Ganesa : Unravelling an Enigma

Contents: Preface. 1. The place of Ganesa in India's life. 2. Names of Ganesa and their meanings. 3. Is Ganesa a Vedic God?. 4. The family of Siva and evolution of Siva and his hosts. 5. Vinayaka as Vighnakarta (Causer of Obstacles) in the Manavagrhyasutra (Mgs.) and Yajnavalkyasmrti (Yaj): a comparative study. 6. Vinayaka and Ganesa in the Mahabharata. 7. Pauranic Ganesa: i. Ganas and Ganesa. ii. The functional role of Ganesa. iii. The birth of Ganesa: his parentage. iv. How Ganesa came to acquire an elephant's head? v. Ganesa as ekadanta (one-tusked). vi. The vahana (vehicle or mount) of Ganesa. vii. Sarpa or Naga (serpent) as ornament of Ganesa. viii. Ganesa and Skanda. ix. Is Ganesa a brahmaccari (bachelor) or a grhastha (householder)? 8. The Ganapatyas. 9. Promotion of the cult of Ganesa. 10. Development of the iconography of Ganesa. 11. Chronology of Ganesa as reflected in literary, numismatical, epigraphical and sculptural sources. 12. Ganesa in Buddhism. 13. An explanation of the Sadhanas and sculptures of Buddhist deities trampling upon Ganesa. 14. Ganesa in Jainism. 15. Evolution of Ganesa cult. 16. Ganesa beyond India's frontiers: i. Ganesa in Nepal. ii. Ganesa in Sri Lanka. iii. Ganesa in Myanmar (Burma). iv. Ganesa in Indonesia: Java and Bali. v. Ganesa in Indo-China: Cambodia and Champa. vi. Ganesa in Thailand. vii. Ganesa in Tibet. viii. Ganesa in Central and Northern Asia. ix. Ganesa in China. x. Ganesa in Japan. xi. Binayaka, Shoten and Kangiten. xii. Soshin Kangiten or Dual-bodied God of bliss. 17. Ganesa: a biographical sketch. 18. Epilogue. Appendices: 1. A new interpretation of Panca-Ganesa sculptures. 2. Is the fight between Siva and Ganesa an episode of Oedipal conflict?. 3. Is Ganesa of Indo-Greek origin?. Select bibliography. Author and title index. Subject index.

"Ganesa commands universal respect among the indigenous religious schools and sects of the Hindus, Jainas and Buddhists. He is a God who is unique in many ways-- his peculiar physiognomy an elephant's head on a human trunk, his double character, as a vighnakarta (creator of obstacles) and as a vighnaharta (remover of obstacles). He is worshipped first to ensure success of all religious and secular functions and enterprises. Ganesa is also the God of dance and music. the cult of Ganesa spread to various countries of Asia.

"The rise of Ganesa to pre-eminence in the orthodox Hindu pantheon, as one of the panca devatas (five principal pauranika Gods), is truly remarkable. It is an ancient version of mundance legend: from Log Cabin to White House.

"There have been many studies of this God in recent years; this one is the most comprehensive, fully documented in original sources, textual and artistic, and profusely illustrated. It traces the origin and development of pauranika Ganesa, from pre-pauranika Vinayaka, a vighnakarta, into pauranika Ganesa, a vighnakarta, analyses his distinctive features and studies his representation in art both in India and in the other countries of Asia. It seeks to unravel the enigma of a non-Vedic, non-epic and a non-Aryan God coming to occupy a place of honour in Hindu pantheon. The techniques adopted by the followers of Ganesa to promote his cult and status and the enduring results achieved make a fascinating study in 'PR' work." (jacket)

[Yuvraj Krishan also wrote The Buddha Imag : Its Origin and Development and The Doctrine of Karma.]