Loving Ganesa: Hinduism's Endearing Elephant-Faced God (Rishi Collection) [Paperback]

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami (Author), Subramuniya (Afterword)

Book Description

Series: Rishi Collection | Publication Date: October 1, 1996

India's rich spirituality begins with Ganesa. Even the most austere yogi starts his inward journey by invoking the God who softens karma and guides dharma. He reigns over our beginnings, our changes, earthly decisions and problems - always there when needed, never aloof. Here a Hindu master invites us into Ganapati's interior meanings, rites, mantras and sacred symbols, unfolding an intimate depiction of the mysterious Deity.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This celebration in print of an ancient Hindu tradition of great wisdom and potency is, as its cover copy says, primarily "an illustrated resource" of Ganesa materials suitable for the conduct of daily worship and study. The inclusion of crossword puzzles and two chapters on vegetarianism and ayurveda make for a collapse of focus in an erratic and uneven collection of priestly essays, testimonials, Ganesa lore, hymns and Sunday school-type handouts. Fascinating and endlessly intriguing as it may be, the book would have benefited from a less global goal. Nevertheless, as one of few available in its field, it is an important text for English-speaking readers and should remain as an all-you-wanted-to-know-but-were-afraid-to-ask book about Ganesa, the divine and much-loved remover of obstacles.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The elephant-headed god Gan es'a, widely worshiped by Hindus, is all but unknown in the Judeo-Christian West. Gan es'a is the great gatekeeper--the opener of doors to knowledge and bliss and the remover of obstacles to happiness and prosperity. This work, written by a well-known guru and writer of devotional books, is a worshiper's manual, stressing true belief rather than philosophical interpretation. It discusses what devotees need to know: iconography and symbols; mantras, prayers, rituals, offerings, and festivals; how a follower may become a saint; and the miracles that Lord Gan es'a has performed for those who love him. Western readers may find the style as cloying as that of some Christian devotional books, yet it is a treasure-trove of information on Gan es'a and Hinduism. Oddly, two chapters in the book--"Hinduism: The Greatest Religion in the World" and "Hindu Conversion"--have little to do with Gan es'a or devotion to him. Full of unfamiliar terminology, this book is a difficult read. Recommended for academic or large public library reference collections.
-James F. DeRoche, Alexandria, VA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 743 pages
• Publisher: Himalayan Academy Pubns; 1st edition (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945497644
• ISBN-13: 978-0945497646
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,227,058 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magnificent book, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Loving Ganesa: Hinduism's Endearing Elephant-Faced God (Rishi Collection) (Paperback)

A wonderful compendium of textual information, scriptural references, mantras, and illustrations related to Ganesha. I recommend it strongly to all who are interested in Sanatana Dharma. Just a great book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Endearing book about endearing Ganesa, August 15, 2005

By 

Hakan Sandgren (Southport, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Loving Ganesa (Paperback)

With a multitude of variations of the legends surrounding Ganesa, there is no such thing as a all-encompasing work on Ganesa. Sivaya Subramumiyaswami has, however, written a book (including many excellent illustrations) so full of information on all aspects of Ganesha, including, among many others, various aspects of Ganesa, his nature, the different roles Ganesa plays in Hindu communities around the world, various forms of worship of Ganesa and detailed explenation of the iconography, that any reader could be excused for believing that they have found that all-encompasing work. Not only does the book become a most valuable source regarding Ganesa, but it also gives a hint as to how deities are worshiped in the multi faceted Hindu tradition, as every member of the Hindu pantheon (facets of the God-head) has as many legends, with variations, and various traditions attached to him or her. This is a book that will greatly enhance the understanding of the Hindu tradition for a beginner and, as well, provide much information for anyone studying aspects of Hinduism in greater detail.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for a Hindu !, January 7, 2003

By 

RKS (ville St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Loving Ganesa (Paperback)

This is one of the works that i would recommend to any serious beginner in Hindu spiritual culture. It is also good for pratitioners. The book presents Ganapathy worship, in a typical south indian style, especially people of Tamil origin. As one of the temple priest described, it is the heart of practises recommended to devotees of Lord Vigneswara. Written by a sage, saint, swami satguru is a sivachariar. Although an advaiti, he puts down and incorporates all ritualistic practises in theistic way for everyday use. The book has puja methods and also mantras for japa for every day use. There are other things that could be added in this book, i think swamiji has consciously left a scope for expanding the present book. The book also a has a list of important vinayagar temples across the world.

The book is a must for every ganapathy and saiva agama practionner.