Who is the elephant-headed Hindu God of good luck?
"the tie of the common homage we pay to our great civilization - our Hindu culture"" Fifth Edition 1969 p91 (Internet Archive PDF p108) Savarkar wrote the pamphlet while imprisoned for his alleged role in the assassination of William Hutt Curzon Wyllie. Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu? Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? is an ideological pamphlet by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Originally published under the title ""Essentials Of Hindutva"" in 1923, it was retitled ""Hindutva: Who Is a Hindu?"" when reprinted in 1928. Savarkar's pamphlet forms part of the canon of works published during British rule that later influenced post-independence contemporary"
"Mythological anecdotes of Ganesha There are many anecdotes of Ganesha. Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. He is worshipped as the lord of beginnings and as the lord of removing obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the god of intellect and wisdom. In his survey of Ganesha's rise to prominence in Sanskrit literature, Ludo Rocher notes that: Above all, one cannot help being struck by the fact that the numerous stories surrounding concentrate on an unexpectedly limited number of incidents. These incidents are mainly three: his birth and parenthood, his elephant head, and his single tusk."
"Alakshmi In Hinduism, Alakshmi (Devanāgari: अलक्ष्मी; from the roots ""अ"" (""a""): ""not"" and ""लक्ष्मी"" (""Lakshmi""): ""goddess of fortune"") means ""not Lakshmi"". She is described as being “cow-repelling, antelope-footed,and bull-toothed."" Or she “has dry shriveled up body, sunken cheeks, thick lips, and beady eyes and that she rides a donkey."" She is not mentioned by name in the Vedic, Upanishadic or early Puranic literature, but all aspects of Alakshmi match those of the Rig Vedic goddess Nirṛti. In Padma Purana, the cosmology includes her where the samudra manthan creates both good and bad of everything that emerges. That which is inauspicious"
"Ganesha Ganesh (, '; ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayakar, Pillaiyar and Binayak, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Bangladesh and Nepal. Hindu denominations worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesh is widely diffused and extends to Jains and Buddhists. Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of"
"Bala Ganapati Bala Ganapati (, , literally ""child Ganapati"") is an aspect of the Hindu god Ganesha (Ganapati), the elephant-headed of wisdom and fortune, depicted as a child. There are few portrayals of Ganesha as a small boy caressed by his parents, Parvati and Shiva. An infant Ganesha is also depicted held in his mother Parvati's lap or over her shoulder. Independent portrayals of Bala Ganapati depict as seated or crawling. A bronze from South India shows Ganesha as an infant crawling on his knees. He has four arms. While two of them hold sweet balls, his trunk holds his"
"Although Kangiten is depicted with an elephant's head like Ganesha as a single male deity, his most popular aspect is the Dual(-bodied) Kangiten or the Embracing Kangiten depicted as an elephant-headed male-female human couple standing in an embrace. Kangiten inherits many names and characteristics from the Hindu god Ganesha. He is known as Bināyaka-ten, derived from the epithet ""Vinayaka""; Gaṇabachi or Gaṇapati (Ganapati is a popular epithet of Ganesha) and Gaṇwha (Ganesha). Like Ganesha, Bināyaka is the remover of obstacles, but when propitiated, he bestows material fortunes, prosperity, success and health. In addition, Bināyaka is said to be of evil"
"some shrines in South India dedicated to Ganesha as a two-armed small boy, where he is known as Pillaiyar (""little child""). Bala Ganapati Bala Ganapati (, , literally ""child Ganapati"") is an aspect of the Hindu god Ganesha (Ganapati), the elephant-headed of wisdom and fortune, depicted as a child. There are few portrayals of Ganesha as a small boy caressed by his parents, Parvati and Shiva. An infant Ganesha is also depicted held in his mother Parvati's lap or over her shoulder. Independent portrayals of Bala Ganapati depict as seated or crawling. A bronze from South India shows Ganesha as"
"elephant-headed son of Parvati and Shiva of Shaivism tradition, is remembered as one who symbolises ethical beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Hindus of eastern India associate the festival with the goddess Durga, or her fierce avatar Kali (Shaktism), who symbolises the victory of good over evil. Hindus from the Braj region in northern India, parts of Assam, as well as southern Tamil and Telugu communities view Diwali as the day the god Krishna overcame and destroyed the evil demon king Narakasura, in yet another symbolic victory of knowledge and good over ignorance and evil. Trade and merchant families and"
"and their male lineages (kula) faced ruin and destruction."" Alakshmi In Hinduism, Alakshmi (Devanāgari: अलक्ष्मी; from the roots ""अ"" (""a""): ""not"" and ""लक्ष्मी"" (""Lakshmi""): ""goddess of fortune"") means ""not Lakshmi"". She is described as being “cow-repelling, antelope-footed,and bull-toothed."" Or she “has dry shriveled up body, sunken cheeks, thick lips, and beady eyes and that she rides a donkey."" She is not mentioned by name in the Vedic, Upanishadic or early Puranic literature, but all aspects of Alakshmi match those of the Rig Vedic goddess Nirṛti. In Padma Purana, the cosmology includes her where the samudra manthan creates both good and"
"Chintamani Temple, Theur The Chintamani Temple of Theur is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. Located from Pune, the temple is ""one of the larger and more famous"" of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The temple lore describes how Ganesha retrieved the wish-giving jewel Chintamani for his devotee, the sage Kapila from the greedy king Gana and how he pacifies the uneasy mind of the god Brahma, who meditated on him in Theur. The temple is associated with the Ganapatya saint Morya Gosavi (dated between 13th"
"Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar The Vigneshwara Temple or Vighnahar Ganapati Temple of Ozar (also spelt as Ojhar or Ojzar) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. The temple is one of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, India. The Ganesha form worshipped here is called Vigneshwara (spelt also as Vigneshvar(a), Vigneshwar : ""Lord of obstacles"") or ""Vignahar"" (spelt also as Vignahara, ""Remover of obstacles"") and is associated with the legend of Ganesha defeating Vignasura, the demon of obstacles. Ozar is located about 85 km from Pune, off the Pune-Nashik highway and about"
"festivals associated with Ganesha: Ganesh Chaturthi and Ganesh Jayanti. In addition, a five-day festival starting on Kartik Poornima is also celebrated when the ""Deepamala""s are lit. Vigneshwara Temple, Ozar The Vigneshwara Temple or Vighnahar Ganapati Temple of Ozar (also spelt as Ojhar or Ojzar) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. The temple is one of the Ashtavinayaka, the eight revered shrines of Ganesha in Maharashtra, India. The Ganesha form worshipped here is called Vigneshwara (spelt also as Vigneshvar(a), Vigneshwar : ""Lord of obstacles"") or ""Vignahar"" (spelt also as Vignahara, ""Remover of obstacles"") and is"
"after the wealth deity repents that Mahakala plants an elephant’s head on his neck and receives him as a retainer. The Black Jambhala is also known as the Hindu God of Wealth, Kubera. Originated in ancient India, he manifested from the waters of the river and gave the transmission of generating wealth to a king whose kingdom was undergoing extreme financial difficulties during that time. He also benefits the poor and those in solitary retreat that have a virtuous mind. Popularized by Shakyasribhadra, holding a skullcup and mongoose, naked and wrathful in a standing posture. He is the God of"
"of Ganapati images. Images of Ganesha appear in the Jain temples of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Ganesha Ganesh (, '; ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayakar, Pillaiyar and Binayak, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Bangladesh and Nepal. Hindu denominations worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesh is widely diffused and extends to Jains and Buddhists. Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron"
