Ganesha

Ganesha

 

Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश; IAST: Gaṇeúa; listen (help·info)), also spelled Ganesa or Ganesh and also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most widely worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon.^[5] His image is found throughout India.^[6] Hindu sects worship him regardless of other affiliations.^[7] Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains, Buddhists, and beyond India.^[8]

Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesha’s elephant head makes him easy to identify.^[9] Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles^[10] and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles (Vighnesha, Vighneshvara),^[11] patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.^[12] He is honoured at the start of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of Letters during writing sessions.^[13] Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.

Ganesha emerged as a distinct deity in clearly recognizable form in the 4th and 5th centuries CE, during the Gupta Period, although he inherited traits from Vedic and pre-Vedic precursors.^[14] His popularity rose quickly, and he was formally included among the five primary deities of Smartism (a Hindu denomination) in the 9th century. A sect of devotees called the Ganapatya, (Sanskrit: गाणपत्य; gâṇapatya), who identified Ganesha as the supreme deity, arose during this period.^[15] The principal scriptures dedicated to Ganesha are the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana, and the Ganapati Atharvashirsa.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

32 Forms of Lord Ganesha

32 Forms of Lord Ganesha

As with the 64 forms of Shiva, 32 forms of Ganapathi are recognized in the Agamic scriptures

1. Baala Ganapathi – Red colored image of a four armed Ganesha 

2. Dharuna Ganapathi – Red colored image of an eight armed Ganesha

3. Bhakti Ganapathi – Grey colored image of four armed Ganesha

4. Veera Ganapathi – Red colored image of 16 armed Ganapathi

5. Shakti Ganapathi – Red colored image of 4 armed Ganapathi, seated with his consort to his left

6. Dwija Ganapathi – White colored image of four-faced Ganesha with 4 arms

7. Siddhi Ganapathi – Golden colored image of four armed Ganapathi

8. Ucchishta Ganapathi – Blue colored image of six armed Ganapathi with his consort

9. Vigna Ganapathi – Gold colored image of eight armed Ganapathi

10. Kshipra Ganapathi – Red colored image of four armed Ganesha bearing a ratna kumbham

11. Heramba Ganapathi – Black colored image of ten-armed Ganesha with five faces, seated on a lion

12. Lakshmi Ganapathi – White colored image of eight-armed Ganesha with two consorts

13. Makara Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, 10 arms, bearing a ratna kumbham, with his consort

14. Vijaya Ganapathi – Red colored image of 4 armed Ganesha on the mooshika mount

15. Nritta Ganapathi – Gold colored image of Ganesha in a dance posture

16. Urdhva Ganapathi – Gold colored image of six armed Ganesha with his consort

17. Ekakshara Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha with a third eye, seated on a lotus

18. Vara Ganapathi – Red colored image of 4 armed Vinayaka with a third eye

19. Dhryakshara Ganapathi – Gold colored image of four-armed Vinayakar, decorated with Chaamara ear rings

20. Kshipraprasaada Ganapathi – Red colored image of six armed Ganapathi

21. Haridra Ganapathi – Yellow colored image of four armed Ganapathi

22. Ekadhanta Ganapathi – Blue colored image of four armed Ganapathi

23. Srishti Ganapathi – Red colored image of four armed Ganapathi seated on his mooshika mount

24. Utthanda Ganapathi – Red colored image of 10 armed Ganesha with his consort to his left

25. Ranamochana Ganapathi: Crystal image of four armed Vinayakar

26. Dundi Ganapathi – Four-armed image of Ganesha bearing a tusk, a garland, an axe and a gem studded vessel

27. Dwimukha Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha with two faces and four arms

28. Trimukha Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha with three faces and six arms seated on a golden lotus

29. Simha Ganapathi – White colored image of Ganesha with eight arms (with an arm bearing a lions face)

30. Yoga Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha in the posture of a yogi

31. Durga Ganapathi – Red colored image of Ganesha with eight arms

32. Sankatahara Ganapathi – Red colored image of four armed Ganesha clothed in blue, seated on a lotus peetham with his consort to his left

http://www.ssso.net/ganesha/32-forms.htm

Consorts of Ganesha

Consorts of Ganesha

The marital status of Ganesha varies widely in mythological stories and the issue has been the subject of considerable scholarly review.[1] Several patterns of associations with different consorts are identifiable. One pattern of myths identifies Ganesha as an unmarried brahmacarin with no consorts. Another pattern associates him with the concepts of Buddhi (intellect), Siddhi (spiritual power), and Riddhi (prosperity); these qualities are sometimes personified as goddesses who are considered to be Ganesha’s wives.[2] Another pattern connects Ganesha with the goddess of culture and the arts, Sarasvati, and the goddess of luck and prosperity, Lakshmi.[3] In the Bengal region he is linked with the banana tree, Kala Bo.[4] He also may be shown with a single consort or a nameless servant (Sanskrit: dasi).[5]

