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Loving Ganesa – Hinduism’s Endearing Elephant-Faced God: An illustrated resource on Dharma’s Benevolent Deity, remover of obstacles, Patron of art and science, Honored as first among the Celestials

There is no other novel about this well-loved deity who has an elephant’s face that is more emotionally moving. This brilliant work of art will bring the Lord of Dharma to life for you as you experience it. It makes contacting this merciful Lord simple and gives one motivation to do so.

“In this book, Satguru Subramuniyaswami demonstrates his extensive knowledge, as well as his profound intuition and wisdom, as well as his heartfelt devotion and love of Lord Genesa. Lord Genesa is known as the Protector of the Sanatana Dharma, the Remover of Obstacles, the Patron of Arts and Science, and the Mediator and Intercessor between Man and God. He is the God who is on our side, who is our friend and who actually protects and provides for us.

“The Great Genesa is presented to the reader in a language that is exemplary, unambiguous, and refined, using words that are easy to understand and with a sense of humour that is invigorating and subtle. Along with mantras, prayers, and pujas to show homage to the kind elephant-faced God, each and every facet, relation, symbol, and meaning of Lord Genesa has been expertly described and illustrated. Many people have the misconception that Lord Genesa is an obese, arrogant, elephant-headed deity who is connected to the Hindu pantheon in some way, despite the fact that he has never truly gotten to know any of the Hindu deities. In the event that this has been the case for you, then Loving Genesa has arrived at the perfect moment to provide you with the appropriate responses to all of your inquiries and to bring you closer to the magnificent and endearing Ganapati, who is the Keeper of All Knowledge and the Great Ruler of the Universe.

“My deepest gratitude goes out to Satguruji Subramuniyaswami for the gift of this magnificent book, which is a source of an inexhaustible supply of heavenly nectar, enlightenment, and happiness. I pray that all of you who read this may be blessed with pleasure, success, and the heavenly protection of the loving and compassionate Genesa.” (Sri Sri Paramhans Swami Maheshwarananda, International Sri Deep Madhavananda Ashram Fellowship; Vienna, Austria)

Author

Satguru Sivaya SubramaniyaSwami

The Pravargya Brahmana of the Taittiriya Aranyaka: An Ancient Commentary on the Pravargya Ritual

A historical commentary on the Pravargya ceremony can be found in Prapathaka 5, which is part of the Taittiriya Aranyaka in the Andhra recension. This commentary, known as the Pravargya Brahmana, is presented here in a translation that also includes annotations. An investigation of the Pravargya ritual is included in the Introduction. This ceremony is referred to as “One of the few rites that have been specifically alluded to in the Rgveda (typically under the term “Gharma”).” The abstract and spiritual character of what is most likely the primary purpose of the ritual – the participants should acquire the lustre of the sun – the straightforward means by which it can be performed, and the manner in which the main implement, the pot which is heated to a red-hot temperature, is worshipped, give it a special place among the vast assortment of Vedic rites. In addition to the translation, the original Sanskrit text of the Pravargya Brahmana of the Taittiriyas has also been provided here. The present work was prepared under the direction of Professor Dr. H.W. Bodewitz (Utrecht), and it is an expansion of an essay that the author wrote as part of the author’s partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of “doctorandus” at the University of Utrecht, 1987. This work was prepared under the guidance of Professor Dr. H.W. Bodewitz (Utrecht).

Author

Jan E.M. Houben

The Sraddha: The Hindu Book of the Dead (A Treatise on the Sraddha Ceremonies)

Of the sixteen samskaras which encompass a Hindu life the last one is performed for the dead by their sons or grandsons or relatives. Many passages in the Puranas and Dharmasastras extol the role of the son in the life of devout Hindu. The present book deals with the rite of Sraddha and vindicates the popular belief that Sraddha, being an important topic, forms an integral part of Hindu Dharmasastra. The belief in the after-death survival of deceased ancestors and their separate world belongs to the Indo-Iranian period and as such is pre-Vedic. Ancestor-worship for one’s prosperity, continuation of one’s race, is as old as the Rgveda. Preface, Introduction, The Antyesti Samskara, Appendices, Glossary.