Wanting to convert to hinduism

[Eastern Mind]

Where does ganesha follow?

Vannakkam: As the 'son' of Siva, Ganesha is generally considered Saiva. However, most Hindus honor him before beginning any task, and one small group honors him as the Supreme.

Aum Namasivaya

[yajvan]

hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté

Namaste,
I'm a beginner too but first of all Hinduism has three main branches: worshippers of Vishnu and his avatars like Rama and Krishna (Vaishnava), worshippers of Shiva (Shaivas) and worshippers of the Goddess (Shakta). Then you may also consider that some say you can't convert to Hinduism while there are also organizations that actively proselyze. Maybe you should start with choosing your ishta-deva (personal God) from the Hindu pantheon and see where it leads you to.

While what you say is directionally correct , it seems the important question is why one would worship or be part of one of these 3 main branches ( even though I think there is more to the pie then called out).

It is the notion of how Reality is viewed; this view comes via the wisdom that is at the core of sanātana dharma. This wisdom is then revealed via the 6 schools of thought ( even though more are offered).
The 6 referred to here are :

• śāṁkhya
• yoga
• vedānta
• mīmāṃsā
• nyāya
• vaiśeṣika

What do these 6 schools of thought address ? The views of Reality:
Reality = vyāvahātika + pāramārthika ( the manifest or the world of diversity + the transcendent). And what then comes of this thought ?
How they view this Reality:

• advaita - no separateness or not two - unity
• dvaita - separateness or 2 - diversity
• viśiṣṭādvaita - separate yet - unity in diversity

Then one comes to worship this reality in the various ways... you have called out 3 branches. It is how we get to these branches that is considered the 'study' of sanātana dharma. It is worship with a foundation. Other wise one is like a kite in the wind, blown from here to there.

iti śivaṁ

[Cosinuskurve]

Anyone have spare books etc you could send me?

Thanks

Supposedly the most widespread text of Hinduism is the Bhagavad Gita, a dialogue between Krishna and his friend Arjuna, during which Krishna reveals himself as God. You may find cheap versions at online shops or auction boards. I found a free version here:

http://www.gita4free.com/english_completegita.html

I also found a Ganesha Gita, maybe it is interesting to you:

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2013/05/ga...-download.html

The Ganesha gita is a modified version of the Bhagavad gita in which Ganesha in his incarnation of Gajanana gives a long discourse to king Varenya. It is similar in many respects with the discourse given by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Source: http://www.saivism.net/sects/ganapatya.asp