VIGNESHWARI/ GANESHWARI/ GANESHINI

[Guest guest]

Concerning our new "Special Feature" Group picture, Nora wrote, "I

will pass the honour of introducing Vigneshwari to Devi Bhakta."

 

But actually Nora did all of the work! She recently found this rare

picture of a female-form Ganesh in a Tamil magazine, and had the

accompanying article translated into English for the Group. I just

did the proofreading!

 

Our idea was that, as Hindus around the world celebrate Ganesh

Chaturthi, it would be especially appropriate for a Shakta group to

feature the deity's little-known Goddess form. Here is the translated

text:

 

VIGNESHWARI/GANESHWARI/GANESHINI

 

In Tamil Nadu, Vigneshwari is not considered a Yogini, but rather a

Shakti. She is called Sree Vanja Kalpalatha Maha Ganapathi. As

expected, this form of Ganapathi [the South Indian name for Ganesh]

has the head of an elephant. But the rest of the body -- neck,

shoulders, chest, etc. -- is that of a woman!

 

It is said that people troubled by disease, marriage strife or

accidents should pray to this form of Ganapathi, also known as

Ganeshini.

 

The Ganeshini Pooja Mantra is considered very difficult; one must

remain focused and free of diversions while reciting it; only then

can one expect Ganeshini to give results. But those who successfully

comple Her sadhana will gain power, and God will always be with them;

the sadhak becomes Sree Vidya Ganapathi Herself! This is confirmed by

the Vedas and Shastras. We can actually pray to those who have

obtained the power of Sree Vidaya Ganapathi, and obtain their

blessings to solve our problems. These people also gain the power to

predict the future.

 

In the Veda, we can also find Sree Vidaya Ganapathi depicted as being

female, seated with Her left leg folded beneath Her and Her right leg

hanging. She is said to have ten hands and to hold a vessel filled

with water in one of Her right hands. ... The fact that Ganeshini is

a mixture of Lord Shiva and the Goddess gives Her more power.

 

In the 15th Century Sasidenra Danamalays Perumal Temple, we again see

the elephant/female visage of Ganeshwari. This Ganeshwari is also

known as Vigneshwari. She has four hands, and is sitting in a relaxed

position with one leg folded beneath and the other leg pointing

downward. Because Vigneshwari has female features, She is also called

Sree Vidyaa Ganapathi. …

 

In Rajasthan, in the north of India, sits the tenth-century Lord

Shiva Temple in the city of Ciggar. In this temple, again we find

Vigneshwari, crowned and wearing lots of jewelry around Her neck.

People used to pray to Her by putting kumkum [vermillion] and tumeric

powder on Her idol's chest.

 

.... In addition, there exist in the museums several old Pahari and

Nepali drawings of Ganeshini/Vigneshwari.

 

(Picture and text taken from the September 2002 edition of the Tamil-

language magazine, "Kumutam Bhakti" Translated into English for

the "Shakti Sadhana" Group by Mr. S. Rajah (PPT), of Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia.)

 

***********

 

So that's what we know. Can any of our members shed further light on

this fascinating Goddess form?

 

Aum Maatangyai Namahe