The Story of Shri Ganesh

MY dear frenz ........ plz gt to know abt tiz....
most of us dont reli know y our GOD acctulay got tiz face...
when people ask.. we are always blurr...........
plz read tiz n get to know the truth......
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-Editor-

















Detail of the standing Ganesh, taken from a large sculpture of the goddess Parvati as Lalita, flanked by Ganesh (on her right) and Kartikeya. Eastern India. 11th century. Schist. Courtesy British Museum, London.

















Dancing Ganesh, Tibet. 18th century. Bronze, partially gilt, with semi-precious stones. Courtesy The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.






Ganesh is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is one of the most popular and most worshiped Indian gods. His image is one of the most widely drawn, painted and sculptured. He is the elephant headed god.
Elephants are very wise animals this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. He has a snake tied around his big stomach and sits on his vehicle - the rat. He is usually depicted with 4 hands. One has a trishul, or a trident, the second, an ankush, or goad made from his very own broken tooth, the third hand elegantly holds a lotus and the fourth a rosary, which is sometimes replaced by modaks - his favorite sweet. His trunk is usually turned towards the left, rarely do we find images of Ganesha with the trunk turned towards the right.

The Story of Shri Ganesh Many many centuries ago, it has been said that during a war between the Gods and the Demons, Lord Shiva was away for a long time. His wife, Goddess Parvati, afraid of being alone for an extended period used her divine powers and created a son, Ganesh, and gave him the responsibility of protecting the house. When Lord Shiva and his army, returned victorious to his home, Parvati was in her bath, and Ganesh had been strictly instructed not to allow anyone in. Angered by Ganesh's refusal to allow him into the house, Lord Shiva and his army chopped off the boy's head. When Parvati came out of her bath, she was shocked and grieved to see her son dead. Lord Shiva, to pacify, her proclaimed that the head of Ganesh would be replaced by that of the first creature that came up the hill. The first visitor to the hill was an elephant and his head was promptly cut off and placed on that of the boy Ganesh. His life was restored by Lord Shiva who also bestowed upon Ganesh the powers of a God and blessed him such that henceforth no activity will begin without invoking his name and blessings. Since then, it is said, no new venture - the inauguration of a company, the opening of a shop, the foundation of a building, entering a new home - is deemed complete by Hindus without performing a Ganesh puja. He is always honored first in most worship services and rituals. He is known as the god who removes all obstacles, one who gives you success in your ventures.


Another Version

In myths, the birth of Ganesha is celebrated as a divine twist of fate. The most popular myth brings alive the story about the elephant head. It all began when Parvati, wanted to bathe. She needed privacy and since there was no one at hand, she created a guard with the sweat and oils from her body. She brought the figure of a young man to life and told him to stand guard while she bathed.
When Shiva, her husband returned and strode towards their home, he found his way blocked by an unknown soldier. The soldier blocked Shiva's entry. Shiva was furious, a duel began. The soldier fought well, but was no match against the might of Shiva, who killed him. Parvati came out and saw the dead body, she demanded he be brought back to life.
Shiva sent his hordes to collect the head of the first living being, who was sleeping with head facing north. The north was associated with wisdom, and was also the direction from which the Aryans had invaded.
Airavat, Indra's white elephant paid the price for Shiva's blunder. While Airavat slept facing the north, Shiva's hordes beheaded him. His elephant head was carried away for the dead body. An incensed Parvati demanded that her child be promoted to the status of a primary god. Shiva and all the other gods knew this was the only way they could placate her and Ganesha took his place before all the gods.
All rituals (samskaras), begin with the worship of Ganesha. His image invokes the universe, his head signifies wisdom and his body is globular, Vishwaroopa. Ganesha represents the majesty of the animal kingdom with his head and his vehicle the mouse shows subjugation of pestilent rats. .
His trunk is twisted into an embodiment of 'Om', the syllable that created the world. To combat evil, he carries weapons the discus, trident, sword and shield. A broken tusk is a reminder of his battle with a demon, and the fight with the forces of evil. Yet, the same tusk is used by him in the writing of the epic, the Mahabharata. When Vyasa wanted to compose the Mahabharata, Brahma suggested Ganesha be his scribe. Vyasa agreed and Ganesha brought his broken tusk to writing quill. Vyasa dictated the entire epic in verse. Ganesha recorded every word for Gods and men alike.
He carries a modak (sweet dumpling) in one hand, for his appetite is insatiable, and conscious of his role the other hand shows in the 'abhaya mudra'(do not fear, I am here to protect).
Another legend, explains Ganesha's role in changing astronomy. In the month of Shravan/Bhadrapad, after a feast of modaks. Ganesha was on his way home. He was riding his mouse, a snake slithered into their path, the mouse tripped and Ganesha took a tumble. His stomach split, and the modaks fell out, Chandra (the moon) was watching and he began to laugh. Ganesha picked up the snake and used it as a belt to hold his stomach together. He looked up, cursed Chandra and banned him from the night skies.
Soon the gods and humankind were dazed glare of the relentless sun. There was no respite of darkness when the moon was banished from the sky. The gods took a delegation to Ganesha and pleaded their case. Ganesha gave in, but made an astronomic condition. The moon would never shine like before. Full moon would be just once a month (earlier every day was a full moon). On other days the Chandra as a reminder of his misdemeanor would wax or wane!
Ganesha straddles the divide between the believers of Shiva and Vishnu. Ganesh idols are worshipped both by Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Ganesha temples are seen in almost every village in India. Chubby and gleeful and elephant headed, Ganesha easily finds his place in the hearts of Gods and people.