Lord Ganesh

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Lord Ganesh

Lord Ganesh, who is also known by various other names such as

Ganapathi, Vinaayaka or Vighneswara, is the God who helps us overcome obstacles in

life. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. He is the elephant faced

God who is worshipped as the very first deity before beginning any ceremony,

ritual or vow. Worshipping Ganapathi endows man with the courage and confidence

needed to enter upon and carry through any undertakings in the world. So it is

only appropriate that every rite or ceremony or project should be started with

the worship of this God. According to the Puranas

(epics), this was a boon conferred upon Him by Lord Shiva.

He is called Ganapathi

because He is the supreme Lord of the Ganas

(Ganas are the embodiments of the

organs of perception - Jnanendriyas

- and of action - Karmendriyas).

" Ga " means Buddhi (intellect). " Na " means " Vijnana " (wisdom). " Pathi " means master. Hence, another

meaning for Ganapathi is master of

the intellect and wisdom. He is called Vinayaka

because He has no master above Him. He is also known as Vighneswara as He is the remover of

obstacles (Vighna).

Ganapathi has the head of an elephant and has a mouse as a

vehicle. The elephant is well known for its intelligence. It also acts as guide

to mankind in the sense that it clears the way as it treads along in a dense

forest. Similarly, in the forest of life, to clear the thorny bushes of pain,

sorrow and suffering, one should tread along the path shown by intellect.

Ganapathi has the elephant face as a symbol of high intelligence that can guide

us on the right path.

The mouse (mooshika)

is a symbol of darkness. Because Vinaayaka has control over the darkness, He is

described as the rider on a mouse (mooshika).

The mouse is also a symbol of the sense of smell. It moves about following the

direction of the smell (vaasana).

Vinaayaka is the One who has mastery over our Vaasanas,

that is desires and ignorance (represented by mooshika).

Lord Ganesha has all the five elements under His control. He

is the embodiment of all potencies. He has no superior above Him. He is the Pranava Swarupa (embodiment of Aum). Hence, the first prayer is always

addressed to Him.

Bhagavan

Baba