Ganapati: Song of the Self

Be the first to write a review

Overview

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 ...
See more details below
This Hardcover is Not Available through BN.com
See All Options
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

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.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Scheme of Transliteration
1 Introduction 1
From the Formless to Form 1
Mythmaker, Oathbreaker 5
2 In the Beginning 13
Sri Girijatmaja of Lenyadri 13
Origins 14
The Search Begins 17
Sri Ganapati Atharvasirsa 21
Peace Invocation 22
The Eight-Syllabled Ganesa Mantra 25
The Ganesa Gayatri 27
Ganesa's Form 30
The Eight Names of Ganesa 30
The Results 31
Peace Chant 32
Translation of the Sri Ganapati Atharvasirsa 33
3 Naming is a Very Serious Business 37
Sri Mayuresvara of Morgaon 37
The Name Game 38
Names, Legends, Literature 51
108 Holy Names of Lord Ganesa 55
4 Fingers Pointing at the Moon 63
Sri Siddhi Vinayaka of Siddhatek 63
Map is Not Territory 64
Gajamukha (Elephant-Face) 68
Ekadanta (Single Tusk) 75
Vakratunda (Twisted Trunk) 77
Lambodara (Potbellied One) 83
Pasa (Noose) 84
Arikusa (Goad) 85
Surpakarna (Large Ears) 85
Musaka (Mouse) 85
Modaka (Sweet) 91
Sindura Rakta varna (Crimson/Red Color) 92
Svastika 93
Other Attributes 94
Introduction to Jnanesvar's Jnanesvari 97
What is Ganesa? One Possible Answer 97
5 Songs That Ring, Songs That Roar 99
Sri Mahaganapati of Ranjangaon 99
Four Yuga Avataras of Ganesa 100
Asta Vinayaka Avatara 105
Asta Vinayaka Temples 110
Sri Mayuresvara of Morgaon 112
Sri Girijatmaja of Lenyadri 115
Sri Vighnesvara of Ojhar 116
Sri Siddhi Vinayaka of Siddhatek 117
Sri Cintamani of Theur 118
Sri Ballalesvara of Pali 119
Sri Varada Vinayaka of Mahad 122
Sri Mahaganapati of Ranjangaon 124
The One Clad in White; or, What You See Is What You Get 124
This Song Is for You 129
Jyestaraja - Elder Brother (Variations on a Theme) 130
"Sri Mahaganesa Panca Ratnam" 133
6 Who Am I? 137
Sri Cintamani of Theur 137
Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art) 139
Mahavakya (Great Saying) 140
Interpretation of Mahavakya 145
7 Worship of Ganapati (Puja) 157
Sri Vighnesvara of Ojhar 157
How to Worship Ganapati 157
Minimum Requirements 165
Puja 166
Sodasopacara Puja 167
8 Lovers of the Beloved 173
Sri Ballalesvara of Pali 173
Avvaiyar 175
9 Who Is Ganapati/Ganesa? 189
Sri Varada Vinayaka of Mahad 189
Ganapati 190
Notes 197
Selected Bibliography 219
Index 225
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)