In India, statues of Ganesh are placed at the inner gates of many temples, symbolizing his role as keeper of sacred spaces. Here, pilgrims and passersby pay homage and seek his blessings. It is this symbolic presence at the entrance of our most holy places that makes Ganesh such a vital figure in our lives.
Stationed at the threshold of sacredness and awareness, mediating between the possibility of the profound and our often habitual, mundane perception of the world, Ganesh is the guiding force behind this very moment of experience - where desire meets possibility. "Ganesh: Removing the Obstacles" offers practical and meaningful interpretations of folk narratives and sacred texts concerning the larger-than-life elephant-headed god, Ganesh.

Perhaps the best known of all Hindu deities is Shiva and known as a god of the people. He is also a god of paradox, appearing to live out two extremely contradictory lives. He is depicted in the Puranas as wild, recklessly austere and even ferociously destructive. At the same time we hear of his compassionate and merciful nature. The stories of this complex god, such as how he swallowed a pool of poison that threatened to destroy the world, make for an engaging and mystifying read! Shiva features generous illustration by both traditional and contemporary Indian artists.