Sri Ganesh 1 – Dvimukha Ganesh

Description

Sri Devdutt Patnaik has demystified the scriptures very well, especially for the NexGen who want to know the meaning behind the symbolism and rituals of Sanathana Dharma. In his book, 99 thoughts of Ganesh, he writes, ‘ though Shiva and Shakti are husband and wife, Shiva did not want to be a father. But, Shakti wanted a child, one who will help all creatures realize God. She decided to create one of her own. She anointed herself with turmeric and oil, when the mixture has soaked her sweat and dried on her skin, she scarped it off and from the rubbings created a child, her son. She called him Vinayaka, a child created without (Vina) the help of a man (Nayaka)….. Vinayaka was asked to guard the gate of her cave and not let anyone in. Vinayaka, who had never seen Shiva, stopped everyone from entering his mother’s cave, even Shiva. This infuriated Shiva so much that he raised his trident and destroyed Vinayaka’s head. When Shakti learnt of this, she was inconsolable in her grief. “I want my son back” she demanded. To pacify her, Shiva placed the head of an elephant on Vinayaka’s lifeless body and resurrected him, Shiva declared him to be Ganesha or Ganpati, leader of his followers who are known as Ganas. This is how, without realizing it, Shiva became a father, much to Shakti’s delight.