Ganesha’s enormous belly is thought to contain the entire universe within (hence, his other name, Mahodara). The snake, coiled around his middle, represents the divine energy that infuses all living forms.
At other times, the snake is shown around Ganesha’s neck. Here, it represents kundalini, the coil of psychic energy that lies at the base of our spine.
A deity “chosen” by a devotee for worship is known as an ishta devata. Some may be inspired by Shiva, others by Lord Krishna, according to sectarian leanings. Ganesha however, is identified as the embodiment of the Universe itself, one who contains all worlds within him. He is, in that sense, the Supreme One, and the primary ishta devata of all followers. Worship of Ganesha leads the devotee naturally and easily to all other deities.
The mouse was originally a minor deity called Kroncha. He once incurred the wrath of sage Vamadeva who cursed him into becoming a rodent. Later, Vamadeva regretted his harshness and sent him to Ganesha for a remedy. When the enormous rodent arrived at Sage Parashurama’s hermitage, where Ganesha was staying, there was panic all over. With his luminous lasso, Ganesha finally cornered the creature. He heard out Kroncha’s story. Realizing that Kroncha was genuinely repentant, he agreed to accept the rodent as his divine vehicle.
The philosophical explanation: the mouse is Mooshika (little mouse); its size and lowly demeanor symbolizes our own ignorance and lowly desires. Ganesha as its master represents the intellect, knowledge and wisdom. As conqueror of the senses, Ganesha is the embodiment of spiritual enlightenment.Pictured above is Carved Wood Ganesh Sculpture on Mouse from Ganesh Mall
Tulsi (an herb from the basil family) was a beautiful maiden who, when she saw the resplendent Ganesha, fell in love with him and wished to marry him. Ganesha though, was a confirmed bachelor (at least according to some legends) and refused to oblige her. The enraged Tulsi cursed him that one day, he would indeed break his vow of celibacy. Ganesha cursed her in return, that she would marry a demon and later, turn into a plant.
The noose is an implement that Ganesha uses to deftly capture and set aside obstacles in our path, when we approach him for help. Sometimes though, we need help of another kind, when we are our own worst enemies! With his noose, Ganesha gently catches our straying minds and sets us back on course. As the 'Remover of Obstacles', Ganesha uses the axe to rid our path of roadblocks. Often times a goad replaces the axe, though the purpose of the weapon remains the same.
Pictured above: Cream & Brown Ganesh Statue available at Ganesh Mall.
Chandra, the moon, once ridiculed Ganesha by laughing at his childish antics. Annoyed, Ganesha broke off his tusk and hurled it at the moon, splitting its face. "Take that! And may you be a source of ill-luck to those who look upon you!" he cursed. Chandra pleaded desperately for mercy. "I'll spare you this time, Chandra, but I cannot revoke my curse completely. You will wax and wane every fifteen days. And bad luck will befall those who look upon you only on one day – my birthday.
“Eshwara’” is the embodiment of all riches – physical beauty and strength, knowledge, wisdom, material wealth, spiritual enlightenment. “Vighna” translates as an unforeseen obstacle or impediment. Indeed, Vighnasura was a demon created by Brahma to block King Abhinandan’s overweening ambition of ruling the heavens. But Vighnasura, after killing Abhinandan, ran amok himself and could be thwarted by none, except Ganesha. Ganesha spared Vighnasura’s life, on the condition that the demon would not appear in any place where Ganesha was worshipped. Before disappearing, the demon extracted a promise from Ganesha, that he incorporates his name with that of the Lord. Thus, Ganesha acquired the name Vighneswara or “Destroyer of Obstacles”.
Ganesha is invoked as Vighneswara at the start of all activities, be it a journey, a new business venture or an examination, in order that he may clear the path ahead, and provide us with the strength and skills needed to succeed in all our worldly enterprises.
Ganesha’s first role as a young boy was gatekeeper, guarding his mother’s privacy, and in the process enraging his father Shiva, who cut his head off.
As guardian deity, Ganesha protects the sanctity of the inner shrine, allowing in only those who approach it with a pure heart and mind. Don’t forget, Ganesha is both the Creator as well as Remover of Obstacles. For those who rush past him in haste, eager to get to the main shrine, Ganesha will himself become an obstacle in their path. On the other hand, respectful obeisance to the Lord of the Threshold will ensure that the devotee’s worship is fruitful and blessed.
Life is all about dichotomies, choices. Sacred vs. profane, right vs. wrong, profound vs. mundane. Standing at the threshold, Ganesha is a mediator, one who guides us through the path ahead, a bridge between our past and the possibilities of the future.
When Parvati first set eyes on the elephant-head that Shiva placed on her beheaded son’s neck, she burst into tears. Brahma, the Creator, in order to placate the inconsolable mother, promised her that henceforth Ganesha would be the first among gods to be worshiped.
Ganesha embodies superiority of the intellect, wisdom and the ability to overcome obstacles, the very factors required for any worldly enterprise to succeed. He is also associated with material success. Is it any mystery therefore, that he is invoked at the start of all ventures?
