Thoughts on Ganesh Chathurthi

August 27, 2006

Courtesy Shri Shakun Narain Thought One Lord Ganesh was born on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of the month of 'Magh'. 'Chatur' means 4. He controls the 8 directions of the Cosmos. 'Gana' means to count. The science of Astrology is dependant

on numbers. Hence Lord Ganesh is the Master of Astrology. No wonder that one worships Lord Ganesh before embarking on anything auspicious. Those who would like to fast on Ganesh Chaturthi, start their series of fasting as of today. Lord Ganesh's big ears denote that He can hear and understand Vedantic Truth. His big head reminds us that we are Spiritual Creatures so we must 'Think Big'. His small mouth denotes that He talks less. (So must we: Talk less and Listen more) His small eyes urge us to 'focus'. The long trunk of an elephant has the quality of being able to uproot a tree, and at the same time pick up a tiny needle from a haystack. This is again a quality attributed to the Lord, as we believe that in spite of His great power, the tiniest creature does not pass

unnoticed by Him. The mouse though small can play havoc. Ganeshji has him under His control. Lord Ganesh's large belly denotes prosperity and that He digests all the good and bad in the world. The planet Mars and Ganpati are considered to have the same complexion. On Ganesh Chaturthi frequencies from Mars and Ganesh reach the Earth. Ganeshji holds in His 4 hands: An axe to cut off evil and worldly attachments. A Rope pulls His disciples closer to the Spiritual Path. The Rosary beads remind one to continuosly strive towards the Real Knowledge. The last hand is held up in a posture of blessing. May Lord Ganesh bestow His Grace upon all of you today. Thought Two So people will once again be bringing 'Lord Ganpati' into their homes. They will be performing prayers and entertaining Him for a few days and then they will bid Him farewell with a request to return next year! This wonderful custom was popularized by Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak to bring together the 'Hindustanis' during the British rule. Originally worshipping Lord Ganesha was a family affair. Wet clay was fashioned into a symbolic Ganesha form, placed on the left palm and worshipped with the chanting of mantras, followed by the rituals.

The idol was the immersed in the well or a pond. A devout Hindu believes that what came from the earth should return there. Ganpati is supposed to smash, with the help of His trunk, all the obstacles that come in the path of His devotees. When an elephant moves through the forest, his massive body clears the way for others who follow. If the trunk of 'Ganesha' is curved to the right He is called 'Sidhi Vinayaka' and requires special worship. So let us worship Him again this year. Let us bring Him, not only into our homes, but into our hearts and keep Him there. The idol we may do 'visarjan' (immersion) of, and together with it, our negative tendencies. Thought Three Those conversant with Yoga would know that the 'Kundalini Shakti' or primordial energy, rises in a zigzag manner through the Spinal chord, culminating in the third eye, which resides in between the eye-brows. When the trunk of Ganeshji is facing straight forward, it signifies that the passage, though the Spinal

chord, or 'Sushumna' is entirely open. When the trunk of Ganeshji is swung right in the air, it means that the 'Kundalini Shakti' has reached the Sahasraar' or the Region of the third eye, permanently. When Ganeshji's trunk is curved to the right. He is called Siddhi Vinaayak. The left side, represents the Moon. The right side represents the Sun. Hence if the Trunk of ones Ganeshji leans towards the Right, It would require special worship, as the 'Sun' would burn one if rules are violated. Another explanation: According to Hindu texts there are three channels or naadis that are

responsible for overall health. The left channel is called the Ida Naadi and is connected to the right side and the back of the brain. This naadi looks after our emotional side. The right side channel is called the Pingala naadi. It crosses the Ida naadi at the third eye or the Agna Chakra. Pingala is connected with the left side and the front of the brain. It is the Super conscious mind. The central channel is called the Sushumna. This channel helps us integrate and helps in our Spiritual Evolution. During earlier times, Ganpati was a tribal God, Guardian of the forests. He was, in fact believed to be a creator of obstacles, by whose Grace one could survive in the treacherous jungles. This world is no less than a jungle, where we constantly require His Grace to survive. He forever protects us. His Big ears hear our tiniest complaint. His Big Belly, remind us that He is Prosperity Itself, and He owns all that we might require. His trunk has the capacity to uproot a tree and to pick up a needle from a hay-stack. He is all powerful, yet He sits on a humble mouse to remind us that however powerful He may be is forever present on Earth, a humble planet, in the vast Universe. Thought Four In the case of Aum What looks like 3 is the 'a' sound in Sanskrit, the tail or trunk is the 'u' sound and the dot on the half moon is the nasal sound Together it says 'Aum' Aum is also a visual, and if you care to interpret it in the following way, it looks like a Ganpati. The lower part of the 3 is the belly,and the 'u' is the trunk, with a tika on top. 21 Durva blades are offered to Ganpatiji. It is believed that Ganpatiji is formed from No 3. 2+1=3 2+1 is 21 9 is a complete and powerful number. The devout who

believe in the power of number 9 visit 108 Ganpatijis during these auspicious days. Once again it is that time of year when the devout invite Lord Ganpati to their home and entertain him, with so much love! Thought Five People often say that God is Just and Merciful. If one analyses the two adjectives, one will realise that if one relies on justice, one cannot always be merciful and if one shows Mercy, one probably cannot exercise proper justice. The theory of karma is based on justice. Forgiveness is a gift of Mercy. The Lord Ganpati, is being revered across India, for the present 10 days as a great clearer of obstacles. He is

considered a symbol of wisdom and a bringer of good luck. He is believed to be a very powerful positive force in the Universe. It is said that Ganpati was born when Shivji and Mother Parvati contemplated on 'OM' There was once a competition in Heaven as to who would circle the Universe first. While the other gods went in different directions, Ganpati circled round His parents. Some believe that because of Ganpati's example, we hindus revere our parents always. Therefore we need not celebrate Mother's and Father's day , only on a particular day each year. So let us call upon Ganpati to enter into our lives and affairs, and not leave our hearts even though we bid adieu to Him at the end of the 10 day celebration. Thought Six On the Maha-visarjan-day, The grandest (in stature) of Ganpatis will be returned to the elements (Water). They have been feasted in a grand manner fit for gods, and now it is time to chant: Ganpati Baba Morya!Pudcha varshi laukarya! Which means: O GanpatiReturn soon, next year

Stay in the know. Pulse on the new .com. Check it out.