Loving Ganeśa


Book Description

The divine player attempts to analyze the relationship between play and religion in the context of Hinduism. It focuses primarily on the youthful god Krsna. The first part part of the book surveys the role of play among the gods and concludes that play seems to be an intrinsic part of the divine in Hinduism. The second part of the book investigates the role of play in religious cult, again focusing on the various Krsna cults. This section concludes that, although playful themes pervade man`s religious activity in devotion to Krsna, cultiic activity may not be reduced to play, as some scholars have suggested. The final section of the book points to examples of divine and cultic play in non-Hindu traditions.




Loving Ganesha


Book Description




Ganesha


Book Description

New job, new city, new love? Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles makes an exquisite gift for anyone on the brink of change. Following in the successful path of The Buddha Box (over 25,000 copies sold) comes this popular elephant-faced god of Hinduism. The book, which slides into the box to make an elegant backdrop for the statue of the loving elephant god, is filled with tales of Ganesha's creation and powers as a protector. Illustrated with thirty serene color images, the book also includes examples of mantras, prayers, sacred symbols, and songs for all manner of Karmic tangles, as well as instructions on how to create a home or office puja for making offerings to the benevolent god. A handsome mini-shrine for prayer and meditation practices and an ideal travel companion, Ganesha: Remover of Obstacles will enchant anyone interested in Indian mythology or Hindu religion.




Ganesha's Sweet Tooth


Book Description

The bold, bright colors of India leap off the page in this picture book retelling of how Ganesha helped write the epic Hindu poem, the Mahabharata. Ganesha is just like any other kid, except that he has the head of an elephant and rides around on a magical mouse. And he loves sweets, but when Ganesha insists on biting into a super jumbo jawbreaker laddoo, his tusk breaks off! With the help of the wise poet Vyasa, and his friend Mr. Mouse, Ganesha learns that what seems broken can be quite useful after all. With vibrant, graphic illustrations, expressive characters, and offbeat humor, this is a wonderfully inventive rendition of a classic tale. Praise for Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth “Pink elephants haven’t looked this good since Dumbo.” —The New York Times “Beautifully presented. . . . So sweet we almost want to pop it in our mouths.” —Entertainment Weekly “Stylish. . . . A fresh and comedic introduction to a Hindu legend, with a winning combination of both eye candy and actual candy.” —Publishers Weekly “Bright, elaborately detailed illustrations. . . . Grade-schoolers. . . . will enjoy the story’s turnarounds and focus on luscious sweets, and many will be ready for the classic Hindu myth.” —Booklist




Loving Ganesa


Book Description

India's rich spirituality begins with Ganesha. 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 meaning, rites, mantras and sacred symbols, unfolding an intimate depiction of the mysterious Deity. Loving Ganesha is part of the comprehensive works of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, a traditional satguru immersed in the global Hindu renaissance for half a century, named by New Delhi's World Religious Parliament as a Jagadacharya or world teacher, and elected one of three presidents to represent Sanatana Dharma at the 1993 Chicago Parliament of World's Religions.




Shree Ganesh


Book Description

Shree Ganesh




Goodnight Ganesha


Book Description

A gorgeously illustrated goodnight story that celebrates the nighttime rituals of two young children visiting their grandparents in India. As nighttime falls over the city, two children visiting their grandparents in India find there's so much fun to be had! Whether it's listening to epic stories or observing rituals in the puja room, there are many moments that make this time together special. In this beautiful, rhyming ode to bedtime, the only thing more universal than getting ready for bed and saying goodnight is the love between children and their grandparents. "Nadia Salomon’s Goodnight Ganesha reminds readers that saying goodnight is both universal and unique and that all children deserve bedtime books that reflect their experiences and culture." --Hallee Adelman, author of My Quiet Ship "A pair of parallel poems, both steeped in references to India and Hinduism, form this stunningly illustrated tribute to family rituals [with] gorgeous, classically stylized art. Contemporary Hindu families will love the culturally specific details, while cultural outsiders will appreciate the universality of a bedtime routine." —Booklist




