What Does Shri Ganeshji’s Chaturthi Symbolise?

Shri Ganesh Chaturthi, the holy occasion of the birth of Lord Ganesh, is celebrated in various majestic ways all over the world. Lord Shri Ganesh is worshipped at the beginning of any new venture to result in success and remove any misfortunes. During this auspicious occasion, whilst we all devotedly pray to Shri Ganesh ji, let us understand what he signifies.

Ganapati is the symbol of knowledge. He is the son of Bhavani Maa, the symbol of faith. Ganapati seated on Maa Bhavani's laps means knowledge seated on the laps of faith.

Shri Ganapatiji has a large head which signifies a reputable person.

The nose of a knowledgeable person is large, meaning; such a person's life is pure and honourable.

The eyes of Ganapatiji are smaller compared to the size of his head. The tiny eyes indicate that one who is knowledgeable has wider vision.

Shri Ganeshji has a large stomach, hence also known as Lambodar. This implies that one who is knowledgeable should be big-hearted. Such a person does not gossip from one person to another and knows how to retain confidential information.

Shri Ganapati ji has large ears. A knowledgeable person listens to everyone, from the commonest man to one with the highest status. Such a person is not egoistic that he is the most knowledgeable individual, but is down to earth. Knowledge sits on the seat of humility. Knowledge that is not paired with humility is only known as information.

Shri Ganesh ji sits on a mouse. Now how can Ganapati who has a large stomach and elephant head be able to sit on a mouse? How will a mouse move with Ganapati on him? Again this has a symbolic meaning. The mouse signifies effort or hard work. A mouse is always doing something. Therefore, knowledge should ride on hard work. One who is knowledgeable should not be idle, but work hard.

Shri Ganapatiji has two wives: Maa Riddhi and Maa Siddhi. Riddhi (prosperity/ wealth) and Siddhi (fulfillment) exist wherever knowledge rides on hard work.

This is what our beloved Shri Ganesh Bhagavan signifies.
Shri Gajanan Ganapati Maharaj ki Jai!

MANTRAS:

·         Aum Gan Ganapatye Namah

This is Lord Ganesha's mula ("root") mantra .It is also known as his ''beej'' Mantra. This mantra is used for Yoga Sadhana in which we pray to Lord Ganesha and merge ourself with the supreme knowledge and peace. This is a mantra from Ganapati Upanishad. One can always use it before starting any new venture so that success comes without any hassle.

·         Aum Vakratundaya Hum

This is a powerful mantra from Ganesha Purana. When things are not in your favour, or when the minds of the people turn negative, depressed or discouraged, the attention of Ganesha may be drawn by this mantra to straighten their ways. The HUM symbolizes "Delay no more, my Lord, in straightening the paths of the crooked-minded ones." This mantra is used many a times in the Ganesha Purana to reduce the violence of cruel demons. In addition, this mantra could also be used for healing any spinal problem, such as curvature of the spine or curved limbs. Dedicate 1,008 repetitions of this holy word to straighten and heal such deficiencies.

·         Aum Kshipra Prasadaya Namah

Kshipra means immediate. If some danger or negative energy is coming your way and you don't know how to get rid of that danger, with true devotion, practice this mantra for quick blessing and purification of one's aura.

·   Aum Shrim Hrim Klim Glaum Gam Ganapataye vara varada sarva janamme vashamanaya svaha 

There are several beej (seed) mantras in this mantra. Among other things, it says, "Shower Your blessings, O Lord. I offer my ego as an oblation."

·         Aum Sumukhaya Namah

This mantra has a lot of meaning, in simple terms, it means you will be always very beautiful in soul, in spirit, in face, everything. By meditating on this mantra, very pleasing manners and a beauty comes on you. Along with that comes peace, which constantly works in your eyes; and the words you speak are all filled with that power of love.

·         Aum Ekadantaya Namah

Ekadanta refers to one tusk in the elephant face, which means God broke the duality and made you to have a complete one-pointed mind. Whoever has that oneness of mind and single-minded devotion will achieve everything.

·         Aum Kapilaya Namah

Kapila (red) means that you are able to give colour therapy. You are able to create colours around yourself and around others, soak them in that colour and heal them. As per the mantra you create, so will you create the colors. Another meaning is "wish cow," the "cow of plenty." It means that whatever you wish, that comes true. There is a wish-cow inside you. Whatever you wish, especially for curing others, comes true instantly.

·         Aum Gajakarnikaya Namah

The ears of Ganesha, the elephant - god, are constant fanning, which means people can talk a lot, but you are not receiving inside anything other than what is important. It also means that you can sit anywhere and tune this celestial tube (the body) with seven channels (chakras) and all 72,000 nadis, to any loka and be able to hear ancestors, angels, the voice of God or the voice of prophets. That kind of inner ear you will develop through this mantra.

·         Aum Lambodaraya Namah

This means you feel that you are this universe. It means that all the celestial bodies are within you. Like an entire tree is in the seed, the whole universe is in the sound of creation, which is Aum, and that Aum consciousness in you makes you feel that you are the universe. Therefore, if you say, realizing the oneness with the universe, "shanti to the world" every day, then the grace of God will come and there will be world peace, universal peace. It is the universe within Aum and Aum within you.

·         Aum Vikataya Namah

This means realizing this world as a dream or a drama. When you are in that high consciousness, this whole world looks like a dream. All of us have taken a role. We have to play our role in life as wife or husband or children or citizens, all consistent with the role we have taken. When an actor bitten by a sponge cobra that is brought on the stage falls, the entire audience cries; but that boy who has fallen knows it was not a real cobra and he is not dead. Life is a drama --definitely life in this material world, this physical world of ego, is a drama. But inside, like the boy on the stage who is quite happy knowing that he didn't die by the bite of the sponge cobra, like that, the truth never dies in us; it is immortal. So everything else you consider as drama. That consciousness comes to you by knowing this mantra.

·         Aum Vighna Nashanaya Namah

This mantra invokes the Lord Ganesha to remove every hindrance in your life and in your works. By constant meditation on this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in your physical and cosmological bodies are released.

·         Aum Vinayakaya Namah

Vinayaka is the name of Ganesha in the golden age. So by realizing this mantra, your life will have a golden age. In your office, in your work, you'll be the boss. Vinayaka means something under control. Vinayaka means the Lord of resolving problems.

·         Aum Ganadhyakshaya Namah

This mantra is very important. Suppose you have a group, a country, neighbours, or any kind of group therapy, group healing or a whole country requiring healing, then you have to bring that entire group to your mind's arena and say this mantra. A group healing takes place by this mantra.

·         Aum Bhalachandraya Namah

In Sanskrit, bhala means the forehead center. Chandra means the crescent moon. Bhalachandra means that chakra from where the nectar drips. That is the secret of all healing. It is to feel yourself as Shiva, identifying yourself with the Truth and feeling constantly that you are carrying the crescent moon, the symbol of growth and nectar of peace.

Seva mein samarpit, Sandipani Vidyaniketan

With Gratitude to Dr. Nilima Chitgopekar, The Ganesha Experience