Some of the differences between these patterns can be understood by looking at regional variations across India, the time periods in which the patterns are found, and the traditions in which the beliefs are held. Some differences pertain to the preferred meditation form used by the devotee, with many different traditional forms ranging from Ganesha as a young boy (Sanskrit: बालगणपति; balaganapati) to Ganesha as a Tantric deity.[6][7]

UNMARRIED

According to one tradition, Ganesha was a brahmacarin, that is, unmarried.[8] This pattern is primarily popular in southern India.[9] This tradition was linked to Hindu concepts of the relationship between celibacy and the development of spiritual power.[10] Bhaskaraya alludes to the tradition in which Ganesha was considered to be a lifelong bachelor in his commentary on the Ganesha Purana version of the Ganesha Sahasranama, which includes the name Abhiru (verse 9a).[11] In his commentary on this verse Bhaskaraya says the name Abhiru means “without a woman,” but the term can also mean “not fearful.”[12]

BUDHI, RIDDHI AND SIDDHI

The Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana contain descriptions of Ganesha flanked by Siddhi and Buddhi.[14] In these two Puranas they appear as an intrinsic part of Ganapati[15] and according to Thapan[16] do not require any special rituals associated with shakti worship. In Chapter I.18.24-39 of the Ganesha Purana, Brahma performs worship in honor of Ganesha, and during it Ganesha himself causes Buddhi and Siddhi to appear so that Brahma can offer them back to Ganesha. Ganesha accepts them as offerings.[17] In Ganesha Purana I.65.10-12 there is a variant of this incident, in which various gods are giving presents to Ganesha, but in this case Siddhi and Buddhi are born from Brahma’s mind and are given by Brahma to Ganesha.[18]

The Ganesha Temple at Morgaon is the central shrine for the regional aṣṭavinayaka complex. The most sacred area within the Moragaon temple is the sanctum (garbhagrha), a small enclosure containing an image of Ganesha. To the right and left sides of the image stand Siddhi and Buddhi.[19] In northern India the two female figures are said to be Siddhi and Riddhi. There is no Purāṇic evidence for the pair, but the pairing parallels those of Buddhi and Siddhi in Shiva Purana and Riddhi and Buddhi from Matsya Purana.[20]

READ THE REST AT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consorts_of_Ganesha

Swetark Ganesha

Swetark Ganesha
	Madar has a very special significance in Indian herbs. Though it is poisonous, yet it is full of several benefits. In Ayurveda, medicines made of its poison are used as life-giving drugs. Among these trees, one gives white flowers. This tree is called as Swetark. This a very rare tree. Benefits of worshipping Shwetark Ganesha: • To get blessings of Shiva and Ganesha. • Gives knowledge and concentration power • Promotion in job and increase in business • Maintains harmony in married life. • Eliminates illness and diseases • For Prosperity and growth • Get rid of hardship or insufficiency • Activating positive energies in the house • Protection against any enemy It is mentioned in our ancient texts, that a house where Swetark Ganesha is worshipped it gets freedom from from poverty, obstacles, quarrels, horror and all sorts of negativites. It also gives knowledge and concentration power to students. It also gives promotion in job and maintains harmony in married life. It is essential to chant any of the following Ganesha mantras while worshipping Swetark Ganesha: • Om Vakratundaya Namaha • Om Shree Ganeshaya Namaha While worshipping Swetark Ganesha, the worshipper may use the following items: Red Cloth, Red Aasan, Coral or rudraksha mala Offer the following to Ganesha: • Coarse brown sugar / Gur • Chickpea flour / Besan Worshipping Ganesha with these items, gives benefits in a very short period.

 

http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/showarticles.php?artid=23

Web site about Durga

Web site all about Durga:

http://www.durga-puja.org/

About Goddess Durga

About Goddess Durga

Capture the hearts and minds of her ecstatic devotees.

Durga, in Sanskrit means “She who is incomprehensible or difficult to reach.” Goddess Durga is a form of Sakti worshiped for her gracious as well as terrifying aspect. Mother of the Universe, she represents the infinite power of the universe and is a symbol of a female dynamism. The manifestation of Goddess Durga is said to emerge from Her formless essence and the two are inseparable.

She is also called by many other names, such as Parvati, Ambika, and Kali. In the form of Parvati, She is known as the divine spouse of Lord Shiva and is the mother of Her two sons, Ganesha and Karttikeya, and daughter Jyoti. Destroyer of demons, she is worshiped during an annual festival called Durga puja, especially popular among Bengalis.

