>Bri at 15:45, 4 July 2021

2021-07-04T15:45:20Z

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{{short description|Aspect of the Hindu god Ganesha}}
[[File:HaridrA gaNapati.JPG|thumb|Haridra Ganapati, folio from the ''[[Sritattvanidhi]]'' (19th century)]]
'''Haridra Ganapati''' ({{lang-sa|हरिद्रा-गणपति}}, {{IAST|Haridrā-gaṇapati}}, literally "turmeric Ganesha") is an aspect of the [[Hindu god]] [[Ganesha]] (Ganapati). Haridra Ganapati is also known as '''Ratri Ganapati'''.<ref>{{cite book|author=T. A. Gopinatha Rao|title=Elements of Hindu iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC&pg=PA58-IA69|year=1993|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher|isbn=978-81-208-0878-2|page=59}}</ref> Haridra Ganapati is depicted as yellow like [[turmeric]] and wears yellow garments. He is one of the most popular [[thirty-two forms of Ganesha]].

==Iconography==
The iconographical treatises ''Niyotsava'' and the ''Mantra-maharnava'' have similar descriptions of Haridra Ganapati. He is described as having three eyes. He sits on a golden throne. He is yellow-complexioned like turmeric and also wears yellow clothes. He has four arms and carries a ''[[pasha (Hinduism)|pasha]]'' (noose), an ''[[ankusha]]'' (elephant goad), a ''[[modaka]]'' (sweet) and the ''danta'' (his own broken tusk) in his four hands.<ref>Yadav pp. 23–4</ref> He draws his devotees closer by the noose, while goads them in the right direction by the ''ankusha''.<ref name="Subramuniyaswami">{{cite book|author=Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami|title=Loving Ganesha|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications|isbn=978-1-934145-17-3|page=79}}</ref>

The ''Dakshinamnaya'' mentions that Haridra Ganapati has six arms and sits on a jewelled throne, in addition to his yellow colour and yellow vestments. His three right hands hold the ankusha and display the ''krodha-[[mudra]]'' (the gesture of anger) and ''[[abhayamudra]]'' (the gesture of protection). His left hands carry the pasha, a ''[[parashu]]'' (battle-axe) and displays the ''[[varadamudra]]'' (gesture of boon-giving).<ref name="Rao1989"/>

Other references to the deity describe his face to be ointed with turmeric; him wearing a yellow ''[[yagnopavita]]'' ("sacred thread") besides his turmeric complexion and clothes. He is described holding a ''pasha'', an ''ankusha'' and a staff.<ref name="bhandarkar"/>

In the ''Ajitāgama'', Haridra Ganapati is described as turmeric-colored and flanked by two unnamed wives.<ref>''Ajitāgama'' Vol. III. 55.18.</ref>

==Worship==
Haridra Ganapati is worshipped for wealth and well-being.<ref name="T.K.Jagannathan2009">{{cite book|author=T.K.Jagannathan|title=Sri Ganesha|date=2009|publisher=Pustak Mahal|isbn=978-81-223-1054-2|page=94}}</ref> He is also described to protect his devotees.<ref name="Rao1989">{{cite book|author=Saligrama Krishna Ramachandra Rao|title=Pratima Kosha: Descriptive Glossary of Indian Iconography|volume = 2|year=1989|publisher=IBH Prakashana|page=153}}</ref>

Haridra Ganapati is the patron of the Haridra Ganapatya sect, one of the six major schools of the [[Ganapatya]] sect, which regards Ganesha as the Supreme Being. The Haridra Ganapati followers consider him as leader of all deities including [[Brahma]], [[Vishnu]], [[Shiva]] and [[Indra]]; the guru of the sage [[Bhrigu]], the guru of gods – [[Brihaspati]], the serpent [[Shesha]] etc.; the one which the greatest knowledge and the one is worshipped by the deities who create the universe. Worshipping Haridra Ganapati is believed to grant [[moksha]] (emancipation). These sectarians used to [[Human branding|brand by iron]] the head of Ganesha and his tusk on their palms.<ref name="bhandarkar">{{cite book|author=Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar|title=Vaisnavism, Saivism and Minor Religious Systems|publisher=Asian Educational Services|isbn=978-81-206-0122-2|page=213}}</ref>

Haridra Ganapati is a [[Tantra|Tantric]] form of Ganesha. Special [[mantra]]s and [[yantra]]s are used in his worship. Rituals involving his worship generally are performed to fulfill material objectives, especially gaining boons related to sexuality. He is also associated with six rituals of [[abhichara]] (uses of spells for malevolent purposes) by which the adept can cause the target to suffer delusions, be overcome with irresistible attraction or envy, or to be enslaved, paralysed or killed.<ref name = "grewal">Grewal pp. 122–3</ref>

==Notes==
<references />

==References==
* {{cite book|author=Nirmala Yadav|title=Gaṇeśa in Indian art and literature|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hNlKAQAAIAAJ|year=1997|publisher=Publication Scheme}}
* {{cite book|author=Royina Grewal|title=Book of Ganesha|year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-091-3}}

{{Ganesha}}

[[Category:Forms of Ganesha]]

Haridra Ganapati - Revision history

>Bri at 15:45, 4 July 2021