Ganesh Worship

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Ganesh Worship in Japan

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BY SATISH PUROHIT

Source: Free Press Journal

Scholars commonly date the presence of Ganesha in Japan with the age

of Kukai (774- 834), the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese

Buddhism. The centrality of the worship of Ganesha or Vinayaka or

Kangiten, as he is popularly called in Japan, is a distinguishing

feature of this cult. The doctrines, rituals and beliefs of the sect

have a number of parallels with the cult of Ganpatyas, to which

belonged saints like Gajanan Maharaj of Shegao, Maharashtra.

 

China, the land through which the Elephant-headed divinity entered

Japan has Ganesha Sculptures dating back to the fourth century,

which surprisingly predates any depiction of Ganesh in India. Both

the lands recognize Ganesha as having converted to Buddhism.

 

Ganesha's most popular form in Japan is the dual-Vinayaka or the

Embracing Kangi. Two tall figures, elephant headed but human bodied,

male and female, stand in embrace. The female wears a jeweled crown,

a patched monks robe and a red surplice.

 

Her tusks and trunk are short. Her eyes are narrowed. Her body is

whitish. The male neither wears a monk's robe nor a crown, though

he may have a black cloth over his shoulders. His body is reddish

brown. His trunk is long. His eyes are wide open. His countenance is

not compassionate, but loving. His head rests on the female's

shoulder. The feet of the female may rest atop the male.

Also called the Deva of bliss, Ganapati is invoked both for

enlightenment and for worldly gains - more for the latter than the

former. Katigen - Vinayaka is offered "bliss - buns" (made from

curds, honey and parched flour), radishes, wine, and fresh fruits.

The offerings are later partaken in the same spirit as Hindus take

prasad. Whosoever fulfills the rituals of the dual Kangiten is

believed to attain success in all worldly endeavors. The King

Vinayaka mantra is as follows:

 

Noba binoyokkyasha Kashitchibokyasha taniyata on noyokka noyokka

binoyokka tarayokka haritarayokka shokyakashitchi shokyashita (senji

kyara) sowaka'

 

 

Ganesha in Jain worship

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BY SATISH PUROHIT

Source: Free Press Journal

By the 5th century separate cults devoted to the worship of Ganesha

or Ganapati had made their presence felt. The earliest Jaina

depiction of Ganesha is in Mathura, with a figure of Jain Yakshi

Ambika.

 

As in the Vedic tradition, he is recognised as the auspicious one,

whose name is to be invoked before any auspicious undertaking. He is

the supreme remover of obstacles.

 

According to the Acharadinakara, of Vardhamansuri, a svetamabar Jain

monk, even the Gods propitiate Ganesh before embarking on any

venture. The same text also mentions the manner in which Ganesh is

to be worshipped and the correct manner of visualising his form

during meditation.

 

Ganesha as Om; the Pranava Mantra

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BY SATISH PUROHIT

Source: Free Press Journal

Ganesha is, as a popular song describes him, `Omkar Swarupa' or

the mystic syllable OM manifested in form. He is the secret force

behind all mantras as the OM is the primeval sound, the sound-womb

from which the entire world of names and forms has come into

existence. Being such he is also the lord of speech, erudition and

insight.

 

He is thus the para-vaikhari or the illumined speech manifested. As

the mystic syllable OM, he symbolises the waking state,

 

Vinayaki, the Female Ganesha

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BY SATISH PUROHIT

Source: Free Press Journal

The earliest evidence of a female Ganesha or Vinayaki is a weathered

terracotta plaque from Rairh in Rajhasthan, which is said to date

back to the first century.

 

It is a figure of a corpulent human female body with an elephant

head. References to Vinayakis also abound in the puranas. The Matsya

Purana mentions Vinayaki as one of the two hundred `celestial

mothers' created by Mahadev, or Shiva to consume the blood of the

fiery demon Andhaka. Linga Purana also mentions the deity. Malini, a

demoness, who has an elephant head, drinks Paravati's bath water

and is honored by Shiva.

 

 

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