Sri Ganesha

Manifestation

Shri Ganesha is also known as Ganapati. He is one of the most loved and worshipped Hindu Deities. His is revered as the remover of obstacle and the giver of wisdom and joy. His names are derived from two Sanskrit words- Ganesha: Gana (multitude, group) and isha (Lord), Ganapati: Gana and adipathi (Lord or Master). Meaning lord of the masses or this creation. He is the supreme consciousness that pervades all and brings order in this universe. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and brother of Kartikeya (Subramanya). In essence, he is the connection between the pure divine consciousness in its un-manifest form (Shiva) and the manifest form of energy (Parvati/Shakti/Prakruti). He is the base (Muladhar) of this cosmic creation that we all are a part of, and pervades through its beginning, middle and the end.

Physical Attributes

• Has a human body with an elephant’s head.
• He is typically depicted having four arms. One arm is extended in the Abhay Mudra (Blessing Pose) and the others can hold an Ankusha (Elephant Goad), Parashu (Axe), Paasa (lasso), Modaka (sweet) and a Lotus.
• He has one pointed and one broken tusk.
• He has a big belly.
• A mouse is always sitting close to his feet.

Qualities/Symbolism

• Adi Shankara, a famous Hindu Sage and Scholar (8th Century, India), describes Ganesha as 'Ajam Nirvikalpam Niraakaaramekam.' This means Ganesha is Ajam (unborn), he is Nirvikalpa (attribute-less), he is Niraakaar (formless). He symbolizes the consciousness which is omnipresent.
• The physical form attributed to Shri Ganesha helps even the simplest of human minds, grasp the vastness of this manifestation.
• The elephant’s head denotes wisdom. His large ears, small eyes, and small mouth reminds us that wisdom comes from being attentive, listening, and speaking less. He listens to all his devotees, but you will only hear his divine voice within you through silence and attention.
• His big belly signifies the ability to peacefully and happily digest all the good and bad in life. Ganesha's raised hand depicts protection and blessings for all his devotees.
• He carries in his hands the 'Ankusa' (elephant goad), Paarash (Axe), 'Paasa' (lasso). The axe cuts through ignorance and ego, the goad directs you away from obstacles and the lasso keeps you on the path of good, pulling you towards the final goal of human existence, Moksha (liberation from the material realm, realizing your true nature and merging with supreme consciousness).
• The mouse at his feet is a symbol of our senses, which are never satisfied. A mouse constantly keeps moving and nibbling through things. Similarly, our senses constantly desire new experiences and new tastes. Left uncontrolled, they keep growing forever. A wise person always keeps control over his/her senses.

Well-Known Stories

• Once, Lord Shiva’s consort, Devi Parvati wanted to take a bath and there were no attendants around. So, she created a boy out of mud and infused life into it, and thus Ganesha was born. Mother Parvati ordered little Ganesha to sit at the entrance of the house and not allow anyone inside. Ganesha obediently followed his mother’s orders. After a while, Lord Shiva returned from outside and as he tried to enter the house, Ganesha stopped him. He told Ganesha who he was, and demanded Ganesha to let him go in. But Ganesha would not listen. Shiva lost his patience and fought a fierce battle with Ganesha in which he severed Ganesha’s head with his powerful Trishul (Trident) and flung it far away. When Parvati came out and saw what had happened, she felt so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation. Lord Shiva then attached an elephant’s head to Ganesha’s body and brought him back to life.
• In essence, we are born into this material world due the manifest energy (Parvati) of this cosmic creation. Our human head which symbolizes ego and ignorance takes the material, manifest world (Maaya) for granted. We fail to visualize our connection to the divine consciousness. With divine grace that human head (ego, ignorance) dissolves only to realize that we but a part of that universal consciousness.

Ways of Worship and Types of Devotees

Ganapati is always prayed to first before undertaking any activity, including Vedic rituals and worship of any other Deity. Ganapati Pooja (Worship) involves invoking the deity to the worship altar and then praying to him. You would then symbolically offer him a bath, fresh clothes, food and entertainment in the same way you would take care of a special guest or relative who came to visit you from far.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a special day to pray and worship lord Ganesha. Many devotees mold Ganesha out of clay on Ganesh Chaturthi and worship him. After ten days, on Anant Chaturdashi, after worship the clay Ganesha murti (idol) is immersed in a water body symbolizing his return back to him home (un-manifest form).

Regions most worshiped

He is universally revered and worshiped by Hindus across India and many other parts of the world such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Bangladesh and Nepal. Ganesha is revered by Jains and Buddhists as well. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the biggest festivals in the state of Maharashtra, India.

Fascinating Facts

• Shri Ganesha is said to have written the Mahabharata as it was narrated by Sage Ved Vyas. Ved Vyas said to Ganesha that he would recite the whole Mahabharat if Ganesha would write it down, with the condition that there would be no interruptions. He was ready to start, but Ganesha did not have a utensil to write with. He broke off a piece of his tusk (which is why one tusk is shown as broken) and wrote endlessly as the tale was narrated to him. The broken tusk symbolizes sacrifice for a good cause, and the ability to adapt and mold to any situation.
• In the state of Maharashtra, there are eight Ganesh temples built around icons of Ganesha that were discovered in monolithic stones. These holy places are call Ashta Vinyakas.
• The dome of the temple has 24 different models of Ganesha.

Other Popular Names

• Omkar
• Gajanan
• Pillaiyar
• Vakratunda
• Vinayaka
• Bhalachandra
• Lambodhar

Popular/Well-known Prayers

• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Ganapati sankatanashanam stotram
• Athrvashirshya
• Ganapati Aarti
• Jai Ganesh