HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS : 16-3.

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16. GANESH CHATURTHI -3.

When Gauri came to know of this she was sorely grieved.

To console her grief, Shiva ordered His servants to cut off and bring to Him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing

The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position.

The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant’s head was brought before Shiva.

The Lord then joined the elephant’s head onto the body of Ganesha.



Lord Shiva made His son worthy of worship at the beginning of all undertakings, marriages, expeditions, studies, etc.

He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha should take place on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada.



Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved.

No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing.



In his first lesson in the alphabet a Maharashtrian child is initiated into the Mantra of Lord Ganesha, Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah.

Only then is the alphabet taught.

Swami Sivananda
 To be continued  ...



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