Lord Sri Ganesh Chaturthi

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Today is the sacred festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. 'Ga' symbolises

Buddhi (intellect), 'Na' stands for Vijnana (wisdom). So, Ganapati is

the master of Buddhi and Vijnana. The universe is sustained by Ganas

(gods) and Ganapati is their master. In this world, everybody has a

master, but Ganapati has none. He is a master by himself. This is the

birthday of the Master of Masters. Ganapati is also called Mooshika

Vahana (one who has a mouse as his vehicle). You may wonder how a

small mooshika can carry on its back a hefty personality like

Vinayaka. Here mooshika does not mean a mere mouse. It symbolises the

darkness of ignorance because it is in darkness that the mouse moves

about. Hence, Mooshika Vahana is one who subdues ignorance and

dispels darkness. It is only when we understand the inner

significance of the Vinayaka principle that we will be able to

celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi properly.

 

Today people perform Vinayaka worship without actually

understanding its significance. Vinayaka symbolises the qualities of

a true leader in all aspects. " Viyate Nayake Iti Vinayaka " meaning,

He is a master unto Himself. In this world Vinayaka is worshipped by

many. However, Vinayaka does not worship anyone as He has no master

above Him. Even Easwara, the father, worships His son Vinayaka, but

it does not happen the other way.

 

Vinayaka is also called Vighneswara (remover of obstacles). No

obstacle can come in the way of one who prays to Vinayaka. Worship of

Vinayaka confers success in spiritual as well as worldly endeavours.

God grants happiness at two levels, Pravritti (outward) and Nivritti

(inward). Pravritti is related to physical body whereas Nivritti to

intellect. The former undergoes change with the passage of time,

whereas the latter remains unchanged. Hence, one should try to reduce

body attachment with proper food and habits.

 

 

 

Repentance is the basis for the glorious life that follows. To

recognize this truth, you worship Lord Vigneshwara.

 

Who is Vigneshwara? Who is Ganapati? The word 'Gana' is related to

the intellect. 'Na' refers to wisdom. Ganapati is the head of all the

secular and spiritual knowledge. Vinayaka has no master above him. He

is the master unto himself. Vinayaka will never put you to suffering

in anyway. Vinayaka blesses all your endeavors, efforts and confers

success. He will never allow anything evil to reside in you. He has

the mouse as his vehicle. A mouse stands for darkness as it moves

about in the darkness at night. Vinayaka helps you to dispel this

darkness and spread light. Divinity is not limited to mankind alone.

We find divinity present in birds and beasts too. To demonstrate this

latent, immanent divinity, we have Vinayaka having an elephant's

head, with a mouse as his vehicle. The elephant is highly

intelligent, faithful and loyal. It never leaves the path that it

lays all by itself and stands as a symbol for gratitude. Gratitude is

a very sacred quality. Forbearance is Truth,

Dharma, Veda, Non-violence, and everything. The elephant has got

great patience and forbearance. It is prepared to sacrifice its life,

but it can never tolerate its master's suffering. When there is no

path for us to take in the jungle, it is the elephant that walks

through and creates a path for us. Similarly, in this jungle of life,

it is the elephant-headed Vinayaka who shows the ideal path for all

of us to tread.

 

On this day of Vinayaka Chathurthi, various kinds of offerings are

made. All preparations are cooked in steam and offered to him. They

offer him Kudumulu and Vundrallu, made by using rice flour and til

seeds, which have no oil content in them. Why is such an offering

made? For humanity, heath is wealth. Those who partake food cooked in

steam remain very healthy. But today, man is running after various

delicacies. But, for the elephant health is all important. Vinayaka,

too, teaches us the same. This preparation of rice flour and til

seeds frees us from all defects of the eye like spots and cataract. A

combination of jaggery and til seeds prevents all defects and

diseases caused due to bile, wind and phlegm. The rice flour

preparation made using steam helps in digestion too.

 

Vinayaka has many teachings that help man liberate himself. Worship

of Lord Ganesha has been followed from very ancient times. In the

Narayana Upanishad, Lord Ganesha is praised first. In the three

Vedas, we find the mention of Lord Ganesha. Even in music, they pray

to Ganesha for his grace. Do we have the qualities of Vinayaka? Lord

Vinayaka has a pure heart. In fact, Siddhi and Buddhi (fulfillment

and intellect) are his two eyes. He considered them as his consorts.

