Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश) also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the known and first worshiped deities in the Hindu Pantheon.
The name Ganesha is a Sanskrit word. The meaning of Ganesha is gana, meaning a group or categorical system, and isha, meaning lord or master. The word gana when associated with Ganesha referred to the ganas, a troop of semi-divine beings that form part of the retinue of Shiva, Ganesha’s father.
Some interpret the name “Lord of the Ganas” to mean “Lord of Hosts”. Ganapati is a synonym for Ganesha, a compound composed of gana, meaning “group”, and Pati, meaning “ruler” or “lord”.
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Who is Lord Ganesha
The mention of the Ganapati is found in hymn 2.23.1 of the 2nd millennium BCE Rigveda. The Amarakosha an early Sanskrit lexicon has eight synonyms of Ganesha:
- Vinayaka
- Vighnarāja (equivalent to Vighnesha)
- Dvaimātura (one who has two mothers)
- Gaṇādhipa (equivalent to Ganapati and Ganesha)
- Ekdanta (one who has one tusk)
- Heramba
- Lambodara (one who has a potbelly or one who has a hanging belly)
- Gajanana (one who has the face of an elephant)
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What does Lord Ganesha Meaning
Vinayaka is a common name for Shree Ganesha that also appears in Purāṇas and in Biddhist Tantras. Maharashtra a city in India has eight famous temples in the name of Ganesha known as Ashtavinayak (Marathi: अष्टविनायक, aṣṭavināyaka), Vignesha (विघ्नेश; vighneśa) and Vigneshvara (विघ्नेश्वर; vighneśvara). Ganesha refers to the master and removal of obstacles (Vighna).
Lord Ganesha in the Tamil language is Pillai (Tamil: பிள்ளை) or Pillaiyar (பிள்ளையார்). A. K. Narain, former historian, differentiates the terms by saying that pillai means a “Child” while pillaiyar means a “noble child”.
He also adds that the words pallu, Pella, and pell in the Dravidian family of languages signify “tooth or tusk” and also “elephant tooth or tusk”.
In the Burmese language, Ganesha is known as Maha Peinne (မဟာပိန္နဲ, pronounced [məhà pèiɰ̃né]). In Thailand, Ganesha is known as Phra Phikanet.
The images and presence in history names as a major deity in the present day in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam date from the 7th and 8th centuries. In Sri Lanka, Singhala, Ganesha is known as Gana devivo in Buddhist areas and he revered Buddha, Vishnu, Skanda, and others.
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What does Lord Ganesha Symbolize
Like other Hindu deities, there are variations in their representation over time and countries, but Shree Ganesha is depicted with the head of an elephant and a human body.
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Head of Lord Ganesha
A long time ago on Mount Kailash, Lord Parvati was alone. So, to overcome her loneliness, she uses her divine powers. She created Ganesha to keep her company while lord Shiva was away from her.
One day while lord Parvati was gone to take a bath, she asked Ganesha to guard on doors and not let anyone come inside.
When lord Shiva returned, he was surprised to see a young boy at the doors when lord Shiva tried to enter Ganesha stopped him from entering, and then lord Shiva filled with temper and beheaded Ganesha’s forehead with his Trishul.
When lord Parvati comes back, she is drawn out by commotion and understandably distraught finding her child’s body on the floor.
Then after knowing the truth lord Shiva placed the head of an elephant on Ganesha’s body and blessed Ganesh of being worshipped first, before any other god.
Hands and legs of Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesh is shown with 4 arms in Hindu temples and pictures but in some places, Ganesha is shown with 2, 6, 8, 10, or 16 arms. Ganesha is shown to have conch shells, an axe, a rope or noose, and a trident.
Someplace he depicted with or on the lotus with a symbol of enlightenment and divinity. Ganesh’s hand is in abhaya mudra as giving a blessing for every mankind.
Ganesh has one leg on the ground and the second folded up, emphasizing the importance of balance in the materialistic and the spiritual. One leg on the floor shows the importance of performing worldly duties and the folded leg is a reminder of our divinity.
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Symbol of Lord Ganesha
A plate filled with laddu at Ganesh’s feet is a symbol of wealth. Ganesh is accompanied by his vahana, a mouse. Seated Ganesh is a symbol of calm energy, and standing and dancing is a symbol of enthusiasm and vigor.
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Left Facing Trunk of Lord Ganesha
As per Vastu Ganesh picture or idol with a trunk on the left side is preferred on his left side. This position is believed as peace and relaxation.
Right Facing Trunk of Lord Ganesha
The Ganesh trunk on the right side represents masculine energy and is believed to give quick results. Ganesh trunk on the right side is known as Dakshinabhimukhi or Siddhi Vinayak.
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Broken Tusk of Lord Ganesha
Ganesh is also spoken as Ek Danta because he has one tooth and another tooth broken. It is believed that while writing the great book of Mahabharata historical Kavya; he broke his tooth to use it as a pen.
The reason behind this was Ganesh didn’t want to stop while writing he was looking for a pen for that reason and his search came to an end with his tusk.
Family Tree of Lord Ganesha
Ganesha is known as the son of lord Shiva and lord Parvati. He also has a brother, the god of war, Kartikeya, popularly called as Skanda and Murugan.
Ganesha is the elder son in his family, and Kartikeya is his younger son. This believed that Ganesh had married Riddhi (Goddess of Prosperity) and Siddhi (Goddess of Success).
According to Shiva Purana, Ganesha has two sons, Shubh (Prosperity) and Labh (Profit).
