Sritattvanidhi

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The Sritattvanidhi (Śrītattvanidhi) ("The Illustrious Treasure of Realities") is an iconographic treatise written in the 19th century in Karnataka by order of the then Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1794-1869).^{[1] [2]} The date of his death is given as March 28, 1868 in some other source.^{[citation needed]}

The Maharaja was a great patron of art and learning and was himself a scholar and writer. There are around 58 works ascribed to him.^{[citation needed]}

On the first page of the Sritattvanidhi the author says:

May the work Sri Tattvanidi, which is illustrated and contains secrets of mantras and which is authored by King Sri Krishna Raja Kamteerava, be written without any obstacle. Beginning of Shaktinidhi...^[3]

Martin-Dubost's review of the history of this work says that the Maharaja funded an effort to put together in one work all available information concerning the iconography and iconometry of divine figures in South India. He asked that a vast treatise be written, which he then had illustrated by miniaturists from his palace.^[4]

The resulting illuminated manuscript, which he entitled the Sritattvanidhi, brings together several forms of Shiva, Vishnu, Skanda, Ganesha, different goddesses, the nine planets (navagraha), and the eight protectors of the cardinal points (aṣṭadikpālas). The work is in nine parts, each called a nidhi ("treasure"). The nine sections are:^{[citation needed]}

• Sakti nidhi
• Vishnu nidhi
• Siva nidhi
• Brahma nidhi
• Graha nidhi
• Vaishnava nidhi
• Saiva nidhi
• Agama nidhi
• Kautuka nidhi

Contents 1 Published editions 2 32 Forms of Ganapati 2.1 1. Bāla Ganapati 2.2 2. Taruna Ganapati 2.3 3. Bhakta Ganapati 2.4 4. Vîra Ganapati 2.5 5. Shakti Ganapati 2.6 6. Dvija Ganapati 2.7 7. Siddha Ganapati 2.8 8. Ucchishta Ganapati 2.9 9. Vighna Ganapati 2.10 10. Kshipra Ganapati 2.11 11. Heramba Ganapati 2.12 12. Lakshmî Ganapati 2.13 13. Mahāganapati 2.14 14. Vijaya Ganapati 2.15 15. Nrtya Ganapati 2.16 16. Ûrdhva Ganapati 2.17 17. Ekâkshara Ganapati 2.18 18. Vara Ganapati 2.19 19. Tryakshara Ganapati 2.20 20. Kshipraprasâda Ganapati 2.21 21. Haridrâ Ganapati 2.22 22. Ekadanta Ganapati 2.23 23. Shristi Ganapati 2.24 24. Uddanda Ganapati 2.25 25. Sankatahara Ganapati 2.26 26. Dundhi Ganapati 2.27 27. Dvimukha Ganapati 2.28 28. Trimukha Ganapati 2.29 29. Simha Ganapati 2.30 30. Yoga Ganapati 2.31 31. Durgâ Ganapati 2.32 32. Sankataharana Ganapati 3 References 4 Further reading 5 See also

[edit] Published editions

A original copy of this colossal work is available in the Oriental Research Institute, University of Mysore, Mysore. Another copy is in the possession of the present scion of the Royal Family of Mysore, Sri Srikanta Datta Narsimharaja Wadiyar.

An unedited version of this work with only text in devanagari script was published about a century ago by Khemraj Krishna das of Sri Venkateshvar Steam Press, Bombay (Mumbai).

In recent times the Oriental Research Institute has published three volumes (Saktinidhi, Vishnunidhi, and Sivanidhi).^[5]

Prof. S.K.Ramachandra Rao, has edited a book titled "Sri-Tattva-Nidhi (of Krishna Raja Wodeyar III of Mysore) (Vol-1). It was published by Kannada University,Hampi in 1993. However, in reality it was on Ragamala Paintings as depicted in " Svarachudamani" authored by the Mummadi Krishna Raja Wodeyar. Similar set of Ragamala Paintings are also found in Sri Tattva-Nidhi.

Another important work in this genre is by a Sanskrit scholar and hatha yoga student named Norman Sjoman. He has written a book titled: The Yoga Tradition of the Mysore Palace(Year of Publication : 1996,ISBN : 8170173892).The book presents the first English translation of a part of Koutuka nidhi/Sritattvanidhi , which includes instructions for and illustrations of 122 postures—making it by far the most elaborate text on asanas in existence before the twentieth century.The book includes instructions for 122 yoga poses, illustrated by stylized drawings of an Indian man in a topknot and loincloth. Most of these poses—which include handstands, backbends, foot-behind-the-head poses, Lotus variations, and rope exercises—are familiar to modern practitioners (although most of the Sanskrit names are different from the ones they are known by today). But they are far more elaborate than anything depicted in other pre-twentieth-century texts.

[edit] 32 Forms of Ganapati

The Shivanidhi portion includes descriptions of thirty-two forms of Ganapati that are mentioned frequently in devotional literature related to Ganesha.^{[6] [7]} There are also sculptural representations of these thirty-two forms in the temples at Nañjanguḍ and Chāmarājanagar (both in Mysore district, Karṇāṭaka), done about the same time as the paintings were done and also at the direction of the same monarch.^[8]

Each of the thirty-two illustrations is accompanied by a short Sanskrit meditation verse (dhyānaśloka), written in Kannada script. The meditation verses list the attributes of each form. The text says that these meditation forms are from the Mudgala Purana.

In his review of how the iconographic forms of Ganapati shown in the Sritattvanidhi compare with those known from other sources, Martin-Dubost notes that the Sritattvanidhi is a recent text from South India, and while it includes many of Ganesha's forms that were known at that time in that area it does not describe earlier two-armed forms which existed from the 4th century, nor those with fourteen and twenty arms which appeared in Central India in the 9th and 10th century.^[9]

Ramachandra Rao says that:

"The first sixteen of the forms of Gaṇapati shown [in the Sritattvanidhi] are more popularly worshipped under the name shoḍaśa-gaṇapati. Among them, the thirteenth, viz. Mahāgaṇapati, is especially widely worshipped. There is a tāntrik sect which is devoted to this form. Śakti-gaṇapati, Ucchishṭa-gaṇapati and Lakshmī-gaṇapati are also tāntrik forms, which receive worship which is cultic and esoteric. Heraṃba-gaṇapati is popular in Nepāl."^[10]

The 32 forms described in the Sritattvanidhi are as follows. Some of the details of the descriptions, such as the colors to be used in meditation upon the form, are taken from the meditation verses and may not correspond exactly to the pictures.

[edit] 1. Bāla Ganapati

Ganapati the Boy

Meditation verse in Kannada:

atha dvAtriMshadgaNapatInAM dhyAnaM| mudgalapurANe tatra bAlagaNapatidhyAnaM | karasthakadaLIcUta panasEkShukamOdakaM bAlasUryanibhaM vaMde dEvaMbAlagaNAdhipaM ||1|| raktavarNaH

Chinmayananda's translation of the meditation verse:

"I salute Lord Balaganapathi adorned with a garland of tender flowers, having plantain, mango, jack fruit, sugarcane and sweets in His hands and who is effulgent like the rising sun."^[11]

Translation of the meditation verse provided by a Wikipedian:

"Meditation on 32 forms of Ganapati as described in the Mudgala Purana. First of all meditation on Boy Ganapati. He is carrying in his hands banana, mango, jack fruit, sugar cane and modaka (a sweet). Salute to the Lord Boy Ganapati who is shining like a rising sun (red color)."

[edit] 2. Taruna Ganapati

Young Ganapati

Meditation verse in Kannada:

atha taruNagaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANE | pAshAMkushApUpakapitthajaMbU svadaMtashAlIkShumapisvahastyeH dhattEsadAyastaruNAruNAbhaH pAyatsayuShmAMstaruNOgaNEshaH ||2|| raktavarNaH

Chinmayananda's translation of the meditation verse:

"May the young Lord Ganapathi, who is carrying in His hands the noose, hook, rice-cake, guava fruit, rose apple, own (broken) tusk, bunch of corn ears and sugarcane and who vividly shines forth with His brilliant youthfulness, bless you all."^[12]

Translation of the meditation verse provided by a Wikipedian:

"Meditation on Young Ganapati as described in mudgalapurana : He is carrying in his hands a noose, a hook, kadubu (an edible specific to Lord Ganapati), a wood apple fruit, a rose apple fruit, his own tusk, paddy and sugar cane. Resplendant in red like a Young Son. I salute you Young Ganapati ||2|| (Red Color)"

[edit] 3. Bhakta Ganapati

Devotee Ganapati

Meditation verse in Kannada:

atha bhaktagaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANE| nArikELAmrakadaLI guDapAyasadhAriNaM sharaccaMdrAbhavapuShaM bhajE bhaktagaNAdhipaM ||3|| shvEtavarNaH

Chinmayananda's translation of the meditation verse:

"I worship Bhakta Ganapathi, who is the Lord of His devotees and who shines like the autumn moon, with coconut, mango, plantain, jaggery and sweets in his hands."^[13]

Translation of the meditation verse provided by a Wikipedian:

"Meditation on Devotee Ganapati as described in mudgalapurana - In his hands carrying a coconut, Mango, banana, a vessel containing sweet soup made of jaggery( jaggery payasa). His whole body is effulgent in white like a autumn moon . I salute to you devotee ganapati ||3|| ( White Colour)"

[edit] 4. Vîra Ganapati

Ganapati the Valiant

Meditation verse in Kannada:

atha vIragaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANE | hEtALashaktisharakAr^mukacakraKaDga KaTvAMgamudgaragadAMkushanAgapAshAn shUlaMcakuMtaparashuMdhvajamudvahaMtaM vIraMgaNEshamaruNaMsatataMsmarAmi ||4|| raktavarNaH

Chinmayananda's translation of the meditation verse:

"I always meditate on the Veera Ganapathi (Valiant) who is armed with Bhetala, the weapon of power, arrow, bow, wheel, sword, club, hammer, mace, hook, nagapasha (serpent noose), spear, plough, and the shining axe."^[14]

Translation of the meditation verse provided by a Wikipedian:

"Meditation on Valourous Ganapati as described in mudgalapurana - He is carrying in his hands: bhetal( vampire), shakti weapon, arrow, bow, discus(cakra), sword, a weapon called khatvanga, hammer, mace, hook, serpent, noose, spear, lance, axe and flag. His complexion is red. I always adore such courgaious Ganapati ||4|| (Red Colour)"

[edit] 5. Shakti Ganapati

Translation of the meditation verse provided by a Wikipedian:

"He is red in colour. He has four arms. His low right hand shows the movement of lack of fear (abhaya); the two others wear the elephant goad and the noose; the last hand, who holds a lemon, embraces the goddess. With the top of his trunk, Shakti Ganapati holds a cake."

[edit] 6. Dvija Ganapati

dvija gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati the Twice-Born". He has four heads and four arms. He is white in colour. His hands hold the rosary, the washing pot (kamandalu), the walking-stick of an ascetic or the ritual spoon (sruk) and the manuscript on palm-leaves (pustaka).

[edit] 7. Siddha Ganapati

siddha gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati bestowing success", fond of the sesame cake. He has four arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the axe, the noose, the sugar-cane stem and the mango.

[edit] 8. Ucchishta Ganapati

ucChiShTa gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati devouring the remnants of the meal". He has six arms. He is blue in colour. His hands show the rosary, the pomegranate, the paddy ear (shalyagra), the nocturnal lotus, the lute (vîna); his sixth hand sometimes bears a guñja berry, embraces the goddess. The Ucchista Ganapati trunk is placed on the goddesse's thigh.

[edit] 9. Vighna Ganapati

viGna gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati removing the obstacles". He has eight arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the disc, the arrow-flowers, the hatchet, the conch, the sugar-cane stem, the noose, the elephant goad. With the tip of his trunk, he carries a bunch of flowers (pushapamañjari).

[edit] 10. Kshipra Ganapati

kShipra gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati the Speedyle". He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands show the single tusk, the elephant goad, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalatâ), the noose. With the end of his trunk, he carries the stone cup full of precious stones (ratnakumbha).

[edit] 11. Heramba Ganapati

hEraMba gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

The five-heads Ganapati riding the lion". He has ten arms. He is dark in colour. His first hand shows the movement of lack of fear (abhaya), the others hold the rosary, the citron, the club, the elephant goad, the noose, the axe, the kadabu cake, the single tusk; his tenth hand shows the movement which bestows boons (varada).

[edit] 12. Lakshmî Ganapati

lakshmi gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati the Fortunate" embracing his wives Siddhi and Buddhi. He is white in colour. He has eight arms. His hands hold a pomegranate, a sword, the creeper of the votive tree, the elephant goad, the parrot, the noose, the jewel pot; his eighth hand bestows boons (varada).

[edit] 13. Mahāganapati

mahA gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The Great Ganapati" with a shakti. He has ten hands. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the pomegranate, the club, the sugar-cane bow, the disc, the conch, the noose, the nocturnal lotus, the paddy ear, the jewels pot.

[edit] 14. Vijaya Ganapati

vijaya gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

Vijaya Ganapati : "Ganapati the Victorious", riding a rat which trots at a smart pace. He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango.

[edit] 15. Nrtya Ganapati

nRutta gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The Dancing Ganapati" under the boon-tree. He has four arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose, the axe (parashu) or the hatchet (kuthâra). The dhyâna sloka specifies that one of the four hands can show a cake apûpa.

[edit] 16. Ûrdhva Ganapati

Urdhva gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The Rising Ganapati", seated with his Shakti on his left thigh. He has eight arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the arrow-flower, the daylight lotus, the blue lily (kalhara), the sugar-cane bow, the paddy ear, the club; his last hand claps the goddess. The extremity of his trunk is rolled around the right breast of the goddess.

[edit] 17. Ekâkshara Ganapati

EkAkShara gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati identified with the word OM". He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka. Somtimes, he wears, with the extremity of his trunk (bîjapûra).

[edit] 18. Vara Ganapati

vara gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The Delightful Ganapati" with a shakti seated on his left thigh. He has four arms. He is red in colour. His first three hands hold the elephant goad, the skull filled with liquor (madhumatkapâla) and the noose. The fourth hand creeps between the thighs of the goddess who holds a lotus and a banner.

[edit] 19. Tryakshara Ganapati

trayakSha gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The Three-letters A+U+M Ganapati". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango. He holds the cake modaka with the trunk end.

[edit] 20. Kshipraprasâda Ganapati

kShipraprasAda gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"Ganapati bestowing quickly his mercy". He has six arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the lotus, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalatâ), the noose, the lemon.

[edit] 21. Haridrâ Ganapati

haridra gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

"The curcuma-colored Ganapati". He has four arms. He is yellow in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka.

[edit] 22. Ekadanta Ganapati

EkadaMta gaNapati as shown in the Sritattvanidhi (19th century)

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"The Single Tusk Ganapati". He has four arms. He is blue in colour. His hands hold a large tusk, a rosary, a hatchet (kuthâra) and the small ball of sweets (laddu).

[edit] 23. Shristi Ganapati

"Ganapati the Creator", riding a big rat. He is red in colour. His has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango.

[edit] 24. Uddanda Ganapati

"Ganapati the Unchained", with his Shakti seated on his left thigh. He has twelve arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the club, the nocturnal lotus, the noose, the paddy ear, the elephant goad, the washing pot (kamandalu), the sugar-cane bow, the disc, the daylight lotus, the conch and the pomegranate. His trunk is placed on the top of the goddesse's breast or, sometimes, maintains a jewels pot (manikumbha).

[edit] 25. Sankatahara Ganapati

"Ganapati seated on a large lotus with his Shakti "; he removes the impediments. He has four arms. He is red in colour. His first hand show the movement to bestow boons (varada) ; the three others hold the elephant goad, the noose and the bowl of sugared rice (pâyasapâtra).

[edit] 26. Dundhi Ganapati

"The Ganapati which we have to look for". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the rosary, the hatchet (kuthâra) and the pot of jewels (ratnapâtra).

[edit] 27. Dvimukha Ganapati

"Ganapati with two faces".

[edit] 28. Trimukha Ganapati

"The Tree-Head Ganapati". He has six arms. He is red in colour. His first hand shows the movement which gives boons (varada), the four others hols a very sharp elephant goad, a rudrâksha grain of the rosary, the noose and the ambrosia pot (amritakumbha) ; the sixth hand removes the fear (abhaya).

[edit] 29. Simha Ganapati

"The Lion-face Ganapati". He has eight arms. He is white in colour. His first hand shows the movement which bestow boons (varada). The following hold the disc, the bunch of flowers, the lute (vîna), thez daylight lotus, the jewels pot, the creeper of the votive tree; the last hand shows the movement which removes fear (abhaya).

