Ganesh Chaturthi Day

[Imua 0]

Date of Ganesh Chaturthi 03/09/2008

By Sri Swami Sivananda

Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava, which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus. Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project. His two feet represent the power of knowledge and the power of action. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om.

The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism. The holding of the ankusha represents His rulership of the world. It is the emblem of divine Royalty.

Ganesha is the first God. Riding on a mouse, one of nature's smallest creatures and having the head of an elephant, the biggest of all animals, denotes that Ganesha is the creator of all creatures. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. It also denotes the process of evolution--the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganesha has a human body, an elephant's head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form.

He is the Lord of Ganas or groups, for instance groups of elements, groups of senses, etc. He is the head of the followers of Shiva or the celestial servants of Lord Shiva.

The Vaishnavas also worship Lord Ganesha. They have given Him the name of Tumbikkai Alwar which means the divinity with the proboscis (the elephant's trunk).

Lord Ganesha's two powers are the Kundalini and the Vallabha or power of love.

He is very fond of sweet pudding or balls of rice flour with a sweet core. On one of His birthdays He was going around house to house accepting the offerings of sweet puddings. Having eaten a good number of these, He set out moving on His mouse at night. Suddenly the mouse stumbled--it had seen a snake and became frightened-- with the result that Ganesha fell down. His stomach burst open and all the sweet puddings came out. But Ganesha stuffed them back into His stomach and, catching hold of the snake, tied it around His belly.

Seeing all this, the moon in the sky had a hearty laugh. This unseemly behaviour of the moon annoyed Him immensely and so he pulled out one of His tusks and hurled it against the moon, and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. If anyone does, he will surely earn a bad name, censure or ill-repute. However, if by mistake someone does happen to look at the moon on this day, then the only way he can be freed from the curse is by repeating or listening to the story of how Lord Krishna cleared His character regarding the Syamantaka jewel. This story is quoted in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Lord Ganesha was pleased to ordain thus. Glory to Lord Ganesha! How kind and merciful He is unto His devotees!

Ganesha and His brother Lord Subramanya once had a dispute as to who was the elder of the two. The matter was referred to Lord Shiva for final decision. Shiva decided that whoever would make a tour of the whole world and come back first to the starting point had the right to be the elder. Subramanya flew off at once on his vehicle, the peacock, to make a circuit of the world. But the wise Ganesha went, in loving worshipfulness, around His divine parents and asked for the prize of His victory.

Lord Shiva said, "Beloved and wise Ganesha! But how can I give you the prize; you did not go around the world?"

Ganesha replied, "No, but I have gone around my parents. My parents represent the entire manifested universe!"

Thus the dispute was settled in favour of Lord Ganesha, who was thereafter acknowledged as the elder of the two brothers. Mother Parvati also gave Him a fruit as a prize for this victory.

In the Ganapathi Upanishad, Ganesha is identified with the Supreme Self. The legends that are connected with Lord Ganesha are recorded in the Ganesha Khanda of the Brahma Vivartha Purana.

On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.

Don't forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.

Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.

May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!

Sivaya Namah

[Nagishkaw 510]

Interesting story, Pattu.

Ganesh Chaturthi Day !!

[Imua 0]

It is a big celebration here at our local temple because the temple is dedicated to Ganesh. It started last Friday and lasts for 9 days. Every day the Ganesh statue is decorated with different things - sandalwood, red powder(kumkum), even bananas or garlands made of green fruits and vegetables - I have been going to the temple every day just to see what Ganapatiji is wearing(and to ask if he'll give a nudge to CSC... ). On Sunday is the big Ratha Yatra festival where Ganesh gets to ride in a silver chariot through the streets of Flushing - I can't wait until Govi sees it for himself.

[ELW 5]

Thanks for the reminder! I remember the great celebrations where I lived in India. We had big Ganesh displays on several street corners and every morning and evening there was puja and prasadam for all. Then several days after the festival, the grand procession took place, with all the murthis immersed in the local river. During that time there was such an energy of joy and enthusiasm - so uplifting!

Come on Ganesh! Push Pattu's approval through PRONTO!!!

[Imua 0]

Thanks for the reminder! I remember the great celebrations where I lived in India. We had big Ganesh displays on several street corners and every morning and evening there was puja and prasadam for all. Then several days after the festival, the grand procession took place, with all the murthis immersed in the local river. During that time there was such an energy of joy and enthusiasm - so uplifting!

Come on Ganesh! Push Pattu's approval through PRONTO!!!

Looks like our prayers worked!!!!

I will really be celebrating at this year's Ratha Yatra - of course I am happy it will be my last one without Govi!!!

[ELW 5]

Isn't the NOA2 totally thrilling!!! Now the reality hits - all the paperwork and details to be done!! Wishing you a smooth, fast rest of the process and returning with your honey to live here!! I'll be watching your Timeline to share in each successful step in the process!

[Sandrila 1]

thanks so much for that article

although i have married an arab muslim man

i have very dear friends over there and i have been very involved and interested in indian culture religion and traditions.

i have travelled there and i have a great affinity for it and it's people