"an ansh to manifest as remover of obstacles for men and Gods, and become the God of intellect and wisdom. When we read the Purana, we are amazed at how all incidents in the past come together and lead towards a chosen destiny. The flower was presented to Indra by Sage Durvasa but not utilized by the King of Gods. The elephant temporarily benefited from the powers of the Parijata flower, but it was Lord Ganesha who was destined to be the foremost among Gods and men and known as the remover of obstacles. Thus destiny worked in a way"
"Red Jambhala is: Some people believe he is the Hindu God of Wealth Ganesha, the Red Ganapati, and has the head of an elephant. After the rise of Tantric Buddhism, Ganesha became a Tantric wealth deity and is known as the ""Lord of Provisions in Tibetan Tantrism"". According to legend, Red Jambhala was in charge of the heavenly treasury that belonged to Lord Mahesvara’s son. Due to his extreme compassion, Red Jambhala had unfailingly answered the prayers of many worshippers. Enraged by Red Jambhala’s indiscriminate charity to both the good and evil, Dharma guardian Mahakala decapitated him. It was only"
"from him and follow him like a shadow. He will equate himself with Vishnu in knowledge, lusture, wisdom, prowess. He will be more powerful than all gods and will be valorous like Vishnu.” Sage Durvasa left after this and Lord Indra, still intoxicated with the presence of Rambha, placed the flower on the head of his elephant. The elephant thus got all the qualities that were ordained by the flower. The elephant then fought and defeated all other elephants and left Lord Indra. Thus destiny resulted in the elephant getting all the advantages associated with the blessings of the Parijata"
"mount or vehicle known as a ""vāhana"". In addition to providing a means of transport, they symbolically represent a divine attribute. The elephant ""vāhana"" represents wisdom, divine knowledge and royal power; it is associated with Lakshmi, Brihaspati, Shachi and Indra. Indra was said to ride on a flying white elephant named Airavata, who was made the King of all elephants by Lord Indra. A white elephant is rare and given special significance. It is often considered sacred and symbolises royalty in Thailand and Burma, where it is also considered a symbol of good luck. In Buddhist iconography, the elephant is"
"African elephant is seen as the wise chief who impartially settles disputes among the forest creatures in African fables, and the Ashanti tradition holds that they are human chiefs from the past. The Earth is supported and guarded by mythical World Elephants at the compass points of the cardinal directions, according to the Hindu cosmology of ancient India. The classical Sanskrit literature also attributes earthquakes to the shaking of their bodies when they tire. Wisdom is represented by the elephant in the form of the deity Ganesh, one of the most popular gods in the Hindu religion's pantheon. Sometimes known"
"as Ganesha, this deity is very distinctive in having a human form with the head of an elephant. This was put on after the human head was either was cut off or burned, depending on the version of the story from various Hindu sources. Lord Ganesha's birthday (rebirth) is celebrated as the Hindu festival known as Ganesha Chaturthi. In Japanese Buddhism, their adaptation of Ganesha is known as Kangiten (""Deva of Bliss""), often represented as an elephant-headed male and female pair shown in a standing embrace to represent unity of opposites. In Hindu iconography, many ""devas"" are associated with a"
"Lakshmi Stuti Lakshmi Stuti is a prayer for Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Believed to be authored by Indra, The prayer is found in ancient scriptures from Sanatana Dharma. According to the Vishnu Purana, Durvasa Muni (Lord Shiva's incarnation) gave Indra a flower necklace. Indra put it on his elephant, who threw it down. An angry Durvasa cursed Indra that he would lose his kingdom. Soon enough, the world became Sri-less, and Indra and Gods lost. They all came to Brahma, who also accompanied them to Kshir Sagar. There, they all prayed to Vishnu. He appeared and"
"rain who was cursed by a Sage to have an elephant's body and a goat's head, regained his normal form after worshiping Shiva at this temple. The name of the town is believed to have been derived from this mythological incident(""Thiru""- sacred; ""Adu""- goat; ""Aanai""- elephant; ""Thiru Adanai""- the sacred place, where the goat-headed-elephant regained his original form). The Sun God(""Suriyan"") is said to have worshiped a blue diamond image of Shiva here. Sage Brighu(""Brighu Munivar"") is also said to have worshiped the Lord here. Another popular belief is that during the exile of Pandavas, Arjuna got the pasupatha missile"
"of prosperity, good luck, and abundance; and the Gajalakshmi motifs are very common in Hindu and Buddhist iconography. The earliest available depiction of Gajalakshmi appears on a coin (3rd century) from Kausambi. One or two elephants depicted alongside a woman symbolized the birth of Gautam Buddha. Gajalakshmi is worshiped in many places in Goa and Konkan as a fertility goddess,mostly under the names ""Gajantlakshmi"",""Gajalakshmi"",""Kelbai"" or ""Bhauka devi"",by various Konkani communities as their tetulary deity. Gajalakshmi Gajalakshmi, that is ""Lakshmi with elephants"", is one of the most significant ""Ashtalakshmi"" aspects of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. In this aspect, the goddess is"
"Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed god of good beginnings, and his two wives Riddhi and Siddhi (""prosperity"" and ""spiritual power""). Although, Lord Vinayaka has another wife Buddhi (""wisdom"") and another son, Kshema (""well-being""), other than Shubha (""auspiciousness"") and Labha (""profit""), they are not portrayed in the film. A key role is played by the immortal sage Narada, a devotee of Lord Vishnu, and a cosmic busybody who regularly intervenes to advance the film's two parallel plots, which concern both human beings and gods. We soon meet the 18th-century maiden Satyavati Sharma (Kanan Kaushal), Santoshi Mata's greatest earthly devotee, leading a"
"calves born, 142 died prematurely. They died within one month of birth, major causes being stillbirth and infanticide by either the calf's mother or by one of the exhibition mates. The sex ratio of stillbirths in Europe was found to have a tendency for excess of males. The elephant plays an important part in the culture of the subcontinent and beyond, being featured prominently in the ""Panchatantra"" fables and the Buddhist ""Jataka"" tales. They play a major role in Hinduism: the god Ganesha's head is that of an elephant, and the ""blessings"" of a temple elephant are highly valued. Elephants"
"phallic cover called the ""linga-kosa"", when not being worshipped. Besides Shingon worship, as of 1979, Kangiten's worship was recorded in at least 243 Japanese shrines. Kangiten Kangi-ten (, ""God of Bliss"") is a god (""deva"" or ""ten"") in Shingon and Tendai schools of Japanese Buddhism. He is generally considered the Japanese Buddhist form of the Hindu elephant-headed god of wisdom, Ganesha and is sometimes also identified with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He is also known as Kanki-ten, Shō-ten (聖天, ""sacred god"" or ""noble god""), Daishō-ten (""great noble god""), Daishō Kangi-ten (大聖歓喜天), Tenson (天尊, ""venerable god""), Kangi Jizai-ten (歓喜自在天), Shōden-sama, Vinayaka-ten, Binayaka-ten"
"more than two millennia. He is therefore called as Gajanan(Gaj=elephant, aanan= faced). Several deities and mythological figures have elephants as their conveyance (vahan) including Balarama, Skanda and aiyanar. An elephant is also one of several attributes of a Chakravartin, which he is expected to own to be bestowed with the title of Chakravatin, that is, the supreme and universal ruler. Gaja Gaja (गज- a Sanskrit word for elephant) is one of the significant animals finding references in Hindu scriptures and Buddhist and Jain texts. In general, a gaja personifies a number of positive attributes, including abundance, fertility and richness; boldness"
"Kangiten Kangi-ten (, ""God of Bliss"") is a god (""deva"" or ""ten"") in Shingon and Tendai schools of Japanese Buddhism. He is generally considered the Japanese Buddhist form of the Hindu elephant-headed god of wisdom, Ganesha and is sometimes also identified with the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. He is also known as Kanki-ten, Shō-ten (聖天, ""sacred god"" or ""noble god""), Daishō-ten (""great noble god""), Daishō Kangi-ten (大聖歓喜天), Tenson (天尊, ""venerable god""), Kangi Jizai-ten (歓喜自在天), Shōden-sama, Vinayaka-ten, Binayaka-ten (毘那夜迦天), Ganapatei (誐那缽底) and Zōbi-ten (象鼻天). Kangiten has many aspects and names, associated with Vajrayana (Esoteric Buddhist, Tantric, mantrayana) schools, Shingon being one of them."
"on the Kantaka Cethiya Vaahalkada is the elephant headed God with two arms. The ""Saivites"" call it ""Ganapati"" or ""Ganeesaa"". The Ganapati sculptures in the Vaahalkadas of the Kantaka Cetiya have created confusion among the archaeologists and historians. No one could not explain the connection between ""Ganapati God"" and ""Buddhism."" Thus, the Sinhalese historians and archaeologists have tried to give some imaginary interpretation. The four vahaalkadas facing the four cardinal points have different animals on the top of the square pillars - the elephant on the east, the lion on the north, the horse on the west and the bull"
"gold raining down from it. Dhanya Lakshmi (""Grain Lakshmi"") is the goddess of agricultural wealth. She is depicted as eight-armed, in green garments, carrying two lotuses, gada (mace), paddy crop, sugarcane, bananas, and her two hands in abhaya mudra and varada mudra. Gaja Lakshmi (""Elephant Lakshmi"") is the giver of animal wealth (such as cattle) or the giver of power of royalty, as interpreted by Swami Chidananda. According to Hindu mythology, Gaja Lakshmi brought back the wealth lost by Indra (king of demi-gods) from the ocean. Vasudha Narayanan interpreted the name as ""one who is worshipped by elephants"". She is"
"Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand. In Indochina Hinduism and Buddhism were practiced side-by-side, and mutual influences can be seen in Ganesha iconography of that region. The King of Brahmas called Arsi, lost a wager to the King of Devas, Śakra (""Thagya Min""), who decapitated Arsi as agreed but put the head of an elephant on the Brahma's body who then became Ganesha. In Thailand, Ganesha is called ""Phra Phikanet"" (พระพิฆเนศ) or ""Phra Phikanesuan"" (พระพิฆเนศวร) and is worshipped as the deity of fortune and success, and the remover of obstacles. He is associated with arts, education and trade. Ganesha appears in the"
"Naigamesha Naigamesha (, ), also known as Harinegameshi, is a goat-headed or deer-headed deity, associated with children. He also appears in Jain as well as Hindu traditions, associated with the war-god Kartikeya and childbirth. Naigamesha is known by a variety of names: Negamesha, Nemesha, Naigameshin, Negamesi, Harinegameshi. The last is translated as ""Negamesi, the general of Hari (Indra)"". Another interpretation says that it is derived from ""harina"" (deer) and ""mesha"" (ram). Naigamesha is the benefactor and protector of children in Jainism. While the Greek satyr Pan is depicted with the lower body of a goat, Naigamesha has a goat head;"
"Airavata Airaavatha (, ""belonging to Iravati"") is a mythological white elephant who carries the Hindu god Indra. It is also called 'abhra-Matanga', meaning ""elephant of the clouds""; 'Naga-malla', meaning ""the fighting elephant""; and 'Arkasodara', meaning ""brother of the sun"". 'Abhramu' is the elephant wife of Airaavatha. Airaavatha has ten tusks and five trunks and is spotless white. It is also known as Erawan in Thai. Airaavatha is also the third son of Kashyap and Kadru. In the Mahabharata he is listed as a great serpent. According to the Ramayana, the elephant's mother was Iravati. According to the Matangalila, Airaavatha was"