The bold, bright colors of India leap off the page in this picture book retelling of how Ganesha helped write the epic Hindu poem, the Mahabharata. Ganesha is just like any other kid, except that he has the head of an elephant and rides around on a magical mouse. And he loves sweets, but when Ganesha insists on biting into a super jumbo jawbreaker laddoo, his tusk breaks off! With the help of the wise poet Vyasa, and his friend Mr. Mouse, Ganesha learns that what seems broken can be quite useful after all. With vibrant, graphic illustrations, expressive characters, and offbeat humor, this is a wonderfully inventive rendition of a classic tale. Praise for Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth “Pink elephants haven’t looked this good since Dumbo.” —The New York Times “Beautifully presented. . . . So sweet we almost want to pop it in our mouths.” —Entertainment Weekly “Stylish. . . . A fresh and comedic introduction to a Hindu legend, with a winning combination of both eye candy and actual candy.” —Publishers Weekly “Bright, elaborately detailed illustrations. . . . Grade-schoolers. . . . will enjoy the story’s turnarounds and focus on luscious sweets, and many will be ready for the classic Hindu myth.” —Booklist

Ganesha, the elephant-headed god, is easily the most recognizable and loveable of Hindu deities. But pinpointing his various attributes is not quite so simple. He is at once the portly, merry, childlike god and the sage, complex philosopher. He is the presiding deity of material wealth and the lord of spirituality. He removes all impediments for his devotees but creates all manner of difficulties for the transgressors, man or god. And associated with every aspect of Ganesha-be it his extraordinary birth, his elephant head, his broken tusk, his vehicle (the mouse), his appetite, his anger-are scores of myths, each more colourful than the other. In this thoroughly researched and delightfully narrated book, Royina Grewal gives us the many stories of Ganesha, exploring their significance and how they reflect the times and the cultures during which they originated.

Ganesa commands universal respect among the indigenous relegious schools and sects of the Hindus, Jainas and Buddhists. He is a God who is unique in many ways - his peculiar physiognomy, his double characters, as a vighnaharta (creator of obstacles) and as a vignaharta (remover of obstacles). He is worshiped first to ensure success of all religious and secular functions and enterprises, traces the origin and development of pauranic Ganesa, analyses his distinctive features and studies his representation in art both in India and in the other countries of Asia.

This book examines the complete Ganesh for the first time. Here is the God in his multiple forms from the different geographical areas in Asia. Particularly important are chapters that deal with his Buddhist and Tantric forms. The controversial question of his origins is also thoroughly discussed.

The life and legends of the god Ganesh in your hand, accompanied by a glorious gallery of historical imagery and art, including paintings by the renowned Indian artist, Indra Sharma. Son of the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati, Ganesh is the elephant-headed deity known most often as a remover (and sometimes creator) of obstacles. Worshipped in Hindi faith at the outset of new meetings and ventures, Ganesh is seen as a figure of prosperity and protection. This publication in the mini book scale collects traditionally styled Indian artwork by Indra Sharma and others, and a selection of writings on the history and philosophy of this deity to inspire thoughts and worship for followers of the deity, and fascinating insights for anyone interested in world religions in general. • Features the elephant-headed god’s origin tale, as well as other teaching stories, inspirational quotes, and a guide to understanding the symbols found in ancient and contemporary depictions of the deity. • A wide range of artwork including gorgeous original pieces from noted painters Indra Sharma, Mahaveer Swami, B. G. Sharma, and others • Also includes high-quality reproductions of ancient artworks, and images of traditional sculptures and temples dedicated to Ganesh.

The book, apart from narrating wisdom tales from Indian mythology, introduces the child to the world of new words. The words have been carefully chosen by a panel of experts and are explained in detail at the end of the book in a glossary.

Chapter 1: Birth and Origins In the first chapter, we delve into the intriguing tale of Ganesha's birth. Chapter 2: Iconography and Symbolism In this chapter, we investigate the iconography of Ganesha, from his elephant head and multiple arms to his broken tusk and the objects he carries. Chapter 3: The Many Names of Ganesha Ganesha is known by numerous names and epithets in Hindu tradition, Chapter 4: Ganesha in Hindu Epics Ganesha's presence extends beyond mythology into the pages of revered Hindu epics. Chapter 5: The Worship of Ganesha This chapter delves into the various rituals, festivals, and practices associated with the worship of Ganesha. Chapter 6: Ganesha Beyond India Ganesha's influence has transcended the borders of India, spreading to numerous countries and cultures. We explore the presence of Ganesha in countries. Chapter 7: Ganesha in Art and Literature Ganesha has left an indelible mark on various forms of artistic expression, from sculpture and painting to literature and poetry. Chapter 8: Ganesha's Influence in Daily Life Lord Ganesha is not confined to the realm of religion; he plays a significant role in the everyday lives of his devotees. Chapter 9: Stories and Parables This chapter recounts some of the most cherished stories and parables involving Lord Ganesha. Chapter 10: Modern Interpretations In the final chapter, we examine the evolving perception of Ganesha in the modern world.

Study on the female form of Gaṇeśa, Hindu diety, with special reference to Sanskrit sacred literature and Hindu sculptural findings.