Her Appearance
There are endless aspects of Durga described in the Puranas and Agamas and the iconography is consequently very varied. She is usually pictured as having ten arms holding Sword, Conch, Discus, Rosary, Bell, Winecup, Shielf, Bow, Arrow, and Spear. She is most often shown riding a lion from which comes Her august name, Simhavahini, “She who stands astride the king of beasts”. She is gorgeously dressed in royal red cloth and has several ornaments decorating Her personage. Her hair is dressed up in a crown (karandamukuta) which then flows out in long luxuriant tresses that are darkly luminous and soothing to the eye. The various tools reflects the eminent supremacy that helps in controling the universe and obey Her will.

Weilding Energy
Goddess Durga exists eternally, always abiding in her own sweet nature and inhabits the hearts and minds of her ecstatic devotees. As Shakti power, she shapes, nurtures, and dissolves names and forms, while as subtle spiritual energy called Kundalini, She lights the lotuses fo the seven centres of awareness in the sacred human body. Goddess Durga killed the powerful demon Mahish and all his great commanders. When demonic forces create imbalance all god unite becoming one divine force called Shakti or Durga.

http://www.durga-puja.org/about-goddess-durga.html

Ashta Lakshmi

Ashta Lakshmi

Main article: Ashta Lakshmi

Ashta Lakshmi (Sanskrit: अष्टलक्ष्मी,Aṣṭalakṣmī, lit. “eight Lakshmis”) are a group of eight secondary manifestations of the goddess Lakshmi, who preside over eight sources of wealth and thus represent the powers of Shri-Lakshmi. They are:

1)	आदि लक्ष्मी	Ādi Lakṣmī	[The First manifestation of Lakshmi]
2)	धान्य लक्ष्मी	Dhānya Lakṣmī	[Granary wealth]
3)	धैर्य लक्ष्मी	Dhairya Lakṣmī	[Wealth of courage]
4)	गज लक्ष्मी	Gaja Lakṣmī	[Elephants, symbols of wealth]
5)	सन्तान लक्ष्मी	Santāna Lakṣmī	[Wealth of continuity, progeny]
6)	विजय लक्ष्मी	Vijaya Lakṣmī	[Wealth of victory]
7)	विद्या लक्ष्मी	Vidyā Lakṣmī	[Wealth of knowledge and education]
	धन लक्ष्मी	Dhana Lakṣmī	[Monetary wealth]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi

Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual. The word ”Lakshmi” is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning “goal.” Lakshmi, therefore, represents the goal of life, which includes worldly as well as spiritual prosperity. In Hindu mythology, Goddess Lakshmi, also called Shri, is the divine spouse of Lord Vishnu and provides Him with wealth for the maintenance and preservation of the creation.In Her images and pictures, Lakshmi is depicted in a female form with four arms and four hands. She wears red clothes with a golden lining and is standing on a lotus. She has golden coins and lotuses in her hands. Two elephants (some pictures show four) are shown next to the Goddess. This symbolism conveys the following spiritual theme: The four arms represent the four directions in space and thus symbolize omnipresence and omnipotence of the Goddess. The red color syinbolizes activity. The golden lining (embroidery) on Her red dress denotes prosperity. The idea conveyed here is that the Goddess is always busy distributing wealth and prosperity to the devotees. The lotus seat, which Lakshmi is standing upon, signifies that while living in this world, one should enjoy its wealth, but not become obsessed with it. Such a living is analogous to a lotus that grows in water but is not wetted by water. The four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma (righteousness), kama (genuine desires), artha (wealth), and moksha (liberation from birth and death). The front hands represent the activity in the physical world and the back hands indicate the spiritual activities that lead to spiritual perfection. Since the right side of the body symbolizes activity, a lotus in the back right hand conveys the idea that one must perform all duties in the world in accordance with dharma. This leads to moksha (liberation), which is symbolized by a lotus in the back left hand of Lakshmi. The golden coins falling on the ground from the front left hand of Lakshmi illustrate that She provides wealth and prosperity to Her devotees. Her front right hand is shown bestowing blessings upon the devotees. The two elephants standing next to the Goddess symbolize the name and fame associated with worldly wealth. The idea conveyed here is that a true devotee should not earn wealth merely to acquire name and fame or only to satisfy his own material desires, but should share it with others in order to bring happiness to others in addition to himself. Some pictures show four elephants spraying water from golden vessels onto Goddess Lakshmi. The four elephants represent the four ends of human life as discussed above. The spraying of water denotes activity. The golden vessels denote wisdom and purity. The four elephants spraying water from the golden vessels on the Goddess illustrate the theme that continuous self-effort, in accordance with one’s dharma and govemed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi is regularly worshipped in home shrines and temples by Her devotees. A special worship is offered to Her annually on the auspicious day of Diwali, with religious rituals and colorful ceremonies specifically devoted to Her. - Bansi Pandit

 

http://www.koausa.org/Gods/God6.html

Jyeshta Lakshmi or ‘Jeshta Devi’

Jyeshta Lakshmi or ‘Jeshta Devi’

 

Jyestha Devi is mentioned in ancient scriptures to be the older sister of Laxmi and Dispeller of Sorrows and Misfortunes. Vedic mythology mentions that the Lord of Kali Yuga hid Jyestha Devi from the human race so that they have to undergo various lessons before getting salvation.