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Lord Ganesh Chaturthi A Festival of Hope and Prosperity
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated annually for ten days in the month of late August or early September. On this festival, his devotes bring the Ganesh idol to their home and business places to bring prosperity to their place, and on the 10th day idol is immersed in the water.
This festival transformed through Lokmanya Tilak from a private family to a grand public event to bridge the gap between Brahmins and non-Brahmins in the year, 1893 and to unite against the British.
This festival is celebrated in huge proportions in Mumbai, Pune, and the surrounding Ashtavinayaka Temples.
Lal Bagh ka Raja is one of the most famous temples for celebrating during this period.
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Lord Ganesh Hindu God of New Beginnings
Ganesh is particularly most worshiped by traders and merchants. Ganesh has become the principal deity associated with traders and merchants.
With the spread of Hindus and Hindu culture impressions of Ganesha worship are seen in many places like the Philippines, Java, Bali, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Borneo.
Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success in Thailand. You can see the Ganesh idol in offices, homes, and temples.
Ganesha is represented both in the seal of the fine arts department, and Thailand’s first prominent fine arts academy: Silpakorn University.
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Lord Ganesha’s Meaning and His Symbolize: FAQ
Why Ganesha is worshipped first?
Once to overcome her loneliness, Lord Parvati uses her divine powers. She created Ganesha to keep her company while lord Shiva was away from her and asked Ganesha to guard on doors and not let anyone come inside.
When lord Shiva returned, he was surprised to see a young boy at the doors when lord Shiva tried to enter Ganesha stopped him from entering, and then lord Shiva filled with a temper and beheaded Ganesha’s forehead with his Trishul.
When lord Parvati comes back, after knowing the truth lord Shiva places the head of an elephant on Ganesh’s body and blesses Ganesh for being worshipped first, before any other god.
Why Ganesha has broken tusk?
Ganesh is also spoken as Ek Danta because he has one tooth and another tooth broken. It is believed that while writing the great book of Mahabharata historical Kavya; he broke his tooth to use it as a pen.
The reason behind this was Ganesh didn’t want to stop while writing he was looking for a pen for that reason and his search came to an end with his tusk.
Who are Ganesha’s parents?
Ganesha is known as the son of lord Shiva and lord Parvati. He also has a brother, the god of war, Kartikeya, popularly called as Skanda and Murugan. Ganesha is the elder son in his family, and Kartikeya is his younger son. This believed that Ganesh had married Riddhi (Goddess of Prosperity) and Siddhi (Goddess of Success). According to Shiva Purana, Ganesha has two sons, Shubh (Prosperity) and Labh (Profit).
Who is Ganesha’s wife?
This believed that Ganesh had married Riddhi (Goddess of Prosperity) and Siddhi (Goddess of Success).
Where should Ganesha be placed?
Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success in Thailand. You can see the Ganesh idol in offices, homes, and temples.
Why do we pray to Ganesha?
Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success. This believed that Ganesh had married Riddhi (Goddess of Prosperity) and Siddhi (Goddess of Success). According to Shiva Purana, Ganesha has two sons, Shubh (Prosperity) and Labh (Profit).
Who is Ganesh
Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश) also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the known and first worshiped deities in the Hindu Pantheon. Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success in Thailand. You can see the Ganesh idol in offices, homes, and temples.
When is Ganesh Chaturthi
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Madhyahna Ganesha Puja Muhurat – 11:00 AM to 01:28 PM
Duration – 02 Hours 28 Mins
What is Ganesha the god of
Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश) also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka, is one of the known and first worshiped deities in the Hindu Pantheon. Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success in Thailand. You can see the Ganesh idol in offices, homes, and temples.
What does Ganesha represent
1. Ganesh has one leg on the ground and the second folded up, emphasizing the importance of balance in the materialistic and the spiritual.
2. One leg on the floor shows the importance of performing worldly duties and the folded leg is a reminder of our divinity.
3. A plate filled with laddu at Ganesha’s feet is a symbol of wealth.
4. As per Vastu Ganesh picture or idol with a trunk on the left side is preferred on the left side believed as peace and relaxation.
5. The Ganesh trunk on the right side represents masculine energy and is believed to give quick results.
Why is Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated annually for ten days in the month of late August or early September. During this festival, he devotes bring Ganesh’s idol to their home and business places to bring prosperity to their place.
Why does Ganesha have the head of an elephant
Once without knowing each other lord shiva cut the head of lord ganesha. later after knowing the truth the head of lord ganesha was replaced with the head of an elephant and gave him a blessing to be worshiped first. That is why lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant.
What does Ganesha mean
The name Ganesha is a Sanskrit word. The meaning of Ganesha is gana, meaning a group or categorical system, and isha, meaning lord or master. The word gana when associated with Ganesha refers to the ganas, a troop of semi-divine beings that form part of the retinue of Shiva, Ganesha’s father.
Who is lord ganesha
Ganesha is worshipped as a remover of obstacles and a god of success. Ganesha is known as the son of lord Shiva and lord Parvati. He also has a brother, the god of war, Kartikeya, popularly called as Skanda and Murugan. Ganesha is the elder son in his family, and Kartikeya is his younger son. This believed that Ganesh had married Riddhi (Goddess of Prosperity) and Siddhi (Goddess of Success). According to Shiva Purana, Ganesha has two sons, Shubh (Prosperity) and Labh (Profit).
How did Ganesh travel around the universe
Once in a competition with his brother Kartikey. Kartikeya flew on a peacock then Lord Ganesha thought he could never beat his brother in the race. So, he walk around his parents three times considering them the universe with great devotion. This is how lord ganesha travels around the universe within a few moment.
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