gaNesha stotram (fwd)

[Jaldhar H. Vyas]

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "Subrahmanian, Sundararaman V [IT]"
>     <sundararaman.v.subrahmanian at citigroup.com>
>
> Dear Sri Jaladhar,
>
> I was looking at the archives for a posting on sanat sujaatiya and this
> article by you was close by and happened to read it.
>
> >navamaM bhAlachandraM cha dashamaM tu vinAyakam |
> >ekAdashaM gaNapatiM dvAdashaM tu gajAnanam || 4 ||
> >
> >The nineth is Bhalachandra[9] and the tenth Vinayaka[10] |
> >The eleventh Ganapati[11], and the twelveth Gajanana[12]. (4)
>
> <...>
>
> >[10] Remover (of obstacles.)  See [7].
>
> I thought the meaning of the word was:
> vinaayakaH = vigataH naayakaH yasya saH = one without a master ie., the
> Supreme.
>
> Can you clarify?
>

According to the Ramashrami on the Amarakosha.  Vinayaka comes from vinaya
with the meaning to hinder or block. vi (opposite) + naya -- to lead or
flow.  Compare the more common noun meaning of vinaya -- morality or moral
instruction.  However it does also list the definition you gave soI guess
they are both correct.

Interestingly, Amarakosha also gives Vinayaka as a name of the Buddha
(probably in the sense you mentioned.)  One of the three divsions of the
Buddhist shastras is clled vinaya pithaka.  It deals with regulations for
monks.

--
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>
It's a girl! See the pictures - http://www.braincells.com/shailaja/