Its said that the Lord of Kali Yug is changing his mind out of compassion and letting humans find and worship Jyestha Devi so that they can live prosperous lives that were common in past yugas. Its also believed that in the previous yug (Dwapara Yug), people worshipped Jyestha Devi for help in overcoming severe drought and famine, and despite the odds to live in prosperity and happiness.

Those who worship Jyestha Devi tend not to have losses in income or business, and will sometimes receive money unexpectedly. Everyday, She drives out negativity and ill fortune from individuals, households and business premises.

Brahmapureeswarar, an ancient temple in Kanchipuram is known for Jyestha Devi worship along with a huge Ganesha (Motta Ganesha).  Its believed that Jyestha Devi is highly fond of Ganesha and would literally offer prayers daily to this Ganesha.

Siddhas have specific/special days when they are able to observe the worship bearing fruit.  In Vedic terms, the days are known as ‘Tri-Thina-Spuruk’ when 3 stars or Nakshatras are all seen in one day. This is very rare but considered highly auspicious for Jyeshta Devi worship. Other than these specific days, Sundays are also considered fine for offering pujas to Jyestha Devi.

Shiva (Mula Mantra)

Shiva (Mula Mantra)

The term Shiva means auspicious. The God Shiva is
all-auspiciousness. The mantra namaH Shivaya, used
to offer salutations to Shiva, is an effective
prayer to propitiate Shiva.

This pa.nchAkshara (five syllabled) mantra namaH ShivAya
is sometimes called the mUla mantra or basic mantra
of Shiva. Each of the five syllables, na, ma, shi, vA, and
ya, is held to be so sacred that it represents Shiva even
by itself.

The following is the ShivapanchAkshara stotra composed by
Adi SankarAchArya. One may worship the Shiva linga by
reciting this stotra and offering bilva leaves.

nAgendrahArAya trilochanAya bhasmAN^garAgAya maheshvarAya |
nityAya shuddhAya digambarAya tasmai nakArAya namaH shivAya || 1||

Salutations to Shiva, who wears the King of snakes as a
garland, the Three-eyed God, whose body is smeared with
ashes, the great Lord, the eternal and pure One, who wears
the directions as His garment, and who is represented by the

mandAkini\-salilachandana\-charchitAya
nandIshvara\-pramathanAtha\- maheshvarAya |
mandArapushhpa\-bahupushhpa\-supUjitAya
tasmai makArAya namaH shivAya || 2||

I bow to Shiva, who has been worshipped with water from the
gangA (mandAkini) and annointed with sandalwood paste, the
Lord of nandI, the Lord of the host of goblins and ghosts,
the great Lord, who is worshiped with mandAra and many other
kinds of flowers, and who is represented by the

shivAya gaurIvadanAbja\-vR^inda\-
sUryAya dakshAdhvaranAshakAya |
shrInIlakaNThAya vR^ishhadhvajAya
tasmai shikArAya namaH shivAya || 3||

Salutations to Shiva, who is all-auspiciousness, Who is the
sun that causes the lotus face of GaurI (PArvatI) to blossom,
Who is the destroyer of the Yajna of daksha, whose throat is
blue (nIlakaNTha), whose flag bears the emblem of the bull,
and who is represented by the syllable {\rm “}shi.{\rm ”}

vasishhTha\-kumbhodbhava\-gautamAryamunIndra\-devArchitashekharAya |
chandrArka\-vaishvAnaralochanAya tasmai vakArAya namaH shivAya || 4||

VasishhTha, agastya, Gautama, and other venerable sages, and
Indra and other Gods have worshipped the head of (Shiva’s
linga). I bow to that Shiva whose three eyes are the moon,
sun and fire, and who is represented by the syllable

yakshasvarUpAya jaTAdharAya pinAkahastAya sanAtanAya |
divyAya devAya digambarAya tasmai yakArAya namaH shivAya || 5||

Salutations to Shiva, who bears the form of a Yaksha, who
has matted hair on His head, Who bears the pinAka bow
in His hand, the Primeval Lord, the brilliant God,
who is digambara (naked), and who is represented by the
syllable

pa.nchAksharamidaM puNyaM yaH paThechchhivasannidhau |
shivalokamavApnoti shivena saha modate ||

Anyone who recites this sacred five-syllabled mantra,
(namaH shivAya) near the Shiva (linga), attains the abode
of Shiva and rejoices there with Shiva.

.. iti shriimachchha.nkaraachaaryavirachita shivapaJNchaakshara stotraM samaaptaM..

http://mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php?smula