OM SHRI GANESHAY NAMAHA

Lord Ganesh, who is also known by various other names such as Ganapathi,
Vinaayaka or Vighneswara, is the God who helps us overcome obstacles in life. He
is the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvathi. He is the elephant faced God who
is worshipped as the very first deity before beginning any ceremony, ritual or
vow. Worshipping Ganapathi endows man with the courage and confidence needed to
enter upon and carry through any undertakings in the world. So it is only
appropriate that every rite or ceremony or project should be started with the
worship of this God. According to the Puranas (epics), this was a boon conferred
upon Him by Lord Shiva.


Ganapathi has the head of an elephant and has a mouse as a vehicle. The
elephant is well known for its intelligence. It also acts as guide to mankind in
the sense that it clears the way as it treads along in a dense forest.
Similarly, in the forest of life, to clear the thorny bushes of pain, sorrow and
suffering, one should tread along the path shown by intellect. Ganapathi has the
elephant face as a symbol of high intelligence that can guide us on the right
path.
The mouse (mooshika) is a symbol of darkness. Because Vinaayaka has control
over the darkness, He is described as the rider on a mouse (mooshika). The mouse
is also a symbol of the sense of smell. It moves about following the direction
of the smell (vaasana). Vinaayaka is the One who has mastery over our Vaasanas,
that is desires and ignorance (represented by mooshika).


He is called Ganapathi because He is the supreme Lord of the Ganas
(Ganas are the embodiments of the organs of perception - Jnanendriyas - and of
action - Karmendriyas). "Ga" means Buddhi (intellect). "Na" means "Vijnana"
(wisdom). "Pathi" means master. Hence, another meaning for Ganapathi is master
of the intellect and wisdom. He is called Vinayaka because He has no master
above Him. He is also known as Vighneswara as He is the remover of obstacles
(Vighna). Lord Ganesha has all the five elements under His control. He is the
embodiment of all potencies. He has no superior above Him. He is the Pranava
Swarupa (embodiment of Aum). Hence, the first prayer is always addressed to Him.

Significance of the Ganesha Form
Ganesha's head symbolizes the Atman or the soul, which is the ultimate supreme
reality of human existence, and his human body signifies Maya or the earthly
existence of human beings. The elephant head denotes wisdom and its trunk
represents Om, the sound symbol of cosmic reality. In his upper right hand
Ganesha holds a goad, which helps him propel mankind forward on the eternal path
and remove obstacles from the way. The noose in Ganesha's left hand is a gentle
implement to capture all difficulties.
The broken tusk that Ganesha holds like a pen in his lower right hand is a
symbol of sacrifice, which he broke for writing the Mahabharata. The rosary in
his other hand suggests that the pursuit of knowledge should be continuous. The
laddoo (sweet) he holds in his trunk indicates that one must discover the
sweetness of the Atman. His fan-like ears convey that he is all ears to our
petition. The snake that runs round his waist represents energy in all forms.
And he is humble enough to ride the lowest of creatures, a mouse.
Lord Shree Ganesh is god of knowledge and the remover of obstacles. Lord
Ganesha is worshipped, or at least remembered, in the beginning of any
auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.
InitAdv(16) If the mantra "AUM GANG GANAPATAYE NAMAH" is repeated
5000 times for 25 days one will see the efect of the mantra. Ganapati or Ganesha
is supposed to be the obstacle remover. He gives all kinds of physical and
mental powers.
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May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all!


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