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99 Thoughts on Ganesha
In the game of cricket, having scored 99 runs, when a batsman stands poised on the threshold of that much coveted century, he experiences the moment that is best associated with Ganesha.
Fear and uncertainty envelope him; between him and his achievement stand hurdles, both real and imaginary: a possible spin from the bowler can overwhelm him, his own anxiety can paralyze him, cheering fans can distract him. He needs divine intervention then. He needs to focus, get rid of all hurdles, perform, get the final run, and achieve what he so longs for. In other words, he needs to think of Ganapati.
This book brings together 99 meditations to better understand the stories, symbols and rituals of that ador-able elephant-headed Hindu god who removes hurdles and brings prosperity and peace. Known variously as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka or Pillayar, he can help all of us score a century in the game called life.
Fear and uncertainty envelope him; between him and his achievement stand hurdles, both real and imaginary: a possible spin from the bowler can overwhelm him, his own anxiety can paralyze him, cheering fans can distract him. He needs divine intervention then. He needs to focus, get rid of all hurdles, perform, get the final run, and achieve what he so longs for. In other words, he needs to think of Ganapati.
This book brings together 99 meditations to better understand the stories, symbols and rituals of that ador-able elephant-headed Hindu god who removes hurdles and brings prosperity and peace. Known variously as Ganapati, Gajanana, Vinayaka or Pillayar, he can help all of us score a century in the game called life.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
185 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
About the author
Devdutt Pattanaik
287 books3,335 followersDr. Devdutt Pattanaik (born December 11, 1970) is an Indian physician turned leadership consultant, mythologist and author whose works focus largely on the areas of myth, mythology, and also management. He has written a number of books related to Hindu mythology, including Myth = Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology, a novel, The Pregnant King, and Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata (2010).
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
He is the Chief Belief Officer of Future Group, one of India’s largest retailers, bringing the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especifically in human resource management. He also writes a column for the newspaper MID DAY.
He has also written a novel based on a tale from the Mahabharata titled 'The Pregnant King' published by Penguin Books India
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 23, 2018
All books of Devdutt Pattanaik are on my wishlist. I consider myself lucky when I won a copy of "99 Thoughts on Ganesha" in Giveaway. A short review of the book would be
"You can read it for facts. You can read it for understanding. You can read it for symbolism."
As expected from Devdutt's book, "99 Thoughts on Ganesha" is the collection of short stories or narration about Ganesha. Devdutt has divided each narration into different sections mainly like stories, symbolism, Ganesha's significance in other countries' religion. Being Hindu, I knew half of these stories or narration, but Devdutt has made sure that every reader group will get learn something new about Ganesha. In recent times, after three principal male God and three principal female Goddess, Ganesha is considered mail stream God. Devdutt has brought out facts and stories how Ganesha got his stature of mainstream God.
Each element or symbol associated with Ganesha has a meaning, Devdutt has pointed out both physical and ascetic (psychological) meaning of those symbols. Facts like Ganesha was not considered as the part elephant - part human before 1st or 2nd BC, and how current form of Ganesha being introduced in Indian culture was really amazing. Ganesha's character was also spread across Asia as far as Japanese Buddhism. Devdutt has tried to point out what role Ganesha play in various countries' religious culture.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/04...
"You can read it for facts. You can read it for understanding. You can read it for symbolism."
As expected from Devdutt's book, "99 Thoughts on Ganesha" is the collection of short stories or narration about Ganesha. Devdutt has divided each narration into different sections mainly like stories, symbolism, Ganesha's significance in other countries' religion. Being Hindu, I knew half of these stories or narration, but Devdutt has made sure that every reader group will get learn something new about Ganesha. In recent times, after three principal male God and three principal female Goddess, Ganesha is considered mail stream God. Devdutt has brought out facts and stories how Ganesha got his stature of mainstream God.
Each element or symbol associated with Ganesha has a meaning, Devdutt has pointed out both physical and ascetic (psychological) meaning of those symbols. Facts like Ganesha was not considered as the part elephant - part human before 1st or 2nd BC, and how current form of Ganesha being introduced in Indian culture was really amazing. Ganesha's character was also spread across Asia as far as Japanese Buddhism. Devdutt has tried to point out what role Ganesha play in various countries' religious culture.
Detailed Review Link - http://chevusread.blogspot.in/2017/04...
June 26, 2021
Ganapathi for all
The religious practices associated with Ganesha around the globe given in simple form with changes over time from the Vedic period to very recent ones.
The religious practices associated with Ganesha around the globe given in simple form with changes over time from the Vedic period to very recent ones.
December 30, 2016
It's astonishing to know that there are numerous myths and beliefs associated with Lord Ganesha, one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism.
As a rational human being, it's hard to digest the fascinating but at times unrealistic stories attributed to Ganesha. At the same time, I cannot stop wondering how all these tales have survived through the centuries.
A very brief but informative book about only a small section of the huge Indian mythology, I enjoyed reading it.
As a rational human being, it's hard to digest the fascinating but at times unrealistic stories attributed to Ganesha. At the same time, I cannot stop wondering how all these tales have survived through the centuries.
A very brief but informative book about only a small section of the huge Indian mythology, I enjoyed reading it.
March 9, 2018
a book which is hastily written by probably copying from books mentioned in the bibliography. but looks like the author is trying to sneak in ideas of Ganesha worship and all idol worship in general as learned from Greeks. before them Hindus were abstract god worshippers. interesting point to note is that he is not consistent with this theory too....
looks like waste of time to read this book....
looks like waste of time to read this book....
July 30, 2013
Out of the 99 thoughts say 30 thoughts are repetitive!!
January 3, 2015
Same same repeat repeat word to word in some chapters. Yawn..... disappointed. No match for some of the other books by Devdutt ji.
September 2, 2016
Disappointed with this book. Nothing much in the book. I guess wiki page for ganesha will be more informative and interesting than this.
July 20, 2014
had a lot of expectations from this book on my favourite God.especially after reading mithya recently by the same author.contents rehashed..nothing very informative or thought-provoking.disappointed
July 7, 2018
Was expecting something more then just a factual compilation. Am sure Ganesha is quite more interesting :-)
May 15, 2019
Nice and quick read. There's a lot of informations about Lord Ganesha in this book. Illustrations too are very good.
September 19, 2015
This is a small and quick read. There are some nice illustrations of Ganesha along with a thought. While it is interesting to read these thoughts categorized by history, belief, scripture etc, some of the more interesting thoughts could have been expanded further. Nevertheless, still a worthwhile and nice read.
November 3, 2016
As always Devdutt Pattnaik's stories includes tales from different corners of the society. This book is poised with nice facts about lord Ganesha from different parts of India also all over the world. Plenty of tales from folks. Nicely presented book with different facts, rather I would say tales. Thoughts are very sort to make things interesting for the reader.
August 28, 2025
I read this during Ganesh Chaturthi in 2025. I attended some of the important celebrations in the city like Lal Baug Cha Raja, GSB Ganapathi and the Siddhivinayak temple. I had to wait in long lines at each place and used that time to read this book on my phone. It was such a fun and enlightening experience. Through this book the author helped me understand so much about this deity and the stories behind its worship across the country. You learn about its creation, the family, the symbols, the rituals, the history, the literary representation and its modern significance through festivals and celebrations. I love how this book was structured into 99 smaller chapter or thoughts. It makes mythology fun and engaging. I observed something new about the deity in each place of worship. I loved the parts about the meaning behind each object that this deity carried like the rope, the sweet and the chakra. I also loved how there were other interpretations of the same deity in countries like Thailand, Burma, Japan and Srilanka. And ended the day writing this review while traveling back home and humming some of the chants I heard along the way.
September 18, 2024
Picked this one up around Ganesh Chaturthi to learn more about the most celebrated god in India.
Going in to this book, I felt that it would follow more of a linear structure where in you get to know more about Ganesha and his journey to becoming a god.
This book is rather a collection of thoughts and folklore about Ganesha, not in a chronological order but divided in sections such as Creation, Family, Representations, Stories, Symbols, Temples, Festivals, Rituals etc.
It is quite quick to read, and each chapter packs a decent punch. I am very glad to have read this one, as it delves into the symbolism of Ganesha and ties it beautifully with the realities of the world. It also showcases how God has been a unifying factor in Hindus throughout history.
Going in to this book, I felt that it would follow more of a linear structure where in you get to know more about Ganesha and his journey to becoming a god.
This book is rather a collection of thoughts and folklore about Ganesha, not in a chronological order but divided in sections such as Creation, Family, Representations, Stories, Symbols, Temples, Festivals, Rituals etc.
It is quite quick to read, and each chapter packs a decent punch. I am very glad to have read this one, as it delves into the symbolism of Ganesha and ties it beautifully with the realities of the world. It also showcases how God has been a unifying factor in Hindus throughout history.
April 8, 2017
I've been collecting Ganesha statues for years now ever since falling in love with the Chola bronze in the Cleveland Museum of Art. I've done some research into Ganesha, but never really delved into his origin story or any of his adventures.
This thin little book does a fine job sketching out all the important aspects of Ganesha. For instance, Ganesha was born of anger, apology, and trickery. He got really mad at the moon once because the moon mocked Ganesha riding on his rat. Plus there was that time, Ganesha filled the bladder of some guy so that he could put a rock on the ground.
As a remover of obstacles, Ganesha is kinda a trickster dick. No. Not really. Yeah, though, kinda. Let's just say it is best to stay on his good side.
BUT and this is really the best part - Ganesha's paradise is a island in a sea of sugarcane juice where you get to eat sweets and delight all day long. I MEAN!!
Pattanaik attempts to recount all the various renditions of the Ganesha stories. While it is no where near complete and it assumes some level of familiarity with Hinduism, I found it an amazing little introduction. The book has inspired me to learn more, much more, about the Elephant headed god so I would say it did its job.
This thin little book does a fine job sketching out all the important aspects of Ganesha. For instance, Ganesha was born of anger, apology, and trickery. He got really mad at the moon once because the moon mocked Ganesha riding on his rat. Plus there was that time, Ganesha filled the bladder of some guy so that he could put a rock on the ground.
As a remover of obstacles, Ganesha is kinda a trickster dick. No. Not really. Yeah, though, kinda. Let's just say it is best to stay on his good side.
BUT and this is really the best part - Ganesha's paradise is a island in a sea of sugarcane juice where you get to eat sweets and delight all day long. I MEAN!!
Pattanaik attempts to recount all the various renditions of the Ganesha stories. While it is no where near complete and it assumes some level of familiarity with Hinduism, I found it an amazing little introduction. The book has inspired me to learn more, much more, about the Elephant headed god so I would say it did its job.
April 29, 2020
A sweet book on Lord Ganesha! 🌺🌺🌺🙏🙏🙏💐💐💐💗💗💗
January 3, 2022
Very clear and cripsly presented content on Ganesha Tatva!
November 20, 2013
This review first appeared at http://satyasurya.wordpress.com/2013/... (my blog) .
Ganesha, Sanatana Dharma’s elephant headed deity is loved by many. Some like him as he is the one who removes obstacles, Some worship him as the manifestation of the Parabrahman, most of us as kids would have just loved the elephant head part of it and loved all those wonderful stories we heard about HIM from our grand parents.
What is the tattva of Ganesha? Why is he called the remover of obstacles? What are the stories surrounding his birth? What is it that makes Him99thoughts so special in Sanatana Dharma? What is the significance of the various weapons he holds in his hands? What do the symbols and rituals surrounding Ganesha signify? Many questions.. aren’t they?