For intelligence, we need to have Buddhi. For Buddhi we need to have

gratitude. An ungrateful man can never become an intellectual.

Without intellect, one can never be successful. Vinayaka confers

success. So, we need to know the inner significance of Lord Vinayaka.

 

Today, before we start any work, we pray to Lord Ganesha. Without

praying to the master of masters, Vinayaka, and thereby, acting in an

egoistic way, we are bound to fail. Vinayaka Chathurthi is the first

festival of the year, followed by other festivals. Bharatiyas begin

their daily prayers with a prayer to Lord Ganesha. Vinayaka is the

head of spiritual, mental and physical levels. We should sustain and

protect all these levels.

 

 

On this day of Vinayaka Chathurthi, it is the practice of

Bharatiyas to prepare delicacies, which are steam-cooked with no oil

content and offer them to Vinayaka. These offerings are unique and

special. Til seeds, rice flour and jaggery are mixed, made into

balls, boiled in steam and offered to Lord Vinayaka. You should

enquire into the purpose of making such an offering. These steam-

cooked offerings (modaka) are good for the eyes and are beneficial to

people suffering from Asthma and Eosinophilia. These offerings are

meant to improve health and confer happiness on man. They are not to

be treated as mere ritualistic practices. All that is related to God

has a sacred inner meaning. Man, unable to understand this truth,

treats everything in the worldly perspective.

 

Students worship Vinayaka expecting high marks in the examination.

They want to become highly qualified and attain great reputation. But

they do not aspire for good conduct and good behavior. They should

cultivate qualities, which are dear to God. Before undertaking any

task, enquire whether it is pleasing unto God. You are bound to

attain success if God is satisfied with your actions. Do not go by

your own likes and dislikes. Conduct yourself in accordance with

God's wish. Eschew selfishness and self-interest. Cultivate

sacredness and steadfastness. This is the teaching of Lord Ganapathi.

Ganapathi confers on you Buddhi (intellect) and Siddhi (success). One

can attain Siddhi only when one has good Buddhi. You have to love God

wholeheartedly and offer Him all that you do. Then even a simple task

done looks significant.

 

Consider every day as a sacred day. You do not need to wait for

Vinayaka Chathurthi or Navaratri to worship God. Consider every

moment as divine and make proper use of it. People do Bhajans without

understanding their significance. Instead of focusing their attention

on God, they are bothered too much about the tune and the rhythm. No

doubt, tune and rhythm are also essential in Bhajans. But once you

fill your heart with Divine love, the tune and the rhythm will

automatically be taken care of. If you concentrate too much on the

tune and the rhythm, you will not be able to think of God. Just as

the iron ball cast in fire becomes one with it, your mind should

become one with God. Water cannot be separated from milk; likewise,

your mind should get merged in God. You should not think that you are

separate from God. One who realizes such a principle of unity is a

true human being. Do not limit worship of God to festival days alone.

Each and every moment should be spent in the

contemplation of God. You may think, " If every moment is spent in

the contemplation of God, how is it possible to do our work? " Do not

distinguish between your work and God's work. Your work is God's work

because you are God. It is a mistake to think that all that you do in

the prayer hall is God's work and outside it is your work. You should

not entertain such feelings of separateness. Consider that your heart

is the altar of God and turn your vision inward. One who understands

this truth and acts accordingly is a true human being.

 

 

Ganapathi is the embodiment of Buddhi and Jnana (wisdom). Truth

emerges out of wisdom and ultimately leads to Ananda (bliss). This is

the teaching of Ganapathi.

 

Who is Ganapathi? He is the Adhipathi (master) of all ganas, five

senses, five elements and five life sheaths. Human body consists of

five sheaths - Annamaya (food sheath), Pranamaya (life sheath),

Manomaya (mind sheath), Vijnanamaya (wisdom sheath) and Anandamaya

(bliss sheath). Man progresses only up to Manomaya. He is unable to

go up to the sheaths of wisdom and bliss. One has to take refuge in

God in order to reach the state of bliss.

 

Ganapathi is depicted as having elephant's head as He is very

intelligent. Ganapathi is also known as Vinayaka, meaning one without

a Nayaka (master). He is the master of Siddhi and Buddhi. So, one has

to pray to Vinayaka in order to acquire Siddhi and Buddhi. You have

to make proper use of your intelligence in order to earn the grace of

Vinayaka. Shun bad company. Seek good company. Only then will your

life be redeemed.

