1

I heard that Parvati created Ganesha out of dirt. Is there any scriptural reference to it? What was the origin of Ganesha?

Improve this question
6
  • Out of powder of pulses made wet and rubbed on skin to cleanse the body before bathing with water.
    – Narasimham
    Commented Aug 11 at 19:50
  • @Narasimham That is what you are saying. Siva Purana does not say that. See the answer.
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Aug 12 at 2:47
  • Maybe. Heard such stories when a kid... the dal paste made from seeds, they grow from plants which in turn grow out of soil. Since the purpose of taking bath is cleansing, dirt will not be directly applied on the body for cleaning.
    – Narasimham
    Commented Aug 12 at 22:02
  • 1
    There are multiple stories required to birth, one of them is as you ask. As per lalitopakhyana, Parvati and Shiva looked at each other to destroy the Vighna Yantra created by Bandasura. So, Vigneshwara was created.
    – Kanthri
    Commented Aug 14 at 17:57
  • @Kanthri What is Lalitopakhyana?
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Aug 15 at 5:33

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

There could be many versions of Ganesha’s birth story due to Kalpa-bheda but the story where Parvari created him from her body dirt is mentioned in Shiva Purana: Rudra-saṃhitā (4): Kumāra-khaṇḍa: Chapter 13 - The birth of Gaṇeśa:

Brahmā said:—

  1. Due to the difference of Kalpas, the story of the birth of Gaṇeśa is told in different ways. According to one account he is born of the great lord. His head looked at by Śani was cut off and an elephant’s head was put on him.

  2. Now we narrate the story of the birth of Gaṇeśa in Śvetakalpa when his head was cut off by the merciful Śiva.

  1. “There must be a servant of my own who will be expert in his duties. He must not stray from my behest even a speck.”

  2. Thinking thus the goddess created a person with all the characteristics, out of the dirt[3] from her body.

  3. He was spotless and handsome in every part of his body. He was huge in size and had all brilliance, strength and valour.

22-23. She gave him various clothes and ornaments. She blessed him with benediction and said—“You are my son. You are my own. I have none else to call my own”.

Improve this answer
0

Tales shouldn't b taken too literally or out of context. Siva refers to nirguna nirakar. Parvati is one on path of para or Siva. Para means above and beyond maya attachment. After merging with divine such a tapasvi loses gross kosha or sharira, exists in astral plane so question of dirt doesn't arise. Elephant head is shape of sacral bone that holds mooldhara chakra energies. Mala refers to prithvi tattva in which divine power is contained or held after chakra kundalini awakens. Even Krsna divine is known as vana Mali or one who tends inner garden. Mala yuddha in spiritual context refers to tussle in tapasvis mind when letting go of attachments and maya-ego bonds (not literal heads)are chopped by divine.

Improve this answer
4
  • These are your interpretations, which are not supported by scripture. So, baseless.
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Aug 15 at 5:36
  • If you can cite any scriptural source, then only it will make sense.
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Aug 15 at 5:37
  • Mr Mukhopadhyay read yogasutra vedanta principles then it will make sense. Sites like kamakoti.org, sahaja yoga etc r good. Abrahmic religions have rigid scripture not Hinduism. Sanatan Dharm is compilation of vidya of entire samsara
    – user12531
    Commented Aug 16 at 15:41
  • Cite verses from Yogasutra or "Vedanta principles" (I guess, you mean Vedanta Sutra).
    – Amritendu Mukhopadhyay
    Commented Aug 17 at 10:26

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .