New beginnings are welcomed with utmost joy, hope, and enthusiasm and are usually tied with a ritual of prayer for success in the new venture. In India, Ganesha, the elephant deity, is revered as the Lord of new beginnings. He is the destroyer of obstacles, remover of sorrows, and bestower of happiness. He is also the harbinger of wisdom and success and so before any new beginnings, Ganesha is worshipped with a deep feeling of gratitude. Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrated to honor the birth of Ganesha. It is one of the most popular festivals in India and is celebrated with great pomp and show. The festival is celebrated for ten days, starting on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August- September).
This year, let’s celebrate the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in a meaningful way by learning from Ganesha’s life.
Head - The huge elephant head over Ganesha signifies wisdom and a broad intellect, which can accommodate and retain the knowledge of the real self, the Supreme and the auspicious age we are living in.
Eyes - Ganesha’s eyes are small. When we need to look at something which is far away, we also make our eyes small, that way we are able to look at a distance and very clearly. Hence small eyes actually mean having far-sightedness, i.e. be able to look at the consequences of every thought, word and action.
Mouth - Ganesha has a small mouth, which means speak less and whatever is spoken, should be meaningful, inspiring and useful for the listener. Speak only when required and only elevated words.
Ears - Large ears like a fan are a sign of becoming a good listener, but with a filter. The habit of selective listening, where only what is important penetrates into the being, but everything unimportant, is ignored. That is to only listen and register positive information, ignore anything negative, in order to maintain an elevated state of mind.
Tusk - Also known as ekdant. Elephants have two tusks, but Ganesha’s one tusk is broken, which is a symbol of putting all dualities to an end. Dualities arise when one is in body consciousness. Gender, religion, age etc. With true knowledge and wisdom, when we adopt soul consciousness, we finish all dualities.
Trunk - A trunk can lift and carry heavy as well as small objects. It can uproot the trees and also carry a needle with the same ease. This tells us that a spiritually wise soul is perfectly balanced, soft but powerful. It also means to use God’s help to uproot the vices/negative tendencies within us, which is the root cause of sorrows in our life.
Stomach - Big stomach indicates the ability to “digest all”. The power to accept everyone’s sanskars and accommodate their weaknesses. It also demonstrates the ability to face any situation with equanimity.
Axe in the hand - An axe is used for cutting and chopping objects. With an axe in one hand, Ganesha is asking us to cut away all our past karmic accounts in remembrance of the Supreme.
Rope in the hand - All the knowledge we gain in our lives, is useless unless we inculcate it within us. Inculcating knowledge is not possible without tying ourselves into a life filled with discipline and determination. These days, discipline is regarded as boring, but the only thing which can make the two ends of goals and success meet, is a disciplined life. There is no shortcut to success and there is no substitute for discipline.
Posture of Giving - The hand in the posture of giving blessings to all, signifies the importance of giving. If one is able to give, selflessly and unconditionally, is full and complete within. It requires a lot of courage and a big heart to be able to give not to one, two, ten, but to all. Transforming oneself from a beggar (always wanting) to a giver is the biggest step one can take to make their lives full of true joy.
Modak in the hands - A modak is sweet, which is always there in one hand of Ganesha. It takes a lot of effort to make this sweet, which indicates that we should always continue to make efforts towards our goals and not give up. And over time, those efforts will bring success and praise to us, but we should never let that success take the form of ego, which can become a reason for our downfall. Always keep the success in the hand, don't let it get into our head.
One toe touching the ground - Ganesha is seated with one leg folded and only the toe of the other leg touches the ground. This signifies that while living in this world and fulfilling all relationships, be detached yet loving. Don’t get influenced by anyone’s weaknesses or negative sanskars, be untouched by negativity in the surroundings.
Rat as the vehicle - Even after having so many qualities, Ganesha’s vehicle is a rat. How can mighty Ganesha ride on a tiny rat? A rat is really small and always nibbles on something. Moreover, when the rat bites, it leaves an anesthetic effect. This signifies, we have lost control over our sense organs and have become extroverts. And that vices or distractions can enter from anywhere, even through our smallest weakness, without any realization. It's time to regain the lost control and become self-sovereign.
Two wives - Riddhi and Siddhi - Ganesha has two wives, Riddhi and Siddhi, who are always beside him. When we acquire wisdom and use it to our benefit, prosperity and success will certainly follow us.
There is an anecdote related to Ganesha, which goes like this-
Ganesha and his brother Kartikey were asked to go around the world and his brother started to walk around the world. But Ganesha just went around his parents. In essence, when we recognize our spiritual parents(the Supreme), and connect with Him, we will be able to achieve success, destroy our own and others’ obstacles, remove all our sorrows and lead a blissful life.