Hindu Cosmic Family
Shiva, Parvati and Ganapati (Main figures)
Click on image to enlarge
(Top to bottom): Shiva, Parvati, Ganapati, Santoshi and Dorje Shugden.
Deities: Shiva, Parvati and Ganapati (Sanskrit)
Alternative names: Lha Chenpo, Lhamo Uma and Tsodag (Tibetan)
Within the Hindu pantheon of deities, Shiva, Parvati and Ganapati embody the celestial aspect of familial bonds. Shiva the Destroyer is one of the Trimurti or holy trinity, together with Brahma the Creator and Vishnu the Preserver. These three gods together govern the creative, preservative and destructive forces of existence. Shiva’s destructive force, though thought of as literal, is also thought of as metaphorical in regards to the destruction of one’s ego, which leads to higher states of consciousness and salvation. Shiva’s power (or Shakti) is embodied in his consort, Parvati, who is herself a formidable goddess. Their son, the elephant-headed Ganapati, here portrayed as a child, is the god who creates and removes obstacles in one’s life. Due to a boon he was granted by his father, Ganapati is worshipped before any other god during both daily prayers and annual rituals.
Deity: Santoshi (Sanskrit)
Santoshi is considered to be one of the daughters of Ganapati. Her practice is widespread, especially amongst those who want their wishes granted. Her practice is one that involves fasting and prayer, and is popularly engaged in by adolescent women.
Deity: Dorje Shugden (Tibetan)
Alternative name: Vajra Rudra (Sanskrit)
Dorje Shugden is an emanation of the Buddha of Wisdom, Manjushri. He took the form of a Dharma Protector in order to safeguard the Buddha’s teachings, especially the important teachings on the Middle Way View. Reminiscent of Manjushri’s form, Dorje Shugden carries a meandering sword and rides a snowlion that represents the fearlessness of a fully enlightened Buddha. Thus, he has great strength to overcome obstacles of the body, speech and mind, and create suitable conditions for our spiritual practice to flourish. Furthermore, he carries a jewel-spitting mongoose and a vajra hook to symbolise that he has the tremendous ability to bestow wealth and resources. Dorje Shugden’s form is said to have manifested in the heavenly realms, via energy emitted from the body of the enlightened Ganapati.
Click here for more beautiful thangkas.
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
DISCLAIMER IN RELATION TO COMMENTS OR POSTS GIVEN BY THIRD PARTIES BELOW
Kindly note that the comments or posts given by third parties in the comment section below do not represent the views of the owner and/or host of this Blog, save for responses specifically given by the owner and/or host. All other comments or posts or any other opinions, discussions or views given below under the comment section do not represent our views and should not be regarded as such. We reserve the right to remove any comments/views which we may find offensive but due to the volume of such comments, the non removal and/or non detection of any such comments/views does not mean that we condone the same.
We do hope that the participants of any comments, posts, opinions, discussions or views below will act responsibly and do not engage nor make any statements which are defamatory in nature or which may incite and contempt or ridicule of any party, individual or their beliefs or to contravene any laws.
Please enter your details