2022-09-03 14:13:23 by ambuda-bot
This page has not been fully proofread.
or Kartika Kumara or Skanda, the elder son of Siva and
Ganesha became his younger son.
The modification of Aryan religion by the Dravidian
concept of a cosmic force activising the eternal processes
of creation, preservation and destruction is symbolised by
the Hindu triad of Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh. The
problem of the creation of the universe deeply intrigued
the Rigvedic seers as is reflected by the monotheistic
character of the famous Näsädīya hymn of the Rigveda,
which is the basis of later day Advaita philosophy.
Gradually the concept of an Abstract Principle, beyond
the ken of the body, mind and intellect, not imaginable,
not approachable, incomprehensible, "not this, not this,
not this", and perceivable only by the introspective process
of constant meditation became crystallised amidst the then.
polytheistic superstructure of Hindu religion. The difficulty
of meditating upon such an Abstract Principle has been
admirably solved in Hindu religion by this very poly-
theistic superstructure, the various Divinities being merely
various symbols or facets of this Abstract Principle and
endowed with human form and figure, but supernatural
powers, for convenience of the various devotees' medita-
tional practices.
Ganesha is one of the most popular of such symbols
facets and represents auspiciousness, prosperity and
well-being. He is the very embodiment of wisdom. He is
moved by the supplications of His devotees and removes
obstacles in their way. No work is undertaken without
praying to Him in the beginning and seeking His blessings.
Veda Vyas, the writer of the Eighteen Puranas, was directed
by Brahma to pray to Ganesha in order to get inspiration.
for his monumental work and it is only when he did as
directed that he could get the necessary inspiration.
or
Ganesha himself advised householders to establish
earthen images of himself in the homes so that they should
always remember and pray to him¹0. Many Hindu families
bring home earthen images of Ganesha every year on the
ix
Ganesha became his younger son.
The modification of Aryan religion by the Dravidian
concept of a cosmic force activising the eternal processes
of creation, preservation and destruction is symbolised by
the Hindu triad of Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh. The
problem of the creation of the universe deeply intrigued
the Rigvedic seers as is reflected by the monotheistic
character of the famous Näsädīya hymn of the Rigveda,
which is the basis of later day Advaita philosophy.
Gradually the concept of an Abstract Principle, beyond
the ken of the body, mind and intellect, not imaginable,
not approachable, incomprehensible, "not this, not this,
not this", and perceivable only by the introspective process
of constant meditation became crystallised amidst the then.
polytheistic superstructure of Hindu religion. The difficulty
of meditating upon such an Abstract Principle has been
admirably solved in Hindu religion by this very poly-
theistic superstructure, the various Divinities being merely
various symbols or facets of this Abstract Principle and
endowed with human form and figure, but supernatural
powers, for convenience of the various devotees' medita-
tional practices.
Ganesha is one of the most popular of such symbols
facets and represents auspiciousness, prosperity and
well-being. He is the very embodiment of wisdom. He is
moved by the supplications of His devotees and removes
obstacles in their way. No work is undertaken without
praying to Him in the beginning and seeking His blessings.
Veda Vyas, the writer of the Eighteen Puranas, was directed
by Brahma to pray to Ganesha in order to get inspiration.
for his monumental work and it is only when he did as
directed that he could get the necessary inspiration.
or
Ganesha himself advised householders to establish
earthen images of himself in the homes so that they should
always remember and pray to him¹0. Many Hindu families
bring home earthen images of Ganesha every year on the
ix