In his book “99 Thoughts on Ganesha”, Devdutt Pattanaik attempts to answer all these questions. He starts with Creation, moves on to the Family of the Lord, speaks about various Representations of Ganesha, then discusses various Stories and Symbols that surround the beloved son of Shiva and Parvathi. Devdutt then moves on to speak about famous Temples dedicated to Ganesha, the famous festivals we celebrate in reverence to Him, the Rituals we follow and the significance of those rituals. He also goes on to speak about the various literary texts available on Ganesha, then retraces some amount of history before speaking about the Spread of the Ganesha’s worship and concluding with the Wisdom section.
Devadutt is a master in the field of symbols and Hindu mythology, so we get to learn quite as we read the book. Each of the 99 thoughts are very crisp, precise and to the point, this makes reading an enjoyable experience. He provides some valuable insights, gives us some very interesting facts about the worship of Ganesha. Some facts he gives about the Ganesha’s worship outside India are really interesting and good to learn. He takes us all the way from Thailand in the east to Mongolia in the north, it’s worth reading about all those wonderful lands and all those wonderful stories prevalent in those lands.
What did I like the most in the book, I loved anecdotes on temples, I loved the 32 forms of Ganapati described in one of the thoughts, the research that went into the book is also adorable. Ganapati as Morya and stories surrounding Ganapati on the back of a peacock was really informative and some thing I did not know before. The description of AshtaVinayak is also real good and informative to read. I loved the insights Devdutt provided in the book. There are a lot more things I liked but the place here is limited.
Coming to the things I might be in disagreement with the author would be the ones related to the chronology and places where he says that Ganesha was a part of folklore and was not worshipped by the mainstream. I strongly disagree with this school of thought as even recitation of Vedas starts only with a prostration and worship to Ganapati. However, I agree to disagree with the author on this one point as this is one part of the book and the rest of the book has great insights on Ganesha.
Devdutt also speaks about Marathas and the way they carried Ganesha wherever they went. It was nice to read about them. The way Devdutt speaks about Tilakji and his contributions in making Ganesh Navaratri a celebration for everyone is real awesome. Do pick the book you will get to know a lot more about Ganesha.
May Lord Ganesha bestow his choicest blessings on all of us.
Om Gam Ganapathaye Namah
September 24, 2016
The image of the elephant headed god is an omnipresent one in India. You will see figures, pictures and paintings on places as diverse as private financial institutions, schools, corporate work cubicles, dashboard of cars, warehouses and homes. The belief in Ganesha symbolizes a fervent wish in the believer that any endeavour that they indulge in should go seamlessly. He is also called by the name Vigneshwara - The lord who removes obstacles to this effect. Unlike most other gods, Ganesha and are Krishna are often portrayed as mischievous little kids which makes them more endearing to young children which adds more to their near universal appeal. In a rather interesting scenario, I walked into a shop that sold curios and came across little figurines of Ganesha in cricket gear ! Devdutt Patanaik in his book takes up 99 aspects of the god and examines them against the light of history, myth and popular culture.
All of the 99 thoughts are extremely short chapters on one aspect of the other of Ganesha. They are broadly under the categories of – creation myths, family, symbols, place in popular mythology, signs and incantations, temples, celebrations, modes of worship, literature, history, popularity across world cultures and knowledge. So we are treated to an evolution of a deity who did not find much mention in the Upanishads and Vedas achieve a concrete image and base by the time of the popular epics. From a minor element of the pantheon, Ganesha rose to occupy a position which can succinctly be called indispensable. Very few if any ceremonies in Hinduism go by without Ganesha being invoked. Patanaik traces the rise of the deity and in how economic, social and cultural factors nurtured this process. Each thought is hardly a page long with a crystallized idea or philosophical point about the deity and this makes for swift reading and comprehension. It is more of a get-to-know-Ganesha manual than a book for detailed reading. The bibliography however is rather exhaustive and adds more fuel to the TBR pile.
A well written summary about a ubiquitous deity. Recommended.
All of the 99 thoughts are extremely short chapters on one aspect of the other of Ganesha. They are broadly under the categories of – creation myths, family, symbols, place in popular mythology, signs and incantations, temples, celebrations, modes of worship, literature, history, popularity across world cultures and knowledge. So we are treated to an evolution of a deity who did not find much mention in the Upanishads and Vedas achieve a concrete image and base by the time of the popular epics. From a minor element of the pantheon, Ganesha rose to occupy a position which can succinctly be called indispensable. Very few if any ceremonies in Hinduism go by without Ganesha being invoked. Patanaik traces the rise of the deity and in how economic, social and cultural factors nurtured this process. Each thought is hardly a page long with a crystallized idea or philosophical point about the deity and this makes for swift reading and comprehension. It is more of a get-to-know-Ganesha manual than a book for detailed reading. The bibliography however is rather exhaustive and adds more fuel to the TBR pile.
A well written summary about a ubiquitous deity. Recommended.
September 13, 2015
Everyone knows the story of Ganesha, at least that what is shown in TV shows and other folk stories.
This book doesn't deal with that elaborated story, but rather the different versions of mythologies associated with Ganesha in different parts of India and the world and his gradual growth from a locally worshiped deity into becoming a major deity of worship by those following Hinduism. This books gives a bit of wisdom from the Vedas, but mostly deals with the variations in the stories of Ganesha, the variations in his relation with other Gods and how his appearance has a thousand fold meaning as per interpretations by different people.
This is a quick read (though I didn't finish it that fast) and will satisfy the appetite of those who wants to know more about the evolution of Indian mythology. But be warned, the diversity of every single aspect is so large that finally one will remember only a portion of what is given in the book.
This book doesn't deal with that elaborated story, but rather the different versions of mythologies associated with Ganesha in different parts of India and the world and his gradual growth from a locally worshiped deity into becoming a major deity of worship by those following Hinduism. This books gives a bit of wisdom from the Vedas, but mostly deals with the variations in the stories of Ganesha, the variations in his relation with other Gods and how his appearance has a thousand fold meaning as per interpretations by different people.
This is a quick read (though I didn't finish it that fast) and will satisfy the appetite of those who wants to know more about the evolution of Indian mythology. But be warned, the diversity of every single aspect is so large that finally one will remember only a portion of what is given in the book.
February 4, 2016
Amazingly well structured content and probably one of the best books in terms of presentation while being loaded with all possible facts on the very popular deity of India. Surely Devdutt has the blessings of Ganesha. Learned a lot and enjoyed it very much.
September 7, 2024
Notes
Shiva is indifferent, eyes closed, cold dead world. Shankara has eyes open, flowing waters of life - Ganesha marks transition where consciousness willingly engages with material world. Kali (when Shiva has eyes closed) is wild, ferocious vs Gauri (when eyes open) is nurturing earth mother. Ganesha marks transition
Shiva tells Ganas to bring the first creature with head pointed North. Maybe Pole star as stillness and stability. North is Kubera (prosperity), South is Yama (death). Shiva is Dakshinamurthy (sits facing South), Shakti is Dakshina-kali (she who walks from South), together create Ganesha.
Brihaddharma Purana - Nandi on quest to find head, sees Airavata and cuts off head - Indra’s rain (chaturthi during monsoon month).
Parvati makes turmeric doll and immerses in Ganga, comes to life, but who has given it life, Parvati or Ganga? Dvimata of solid matter and flowing spirit.
Durga goes home with her 4 children - Lakshmi and Kartikeya (material needs), and Saraswati and Ganesha (intellect)
Saraswati - the swan can separate milk from water (discrimination), the heron is a symbol of concentration, patience. She and Ganesha are patrons of thieves.
Lakshmi prosperity and Saraswati peace/wisdom cannot coexist. Ganesha the only one who can bring them together.
Shakti (female energy of material reality) released from every single god, to drink up blood of Andhaka before it touches the ground and turns into another Andhaka. Vaishnavi, Brahmini, Vinayaki among others.
King of Mysore gets Sri-tattva-nidhi compilation of all forms of gods.
Ganesha solves issue of Vasuki spewing venom, gets Shiva to drink the poison.