[edit] 30. Yoga Ganapati

"Ganapati the Ascetic". He has four arms. He is red in colour. His legs are surrounded with the meditation girdle (yogapatta). His hands hold the rosary, the elbow-rest or the walking-stick, the noose and the sugar-cane.

[edit] 31. Durgâ Ganapati

"Ganapati similar the Goddess Durgâ". He has eight arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the arrow, the rosary, the noose, the bow, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalatâ) and the rose-apple fruit.

[edit] 32. Sankataharana Ganapati

"Ganapati who discharges from debts". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the rose-apple fruit.

[edit] References

1. ^ Martin-Dubost, op. cit., pp. 120-123, 376. Martin-Dubost includes information on how the work came to be commissioned as well as a description of the Ganapati forms based on personal inspection of one of the Mysore originals. Martin-Dubost gives the dates for Krishnaraja Wodeyar III as (1794-1869).
2. ^ Dates for Krishṇa-rāja-Woḍeyar III are given as (1794-1869) in: Ramachandra Rao, S. K. The Compendium on Gaņeśa. p. vi. (Sri Satguru Publications: Delhi, 1992). ISBN 81-7030-828-3. This book gives color reproductions of the 32 Ganapati pictures from the Sri Tattvanidhi.
3. ^ shrI kRuShNarAjamahArAjakaMThIravaviracitavAda, maMtrarahasyada shrItatvanidhiyeMba graMthavaM sacitravAgi bareyuvudakke nirviGnamastu.

   atha shaktinidhiprAraMbhaH

4. ^ Martin-Dubost, op. cit.
5. ^ Chief editor, M. Madaiah. Imprint: Mysore : Oriental Research Institute, University of Mysore. Physical Description: v. <1-3 > : col. ill. ; 29 cm. Series Information: (Oriental Research Institute series ; nos. <186, 194, 199 >) Volume Titles: v. 1. Saktinidhi -- v. 2. Visnunidhi -- v. 3. Sivanidhi / chief editor, K.V. Ramesh. Source of citation: DK Agencies, retrieved 1 March 2007.
6. ^ Line drawings of the 32 meditation forms along with the Sanskrit descriptions appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi are given in: Glory of Ganesha (Central Chinmaya Mission Trust: Bombay, 1995), pp. 85-118. The same set of drawings but with some substitutions in order and naming appears in John A. Grimes, Ganapati: Song of the Self, SUNY Series in Religious Studies (State University of New York Press: Albany, 1995) ISBN 0-7914-2440-5.
7. ^ Descriptions of the 32 meditation forms appearing in the Śrītattvanidhi are given in pp. 120-123 of Paul Martin-Dubost, Gaņeśa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds, Project for Indian Cultural Studies, Publication VI, (Franco-Indian Research Pvt. Ltd.: Mumbai, 1997). ISBN 81-900184-3-4
8. ^ Ramachandra Rao, op. cit., p. vi.
9. ^ Martin-Dubost, op. cit., p. 120.
10. ^ Ramachandra Rao, op. cit., p. vi.
11. ^ Chinmayananda, op. cit., p. 87.
12. ^ Chinmayananda, op. cit., p. 88.
13. ^ Chinmayananda, op. cit., p. 89.
14. ^ Chinmayananda, op. cit., p. 90.

[edit] Further reading

• Chinmayananda, Swami. Glory of Ganesha. (Central Chinmaya Mission Trust: Bombay, 1995).
• Heras, H. The Problem of Ganapati. (Indological Book House: Delhi, 1972).
• Krishan, Yuvraj. Gaņeśa: Unravelling An Enigma. (Motilal Banarsidass Publishers: Delhi, 1999) ISBN 81-208-1413-4.
• Martin-Dubost, Paul. Gaņeśa: The Enchanter of the Three Worlds. (Project for Indian Cultural Studies: Mumbai, 1997). ISBN 81-900184-3-4.
• Ramachandra Rao, S. K. The Compendium on Gaņeśa. (Sri Satguru Publications: Delhi, 1992). ISBN 81-7030-828-3. Contains color plate reproductions of the 32 Ganapati forms reproduced from the Sri Tattvanidhi.

[edit] See also

• Wodeyar
• Hindu iconography
• Illuminated manuscript