pul in Tamil, Dhub, Durva and Haritali in Hindi (North India). Bermuda or Bahama Grass is the English name.

Another important flower offered is the Milkweed flower. It is known as Arka in Hindi and Eruku or Erukkum Poo in South India. Jilledi is the name used in Eastern India.

Pomegranate leaves and flowers are also offered in many places.

Another important flower and leaf offered is the Sanku Pushpam or Conch flower.

Leaves and flowers of Screw Pine are also offered. It is known as Ketaki or Kedgi in Hindi and Kaita in South India.

There are also other local flowers and leaves that are used like the Naga leaves.

Tulsi leaves and flowers are not generally used in Ganesh Puja. But it is used during Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganesh Puja.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Why is a Hibiscus flower offered to Lord Ganesha?




Normally we have a concept that Ganesha is to be offered Red Hibiscus which he likes. But is it really so? A flower has a particular color and a special fragrance. On a subtle level the color and fragrance particles present in the flower have a capacity to attract the principles of a specific deity ( Ganesha ) which benefits the worshiper. That is the principle behind offering specific flowers to a deity and not because they like it. If the worshiper has more spiritual emotion for these flowers then the frequencies of deities get more activated through the medium of these flowers and work for the worshiper directly.

There are subtle frequencies of deities active in the atmosphere. These frequencies are attracted towards certain flowers. These frequencies are then emitted back into atmosphere which is known as ‘pavitrak’.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Ganesha Idol Made FrOM Coconut Shell









OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Ganesh and Lord Vishnu



One day, Vishnu found out that his Valamburi Shankha had disappeared. He felt himself very annoyed. After some time, he heard the typical sound of a conch far away and recognized immediately that it was his own instrument. The sound came from the Mount Kailash.
He meditated on Lord Shiva who came in front of him and declared that if he wanted to get his conch back, he had first to address a invocation to god Valamburi Ganesh (a Ganesh form with a right-turned trunk).
Thus, Vishnu performed the puja and Ganesh sent back the conch to his owner who was very happy to recover it.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Importance of Chaturthi"



Lord Vishnu's Ekadashi, Lord Shivashankar's Shivratri, like this Shri Ganesha's Chaturthi is observed by his devotees. This Chaturthi is very dear to Shri Ganesh.

Ganapati Atharvashirsha describes this Chaturthi as 'Chaturthyamanshnan Japati'. Chaturthi means fourth stage.

Ganapati is beyond three stages of human body i.e. awakened stage, dreaming stage & a middle stage between these two stages. When Ganesh is in his Turia means fourth stage, one can have his darshan.

As such Chaturthi has special importance.

Sankashti Chaturthi
This vow is done by devotees on fourth day of second fortnight of every month. On this day devotees fast for whole day & break their fast after having darshan of Lord moon & worshipping Lord Ganesha.

This vow is observed strictly by devotees to get rid of problems in there life.

On this day in the evening after having bath first, worship Lord Ganesh, offer 21 Durvas, do Aarti, show Naivedyam & pray for fulfilling your desires. Then have Lord moon's darshan, offer him Naivedyam, give meal to Brahman & break your fast.In this way if vow is observed all your desires are fulfilled.

Vinayaki Charturthi
Fourth day in the first fortnight of every month is called as Vinayaki Chaturthi. This vow is to be observed for full day.

Angariki Charturthi
If Sankashti Chaturthi comes on Tuesday, it is called Angarika. THe vow is completed on the same day. Devotees have their meal in the night after having darshan of lord moon.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

To be Continued by our Dear SS91 onwards......

So here's the link :

http://forum.spiritualindia.org/lord-ganesha-the-remover-of-obstacles-t18119.0.html;msg417131;boardseen#new

SaiRam!!

[PiyaSoni]

Jai Ganesh Girija Suvan
Mangal Mul Sujan
Kahat Ayodhya Das Tum Dev Abhaya Varadan

Glory to Lord Ganesh, the Divine Son of Goddess Girija,
the cause of all auspiciousness and intelligence.
Ayodha Dass humbly requests that every one be blessed
with the boon of being fearless.

Jai Girija Pati Dinadayala
Sada Karat Santan Pratipala
Bhala Chandrama Sohat Nike Kanan Kundal Nagaphani Ke

O Glorious Lord, consort of Parvati You are most
merciful. You always bless the poor and pious
devotees. Your beautiful form is adorned with the
moon on Your forehead and on your ears are
earrings of snakes' hood.

