Swami's discourses on Ganesh Chaturthi

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Sathya Sai & Ganesha

(Swami seated near the Ganesha statue in front of the Prashanthi Mandir during

the celebrations marking the 25th Anniversary of the Andhra Pradesh Sri Sathya

Sai Organizations, November 1988)

Who is Vinayaka? In the sloka beginning with the words, Suklaambaradharam

Vishnum, only the form of the deity is described. But there is another inner

meaning for the name Vinayaka. Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in

white. Vishnum means he is all-pervading. Sasivarnam means his complexion is

grey like that of ash. Chathurbhujam means he has four arms. Prasannavadanam

means he has always a pleasing mien. Sarvavighnopasaanthaye means for the

removal of all obstacles. Dhyaayeth, meditate (on him). Vinayaka is the deity

who removes all bad qualities, instills good qualities and confers peace on the

devotee who meditates on him

Vinayaka means that he is totally master of himself. He has no master above him.

He does not depend on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means he is

the lord of the ganas - a class of divine entities. This term also means that he

is the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses

great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred

mind. This knowledge leads to wisdom (vijnaana). Because he is the master of

Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (wisdom or realization), he is described as

the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi. Buddhi and Siddhi are referred to as the

consorts of Vinayka.

The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the

mouse? The mouse is considered as the embodiment of the sense of smell. The

mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas). It is

well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling

edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night.

The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka's vehicle the mouse signifies

an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka-principle, thus,

means that which removes all the bad qualities, bad practices and bad thoughts

in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts. - Baba

(Discourse: Ganesh Chathurthi - September 12, 1991)

Vinayaka (Ganesha) drives away all sorrows, difficulties, and miseries. He is

the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacles to come in the way.

He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his

devotees). He is the master of all these powers (intellect (buddhi) and

fulfillment (siddhi, self-realization). What is this siddhi

FONT-WEIGHT: normal">? When there is purity of mind, you achieve peace (which is

siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of the intellect and self-realization. Hence,

every human being should acquire control over the mind ... .

Vinayaka is the Lord of all learning (vidya). Does learning mean bookish

scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to the cosmos is included in the term

learning (vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling,

thinking --every kind of activity is related to learning. Vinayaka is the

master of every kind of learning. Today, learning is identified with

acquisition of information. But apart from knowledge of the physical world, we

have many other kinds of knowledge, relating to chemistry, the fine arts and

other

skills.

Vinayaka is the master of every kind of knowledge. Learning is related to the

intellect (buddhi). It is not mere scholarship. Familiarity with books is not

knowledge. One's entire life is a continuous process of learning. Any process

of inquiry is related to learning. But basically our inquiry should be

concerned with finding out what is transient and what is permanent. This is

true knowledge.

Hence, today, students worship Vinayaka with zeal. Vinayaka is not the one who

merely comes to the aid of those who read their books. He helps everyone at

every step in life's journey. "

Sanathana Sarathi, October 1995

Who is Vinayaka? In the verse (sloka) beginning with the words Suklaambara-

dharam Vishnum, only the form of the deity is described. But there is another

inner meaning for the name Vinayaka. Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in

white. Vishnum means he is all-pervading. Sasivarnam means his complexion is

grey, like that of ash. Chathurbhujam means he has four arms. Prasannavadanam

means he has always a pleasing mien. Sarvavighnopasaanthaye means

for the removal of all obstacles. Dhyaayeth means meditate (on him). Vinayaka is

the deity who removes all bad qualities, instills good qualities, and confers

peace on the devotee who meditates on him.

However, the Vinayaka-principle has only one meaning, which is relevant to

everyone regardless of whether he is a believer or a non-believer. Vinayaka

means that he is totally master of himself. He has no master above him. He does

not depend on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means he is the

lord of the ganas --a class of divine entities. This term also means that he is

the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses great

intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred mind.

This knowledge leads to wisdom (vijnaana

#004000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">). Because he is

the master of intelligence (buddhi) and wisdom or realisation ( siddhi ), he is

described as the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi.

normal">Buddhi and Siddhi are referred to as the consorts of Vinayka.

The mouse is the vehicle of Vinayaka. What is the inner significance of the

mouse? The mouse is considered as the embodiment of the sense of smell. The

mouse is a symbol of the attachment to worldly tendencies (vaasanas). It is

well known that if you want to catch a mouse, you place a strong-smelling

edible inside the mouse-trap. The mouse also symbolises the darkness of night.

The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka's vehicle, the mouse signifies

an object that leads man from darkness to light. Thus, the Vinayaka-principle

means that which removes all the bad qualities, bad practices, and bad thoughts

in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts.

Another name for Vinayaka is Vighneswara. Easwara is one who is endowed with

every conceivable form of wealth --riches, knowledge, health, bliss, beauty,

etc. Vighneswara is the promoter of all these forms of wealth and removes all

obstacles to their enjoyment. He confers all these forms of wealth on those who

worship him. Vinayaka is described as "the first deity who should be worshipped

(prathama vandana)". ASinceeveryone in the world desires wealth and prosperity,

everyone offers the first place for worship to

Vighneswara.

Divine Discourse: Ganesh Chaturthi, 12 September 1991

What is the meaning of the name Ganapathi? Where are the ganas? What is their

form? When you investigate this, you find that the five organs of perception

and the five organs of action (jnaanendriyas and karmendriyas) are the ganas

#004000; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal">. The mind is the

master over these ten organs. The intellect (buddhi) is the discriminating

faculty above the mind. The ten senses, the mind, and the intellect together

constitute the ganas.

In the word "gana ", "ga " stands for intellect (buddhi) and "na " means

"Vaijnaana (the higher knowledge or wisdom)". Ganapathi is the Lord of the

intellect and higher knowledge. The

question may be asked, Are the intellect and higher knowledge present in the

external world, or are they to be found within man? The answer is that he is

present within each human being. There is no need to seek for him in the

outside world. Ganapathi dwells in every human being in the form of intellect

and wisdom. When Ganapathi is described as "Parvathee thanaya ", who is this

Parvathee? Parvathee signifies Prithvi, Mother Earth. Everyone is a child of

Mother Earth. The meaning of "son of Parvathee (Parvatheethanaya)" is that

Ganapathi,

who is the Lord of the Ganas, is the son of Parvathee, who symbolizes the divine

energy (sakthi). The adoration of Parvathieeand Ganapathi is not of recent

origin. Ganapathi is lauded at several places in the Rig Veda. This clearly

shows that Ganapathi is as ancient as the Vedas.

 

In several places, Ganapathi is mentioned both in the Vedas and the Upanishaths.

Many prayers are addressed to Ganapathi in the Narayanopanishath. There are also

prayers to him in the Thaithiriya Upanishath. The Ganapathi Gayathri Mantra also

figures in the Upanishath.

 

Ganapathi is called Vinayaka because there is no master above him. He is

all-powerful and independent. Without recognizing the esoteric significance of

the Vinayaka Principle, people look only at the external form and offer worship

in mundane terms.

 

What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity? The

elephant is a symbol of might and magnitude. The elephant's foot is larger than

that of any other animal. The elephant can make its way through the densest

jungle. In this way, it signifies the quality of a leader who shows the way for

others. The elephant is also known for its fidelity and gratitude. In any

circumstance, it will not forget its master. Even in its last moments, if it

hears the voice of its master, it will open its eyes and look for him. It will

sacrifice its life for its master. These are the lessons man should learn from

the elephant. Intelligence without gratitude is valueless. Every man should be

grateful to those who have helped him.

Divine Discourse: Ganesh Chaturthi, 7 Sept 1997

With Sai love from Sai brothers - ''

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