Books on Sri Ganesha

[Guest guest]

Namaste All,

One of the highlights of my year was aquirring and

reading 2 very good books on Lord Ganesha, The 1st was Understanding

Ganapathi by Anita Raina Thapan 1997 Manohar press. I found this book

to be concise and easy to read the stories and feelings of pujaris

and devotees made it enjoyable and personable. The 2nd Book Ganesha:

Studies of an Asian God edt. by Robert L. Brown 1991,SUNY press is a

more scholary book (and a important source for Ms. Thapan) This book

has many contributors and gives a indepth study of the origins of Sri

Ganesha His nature forms attributes place and influence in Hindu ,

Buddhist and Jain culture as well as how his worship spread through

out Asia. How Viniyaka is understood in the Japanese Buddhist Tantric

tradition was new and startling to me. I heartly recommend both books.

 

On the devotional level I continually read and refer to

2 of my favorite books 1st The Glory of Ganesha by Swami Chinmayananda

a small book easy to carry when I travel.The 2nd is Loving Ganesha by

the recently departed Satguru Sivaya Subramuniya Swami.This is a

lagre book with prayers,puja instructions, lore, meditations and even

recipes for modaka Lord Ganesha favorite snack ! In this book I found

a wonderful translation of excerpts from the Ganapatyatharsirsham

translated by Dr. Vasant Lad. The translation is simple poetic and

easy to memorize. I like to recite it in the morning before I leave

for work. Well that is all my Ganesha musings for today. May the

Remover of Obstacles guide,bless and protect you all in the new year

Good health and prosperity be yours.

Om Gam Ganapatye Namaha