Anga Gaur Shira Ganga Bahaye
Mundamala Tan Chhara Lagaye
Vastra Khala Baghambar Sohain Chhavi Ko Dekha Naga Muni Mohain

The holy Ganges flows from your matted hair. The saints
and sages are attracted by Your splendid appearance.
Around Your neck is a garland of skulls.
White ash beautifies Your Divine form and clothing of lion's
skin adorns Your body.

Maina Matu Ki Havai Dulari
Vama Anga Sohat Chhavi Nyari
Kara Trishul Sohat Chhavi Bhari Karat Sada Shatrun Chhayakari

O Lord, the beloved daughter of Maina on Your left adds to Your splendid appearance. O Wearer of the lion's skin, the trishul in Your hand destroys all enemies.

Nandi Ganesh Sohain Tahan Kaise
Sagar Madhya Kamal Hain Jaise
Kartik Shyam Aur Ganara-U Ya Chhavi
Ko Kahi Jata Na Ka-U

Nandi and Shri Ganesh along with Lord Shiva
appear as beautiful as two lotuses in the middle
of an ocean. Poets and philosophers cannot
describe the wonderful appearance of Lord Kartikeya
and the dark complexioned Ganas.

Devan Jabahi Jaya Pukara
Tabahi Dukha Prabhu Apa Nivara
Kiya Upadrav Tarak Bhari Devan Sab Mili Tumahi Juhari

O Lord, whenever the Deities humbly sought Your
assistance, You kindly and graciously uprooted all their problems. You blessed the Deities with Your
generous help when the demon Tarak outraged them
and You destroyed him.

Turata Shadanana Apa Pathayau
Lava-Ni-Mesh Mahan Mari Girayau
Apa Jalandhara Asura Sanhara Suyash Tumhara Vidit Sansara

O Lord, You sent Shadanan without delay and
thus destroyed the evil ones Lava and Nimesh.
You also destroyed the demon Jalandhara. Your
renown is known throughout the world.

Tripurasur Sana Yudha Macha-I
Sabhi Kripakar Lina Bacha-I
Kiya Tapahin Bhagiratha Bhari Purva
Pratigya Tasu Purari

O Lord, Purari, You saved all Deities and mankind
by defeating and destroying the demons Tripurasura.
You blessed Your devotee Bhagirath and he was
able to accomplish his vow after rigorous penance.

Danin Mahan Tum Sama Kou Nahin
Sevak Astuti Karat Sadahin
Veda Nam Mahima Tab Ga-I Akatha Anandi
Bhed Nahin Pa-I

O Gracious One, devotees always sing Your glory.
Even the Vedas are unable to describe Your
greatness.
No one is as generous as You.

Pragate Udadhi Mantan Men Jvala
Jarat Sura-Sur Bhaye Vihala
Kinha Daya Tahan Kari Sara-I Nilakantha Tab Nam Kaha-I

Lord, when the ocean was churned and
the deadly poison emerged, out of Your deep
compassion for all, You drank the poison and
saved the world from destruction.
Your throat became blue, thus You are known as Nilakantha.

Pujan Ramchandra Jab Kinha Jiti Ke Lanka Vibhishan Dinhi
Sahas Kamal Men Ho Rahe Dhari Kinha
Pariksha Tabahin Purari

When Lord Rama worshipped You, He became victorious over the king of demons, Ravan. When Lord Rama wished to worship Thee with one thousand lotus flowers, the Divine Mother, to test the devotion of Shri Ram, hid all the flowers at Your request.

Ek Kamal Prabhu Rakheu Joi Kushal-Nain Pujan Chaha Soi
Kathin Bhakti Dekhi Prabhu Shankar Bhaye Prasanna
Diye-Ichchhit Var

O Lord, You kept on looking at Shri Ram, who
wished to offer His lotus-like eyes to worship Thee.
When You observed such intense devotion,
You were delighted and blessed Him. You granted His heart's desire.

Jai Jai Jai Anant Avinashi
Karat Kripa Sabake Ghat Vasi
Dushta Sakal Nit Mohin Satavai
Bhramat Rahe Mohin Chain Na Avai

Glory be unto You O Gracious, Infinite, Immortal, All-pervading Lord. Evil thoughts torture me and I keep on traveling aimlessly in this world of mundane existence.
No relief seems to be coming my way.

Trahi-Trahi Main Nath Pukaro
Yahi Avasar Mohi Ana Ubaro
Lai Trishul Shatrun Ko Maro
Sankat Se Mohin Ana Ubaro

O Lord! I beseech Your help and see your divine blessing at this very moment. Save and protect me.
Destroy my enemies with Your Trishul. Release me from the torture of evil thoughts.

Mata Pita Bhrata Sab Hoi
Sankat Men Puchhat Nahin Koi
Svami Ek Hai Asha Tumhari
Ava Harahu Aba Sankat Bhari

O Lord, when I am in distress, neither my parents, brothers, sisters nor loved ones can relieve my suffering. I depend only on You. You are my hope. Eliminate the cause of this tremendous torture and bless me with Your compassion.

Dhan Nirdhan Ko Deta Sadahin
Jo Koi Janche So Phal Pahin
Astuti Kehi Vidhi Karai Tumhari
Kshamahu Nath Aba Chuka Hamari

O Lord, You bless the down-trodden with prosperity
and grant wisdom to the ignorant. Lord, due to my limited knowledge, I omitted to worship Thee. Please forgive
me and shower Your grace upon me.

Shankar Ho Sankat Ke Nishan
Vighna Vinashan Mangal Karan
Yogi Yati Muni Dhyan Lagavan
Sharad Narad Shisha Navavain

O Lord Sankar, You are the destroyer of all miseries. You remove the cause of all obstacles
and grant Your devotees eternal bliss. The saints and sages meditate upon Thy most beautiful form. Even celestial beings like Sharad and Narad bow in reverence to You.

Namo Namo Jai Namah Shivaya
Sura Brahmadik Par Na Paya
Jo Yah Patha Karai Man Lai
Tapar Hota Hai Shambhu Saha-I

O Lord, prostrations to You. Even Brahma is unable
to describe Thy greatness. Whosoever recites these verses with faith and devotion receives Your infinite blessings.

Riniyan Jo Koi Ho Adhikari Patha Karai So Pavan Hari
Putra-hin Ichchha Kar Koi Nischaya Shiva Prasad Tehin Hoi

Devotees who chant these verses with intense
love become prosperous by the grace of Lord Shiva. Even the childless wishing to have children, have their desires fulfilled after partaking of Shiva-prasad with faith and devotion.

Pandit Trayodashi Ko Lavai Dhyan-Purvak Homa Karavai
Trayodashi Vrat Kare Hamesha Tan Nahin Take Rahe Kalesha

On Trayodashi (13th day of the dark and bright fortnights) one should invite a pandit and devotedly make offerings to Lord Shiva. Those who fast and pray to Lord Shiva on Trayodashi are always healthy and prosperous.

Dhupa Dipa Naivedya Charhavai
Anta Vasa Shivapur Men Pavai
Kahai Ayodhya Asha Tumhari
Jani Sakal Dukha Harahu Hamari

Whosoever offers incense, prasad and performs aarti to Lord Shiva, with love and devotion, enjoys material happiness and spiritual bliss in this world and hereafter ascends to the abode of Lord Shiva. The poet prays that Lord Shiva removed the suffering of all and grants them eternal bliss.

Nitya Nema kari Pratahi   Patha karau Chalis
Tum Meri Man Kamana  Purna Karahu Jagadish

O Universal Lord, every morning as a rule I recite this Chalisa with devotion. Please bless me so that I may be able to accomplish my material and spiritual desires.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Om Namste Ganpataye
Tvameva Pratyaksham Tatvamasi
Tvamev Kevalam Kartasi
Tvamev Kevalam Dhartasi
Tvamev Kevlam Hartasi
Tvamev Sarvam Khalvidam Bramhasi
Tvam Sakshadatmasi Nityam || 1 ||

O Lord Ganesha
I Pay my deep homage to you, the Lord of the Deva-Gana
You are the first facet of the Bramha-Tatva to arise
You have alone created this Entire universe
You alone can maintain this universe
You are indeed the all conquering supreme Lord
Indeed you are the "ATMA" || 1 ||

Rritam Vachmi
Satyam Vachmi || 2 ||

Speak noble fact
Speak complete Truth || 2 ||

Ava tvam Mam
Ava Vaktaram
Ava Shrotaram
Ava Dataram
Ava Dhataram
Avanuchanamv Shishyam
Ava Paschatat
Ava Purastat
Avo Uttaratat
Ava Dakshinatat
Ava chordhvatat
Ava Dharatat
Sarvatomam Pahi Pahi Samantat || 3 ||

Protect me
Protect the one who Describes you
Protect all who hear about your characteristics
Protect me & the disciples who are under Tutelage
Protect me from the obstacles (which arise during Rituals)
From the east (Similarly)
Protect me from the West,
From the North
From the South
Protect me from above & below
Protect me from all directions || 3 ||

Tvam Vangmayastvam Chinmaya
Tvam Anandmayastvam Bramhamaya
Tvam Sachitananda Dvitiyosi
Tvam Pratyaksham Bramhasi
Tvam Jnanmayo Vijnanamayo Asi || 4 ||

You are the constituent of speech
You are Joy & Immortal Consciousness
You are Truth, Mind & Bliss... one without a
You are none other than divinity
You are of Gross & Subtle types || 4 ||

Sarvam Jagadidam Tatvo Jayate
Sarvam Jagadidam Tvat Sti Shastati
Sarvam Jagadidam Tvay Layamesyati
Sarvam Jagadidam Tvayi Pratyeti
Tvam Bhumi Rapo Nalo Nilo Nabha
Tvam Chatvarim Vak Padaini || 5 ||

All the Universes manifest due to you
All the Universes are sustained by you
All the Universes get destroyed in you
All the Universes get merged in you
You alone are Earth. Water, Fire, Air & Either
You are the 4 types of speech & the root source of sound || 5 ||

Tvam Guna Traya Atitaha
Tvam Deha Treya Atitaha
Tvam Kala Treya Atitaha
Tvam Avastreya Atitaha
Tvam Muladhar Stiti Yosi Nityam
Tvam Shakti Treya Atmakaha
Tvam Yogino Dhayayanti Nityam
Tvam Bramhastvan, Vishnustvam, Rudrastvam,
Indrastvam Agnistvam, Vayustvam, Suryastvam,
Chndramastvam, Bramha Bhur Bhuva Svorom || 6 ||

You are beyond the 3 'GUNAS',
(Satva; Pure, Rajas: Activating & Tamas: Dull)
You are beyond the 3 Bodies; (Gross, Subtle & Casual)
You are beyond Past, & Future (3 State of Time)
You are beyond 3 states of being; (Awake, dream & Deep Sleep)
You always in the "MULADHARA" Chakra
You are the trinity of Power;
(Creative Maintaining & Destructive Powers)
Sages always Meditate on you
You are the creator. Sustainer, Destroyer,
The Lord of 3 worlds, Fire, Air, Sun, Moon,
You are all inclusive & all Pervading || 6 ||

Ganadim Purvamuccharaya Varnadim Tada Nantaram
Anusvara Paratarah
Ardhendu Lasitam
Taren Hridam
Etatva Manu Svarupam
Gakarah Purva Rupam
Akaro Madhyam Rupam
Anu Svaraschantya Rupam
Bindu Ruta Rupam
Nadah Sandhanam
Sagm Hitaa Sandihi
Sesha Ganeshvidhya
Ganal Rishi; Nichrud Gayatri chandah
Ganpatir devata
Om 'GUNG' Ganpataye Namah || 7 ||

After Describing the Characteristics & Cosmic Attributes Of Lord Ganesha, Atharvan Rishi Gives us the Sacred "GANESH VIDYA"
i.e. the Mantra which Reveals the Sacred Form of Lord Ganesh.
The Letter "GA" is to be enunciated, following by "NA" This one word Mantra is then Potentiated with the "PRANAVA" "OM".
This is Sacred Mantra.
(In order to make it Simpler, Atharvan Rishi Present the above easier FASHION, Remember that Knowledge was transmitted orally in those days.)
"GA" is the first part, "Na" is the middle &
end "UM" formed by the bindu is conjoined
with the foregoing & all of them form the Sacred word.
This Mantra if pronounced properly, has the power of revaling The Divine Lord Ganesh, The sage who receives the Mantra is Ganaka & the Metre is "NICHRAT GAYATRI" The Diety is Ganapati. Om 'GANG' Ganapati My salutation to you || 7 ||
Saying Thus, The Devotees should bow to the Lord.

Ek Dantaya Vid Mahe vakra Tundaya Dhimahi
Tanno danti Prachodayat || 8 ||

Mediate on the single Tusked Lord, with bent Trunk
May He Grant Knowledge & Inspire me || 8 ||

Ek Dantam Chatur Hastam Pashmam Kusha Dharinam
Radamch Vardam Hastair Bhi Bhranum Mushaka Dhvajam
Raktam Lambodaram Shoorpakarnkam Rakta Vasasamam
Raktam Gandhanu Liptangam Rakta Pushpaihi saupujitam
Bhaktanu Kampinam Devam Jagat Karnam Achutam
Avir Bhutam Cha Shrasta Yadao, Prakruthe Purushat Param
Evam Dhayayati Yo Nityam, Sa Yogi Yoginam Varah || 9 ||

The "SAGUNA" Form of Lord Ganesha is presented in the above Shloka I salute the Lord with 1 tusk (Right side) Who has 4 hands;
Upper Right carrying binding rope; Upper left hoalding goad; lower left carrying Broken tusk & the lower right blesses us, the mouse on his banner is also his vehicle.
He is blood red in colour; Pot-Bellied; He has elephant ears & wears red clothes
He is smeared with red sandalwood & decorated with red flowers
He is eternally blessings his devotees & was existing before Cosmos
He is beyond "PRAKRITI" & "PURUSHA" & is ever creating universes
One who meditates on him constantly, is a Supreme Yogi || 9 ||
(This is the Ganesh "Gayatri", Which is Self Sufficient)

Namo Vrat Pataye, Namo Ganapataye
Namo Pramatha patye,
Namste Stu Lambodaraya Ekdantaya,
Vighna Nashine Shiv Sutaya,
Sri Varad Murtiye Namo Namah || 10 ||

Salutations to you Lord of all Deities, Ganas &
all beings (Salutations To) The Post-Bellied
one with 1 Tusk
who destroys all obstacles, son if Shiva
The Divine Lord who grants, Boons (We bow to you)
Taking your name || 10 ||

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Emblems and Weapons"


Ganesh hands usually hold objects. These objects symbolize powers or functions of the God. Some of these objects represent weapons that Ganesha used to fight demons and negative forces.

Traditional scriptures describe Ganesh with four raised arms, a broken tusk, an axe, a closed lotus and a plate of sweets. Other scriptures quote, for instance, a goad (to control an elephant), a snake, and a trident. From time to time, Ganesh holds a fruit in one hand. For example, in Srilankan depictions, he holds a mango, a lime, or a jambose fruit.

The axe (parashu) is a very common emblem of Ganesh. Most times, he holds it in the upper right hand. The axe originally comes from Shiva (one among the three Lords of Hindu community i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva) and is vested in the Shaiva deities (except for Parashurâma, a Vishnu avatar, who receives it from Shiva). The axe symbolizes the destruction of desires and attachments, and all their results like troubles and sorrows.

As the “Lord of Obstacles”, Ganesh holds a lasso or a noose (pasha), in order to catch delusions (moha), which are obstacles to Truth seekers. The noose also means eagerness (raga), soul slavery, and hearing. Like a knot, eagerness binds us. This noose permits the spiritual seeker to lift himself up, beyond his human limitations, and connect to the everlasting bliss of his own self. This noose is sometimes shown like a tightly coiled snake.

His elephant goad or hook (ankusha) is used to conduct elephants and is the symbol of his sovereignty over the world. This goad also symbolizes anger (krodha). Anger injures us like a hook. Anger also represents touch and, surprisingly, the higher knowledge which allows human beings to free themselves from ermits to set oneself free from furor.

The plate of sweet (modaka) is the most famous and most ubiquitous among Ganesh attributes (at least in India). Held by the lower left hand, modakas are like cakes. The trunk of Ganesh touches this sweet because it is said that Ganesh is fond of it. The modaka is also the joyful reward of the Truth seeker. Offerings of modaka represent the germs of all the universes kept within the huge belly of Ganesh. According to the Padma-Purâna (a religious textbook of Hindus), the modaka is the symbol of the supreme wisdom (mahâbuddhi).

