Every ritual in the Hindu religion begins with invoking Ganapati, who is called by myriad names - Ganesha, Vinayaka, et al. His appearance and stories around his origin make it endearing to people of all ages and traditions.
An outsider to the tradition will find it baffling to understand the Ganapati tradition of worship. In John's words:
"Seemingly incongruous facts coincide simultaneously. Ganpati embodies a confusing, conflicting, yet interesting and intriguing mythology, and an elephant's head atop a plump human body! To further complicate the picture is the fact that the physical representation of Ganapati offers more iconographic variations than does that of any other Indian deity."
Regional Worship and the Ashtavinayaka Tradition
Even though Ganapati is worshipped across all of India, it is primarily seen in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. John goes into the details of the legends behind the Ashtavinayaka - eight Ganapati temples quite famous in Maharashtra.
John also goes into the various types of worship for Ganapati, which is typically the traditional ways used for all types of worship. Along with the multitude of Ganapati mantras, names, yantras, et al., this book is a treasure trove of information on Ganapati tradition and worship.
The Non-Dualistic Perspective
John analyzes the Ganapati tradition from a non-dualistic tradition. John posits that there is an underlying meaning behind the numerous legends, myths, facts, and stories regarding Ganapati.
In John's words:
"The presupposition made is that Ganapati points to the source of all presuppositions. He embodies the Self (Atman)."
The Song of Life
John considers the entire Ganapati traditional worship as a song of life - life as one all-pervading the Self / Atman.
Sound / Nada is the best form for understanding the divine. Names, mantras, shlokas, songs - are all a form of understanding the all-pervading divine.
This song of life becomes easier in the Ganapati tradition since it is possible to worship Him in easier ways; even a pinch of turmeric becomes a Ganapati!
The concept of dissolution is so entwined in the Ganapati tradition that it represents the entire cycle of life with ease!
"That which has no form, can take a form. That which has no name can take a name. From the Formless to Form, and back again and again and again…"