LORD GANESHA THE DESTROYER OF OBSTACLES

LORD GANESHA 

Ganesh Chaturthi is on   9th september ,the birthday of  lord Ganesha .

He is the Lord of success and destroyer of evils and obstacles (Vignaharta ) He is also worshipped as the god of education, knowledge, wisdom and wealth and good fortune . In fact, Ganesha is one of the five prime Hindu deities .Shiva declared his son Ganesha as superior to all the gods, barring Vishnu, Lakshmi, Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is  traditionally invoked at the beginning of any new venture or at the start of travel

Ganesh" (Gana-Isha : lord of the Ganas) , God who would not allow any forces to enter without due permission .Thats why ,he is the first God to be invoked so that others may be allowed to enter .

 

A legend explains why Ganesha is worshipped before any other deity or prior to any important event. It happened that Lord Shiva asked Kartikeya and Ganesha - his two sons - to circle the world and return. Kartikeya hurried off on his peacock, but Ganesha walked around Shiva and Parvati. He explained that for him, his parents constituted the world. Pleased, Shiva granted him a boon, saying that before undertaking any important task, people would pray to Ganesha. According to the Narasimha Purana, if he is not worshipped at the beginning of a ceremony, he creates obstacles for the performers. Therefore, no matter what the occasion or ceremony be, Ganesha is worshipped before all other deities.

 

 

Significance of the  Lord Ganesha's Form

Ganesha's elephant-head represents the highest form of animal  and symbolizes  the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme reality of human existence.The elephant head also denotes wisdom The importance of the elephant is also that it is a herbivore, eating Sathwic food – a calm and gentle animal who  has immense strength, which it uses only when needed.

 

 His human body signifies Maya or the earthly existence of human beings. The human heart must have the feelings of love,compassion and well being for others .

 

 His trunk represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality, our most sacred of symbols, representing the primeval sound of creation and our most powerful mantra in prayer and meditation

 

The elephant’s trunk is one of the few instruments in nature that can perform both gross and subtle actions – it can uproot a huge tree as well as pick up the tiniest of needles. It signifies the need for us to be able to develop our intellect, our powers of discrimination, in both the gross or material world and also in the subtle or spiritual world. 

 

In his upper right hand Ganesha holds a axe or ankusa   which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path and remove obstacles from the way.Symbolically, the mind is like a wild elephant, running from here to there, in chaos. So we must use the ankusa to tame and control our mind 

 

The noose in Ganesha's left hand is  to capture all difficulties.The noose  is used to tie down our calmed mind and keep it close to us– only then can we concentrate, contemplate and meditate. 

 

The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing Mahabharata  The reason for being  Ekdanta according to Padma Purana, is that one day when Lord Shiva was sleeping, sage Parashurama came to visit him. However, Ganesha would not allow Parashurama in, for his father's sleep would be disturbed. When Parashurama insisted he be permitted entry, a fight broke out.  Parashurama threw his axe at Ganesha. This axe had been given to Parashurama by Lord Shiva. Recognizing the axe and out of reverence for his father, Ganesha refused to intercept the weapon. He bowed and took its impact on one of his tusks, which broke. This broken tusk was used by him to write the epic, Mahabharata. Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom, is also depicted as a scribe to whom sage Vyasa dictated the Mahabharata. He is accepted as the god of learning and the patron of letters.

 

 There is an interesting tale connected with the composition of Mahabharata. Sage Vyasa, the author of Mahabharata, wanted to dictate the verses of Mahabharata to someone who was capable of writing extremely fast, and without mistakes. Lord Brahma decided that Lord Ganesa was the only person equal to this great task. When Lord Ganesha came to Vyasa, Vyasa told him that he would dictate the poem very fast and that Ganesha must take down all the verses without mistakes. Ganesha threw a challenge in return that he would write as fast as Vyasa dictates and that too correctly, but when dictating, Vyasa should not stop till he complete the entire Mahabharata. Vyasa accepted the challenge and Ganesha used his broken tusk as the divine quill to record the Mahabharata - each word of the verses recited by Vyasa - for Gods and men alike.

 

 The sweet modhak he holds indicate that one must discover the sweetness of the Atman. This sweet with it’s hard outer shell signifies the reward of the sweetness of knowledge that will give the spiritual seeker joy, satisfaction and contentment as he travels along the path of enlightenment.

 

His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our petition.His large ears and head  also indicate that he has gained wisdom through listening and reflecting on the eternal truths of the vedas. Small mouth is for talking less and small eyes for concentration 

 

He is humble and modest enough to ride the lowest form of animal ,a mouse.

 

Lord Ganesha’s large belly is said to contain the whole universe – and is symbolic of the way we should live our lives. We must be able to accept and digest whatever experiences we go through – be they good or bad. Throughout our trials and tribulations we must be equal-minded and realise that all experiences are learning experiences and will bring us closer to God. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms. 

 

Lord Ganesha sits with one leg folded up and the other leg resting on the ground. The leg on the ground tells us that we can live in the world like anyone else. But the leg pointing upwards tells us that our concentration and meditation should be ever focussed on the godhead within. Rather like the lotus that He holds in his hand, which grows in stagnant water, but raises it’s flowers above the water line so that their purity will not be blemished by the polluted waters underneath, we can live in this world but remain unpolluted by the materialism and negative qualities of our surroundings. 

 

At the feet of our Lord is often spread a huge array of different kinds of food. The food represents material wealth, power and prosperity and indicates that if you  live a life of high ideals and principals, these material benefits will always be available for you, although you will not be attached to them and they will therefore not hinder your spiritual progress. 

 

The little rat  represents desire. Rats, by nature, are very greedy creatures who will run here and there nibbling and hoarding far more than they need. If a man has desires, he can waste his whole life running here and there, fulfilling one desire, only to replace it with another. Lord Ganesh helps you defeat desire. He even goes further, he uses the mouse as a means of transport, meaning that if you bring desire under your control you can use them to propel yourself towards your goals. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Source : Internet search and self (speakingtree)

"The single most vital step on your journey toward enlightenment is this: learn to dis-identify from your mind."

The single most vital step on your journey toward enlightenment is this: learn to dis-identify from your mind. Every time you create a gap in the stream of mind, the light of your consciousness grows stronger.
— Eckhart Tolle

Namasté

_/\_ Namasté

"Your own positive future begins in this moment."

Your own positive future begins in this moment.
All you have is right now.
Every goal is possible from here.
― Lao Tzu

!!!!!!!....Lord Shiva’s Mother.......!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!....Lord Shiva’s Mother.......!!!!!!!!
In ancient days, there lived a girl called Punitavati. Punitavati later on called by the name Karikal Ammaiar . She is counted as one amongst the famous Siva Bhaktas of South India.
Punitavati was very intelligent, beautiful, pious. She chanted the names and praise of Lord Shiva and always applied holy ash to her forehead.
She married Paramadatta, the son of a rich merchant at Nagapattam. Paramadatta also was beautiful and intelligent. He possessed good character.
Punitavati used to feed with intense devotion and joy, the Bhaktas day and night and hear them singing the names of Lord Shiva. She always remembered the utterance of the Vedas: “Let the guest be a God unto you—Atithi devo bhava”. She and her husband took the food that remained
after serving the devotees, as if it were nectar.
One day, a wandering mendicant came and gave two ripe mangoes to Paramadatta.Paramadatta gave them to his wife and attended to his business. A devotee came and asked Punitavati to give him something to eat as he was very hungry. The food was not ready. So she gave him one of the mangoes and some milk.
Paramadatta returned home and took his food. Punitavati served him with mango fruit that remained. Paramadatta found it very delicious. He asked her to bring the other fruit also. She prayed to Lord Shiva. Immediately, a mango fell into her hands. It looked exactly like the one served before.
She gave it to her husband. He found it a thousand times more palatable than the first one. He asked Punitavati: “My beloved Punitavati, where did you get it from?” She narrated everything.
Paramadatta said: “Get me another”. Punitavati got another mango in the twinkling of an eye. Paramadatta was struck with awe and wonder. He understood that his wife was a beloved devotee of Lord Shiva. He reflected within himself: “I am a great sinner. I have treated a great devotee of Lord Shiva as my servant. I cannot consider her as my wife any longer. It will be a great sin to leave her alone. But what to do now?”
He was in a dilemma. Finally, he resolved to part from her. He told his wife that he was going out on professional business. He obtained her permission and proceeded to Madurai. He settled there and married another wife. The second wife gave birth to a daughter. Paramadatta named her Punitavati.
Punitavati was anxiously awaiting the return of her husband at the promised time. She had no news of him. She became very miserable and unhappy. After some time, she came to know about the whereabouts of her husband. She proceeded to Madurai and met her husband.
Paramadatta welcomed her with intense joy and prostrated at her feet. He said to his wife: “I am a worldly man. I am passionate and greedy. You are a goddess. I cannot take you now as my wife. Pray, pardon me”.
Punitavati replied: “My lord, I have considered only you as my husband. As
you do not want me, I shall seek my Lord Shiva now.”
She distributed all the jewels to those assembled around. She worshipped the pious Brahmins and shook off all the flesh by the power of Yoga and looked as a mere skeleton. She marched northward.
She came to Mount Kailas. She thought it a sin to walk with one’s feet in the holy Himalayas. She moved on her head through the power of her austerities.
Parvati asked Lord Siva: “Who is that person, O Lord, who is coming towards us?” Lord Shiva replied: “That pious woman is My Mother, who nourished My devotees”.
Lord Shiva got up, moved a few steps forward, welcomed Punitavati and said: “My dear Mother, are you keeping fit?”
Punitavati fed the devotees like a mother. The Lord makes no distinction between Himself and His devotees. He has said: “The devotees form My heart and I, theirs. They do not think of anyone other than Me and I other than them”.
The supreme Lord abides in the hearts of all beings. Therefore, the guests deserve worship.
The Srutis declare: “Atithi devo bhava—Let the guest be your God”.