Before the sixth century, but also more recently, during the 9th to 12th century period, one may find, mostly in Orissa and Bengal, representations of Ganesh holding an object which can be identified, without any doubt, as a radish or a turnip (moolakakanda). Some specialists have written that this vegetable could also be a horse-radish and they have supposed that the broken tusk would always be a vegetable.

Some ancient scriptures like the Yâjñavalkyasmrti state that the radish is an appropriate emblem for Ganesh because this vegetable was an offering to Vinâyaka, like sweets are. In ancient times, the Vinâyaka were the names of demons of tantric nature and they were supposed to be very fond of tubers, like radish and also onion and garlic, because they use to live underground.

Various texts have talked about Ganesh holding a radish:

A text from the 5th century, the Bharat Samhita, mentions Ganesh holding a radish
The Yâjñavalkyasmrti (about 300 BC) states that the radish is an adequate offering to Vinâyaka, another form of Ganesh
The Grhyasutra too indicates the radish as an offering
In addition, Ganesh holds a mâlâ : or akshamâlâ made of 50 rudra grains in his lower right hand. It corresponds to the 50 letters of the Sanskrit alphabet and symbolizes sound and hearing.
The above mentioned attributes are the most common ones. Sometimes they may be difficult to identify them on ancient stone statues. For example the axes may look like sticks or big clubs.

Other Ganesh emblems are:

The only just opened lotus, which represents the supreme goal of the human spiritual evolution that Ganesh, offers to his worshippers,
The raising blue lotus (utpala ) associated with the moon,
The pomegranate,
The kamandalu (a pot for sacred water),
The lute (Vina) ,
Some rice ears,
The vajra ,
A book, etc.
Esoteric forms of Ganesh hold also other emblems like the water pot called kalasha, the discus (chakra), the bow (dhanus) and the arrow (bâna).

All these objects are symbols used in Hindu mythology to refer to tools and weapons that represent defeating common vices in human beings. Within these stories lie valuable lessons, applicable to the modern world and the mankind in the 21st century.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"The Female Ganesha"




The demon, Andhaka, wanted the goddess Parvati to be his wife. He tried to grab her by force so she called out to her husband, Shiva who immediately raised his trident and impaled the Asura.

But the Asura had a magic power; every drop of his blood that touched the ground turned into another Andhaka. The only way to kill him was to ensure not a single drop of his blood touched the ground, while he was impaled on Shiva’s trident.

Parvati knew that every divine being is a mixture of male and female forms, the male form representing mental potential and the female form representing material resources (Shakti). Parvati therefore called out to all the Shaktis. On her request, every divine being released their female energy who could drink the blood of Andhaka before it touched the ground. Soon the battlefield was filled with the shaktis of every god imaginable. Indra’s shakti emerged as Indrani, Vishnu’s shakti emerged as Vaishavi and Brahma’s shakti emerged as Brahmini. These shaktis drank the blood of Andhaka before it touched the ground. Thus was Andhaka destroyed.

Matsya Purana and Vishnu-dharmottara Purana list even Ganapati’s shakti in the list of female warrior goddesses. Her name was Vinayaki also known as Ganeshvari. This form of Ganapati is adored in the Vana-Durga-Upanishad.

Images of the female Ganesha start appearing from 16th century onwards. Some are of the opinion that these images perhaps represent Malini, the elephant-headed companion of Parvati, nursemaid to Ganesha, occasionally referred to in the Puranas.

The idea of a female elephant-headed deity whether it is the Shakti of Ganesha or the handmaid of Parvati is an integral part of Tantrik practices that preferred to see the divine in female, rather than the more dominant male form. This could be because in occult sciences, the female form was seen as the source of all generative powers: while the spark of life came from the male body, life finally was created and nourished by the female body. Or the reason could be more metaphysical. The female form was a code for material resources.

Sages in India have always had this debate between what matters more: the world of thoughts (mental potential) or the world of things (material resources). Those who veered towards intangible thoughts eventually came to be associated with Vedic practices while those who veered towards tangible things eventually came to be associated with Tantrik practices. The former coded their ideas through male forms while the latter coded their ideas through female forms. And so Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, gained popularity in Vedic circles, his female form, Vinayaki, became popular in Tantrik circles.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!