Ganesha is often invoked as the “Lord of Beginnings” and the “Remover of Obstacles.” Devotees pray to him before starting any new endeavor, whether a wedding, a business venture, an academic pursuit, purchasing a new vehicle, or any important task. Ganesha is believed to help clear the path and remove hindrances from one’s life. Different names and variations across different regions and cultures know him. Ganesha, known for his superhuman intelligence, is known as Ganapati or Gajapati. Ganesha is often depicted with four arms, each holding different objects that symbolize various aspects of his power and authority. One of his hands usually carries an elephant goad or ankusha, representing his ability to guide and direct individuals on the right path.
On the other hand, he holds a noose or pasha, representing his power to capture and remove obstacles. He also carries a broken tusk, a symbol of sacrifice and wisdom, and a modak – a sweet treat believed to signify the rewards of a spiritual journey. Ganesha is widely worshipped and invoked before any critical endeavor or event begins, as his presence blesses his devotees with success, prosperity, and the removal of obstacles. The worship of Ganesha is characterized by deep devotion and faith. He is considered a guardian of the home and family. Many Hindus place idols or images of Ganesha at the entrances of their homes to protect against negative energies and to bring prosperity and harmony to the household. His festivals, especially Ganesh Chaturthi, are celebrated enthusiastically and involve elaborate rituals, prayers, and processions. Devotees offer sweets, fruits, and flowers to seek his blessings. Ganesha has a universal appeal and is recognized and respected by people of various religious and cultural backgrounds, symbolizing tolerance and acceptance.
Creation of Sri Ganesha
Ganesha is often regarded as a role model for ethical and moral behavior. His life story, which varies in Hindu texts, typically portrays him as a compassionate and just deity who respects his parents and values, devotion, and loyalty.
A sacred place thrived in the pristine beauty of the Himalayas, where Manasarovar’s banks met snow-clad peaks. It was believed to be the residence of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati, the divine Mount Kailash. Shiva, an ascetic householder, embarked on a 12-year spiritual journey with his enigmatic Ganas – formless and shadowy beings. Back home, Devi Parvati, alone on Mount Kailash, yearned for a child and began a mystical ritual. She adorned her body with fragrant chandan (sandalwood paste) and breathed life into Ganesha with a touch of her divine essence.
Years passed, and Shiva and his loyal Ganas returned home to Mount Kailash. As Shiva attempted to enter the sacred area where Devi was bathing, Ganesha, standing resolute and steadfast, halted his advance. Devi had instructed Ganesha, her beloved son, to stand guard while she bathed. Curious, Ganesha asked Shiva who he was, unaware that this stranger was his very own father. Unrecognizing his father, Ganesha was instantly decapitated. Shiva finds Devi distraught and angry instead of being welcomed by his wife. She demands that Shiva restore her baby boy. He feels the urgency and asks one of his chief Ganas to oblige. The Gana agrees, and Shiva removes the Gana’s head and brings the boy back to life. The boy is now Ganapati, the chief of the Ganas.
Thus, Ganesha’s physical form combines elements of being human and non-physical form, representing the harmony of different aspects of existence. This symbolism reinforces the idea of unity and diversity, reminding people to embrace all aspects of life and the world.
Human Body and Gana’s Head
The lore began to interpret the formless head of the Gana to be that of an elephant since elephant trunks do not contain bones. As Sadhguru (2023) points out, today, only a few people refer to Ganesha as Gajapati, meaning the leader of elephants. In contrast, many more refer to him as Ganesha or Ganapati, which means the leader of the Ganas.
Ganapati, with a non-human head is brilliant, and the big-headed being somehow begins to be depicted with a big belly instead of a big brain. Being extremely intelligent, Ganapati is beyond human capabilities and does not allow obstacles to be part of his life. One of his other names – Vigneshwara – is because he removed all the vighnas, or impediments. Rishi Vyasa, the author of the historical Mahabharata, was dictating the events to Ganapati, who quickly wrote it down. Ganapati is so bright that he told Rishi Vyasa that he would get bored and stop scribing for him if he stopped speaking even for a second.
Ganesha in Yoga
Since Ganesha is seen as a source of wisdom and knowledge, yogis turn to him for inspiration and guidance on their path to self-discovery and enlightenment. Ganesha, being extremely smart can be seen as a Gnani, or most knowledgeable. Ganesha is often invoked during yoga and other spiritual pursuits to remove mental and physical challenges. Ganesha is associated with the Muladhara or root chakra located at the base of the human spine, and this chakra represents grounding, stability, and the feeling of being rooted. This first chakra is important as stability in chakra allows a seeker to further his/her spiritual pursuits and thereby Ganesha plays a pivitol role presiding over this chakra.
Some yoga poses (asanas) and hand gestures (mudras) are named after Ganesha or inspired by his attributes. For example, the Ganesha Pose (Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana) is a balancing posture that reflects his stability. The Ganesha Mudra involves interlocking the fingers in a specific way to evoke his energy and qualities during meditation. Chanting the sacred mantra “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha” is another common practice to invoke Ganesha’s blessings and seek guidance. This mantra is often recited before or during yoga to remove obstacles and foster a smooth, focused session.
In the Tattva Samgraha tantra, a significant text from around the seventh century belonging to the Buddhist Yoga Tantra Class, the concept of the “ankusha” plays a crucial role in a specific aspect of meditation. This tantra provides a detailed guide to the mental practice of visualizing the Vajradhatu Mandala, known for its intricate and artistic depiction among Buddhist mandalas. Within this visualization practice, the “ankusha” takes on a special meaning as a symbolic representation. It serves as a visual aid to help practitioners focus on Bodhisattva Vajraraja, who is part of the larger group associated with the Vajradhatu Mandala.
In Japan, Ganesha goes by the names “Kangiten,” the “Noble God,” the “God of Bliss,” or the “Sacred God,” and is revered within specific Buddhist traditions. Ganesha is also referred to as “Shoten,” “Ganabachi,” or “Binayakaten” throughout Japan. Shoten shares a fondness for sweets and is associated with knowledge and wisdom, although there are variations in the depictions and roles of this deity in India and Japan. The country boasts over 250 temples dedicated to Ganesha, with Shoten being widely acknowledged as a formidable wish-granter, often sought as a last resort by those facing dire circumstances.
In summary, Ganesha’s symbolism extends beyond religion and spirituality. He is often regarded as a metaphor for overcoming challenges, embracing wisdom, and cultivating a balanced and humble nature. His elephant head represents intelligence, while his large belly signifies the ability to digest and assimilate knowledge. Ganesha’s popularity and significance have made him a beloved and revered figure in Indian culture and beyond. Though popular culture depicts Ganesha with a huge belly, He is primarily associated with a big brain. This message should be carried forward so that Ganapati can successfully maintain his status as the leader of conquered problems. While kids enjoy laddus and coconut treats offered to the powerful deity, which removes obstacles without issues, may we also remind ourselves that each of us could transcend beyond the limitations of our minds. May we all be blessed by Sri Ganapati during Ganesh Chaturthi and beyond.
References:
Bays, J. C., & Sure, H. (2015). Jizo Bodhisattva: Modern Healing & Traditional Buddhist Practice. Tuttle Publishing.
Bhatnagar, M. (2020). Ganesha as a Paradigm of Universality: A Study of Gita Mehta’s Eternal Ganesha. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 6700-6709.
Fibiger, M. Q. (2022). Globalization (Hinduism). In Hinduism and Tribal Religions (pp. 512-518). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.
Kumaran, T. S. (2020). Ganesha. Retrieved March, 11.
Moto-Sanchez, M. M. (2016). Jizō, Healing Rituals, and Women in Japan. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, 43(2), 307-331.
Painting, Basohli miniature, circa 1730.
Sadhguru, J.V. (2023) “The Secret behind Ganesha’s Superhuman Intelligence.” Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNF5-nb4YRU
Subramuniyaswami, S. S. (2000). Loving Ganesa: Hinduism’s Endearing Elephant-Faced God. Himalayan Academy Publications.