If an individual gets everything in life very smoothly right from good education, good job, good money, own house, dream life partner coupled with aristocratic life style at the right time when desired then it would be very unlikely that one might remember God that off and on when life is sailing smoothly. The reality is in life everyone gets their share of knocks and goes through turbulent times. A vacuum of one's desire and hopes is always left unanswered so that we always remember God and connect with our prayers and our wishes with the almighty.
In the new book by JAICO Publishing House titled "99 Thoughts on Ganesha" by Devdutt Pattanaik (Stories, Symbols and Rituals of India's beloved elephant-headed deity) the author has made reference to Ganesha the Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles. A medical doctor by education, a leadership consultant by profession, Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik is currently the Chief Belief Officer at Future Group. He has written and lectured extensively on the nature of sacred stories, symbols and rituals and their relevance in modern times.
In his latest book and also the first one on Ganesha the author brings together 99 meditations to better understand the stories, symbols and rituals of one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon namely Ganapati known to remove hurdles to bring prosperity and peace in our life.
If you have ever wondered why is Ganapati always riding on or accompanied by rat? Why is a snake coiled around Ganesha's stomach or neck? Why Ganesha is fond of Modaka as a sweet in particular? Why blades of grass, known as Dhurva form a critical ingredient of Ganesha worship. The answers to these questions that can set one thinking can be found in this book making it easy to relate to each one of them post reading this book.
The author has made it interesting by dividing the book into twelve parts and showing the importance of Ganapati in family, festivals, stories, symbols, temples etc. An interesting area covered under "family part" is that of Lakshmi and Saraswati. Lakshmi, is the goddess of wealth. When she enters the house, there is prosperity. Saraswati, is the goddess of wisdom. When she enters the house, there is peace. But the two of them do not stay in the same house which is why peace and prosperity rarely co-exist. The only God who can bring them together is Ganesha.
Why devotees of Ganesha avoid looking at the moon on the days that he is worshipped? Why is the word "Shri" seen on top of wedding cards even today and what is its significance? If these questions are trying to make you curious then reading this latest book by Dr. Pattanaik would be all the more enlightening.
Readers are sure to find the answers to the above questions in this book coupled with relevant explanation which the author has given throughout the book coming out not only as interesting but convincing as well. One may ask why only 99 thoughts why not more to which the author has cited the example of the game of cricket. Having scored 99 runs, when a batsman stands all set to get that one run to gain the century mark, he experiences the moment that is best associated with Ganesha. The readers can realize the importance of Lord Ganesh in our life.
Author Devdutt Pattanaik
Publisher JAICO Publishing House
Pages 240
Price Rs 195/-
ISBN 978-81-8495-152-3
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