Ganesh Chaturthi - Birth of Lord Ganesha

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EIGHT INCARNATIONS OF GANESHA

Vakratunda

1. Vakratunda ("twisting trunk"), first in the series, represents the absolute as the aggregate of all bodies, an embodiment of the form of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon MatsaryÄsura (envy, jealousy). His mount (vÄhana) is a lion.

Ekadanta

2. Ekadanta ("single tusk") represents the aggregate of all individual souls, an embodiment of the essential nature of Brahman. the purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon MadÄsura (arrogance, conceit). His mount is a mouse.

Mahodara

3. Mahodara ("big belly") is a synthesis of both Vakratunda and Ekadanta. It is the absolute as it enters into the creative process. It is an embodiment of the wisdom of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon MohÄsura (delusion, confusion). His mount is a mouse.

Gajavaktra

4. Gajavaktra (or GajÄnana) ("elephant face") is a counterpart to Mahodara. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon LobhÄsura (greed). His mount is a mouse.

Lambodara

5. Lambodara ("pendulous belly") is the first of four incarnations that correspond to the stage where the PurÄnic gods are created. Lambodara corresponds to Åšakti, the pure power of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon KrodhÄsura (anger). His mount is a mouse.

Vikata

6. Vikata (Vikata) ("unusual form", "misshapen") corresponds to SÅ«rya. He is an embodiment of the illuminating nature of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon KÄmÄsura (lust). His mount is a peacock.

Vighnaraja

7. Vighnaraja (VighnarÄja) ("king of obstacles"), corresponds to Vishnu. He is an embodiment of the preserving nature of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon MamÄsura (possessiveness) . His mount is the celestial serpent Åšesha.

Dhumravarna

8. Dhumravarna (DhÅ«mravarna) ("grey color") corresponds to Åšiva. He is an embodiment of the destructive nature of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon AbhimanÄsura (pride, attachment). His mount is a horse.

 

See Ashtavinayaka: http://vinayakaperu mal.blogspot. com/

 

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Ganesha is the physical representation of the Shabda Brahman "AUM" also called 'AungKaar" in Sikhi. The last form is because of the Sandhi rules of "AUM + Kaar" giving rise o Aungkaar, the ng here referes to nassal sound at the end of "k sequence of consonants".

If you rotate the this "AUM" clockwise through 90 degrees and insert two bindhus in the two cups of "u" you get the main symbolism of Ganesha. The big body is the representation of the Universe and mouse the representation of the individual ego and 'ladu" the representation of bindhu.--- On Sun, 8/23/09, bhaskar_jyotish <bhaskar_jyotish wrote:

bhaskar_jyotish <bhaskar_jyotish Ganesh Chaturthi - Birth of Lord Ganesha Date: Sunday, August 23, 2009, 11:34 AM

 

Birth of Lord Ganesha

The origin of the festival lies in the Holy Hindu scriptures which tell the story of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha (or Ganapati) (the names mean "Lord [isha] or [pati] of Shiva's hosts [gana]") was created by Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva.

According to the legend, Lord Shiva, the Hindu God of resolution, was away at a war. His wife Parvati, wanted to bathe and having no-one to guard the door to her house, conceived of the idea of creating a son who could guard her. Parvati created Ganesha out of the sandalwood paste that she used for her bath and breathed life into the figure. She then set him to stand guard at her door and instructed him not to let anyone enter.

In the meantime, Lord Shiva returned from the battle but as Ganesha did not know him, stopped Shiva from entering Parvati's chamber. Shiva, enraged by Ganesh's impudence, drew his trident and cut off Ganesha's head. Parvati emerged to find Ganesha decapitated and flew into a rage. She took on the form of the Goddess Kali and threatened destruction to the three worlds of Heaven, Earth and the subterranean earth.

Parvati was still in a dangerous mood. Seeing her in this mood, the other Gods were afraid and Shiva, in an attempt to pacify Parvati, sent out his ganas, or hordes, to find a child whose mother is facing another direction in negligence, cut off his head and bring it quickly. The first living thing they came across was an elephant. That elephant was facing north (the auspicious direction associated with wisdom). So they brought the head of this elephant and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and breathed life into him. Parvati was overjoyed and embraced her son, the elephant-headed boy whom Shiva named Ganesha, the lord of his ganas. Parvati was still upset so Lord Shiva announced that everyone who worships Ganesha before any other form of God is favoured. So Ganesh is worshipped first in all Hindu occasions and festivals.