Religious texts for Sri Ganapati, Ganesh, Lord Vigneshwara

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Sri Vinayaka Stotram Sri Sankatanaasana Ganesha Stotram		Ganesha Dvaadasanaama Stotram Sri Maha Ganapathi Sahasranaama Stotram

Ganapti, Ganesha Vignesha Vinayaka |

Followers of Hinduism propitiate Lord Vigneshwara before initiating any important task. It is strongly believed that by doing so, obstacles will be dispelled.   The fourth day of lunar calendar month Bhaadrapada is known to be the day Lord was born on. On this day, known as Vinayaka chaviti or Vinayaka chathurti, devotees perform special poojas. In some parts, nine subsequent days are celebrated as Ganapathi nava raatri.   Various puranas present different stories associated with Lord's birth. As per Linga purana the story goes thus. Lord Siva, who is known to be the one who can be propitiated easily, used to gift powerful boons to the asuras (anti gods) and rakshasas as a return for their penance. However, these boons were getting abused by these in harming the weak and indulging in unrighteous acts. When the suffering gods and gods-men approached Lord Siva seeking solace, he created Lord Vigneshwara appointing him as the Lord of obstacles and commanding him to create obstacles in the path of rakshasas and helping the righteous.   Another story as per Siva purana has the following to say. Lord Siva's consort Goddess Parvathi's maid servants Jaya and Vijaya advised her to have an obedient servitor instead of Nandi who holds higher regard for Lord Shiva. Hence she created a boy out of the unguents smeared over her body, endowed him with life and ordered him to guard while she went for bathing. When Lord Shiva proceeded to enter, he was rudely prevented by the boy. Siva became Rudra and beheaded the boy. One of the goblins gourmandized the head part. Learning of the incident, Goddess Parvathi was inconsolable at the loss of her child. To appease her, the Lord sent his men in search of a being that is asleep with the head placed northwards facing south. They saw an elephant in such a posture and got the head back as commanded. The Lord got the elephant's head attached to body and instilled life again.