Purana Riddles


Book Description

In olden times, physical science was beyond the understanding of common people, then how could they understand the subtle and transcendental science like Kundalini Yoga. That's why the knowledge of Kundalini Yoga was known only to a few selected people of the affluent class. They wanted the common people also to attain it, because only human beings have the right to spiritual liberation. But they were not successful in explaining Kundalini Yoga to them directly. That's why they molded Kundalini Yoga in the form of allegorical and mythological stories, so that people would read them with interest, due to this, gradually, they got inclined towards Kundalini Yoga. The collections of those stories became the Puranas. By reading those Puranas Kundalini started developing inside people unknowingly. This made them happy, due to which they got addicted to Puranas. People's attraction towards such ancient texts since then till today's modern age seems to be due to this Kundalini-Anand. The one whose mind was sharp among the people who read and listened to Puranas, he used to wake up his Kundalini quickly by catching Kundalini Yoga. In this way, Puranas have been doing immense service to humanity since ancient times. Similarly, in the olden days, mystical teachings were not directly revealed to public. That's why they have been explained in the form of metaphor, that's why many such vidyas are also called Guhya vidyas. Therefore, through allegorical stories, Tantra would have been indirectly put into the subconscious mind of the people, and would have been hoped that in the future it would be decoded and deserving people would benefit from it. The treasure was secured in a sort of secret cave, leaving the map of the cave of knowledge as a labyrinthine puzzle in the form of an allegory. Mythical investigative campaigns shown in films are psychological attempts to express this mysterious mechanism. That's why such movies are very popular. Metaphors give materiality, simplicity, interestingness, sociability and scientificity to spiritual subjects. Without it, spirituality would have been very boring. Many people oppose metaphors with a variety of quirks. It is considered conservatism, fanciful imagination etc. Of course it may seem so in today's scientific age, but in ancient times, metaphors have benefited mankind a lot. If in place of Shiva it is said to be formless Brahman, then it would be so boring. Where is that sweetness in the word brain and Sahasrar, which is obtained by writing Himalaya Mountain and Kailash Mountain in their places respectively? Similarly, the word Kundalini also does not sound as interesting as Mother Parvati or Sita appears in its place. Nevertheless, for the acceptance of today's so-called modern and intelligent society, reality has to be written while revealing the spiritual metaphor. Metaphors cannot replace scientific truth. Metaphors have no mathematics of their own. Metaphors are made only to explain the truth, which are based on scientific phenomena. It means to say that a metaphysical phenomenon became a metaphor, not that a metaphysical phenomenon happened out of a fabricated metaphor. The sages who create such good metaphors cannot be forest dwellers, as is the misconception in many places. They were the most elaborate and fabricated people in worldliness. There are many beautiful allegorical stories in the Puranas. The art of depicting different parts of the mind as different persons is of great importance in allegorical narratives. All Puranas seem to describe Kundalini Yoga in a mythological and metaphorical way. I think that while telling the story, along with the original story, the mystery of the metaphor given in it should also be decoded. Listeners will get more benefit from this. Although some people more propelled by nonlogical right brain like pure metaphor. It is the matter of liking. If we talk about the minor damage inflicted by unrevealed metaphor, it would have been that people would not have come to know what metaphor is and what is real. The present book is made in this context, which analyzes the metaphors of Puranas scientifically and logically. While not writing much, I pause with the hope that the present book will come true to the aspirations of the Yoga-loving and spirituality-loving readers.




Yoga Journal


Book Description

For more than 30 years, Yoga Journal has been helping readers achieve the balance and well-being they seek in their everyday lives. With every issue,Yoga Journal strives to inform and empower readers to make lifestyle choices that are healthy for their bodies and minds. We are dedicated to providing in-depth, thoughtful editorial on topics such as yoga, food, nutrition, fitness, wellness, travel, and fashion and beauty.




Ganesha


Book Description

Ganesha revered in India as the remover of obstacles is first and foremost an obedient son. Standing guard at his mother's door, this son of Parvati refuses to let anyone through. Even Lord Shiva is denied entry! This confrontation between father and son has one beneficial outcome - the emergence of Ganesha, the elephant headed god of wisdom.