Bad luck to look at moon on Chaturthi, it laughed at him riding a rat. Krishna looks at moon, so cursed - people accuse him of killing Prasenajit and taking the Syamantaka until he tracks the killer lion and thief bear.
Vyasa starts dictating Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshaya (never decreasing) tritiya (third moon of bright half, vaisakha month) - birth of Parashurama, Krishna gives the Akshayapatra to Draupadi, Ganga descends to earth.
Srirangam Ranganatha faces South not East towards devotee Vibhishana who was given him by Ram as a gift during the coronation, but was interrupted enroute to Lanka by trickster Ganesha.
In Ayurvedic framework, Ganesha’s body is Kapha or fluid, can flow and accommodated in any space, liminal being occupying the threshold
Shiva stands on right foot, spiritual realm. Left side is beating heart of material. Krishna takes right foot across left foot - material experienced within context of spiritual. Vakratunda (one whose trunk is turned) towards right (ascetic Ganesha in temples) vs left (worldly form in houses).
Called Mangal murti, red color, auspicious but also war-like, Mars with which Kartikeya is usually associated. So Tuesday is his day.
In one hand, axe (analytic), in the other pasha (noose - synthetic, binding) - differentiation vs integration. Goad (tip to drive forwards, and hook to restrain) of balanced mind.
Eats too many sweets, stomach bursts, so must use the cobra to tie it back - retention and regeneration. Exists in harmony with rat.
Modaka shaped like bag of money carried by Kubera. Upward triangle symbol of spirit
Ganpati Bhatta visits Puri, sees snana-yatra and finds Krishna and Balarama (jagannath and balabhadra) both with elephant heads of his patron Ganesha. All same same.
Brings success on fourth waxing moon, averts problems on fourth waning moon (sankashtichaturthi ‘inauspicious’ - fasting till moonrise).
Quality of palm leaves to write on first checked by a circle, a curve, a line and a dot - symbolizes Ganesha, pillaiyaar suzhi.
Yantra - square with 4 T-shape gates (bhupura common to all gods) -> circle -> 8 lotus petals -> circle -> upward triangle -> 6 pointed star from 2 interlaced triangles upward and downward -> the bindu.
Ganesha usually invoked at start of ritual, for Vaishnavites it is Vishwaksena, herald and doorkeeper of Vishnu, commonly equated.
Ganesh Purana is upapurana (minor - 10-15th ‘00 AD) with 2 sections, upansana khanda about devotion to Ganesha containing sahasranama, krida-khanda tales of 4 Ganesha avatars + gita. Mudgala Purana with eight avatars.
Sutras and smritis describe wild forest spirit trouble-makers called Vinayakas or vighna-karta (creator of obstacles), transformed into remover of obstacles during age of puranas. Tibetan elephant-headed spirits crushed by Bodhisattvas, part of Mara’s army disrupting Buddha.
Kubera builds Lanka, driven out by Ravana to Shiva in North, building Alaka, with Yakshas becoming Shiva worshippers or Ganas. Kuber’s pet animal looks like Ganesha’s rat.
8th century Shankaracharya divides hindus into 5 - worshippers of shiva, vishnu, shakti, surya, ganesha.
Max Mueller’s framework of henotheism (worship one god, don’t deny existence of others) 2 varieties - monolatry (Ganapatyas who exclusively worship one god) vs kathenotheism (worship one god at a time)
Vedic (material is maya) vs Tantric (material is shakti) show Ganesha as golden, broken-tusk, comforting single head vs red, blue, black, many-heads ferocious awe-inspiring.
Shiva is indifferent, eyes closed, cold dead world. Shankara has eyes open, flowing waters of life - Ganesha marks transition where consciousness willingly engages with material world. Kali (when Shiva has eyes closed) is wild, ferocious vs Gauri (when eyes open) is nurturing earth mother. Ganesha marks transition
Shiva tells Ganas to bring the first creature with head pointed North. Maybe Pole star as stillness and stability. North is Kubera (prosperity), South is Yama (death). Shiva is Dakshinamurthy (sits facing South), Shakti is Dakshina-kali (she who walks from South), together create Ganesha.
Brihaddharma Purana - Nandi on quest to find head, sees Airavata and cuts off head - Indra’s rain (chaturthi during monsoon month).
Parvati makes turmeric doll and immerses in Ganga, comes to life, but who has given it life, Parvati or Ganga? Dvimata of solid matter and flowing spirit.
Durga goes home with her 4 children - Lakshmi and Kartikeya (material needs), and Saraswati and Ganesha (intellect)
Saraswati - the swan can separate milk from water (discrimination), the heron is a symbol of concentration, patience. She and Ganesha are patrons of thieves.
Lakshmi prosperity and Saraswati peace/wisdom cannot coexist. Ganesha the only one who can bring them together.
Shakti (female energy of material reality) released from every single god, to drink up blood of Andhaka before it touches the ground and turns into another Andhaka. Vaishnavi, Brahmini, Vinayaki among others.
King of Mysore gets Sri-tattva-nidhi compilation of all forms of gods.
Ganesha solves issue of Vasuki spewing venom, gets Shiva to drink the poison.
Bad luck to look at moon on Chaturthi, it laughed at him riding a rat. Krishna looks at moon, so cursed - people accuse him of killing Prasenajit and taking the Syamantaka until he tracks the killer lion and thief bear.
Vyasa starts dictating Mahabharata to Ganesha on Akshaya (never decreasing) tritiya (third moon of bright half, vaisakha month) - birth of Parashurama, Krishna gives the Akshayapatra to Draupadi, Ganga descends to earth.
Srirangam Ranganatha faces South not East towards devotee Vibhishana who was given him by Ram as a gift during the coronation, but was interrupted enroute to Lanka by trickster Ganesha.
In Ayurvedic framework, Ganesha’s body is Kapha or fluid, can flow and accommodated in any space, liminal being occupying the threshold
Shiva stands on right foot, spiritual realm. Left side is beating heart of material. Krishna takes right foot across left foot - material experienced within context of spiritual. Vakratunda (one whose trunk is turned) towards right (ascetic Ganesha in temples) vs left (worldly form in houses).
Called Mangal murti, red color, auspicious but also war-like, Mars with which Kartikeya is usually associated. So Tuesday is his day.
In one hand, axe (analytic), in the other pasha (noose - synthetic, binding) - differentiation vs integration. Goad (tip to drive forwards, and hook to restrain) of balanced mind.
Eats too many sweets, stomach bursts, so must use the cobra to tie it back - retention and regeneration. Exists in harmony with rat.
Modaka shaped like bag of money carried by Kubera. Upward triangle symbol of spirit
Ganpati Bhatta visits Puri, sees snana-yatra and finds Krishna and Balarama (jagannath and balabhadra) both with elephant heads of his patron Ganesha. All same same.
Brings success on fourth waxing moon, averts problems on fourth waning moon (sankashtichaturthi ‘inauspicious’ - fasting till moonrise).
Quality of palm leaves to write on first checked by a circle, a curve, a line and a dot - symbolizes Ganesha, pillaiyaar suzhi.
Yantra - square with 4 T-shape gates (bhupura common to all gods) -> circle -> 8 lotus petals -> circle -> upward triangle -> 6 pointed star from 2 interlaced triangles upward and downward -> the bindu.
Ganesha usually invoked at start of ritual, for Vaishnavites it is Vishwaksena, herald and doorkeeper of Vishnu, commonly equated.
Ganesh Purana is upapurana (minor - 10-15th ‘00 AD) with 2 sections, upansana khanda about devotion to Ganesha containing sahasranama, krida-khanda tales of 4 Ganesha avatars + gita. Mudgala Purana with eight avatars.
Sutras and smritis describe wild forest spirit trouble-makers called Vinayakas or vighna-karta (creator of obstacles), transformed into remover of obstacles during age of puranas. Tibetan elephant-headed spirits crushed by Bodhisattvas, part of Mara’s army disrupting Buddha.
