Lord Ganesh

“The physical attributes of Ganesha are themselves rich in symbolism. He is normally shown with one hand in the abhaya pose of protection and refuge and the second holding a sweet (modaka) symbolic of the sweetness of the realized inner self. In the two hands behind him he often holds an ankusha (elephant goad) and a pasha (noose). The noose is to convey that worldly attachments and desires are a noose. The goad is to prod man to the path of righteousness and truth. With this goad Ganesha can both strike and repel obstacles. . . .

No analysis of Lord Ganesha can be concluded without a mention of the mystical syllable AUM. The sacred AUM is the most powerful Universal symbol of the divine presence in Hindu thought. It is further said to be the sound which was generated when the world first came into being. The written manifestation of this divine symbol when inverted gives the perfect profile of the god with the elephant head.

Ganesha is thus the ONLY god to be associated in a "physical" sense with the primordial sacred sound AUM, a telling reminder of his supreme position in the Hindu pantheon.”       

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“Lord Ganesha or Lord Ganapati is the destroyer of obstacles. People mostly worship Him for siddhi, success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is begun. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature and fine arts. Lord Ganesha is also one of the five Gods - the worship of whom was popularized by Adi Shankaracharya; the other four being Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti and Surya. The worship of these five deities is called the panchaayatana puja. In some cases, Skanda is also worshipped. It is said that Ganesha was born when the eternal couple contemplated on "Ohm". If you view Lord Ganesha sideways, you will see the symbol "Ohm" in Sanskrit. That's why Ganesha is called "Ohmkara" and worshipped first. "Ohm" is the pranava mantram which means "Excellent Boat" (Prakriti +Nava = PraNava). The PraNavam is the only means to cross the ocean of worldly existence.

Ganesha has four hands, an elephant's head and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a rope (to carry devotees to truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments), and a sweet dessert ball - laddoo (to reward devotees for their spiritual activity). His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people. A unique combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving mouse vehicle represents tremendous wisdom, intelligence and presence of mind.” 

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“Lord Ganesh has four arms. The four arms represent the four inner equipments of the subtle body, namely mind (manas), intellect (buddhi), ego (aharnkar) and conditioned consciousness {chitta). Lord Ganesh represents the pure Consciousness, the Atman which enables these four equipments to function in you. In one hand he holds an axe and in another a rope. The axe symbolises the destruction of all desires and attachments and their consequent agitations and sorrows. The rope is meant to pull the seeker out of his worldly entanglements and bind him to the everlasting and enduring bliss of his own Self. In the third hand he holds a rice ball {modaka). Modaka represents the joyous rewards of spiritual seeking. A seeker gains the joy of satisfaction and contentment as he progresses on the path of spiritual evolution. In the fourth hand he holds a lotus (padma). The lotus represents the supreme goal of human evolution. By holding the lotus in his hand he draws the attention of all seekers to that supreme state that each one of them can aspire for and reach through proper spiritual practices. He blesses all his devotees to reach the supreme state of Reality. Thus by indicating to mankind the goal of human evolution and the path to reach the same. Lord Lord Ganesh occupies a place of distinction in the Hindu pantheon. May he give us all the strength and courage to pursue the path which he has led and may we gain that supreme goal which he has reached.”   

www.mantraonnet.com

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