Ganesha Chaturthi

[Guest guest]

Dear friends and devotees,

Bhakti is eternal.

Wish you all to have the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

I am reproducing the discourse of Bhagavan Sathya Saibaba on the festival of

Ganesha Chaturthi.

With love and regards,

Sastry

Ganesha Chaturthi     

Ganesha Chaturthi is celebrated on the Chaturthi, i.e., the fourth day of Indian

lunar month of Bhadrapada. It usually falls in the month of September in the

English calendar. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God is usually worshipped

before commencing any activity in order to remove obstacles and ensure success

of the endeavour. He is also the bestower of worldly intelligence and spiritual

wisdom.

The festival is usually celebrated for a period for three days in Prasanthi

Nilayam. On the first day, the students sing devotional songs and Stotrams

(hymns) and present cultural programes in the Divine Presence and Bhagawan

grants His discourse. During the next two days, students and staff of Bhagawan’s

Institutions worship idols of Lord Ganesha in their respective premises. On the

third day of the festival, the idols are brought to the Sai Kulwant Hall in a

grand procession of colourful and exquisitely designed chariots amidst chanting

of hymns and singing of Bhajans. After offering final worship and Arati, it is

customary to immerse in the idol in a nearby lake or pond as it is the belief

that Lord Ganesha takes with him the troubles and the bad tendencies that act as

obstacles on the spiritual path.

Excerpts from Bhagawan’s Discourses:

“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.

- Sanathana Sarathi, October 1995

" 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 his own master; 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 power of discrimination 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 intelligence (buddhi)

and wisdom or realisation (siddhi), he is described as the Lord of Buddhi and

Siddhi. Buddhi and Siddhi are referred to as the consorts of Vinayaka.

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 (vasanas). 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. 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 Vigneshwara. Eashwara is one who is endowed with

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

etc. Vigneshwara 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 deity who should be worshipped first

(prathama vandita) " . Since everyone in the world desires wealth and prosperity,

everyone offers the first place for worship to Vigneshwara.”

- Divine Discourse: 12 September 1991

" 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 faithfulness and gratitude. 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