You are under the false impression that today is the birthday of

Vinayaka, but He has neither birth nor death. He has neither

beginning nor end. He is the eternal witness. All the festivals of

Bharat are suffused with deep inner meaning. They are highly sacred.

Festivals are not just meant for preparing delicious items and

consuming them. They are meant to remind us of Divinity. On festival

days, you decorate your houses with buntings of green leaves and also

you wear new clothes, discarding the old ones. Likewise, you should

give up your old rotten habits and cultivate new and sacred ideas.

Never disobey the command of God. If you do so, you will ruin

yourself like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu.

 

What is that you have to offer to Vinayaka on this day of Vinayaka

Chathurthi? Today people spend lot of money in offering various

fruits to God. All these offerings are made only as a ritual.

Ultimately people themselves consume them! No benefit accrues from

making these offerings. Pathram, Pushpam, Phalam and Thoyam - these

are the four things that you should offer God. Here Pathram (leaf)

means body. This body may wither away at any moment. So never develop

attachment towards the body, instead offer it to God. Pushpam

(flower} means Hridaya. This flower will never fade away. Mind can be

compared to Phalam (fruit) and Thoyam stands for tears of joy. All

these four should be offered to God. This is the offering that God

expects.

 

 

What is the meaning of the word Ganapathi. Ga stands for Buddhi

(intellect) Nastands for Jnana (Wisdom), which means 'Ganapathi' is

the master of intellect and wisdom. Acquisition of knowledge and

wisdom amounts to worship of Ganapathi. He has another

name 'Vinayaka', because He has no master above Him. He is also

called 'Vighneshwara', as He is the remover of all the obstacles and

the master of all forms of wealth.

 

The principle of Ganapathi is not an ordinary one. It is the very

manifestation of various forms of energy and intelligence. The wisdom

of Saraswathi is contained within His belly. We will not have any

obstacles, if we undertake any task paying our first respects to

Vinayaka. How should we pray to Ganesha? We should not ask for petty

things like jobs and other worldly matters. We should pray: Let there

be no obstacles in our path. We should ask for Ganesha Himself. Once

you have Ganapathi on your side, you will become the master of all.

 

The festival of Vighneshwara is not an ordinary one. All the

faculties and power s are latent in Vighneshwara. It is not enough if

you pray to Ganapathi only today, you have to pray everyday. We

should think of God every moment of our life. We should offer all our

actions to God.

 

 

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. The mind is the master over these ten

organs. Buddhi (or intellect) 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 Buddhi (intellect). " Na "

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

Lord of the intellect and the higher knowledge. The question may be

asked: Are the intellect and the 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 " Parvathi thanaya " , who is this

Parvathi? Parvathi signifies " Prithvi " , Mother Earth. Everyone is a

child of Mother Earth. The meaning of " Parvathi thanaya " (son of

Parvathi) is that Ganapathi, who is the Lord of the Ganas, is the son

of Parvathi, who symbolizes Sakthi (the Divine Energy).

 

The adoration of Parvathi and 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 Upanishads: There

are many prayers addressed to Ganapathi in the Narayanopanishad.

There are prayers to him in the Thaithiriya Upanishad also. The

Ganapathi Gayathri Mantra also figures in the Upanishad.

 

Ganapathi has the appellation Vinayaka because there is no master

above him. He is all powerful and independent. 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.

If you want to lead a life of happiness, free from troubles and

difficulties, you have to pray to Ganapathi, the remover of all

obstacles. There is no need to go to any temple. Vighneswara dwells

in each one of you as your Buddhi (intelligence) and Vijnaana

(wisdom). When you make proper use of your inherent intelligence and

wisdom, you will be successful in life.

 

 

 

Vinayaka (Ganesha) is one who 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 (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is this Siddhi

(fulfillment)? When there is purity of mind you achieve peace (which

is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (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. 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.

 

 

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.

 

The Vinayaka-principle, however, has only one meaning, which is

relevant to everyone irrespective 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). Because he is

the master of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (wisdom or

realisation), 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 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. 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.

 

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 Prathama Vandana (the first deity who should be

worshipped). As everyone in the world desires wealth and prosperity,

everyone offers the first place for worship to Vighneswara.