Ganapati: Song of the Self (Suny Series, Religious Studies) (SUNY Series in Religious Studies)

Ganapati is the Hindu Lord of Beginnings, the Keeper of the Threshold, the Remover of Obstacles, Master of the Mind, Son of Siva, Elephant-headed, plump, and loveable. This book offers a wide range of information about Ganapati gathered from such diverse sources as hymns, poems, myths, shrines, practices, and theologies. It considers Ganapati’s complexity: his transcendence of sectarian and territorial limits, his delayed but dramatic development into the religious pantheon, his paradoxical mythology, and his physical manifestation, an elephant’s head on a human body. Ganapati: Song of the Self fosters an understanding from within a tradition. It presents a positive interpretation of the material and encourages an inner quest for spiritual truth. Preface Acknowledgments Scheme of Transliteration Introduction From the Formless to Form Mythmaker, Oathbreaker In the Beginning... Śrī Girijātmaja of Lenyadri Origins The Search Begins Śrī Ganapati Atharvaśīrsa Peace Invocation The Eight-Syllabled Ganeśa Mantra The Ganeśa Gayatri Ganeśa's Form The Eight Names of Ganeśa The Results Peace Chant Translation of the Śrī Ganapati Atharvaśīrsa Naming is a Very Serious Business Śrī Mayureśvara of Morgaon The Name Game Names, Legends, Literature 108 Holy Names of Lord Ganeśa Fingers Pointing at the Moon Śrī Siddhi Vināyaka of Siddhatek Map is Not Territory Gajamukha (Elephant-Face) Ekadanta (Single Tusk) Vakratunda (Twisted Trunk) Lambodara (Potbellied One) Pāśa (Noose) Ańkuśa (Goad) Sūrpakarna (Large Ears) Mūsaka (Mouse) Modaka (Sweet) Sindura/Rakta Varna (Crimson/Red Color) Svastika Other Attributes Introduction to Jñaneśvar's Jñāneśvari What is Ganeśa? One Possible Answer Songs That Ring, Songs That Roar Śrī Mahāganapati of Ranjangaon Four Yuga Avatāras of Ganeśa Asta Vināyaka Avatāra Asta Vināyaka Temples Śrī Mayureśvara of Morgaon Śrī Girijātmaja of Lenyadri Śrī Vighneśvara of Ojhar Śrī Siddhi Vināyaka of Siddhatek Śrī Cintāmani of Theur Śrī Ballāleśvara of Pali Śrī Varada Vināyaka of Mahad Śrī Mahāganapati of Ranjangaon The One Clad in White; or, What You See Is What You Get This Song Is for You Jyestarāja-Elder Brother (Variations on a Theme) Śrī Mahāganesa Pañca Ratnam Who Am I? Śrī Cintāmani of Theur Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art) Mahāvākya (Great Saying) Interpretation of Mahāvākya Worship of Ganapati (Pūja) Śrī Vighneśvara of Ojhar How to Worship Ganapati Minimum Requirements Pūjā Sodaśopacāra Pūjā Lovers of the Beloved Śrī Ballāleśvara of Pali Avvaiyar Who Is Ganapati/Ganeśa? Śrī Varada Vināyaka of Mahad Ganapati Notes Selected Bibliography Index

Ganapati is the Hindu Lord of Beginnings, the Keeper of the Threshold, the Remover of Obstacles, Master of the Mind, Son of Siva, Elephant-headed, plump, and lovable. This book offers a wide range of information about Ganapati gathered from such diverse sources as hymns, poems, myths, shrines, practices, and theologies. It considers Ganapati's complexity: his transcendence of sectarian and territorial limits, his delayed but dramatic development into the religious pantheon, his paradoxical mythology, and his physical manifestation, an elephant's head on a human body. Ganapati: Song of the Self fosters an understanding from within a tradition. It presents a positive interpretation of the material and encourages an inner quest for spiritual truth.