May lord Shiva bless all !!

!!!!......History & Importance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple.........!!!!!

!!!!......History & Importance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple.........!!!!!
...............................Description................
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, the holiest existing place of Hindus, where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage, and if possible, also pour the remains of cremated ancestors on the River Ganges. The temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganges, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva temples. The main deity is known by the name Vishwanatha or Vishweshwara meaning Ruler of the universe. The temple town, which claims to be the oldest living city in the world, with 3500 years of documented history, is also called Kashi and hence the temple is popularly called Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
.............................Importance of the temple......................
The temple is widely recognized as one of the most important places of worship in Hindu religion and most of the leading Hindu saints, including Adi Sankaracharya, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Goswami Tulsidas, Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Gurunanak have visited the site
..............................History...........................................
A Shiva temple has been mentioned in the Puranas including the Kashi Khanda (section) of Skanda Purana. In 490 AD, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple was built. In 11th century AD, Hari Chandra constructed a temple. Muhammad Ghori destroyed it along with other temples of Varanasi during his raid in 1194.Reconstruction of the temple started soon after. This was demolished by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. After Aibak's death the temple was again rebuilt by many Hindu emperors. In 1351 it was destroyed again by Firuz Shah Tughlaq. The temple was rebuilt in 1585 by Todar Mal, the revenue minister of Akbar's court.Aurangzeb ordered its demolition in 1669 and constructed Gyanvapi Mosque, which still exists alongside the temple.Traces of the old temple can be seen behind the mosque. It is said that the chief priest of the temple jumped into the well with the Shiva Linga and the original Shiv-linga now resides there. The current temple was built by Ahilya Bai Holkar, the queen of Malwa kingdom. Maharaja Ranjit Singh donated Gold for the Temple. Later on during 1833-1840 AD The Rajmata of GWALIOR KINGDOM Shrimant Bazabai Shinde constructed the Boundary of Gyanvapi Well and the other structures like Ghats, Temples etc., were also reconstructed. Many noble families from various ancestral kingdoms of India and their prior establishments make generous contributions for the operations of the temple.

Lord Shiva is everything as the ultimate consciousness.

Lord Shiva is everything as the ultimate consciousness. But when He manifests in form, it is male. Here too, He is inseparable from His consort, parvati, who is female, together they are called Ardhanarishwar, the God that is indistinguishable in gender.Ardhanarishwar, the androgynous representation, of Shivji and Parvati, is an extremely beautiful Shaivic symbolism. It denotes the perfect repose of Prakasa (illumination) and vimarasa (reflection of that illumination on itself, therefore its power, to do).
This is yin yang, being and becoming, wu and wei, Shiva and Shakti, in physics, potential and kinetic energy.
The paintings that depict Ardhanarishwar, however, have their limitation, as all symbols must. Obviously thought out before the technology of 3D pics, their limitation is that it makes you think of ShivaShakti as half of Shiva and the other of Shakti, which it certainly is not.
Shiva, is Shakti, Shakti is Shiva..its like a thing, and its 'in herent" quality, like fire and heat.The Ardhanarishwar is the HIGHEST YOGA between Being and becoming!!
Perhaps This kind of a 3D representation, which shows Shakti separate from Shiva when seen from far,But as ONE as you approach the picture, would be a closer representation.This, does not, of course, in any way lessen the unique representation thought out by the earlier pictures by ancient seers.
Like the wise men of the zen say, dont miss the moon for the finger, in this case,the moon which is being pointed at is that Shakti, and its beholder, Shaktiman, are one.
This is another pointer too, that Godhead is never referred to in a particular sex, technically, consciousness is not a 'He", nor a 'She", but Everythingness. Aum Namah Shivaya!!
(shail gulhati)