Ganesh Chaturthi

 In unison, Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu declared, "Just as we three are worshipped in all the three worlds, so shall Ganesha be worshipped by all. He is the remover of obstacles (Vigneshwara) and the giver of the fruits of all rites." [Shiva Purana Rudrasamhita 18].

"Myth," says Ananda Coomaraswamy, a famous art scholar, "is the closest way to express Absolute Truth in words." Far from being mere fantasy, myths bridge the gap between the relative and the Absolute, allowing us to leap from the earthly to the divine. A striking example is Lord Ganesha, who, despite his unusual appearance—an elephant head on a chubby human body riding a tiny mouse—is one of the most beloved and revered gods in Hinduism.

Ganesha's unmistakable images, in various sizes and poses, can be found everywhere: in temples, under village trees, at street corners, in homes, and in every Hindu heart. No other deity is as popular, as frequently praised, or as essential to religious ceremonies as Ganesha. No ceremony can begin without first appeasing him. Devotees often cross their wrists, knock the sides of their foreheads with closed fists, and chant the invocation "Shuklamburadharam," which has even become a common phrase meaning, "let's begin."

Everyone loves Ganesha. Devotees seek his blessings before starting anything, and artists love to depict him. Even the gods worship Ganesha before taking on challenges. For example, Lord Vishnu prayed to him before defeating the demon Bali, and Lord Shiva did the same before conquering Tripura. Goddess Durga also bowed to Ganesha before slaying Mahisasura. He’s not just for battles, either; even Kamadeva, the Love God, sought Ganesha’s blessings before spreading love across the world.

Ganesha is known by 108 names, including Vinayak, Ganapati, Omkar, Vighneshwara, Anant, Hriddeshwar, Pullairyar, Siddheshwar, Gajanan, Ekdantaya, and Vakratunda. He is revered as the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta) and the bestower of knowledge. To please him, devotees offer Abhishek, Atharva Shishya (hymns), flowers, "Vastra" (clothing), cotton garlands smeared with turmeric (Haldi) and kumkum (Sindoor), and, for those who can afford it, copper coins placed around his waist. Additionally, 21 stalks of Durva grass are commonly offered.

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. With his elephant head, pot belly, a serpent as a sacred thread, and a rat as his chosen vehicle, Ganesha is worshipped as a guardian deity who wards off evil forces and invites prosperity into homes.

Though he is now worshipped as the benevolent Vighnaharta, he was originally feared as the unpredictable Vighnakarta, a creator of obstacles. An episode from the 'Skanda Purana' recounts Lord Ganesha's beginnings as an obstacle-maker. Lord Shiva once blessed the god Soma, saying that anyone who worshipped him devoutly at the temple of Someshwara would be granted a place in heaven. As a result, many people entered the gods' abode. Concerned about this influx, Lord Indra, king of the gods, asked Lord Shiva for help. Unable to reverse his blessing, Lord Shiva directed Lord Indra to Goddess Parvati, who created Ganesha from her own body dirt and instructed him to place hurdles in the path of Soma's devotees.

In another legend, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha and ordered him to guard her doorway. Following her orders, Ganesha denied entry to Lord Shiva himself. Furious, Shiva cut off the boy's head. Later, in repentance, he replaced the lost head with that of Gajendra, king of the elephants, and brought Ganesha back to life.

Is Lord Ganapati a Vedic deity? Scholars are unsure. While the Rig Veda contains the oft-chanted hymn "Gananam tva Ganapatim havamahe" ("We invoke thee, Ganapati, chief among all the Ganas"), the meaning of 'Ganas' is debated. Does it refer to the hosts of Shiva's servants led by his son, or does it simply mean 'groups' or 'assemblages'? If it's the latter, the meaning is more mysterious.

The most important Sanskrit text about Lord Ganesha is the "Ganapati Atharvasirsha" in the Atharva Veda. It identifies Ganapati as the all-pervading Ultimate Principle, Brahman, and praises his power to overcome obstacles. For the first time, it describes some of his distinguishing features: Ekadanta, Vakratunda, Lambodara, Suprakarna, and Mushikavahana. He is called Sivasuta, the son of Lord Shiva.

Though the scriptures identify Lord Ganesha as the son of Shiva and Parvati, his origins seem to incorporate various influences. His part-human, part-animal form suggests that he was originally a totemic god of the pre-Aryan tribes. In his role as the guardian of learning and wisdom, some scholars see echoes of the Vedic deity, Brahmanaspati.

The "Yajnavalkya Smriti" (I 271-294) suggests that Lord Ganesha emerged from the cult of the Vinayakas—feared spirits known for causing hindrances and spreading misery. The Vinayakas were described as being reddish, a color that eventually became associated with Ganesha. Interestingly, in the Buddhist pantheon, Vinayaka appears as an elephant-headed demon.

A study of elephant symbolism in Hindu mythology provides further insight into the mystery of Ganesha's appearance. In Hindu cosmology, when Lord Brahma created the universe from the 'Hiranyagarbha' (the 'Golden Egg'), he appointed elephants as the "dikpalas," or guardians of the directions, to prevent evil forces from entering the world of the gods. As a result, in Hindu and Buddhist temple architecture, elephant statues or friezes are often carved on gates, marking the boundary between the sacred and the mundane.

Vighneshwara is a delightful paradox. He can place formidable obstacles in the path of those who ignore or bypass him, but he also removes all obstacles for those who worship him. As the guardian of thresholds, he controls access to success and failure. Vighneshwara (creator of obstacles) is also Siddhi Vinayaka (giver of success).

"The manifestation of Vinayaka embodies the profound philosophy of the Universe as a mere aspect of God. Devoted worship of any deity, passed down through generations in each family, and meditation on the truths that deity represents, will lead to happiness for oneself and for the world....!"