Ganesha


Ganesha means God of the masses or groups. Ganesha

His name is composed of GAN = masses/ groups and ESHA = God, meaning that He is the God of humanity and all living and mythical beings.

Ganesha symbolizes the union of Shiva and Shakti – the supreme Male and Female energies of cosmic creation – and being their Son is born with Shiva’s knowledge, and Shakti’s strength

The elephant head symbolizes many things per different texts, one of which is STRENGTH, to crush obstacles and barriers, therefore HE is also called “Vighna-Harta” which means Remover of Obstacles.

According to the 1400 AD Mudgala PuranaGanesha’s 8 avatars (incarnations) are:

  1. Vakratunda (“twisting trunk”), overcomes the demon Matsaryāsura (envy,  jealousy)
  2. Ekadanta (“single tusk”) conquers the demon Madāsura (arrogance, conceit)
  3. Mahodara (“big belly”) vanquishes the demon Mohāsura (delusion, confusion)
  4. Gajavaktra (“elephant face”) tames the demon Lobhāsura (greed)
  5. Lambodara (“pendulous belly”) controls the demon Krodhāsura (anger)
  6. Vikata (“unusual form”) destroys the demon Kāmāsura (lust)
  7. Vighnaraja (“king of obstacles”), eliminates the demon Mamāsura (possessiveness, attachment)
  8. Dhumravarna (“grey color”) subdues the demon Abhimanāsura (pride)

The Mugdala intrinsically links Him with BuddhiRiddhi and Siddhi meaning He grants Wisdom, Affluence and Spiritual Power to those who subdue their baser self.

Adi Shankara’s Maha Ganesha Pancharatanam is a powerful prayer said to grant wishes,  Siddhi Vinayak Mandir in Mumbai is one of His famous Temples, and one of His mantras is:

Om Gan Ganpataye Namah

(*GAN is prounounced with a soft N)
 

Ganesha helps because His Nature is to help – it’s just a matter of asking  Ganpati Bappa Moreya

Calling Krishna


Krishna, like Meera and Chaitanya, I too long for you to fill my spaces with your radiance and peace and dispel all the hurt that I brought into my life by forging relationships of pain. You are all I want so let me deserve you: