Vinayaka Chaturthi Celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam

[Guest guest]

Indian culture believes in the concept of pantheism - God can be identified with

all the forces of nature and with all natural things. That is why our ancients

worshipped even inanimate things like trees. People worship snakes and

elephants and our Indian mythology speaks volumes to testify this fact.

Among the Indian gods and goddesses, Vinayaka is given the prime place. Vinayaka

has an elephant head and the body of a human. How Vinayaka assumed such a form

is explained in the scriptures. Please read on for details

Who is Vinayaka?One who has no Nayaka (master) above him is Vinayaka. He is the

master of all. Hence, we offer our prayers to him before commencing any

activity. He is also called Vighneshwara or Vighnahartaa, the Lord of and

destroyer of obstacles. People mostly worship Him asking for Siddhi, success in

undertakings, and Buddhi, intelligence. He is also the God of education,

knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. The elephant-head of

Ganesha is a symbol of intelligence, discrimination, and wisdom. The elephant

is ever alert and eminently conscious of its surroundings. Its memory is strong

and deep. It trends through thick forest imprinting huge foot marks on the

track. One such print can subsume the marks left by other animals, both wild

and tame. It moves majestically through. It is a path maker, helping others

without being aware of it, because it is its nature.

The essential purpose of the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival is to teach a person to

avoid the company of bad people and cultivate the company of the good. What does

the term Ganapathi signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi or intellect, ‘Na’ means Jnana

(Wisdom). ‘Ganapathi’ means one who is the Lord of the intellect and of wisdom.

He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Ganas also symbolise the

senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses.

Story of Ganesha’s origin Perhaps the most popular story regarding Ganesha's

origin is the one derived from the Siva Purana. Mother Parvati once wanted to

take an oil bath and created a boy from the wheat flour She had applied on Her

own body, asking him to stand as a guard outside while She bathed. In the

meantime Lord Siva returned home to find a stranger at His door, preventing Him

from entering. In anger, Siva cut off the boy's head, upon which Parvati was

stricken with great grief. In order to console Her, Siva sent out His troops

(Gana) to fetch the head of anyone found sleeping with his head pointing to the

north. They found an elephant sleeping thus and brought back its head. Siva then

attached the elephantine head to the body of the boy and revived him. He named

the boy Ganapati or commander of His troops, and granted Him a boon that anyone

would have to worship Him (Ganesha) before beginning any undertaking.

There is another legend explaining Ganesha’s origin: Once upon a time there was

an Asura (demon) named Gajasura. He performed a penance. Easwara, pleased with

his penance, offered him as a boon whatever he desired. Easwara is a deity who

is easily propitiated. Hence he is known as Bhola-Sankara. When he is pleased

with a devotee, He gives the devotee whatever he asks. Sometimes He gets into a

‘difficult’ situation, as in the case of Bhasmasura who was granted by Siva the

boon to turn into ashes anyone on whose head he placed his palm. Immediately

after getting the boon he wanted to test his power by trying to place his hand

on Siva’s head itself!

What was the boon Siva gave to Gajasura? The demon desired that fire should go

forth from him continuously so that no one dare approach him. Siva granted him

the boon. Gajasura continued to do penance and Siva used to appear before him

off and on. Once Siva asked him what he wanted. The demon said: "I want you to

dwell in my stomach." Siva granted the boon and lodged himself in the demon’s

stomach. Siva’s consort Parvathi, searched for Siva everywhere and could not

find Him. As a last resort, she went to her brother, Vishnu, and appealed to

Him to trace the whereabouts of her husband. The all - knowing assured her;

“Don’t worry, dear sister. Your husband is Bhola - Sankara. He grants readily

whatever boon his devotee prays for, without considering the consequences. I

suspect that he must have got into some trouble. I shall find out what has

happened.”

Vishnu, who is the director of the cosmic play, staged a small drama. He

converted Nandi (Siva’s bull) into a dancing-bull and led it before Gajasura,

while himself assuming the role of a piper playing music on the pipe. Gajasura

was in ecstasy over the dancing performance of the bull: He asked the piper

(Vishnu) what he wanted. The piper replied: “Can you give what I ask?” “What do

you take me for? I shall readily give you whatever you ask.” The piper said: “If

that is so, release from your stomach Siva who is dwelling there.” Gajasura then

realised that the piper was none other than Vishnu Himself, who alone could know

the secret of Siva’s presence inside his stomach. He fell at the feet of Vishnu,

released Siva from his stomach and prayed to Him for a boon. He said: "I have

been blessed by many boons from you. My last request is that all should cherish

my memory by worshipping my head after I pass away." Siva thereupon brought His

son and placed Gajasura’s head on

him.

Ever since, the tradition has prevailed in Bharat that, every auspicious

function of any kind commences with worship of Ganapathi. It was the result of

Siva’s boon to Gajasura.

Vinayaka’s StoryVinayaka Chaturthi function is not complete without the

narration of Vinayaka’s story. It is said that anyone who looks at the moon on

the night of the Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely charged with theft or a

similar crime. If someone inadvertently sees the moon on this night, he/she may

remedy the situation by listening to (or reciting) the story of the Syamantaka

jewel.

Briefly, Satrajit, who secured a jewel syamantaka from Surya, did not part with

it even when Krishna the Lord of Dwaraka, asked for it saying it would be safe

with Him. Prasena, the brother of Satrajit went out hunting wearing the jewel

but was killed by a lion. Jambavan of Ramayana fame killed the lion and gave it

to his son to play with. When Prasena did not return, Satrajit falsely accused

Krishna of killing Prasena for the sake of the jewel. Krishna, in order to

remove the stain on His reputation, set out in search of the jewel and found it

in Jambavan's cave, with his child. Jambavan attacked Krishna thinking Him to be

an intruder who had come to take away the jewel. They fought each other for 28

days, when Jambavan, his whole body terribly weakened from the hammering of

Krishna's fists, finally recognised Him as Rama.

As repentance for his having fought Krishna, Jambavan gave Krishna the jewel and

also his daughter Jambavati in marriage. Krishna returned to Dwaraka with

Jambavati and the jewel, and returned it Satrajit, who in turn repented for his

false accusation. He promptly offered to give Krishna the jewel and his daughter

Sathyabhama in marriage. Krishna accepted Satyabhama as His wife but did not

accept the jewel.

Vinayaka Chaturthi at Prasanthi NilayamThis festival is celebrated all over

India and even in the overseas in a grand manner. Huge idols of Vinayaka made

of clay are placed in a Pandal and elaborate Pujas (worship) are performed

every day till the idol is taken for immersion. In Prasanthi Nilayam too,

Vinayaka Chaturthi was celebrated on 7th September 2005 with all grandeur and

exuberance. Devotees in large numbers had gathered in Sai Kulwant Hall to have

a Darshan of their Lord on this festival day. Bhagawan came to the Hall for

Darshan at 7.55 a.m. and took a full round of the Hall. At about 8.40 a.m., on

Bhagawan’s instruction, the students sang Ganesha Stotras and group songs.

Bhajans followed soon after that. After Arati, Bhagawan retired to His abode.

In the evening, the devotees were doubly blessed since Bhagawan came for a full

round of the Hall in the car and then again He went round the Hall blessing the

devotees. One should see the

mirthful faces of the devotees and students; everyone was craning their necks to

behold the beautiful form of the Lord – to treasure this blissful form in their

hearts. After Bhajans, Bhagawan retired for the day. Prasadam was distributed

to everyone both in the morning and evening.

Clothes and Watches Distribution8th September 2005 was a red-letter day in the

lives of sub-staff rendering service in different departments of the Ashram,

Institute and Schools. In a solemn function held in Sai Kulwant Hall, they were

blessed with clothes and watches by Bhagawan. If there is cleanliness and order

in the precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam and various institutions, it is because

of this dedicated band, who works tirelessly day in and day out. It was a

pleasant surprise for them, when Bhagawan after giving Darshan to devotees,

went straight and moved around, collecting letters and speaking before taking

His seat in front of them. What followed was an unforgettable session. Two

seniors from the group offered their gratitude on behalf of the entire group,

speaking about all that Bhagawan has done for them over the years. The first to

address the audience was a senior worker from the accommodation office, who

addressed the

gathering in Telugu. He became nostalgic recounting the Prasanthi Nilayam of

those days and how the Ashram has expanded and undergone rapid change. He was

full of gratitude to Bhagawan for protecting him through the thick and thin of

his life. One after the other, they came and recounted their experiences

extempore. Simplicity and their infinite love for Bhagawan were writ large on

their faces. Many of them spoke with moist eyes while expressing their

heartfelt gratitude to Bhagawan. One of them even sang Bhagawan’s composition

“Rama Kodanda Rama …” melodiously which was well appreciated by Bhagawan. After

the speeches, Bhagawan Himself distributed clothes and watches to both ladies

and gents with His Divine Hands. At the end, Prasadam was distributed to all of

them. After Bhajans and Arati, Bhagawan left for His Divine Abode.

Students receive the blessings of Bhagawan before the idols were taken for

immersionOn the afternoon of 9th September 2005, students from the Institute,

School, Ashram and Hospitals brought Ganesha idols in specially decorated

vehicles to Sai Kulwant Hall. The Ganesha idols were taken for immersion on

this day. Each institution was given a slot and the vehicles were neatly

arranged in the Hall. As Bhagawan entered Sai Kulwant Hall, every institution

had two or three representatives holding fruits and sweets in trays. Bhagawan

asked the car to be stopped near each of them and blessed the students and the

items in the tray.

Words are inadequate to express the ingenuity and innovativeness of the

students. The vehicles were made of different shapes and sizes like

swan-shaped, lotus-shaped, representing musical instruments, vehicle in the

shape of dove, dolphins making acrobatic dives, in the shape of a Chinese

temple (Pagoda), etc. Some of them were as huge as the height of Sai Kulwant

Hall. After Bhagawan sat in His chair, he asked the students and staff to

circumambulate the Prasanthi Mandir. As each group passed Bhagawan with their

small Ganesh idols, Swami showered His benedictions on them. Before leaving Sai

Kulwant Hall for immersion, Bhagawan asked the vehicles to be brought in His

view and Arati was performed in front of each decorated vehicle by the Mandir

priest. The students and staff had another wonderful opportunity to have the

Darshan of Bhagawan in close quarters and receiving His blessings. As Veda

chanting continued in Sai Kulwant Hall, the students and staff towed away

their vehicles, singing Bhajans and chanting Vedas. The neatly decorated

vehicles with Ganesha idols were then taken out of Prasanthi Nilayam premises

for immersion. Thus, ended the grand celebrations of Vinayaka Chaturthi

festival at Prasanthi Nilayam.

With Sai love fromSai brothers - ''

Courtesy: http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/Ganesh05_Report.htm

for Good Watch the Hurricane Katrina Shelter From The Storm concert