Title: Sri Ganesha Purana - Simplified: Part 2 Kreeda Khanda (Hindu Dharma Simplified)
Author: Ishwar Joshi Awalgaonkar, Maha Rishi Vyasa
Genre: Children's Eastern Religions, Hindu Sacred Writings, Parenting Morals & Responsibility
Book Blurb:
Ganesha is arguably the most popular Hindu God in Bharat (India) and also arguably the most recognizable Hindu Deity for Non-Hindus around the world. Yet, this second part of the Ganesha Purana further opens our eyes and expands our mind to see a whole new Roopa (form) of Ganesha. One could say it lets us get a more complete picture of His Grandeur, Majesty, Strength, Power and Tenderness towards his Bhaktas (devotees). And despite the vastness of all those Qualities that we experience as we read, one cannot help feel that its but a drop in the Infinity that is the true nature of Ganesha!
Over the years, Ganesha’s tales have been over-simplified to a few about how He broke his Tusk, Cursed the Moon, Loves to eat Modaks and Rides a Rat. The Ganesha Purana is an astounding collection of tales that incalculably expands the horizon of the adventures of Ganesha. It shows us how Common people, Kings, Queens, Rishis (wise teachers), Devas (gods), Asuras & Daityas (demons) and even the Supergods of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva are blessed by Ganesha.
Every year, during the 10-day festival of Ganesh Chaturthi - neighborhood communities celebrate the glories of Ganesha in a communal forum. Giant Moorthi (statue) of Ganesha is established in a festive tent, Kids and Families perform cultural events in front of Ganesha, Adults and Grandparents join the Puja and Prayer ceremonies. Many families also establish a personal Ganesha Moorthi in their respective homes and do Puja, Vrata & Aarti every day during this time. On the last day of Ananta Chaturdashi, a huge crowd of people get into a giant procession party to take all these Ganesha Moorthi’s for a Visarjan (dipping) in the Sea or River. They chant “Ganpati Bappa Morya! Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!” (Dearest Ganesha, Glory to You! Please come back soon next Year!). Such is the love for Ganesha by his Bhaktaas (Devotees). The origins of all of this is in the Ganesha Purana where Ganesha, in the form of Vinayaka, advises his Bhaktaas to remember him every year in this way.
I hope you join me in drinking deep from the second part of the Ganesha Purana with an open mind & heart. Together may we gain Spiritual fulfillment by the grace of Ganesha. Om Ganeshaya Namaha.
My Review:
Another herculean effort by this author to create an easier to follow text from the difficult original writing. This is never a small accomplishment and needs to be recognized for the incredible effort that was required to get it done.
The personalization of the first section with prayers that extend to author's personal family is another way this work welcomes the reader in. A very personal beginning that makes the reader feel welcomed.
The illustrations are simply beautiful and bring the text to life. Pictures are worth 1,000 words and each of the wondrous illustrations is a tribute to that maxim.
In terms of the stylistic approach to this work it is top notch. For someone who is intently studying this guide for the first time, it is ideally written. There again is a question section at the end of each chapter. This simple device allows the person studying this writing to solidify what they have gained in each section.
This book is very much like the first excellent Sri Sai Sat Charita. If you started a spiritual journey with that tome, then this book is what you want to get to continue that journey.
Inspiring in both content and depth of effort, this is an impressive book. If you are simply curious about the wonders of Hindu scholarship or feel like a new path to enlightenment, then this book is for you. A masterful effort that is a tribute to the skill of the author.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Buy it Now:
Free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
Author Biography:
Ishwar Joshi Awalgaonkar has been a Bhakta (Devotee) since having a blissful experiencing at the age of 10 while growing up in Bharat (India). He has had several such experiences since then as he lived in India, Dubai & USA.
He is a Hindu and has read the holy books of all the major world religions: Gita, Vedas, Upanishads (Hinduism), Bible (Christianity), Quran (Islam), Dhammapada (Buddhism), Akaranga Sutra (Jainism), Tanakh (Judaism), Guru Granth Sahib (Sikhism), Tao te Ching (Taoism), Kojiki (Shinto) & Zend Avesta (Zoroastrianism).
Ishwar is a Software Engineering Manager for Google in California. Before this, he was a Software Engineer at Microsoft, Ericsson, Symantec, Anheuser Busch and other companies in Dubai and India. He also co-founded several startups where he filed patents and built unique and innovative Apps. Ishwar majored in English and History. He has read and self-studied the book ‘The Art of Computer Programming’ which is among the top twenty scientific monographs of the last century along with The Collected Papers of Einstein.
He does Transcendental Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga. He has run a Full Marathon of 26.2 miles / 42.1 kms, earned a Red belt in Tae Kwon Do and climbed Mt. Rainier 14,400 feet. In his spare time these days, he likes to ride his SuperSport Motorcycle.
Ishwar is happily married to Pallavi and they live with their two daughters Samriddhi and Samraadni in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Social Media Links:
Website https://www.ishwar.guru/
Reviewed by: Mr. N