A) The Mythological Legend of Lord Ganesh's Origins.
In Dravidian times, Ganesha was worshipped as an elephant, signifying the
wisdom and majesty of the universe. The invading Aryans, adopted the
Dravidian godling and affirmed their belief in Ganesha. Ganesha made a
ceremonial entrane as an Aryan god. 'The auspicious god', he would be
worshipped at the beginning of all rites, an unbroken tradition that
continues to this day.
In myths, the birth of Ganesha is celebrated as a divine twist of fate. The
most popular myth brings alive the story about the elephant head. It all
began when Parvati, wanted to bathe. She needed privacy and since there was
no one at hand, she created a guard with the sweat and oils from her body.
She brought the figure of a young man to life and told him to stand guard
while she bathed.
When Shiva, her husband returned and strode towards their home, he found
his way blocked by an unknown soldier. The soldier blocked Shiva's entry.
Shiva was furious, a duel began. The soldier fought well, but was no match
against the might of Shiva, who killed him. Parvati came out and saw the
dead body, she demanded he be brought back to life.
Shiva sent his hordes to collect the head of the first living being, who
was sleeping with head facing north. The north was associated with wisdom,
and was also the direction from which the Aryans had invaded.
Airavat, Indra's white elephant paid the price for Shiva's blunder. While
Airavat slept facing the north, Shiva's hordes beheaded him. His elephant
head was carried away for the dead body. An incensed Parvati demanded that
her child be promoted to the status of a primary god. Shiva and all the
other gods knew this was the only way they could placate her and Ganesha
took his place before all the gods.
All rituals (samskaras), begin with the worship of Ganesha. His image
invokes the universe, his head signifies wisdom and his body is globular,
Vishwaroopa. Ganesha represents the majesty of the animal kingdom with his
head and his vehicle the mouse shows subjugation of pestilent rats.
His trunk is twisted into an embodiment of 'Om', the syllable that created
the world. To combat evil, he carries weapons the discus, trident, sword
and shield. A broken tusk is a reminder of his battle with a demon, and the
fight with the forces of evil. Yet, the same tusk is used by him in the
writing of the epic, the Mahabharata. When Vyasa wanted to compose the
Mahabharata, Brahma suggested Ganesha be his scribe. Vyasa agreed and
Ganesha brought his broken tusk to writing quill. Vyasa dictated the entire
epic in verse. Ganesha recorded every word for Gods and men alike.
He carries a modak (sweet dumpling) in one hand, for his appetite is
insatiable, and conscious of his role the other hand shows in the 'abhaya
mudra'(do not fear, I am here to protect).
Another legend, explains Ganesha's role in changing astronomy. In the month
of Shravan/Bhadrapad, after a feast of modaks Ganesha was on his way home.
He was riding his mouse, a snake slithered into their path, the mouse
tripped and Ganesha took a tumble. His stomach split, and the modaks fell
out, Chandra (the moon) was watching and he began to laugh. Ganesha picked
up the snake and used it as a belt to hold his stomach together. He looked
up, cursed Chandra and banned him from the night skies.
Soon the gods and humankind were dazed glare of the relentless sun. There
was no respite of darkness when the moon was banished from the sky. The
gods took a delegation to Ganesha and pleaded their case. Ganesha gave in,
but made an astronomic condition. The moon would never shine like before.
Full moon would be just once a month (earlier every day was a full moon).
On other days the Chandra as a reminder of his misdemeanour would wax or wane!
Ganesha straddles the divide between the believers of Shiva and Vishnu.
Ganesh idols are worshipped both by Shaivites and Vaishnavites. Ganesha
temples are seen in almost every village in India. Chubby and gleeful and
elephant headed, Ganesha easily finds his place in the hearts of Gods and
people.
--
Source:
http://timepiece.shubhkaamna.com/ganesha.htm
=
B) 101 Names for Lord Ganesha (and their meanings)
1 AkhurathOne who has Mouse as His Charioteer
2 AlampataEver Eternal Lord
3 AmitIncomparable Lord
4 Anantachidrupamayam Infinite and ConsciousnessPersonified
5 AvaneeshLord of the whole World
6 Avighna Remover of Obstacles
7 BalaganapatiBeloved and Lovable Child
8 Bhalchandra Moon - Crested Lord
9 Bheema Huge and Gigantic
10 Bhupati Lord of the Gods 1
11 Bhuvanpati God of the Gods
12 Buddhinath God of Wisdom
13 Buddhipriya Knowledge Bestower
14 Buddhividhata