Kubera builds Lanka, driven out by Ravana to Shiva in North, building Alaka, with Yakshas becoming Shiva worshippers or Ganas. Kuber’s pet animal looks like Ganesha’s rat.
8th century Shankaracharya divides hindus into 5 - worshippers of shiva, vishnu, shakti, surya, ganesha.
Max Mueller’s framework of henotheism (worship one god, don’t deny existence of others) 2 varieties - monolatry (Ganapatyas who exclusively worship one god) vs kathenotheism (worship one god at a time)
Vedic (material is maya) vs Tantric (material is shakti) show Ganesha as golden, broken-tusk, comforting single head vs red, blue, black, many-heads ferocious awe-inspiring.
February 9, 2017
A quick read, a great compilation of mythological facts on the popular deity Ganesha, how he is celebrated in India and other south Asian countries.
September 6, 2019
It seemed like the ideal read considering the ongoing Ganpati festival in India.
‘99 thoughts on Ganesha’ takes you through several stories, trivia and beliefs behind the Elephant faced God.
From his birth to the phenomenon behind monsoons during this festival, the repercussions of looking at the moon on this day, the reason behind his broken tusk, inspiration from Egyptian mythology and beliefs in South East Asia and the conception of the word 'Om'- the book describes the folklore associated with certain practices.
In his detailed and well researched style, Devdutt Pattanaik takes the readers into the intriguing world of mythology. It sort of makes you relive some of the Amar Chitra Katha days where tales of Gods and Goddesses charmed you into a fantastical era. While some stories may seem familiar, others offer an interesting perspective and a reasoning behind the dos and do nots.
Will appeal largely to those who have a penchant for mythology.
September 15, 2017
The evolution of Ganapathyas and the merge of the cult into a common "Hinduism" was fascinating to read. The Peshwas using the concept of a 'Ganesha' to leave a footprint and the Maratha confedaracy across the subcontinent was very interesting and new. Bal Gangadhar Thilak popularizing a closed-door minor festival to gain momentum for Indian independence movement, by far, was the most fascinating to read.
The book reminded me of the evolution of Christianity and the Byzantine empire.
The book reminded me of the evolution of Christianity and the Byzantine empire.
May 16, 2018
What a fantastic compilation of stories that took me from Kailash to Japan, from Rock Fort Temple in Tamil Nadu to Plains of Indus Valley and all of that in just 99 thoughts... Amazing. There were lots of stories that I had already heard growing up as kid and learnt so many new whist reading this fantastic book.
April 25, 2020
I liked the concept of the book.
Wished it could've been more about facts than the ludicrous explainations that the author was trying to convince us with.
Somehow, I can't see the way he does now.
He's desperately trying to sell theories, which he can't base properly in certain pages.
But it was an okay read.
Wished it could've been more about facts than the ludicrous explainations that the author was trying to convince us with.
Somehow, I can't see the way he does now.
He's desperately trying to sell theories, which he can't base properly in certain pages.
But it was an okay read.
September 9, 2021
99 Thoughts on Ganesha, Stories, Symbols and Rituals of India's beloved elephant-headed deity tells us about some known and some unknown facts about God Ganesha without whom any ritual wouldn't start in Hinduism.
For the article you can visit the website- https://dontbignorant.in/ganesha-the-...
For the article you can visit the website- https://dontbignorant.in/ganesha-the-...
October 29, 2023
I found so many inspirations and anecdotes about my beloved deity in this book! And I'm not even religious. The chapters feel like reading about your favorite character, his multiple personalities and how people and traditions perceive him.
I would love to read something similar about other gods too from all religions, both Henotheistic and Abrahamic ones.
I would love to read something similar about other gods too from all religions, both Henotheistic and Abrahamic ones.
August 27, 2018
Ganesha the creator of problems and the solution provider.
Many interpretations of the god who sits between Shiva and Shakti.
A good start for people like me who want to de-mystify the mythology sector of Hinduism.
Many interpretations of the god who sits between Shiva and Shakti.
A good start for people like me who want to de-mystify the mythology sector of Hinduism.
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