HAPPY GANESH CHATURATHI TO ALL

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS ON GANESH CHATRUTHI

Before delving on as to why we celebrate Ganesh Chatruthi, it is essential that we should know the circumstances and how life was infused in a lifeless creation by Goddess Parvti – the Shakti with unlimited power. This lifeless creation was the residue obtained/scrubbing of dead cells of the remains of sandalwood paste applied on her body of Maa Parvati after her bath.

LORD GANESHA MENTIONED IN VEDA

In essence, it is customary to invocake Lord Ganesha before initiation of any project or work or prayer or important rituals. The mention of Lord Ganesha is found in Rig Veda. He is called as the Chief of Ganas (Divine beings) which symbolizes desires, thoughts and impulses. If these impulses are misdirected these may lead to greed, jealousy and anger and become a cause for internal and external disturbance. There is also mention of Lord Ganesha in epics Ramayana and  Mahabharata. He is termed as the remover of obstacles. He personifies purity, piety and knowledge. The mind is the master of five organs of perception and five organs of action. Lord Ganesha dwells in every individual in the form of intellect and wisdom.

LORD GANESHA

Revered as Vinayaka, Ganesha or Ganapati
Possessing all encompassing potencies
He is most easily identified
With elephant head.
Ganesha is born out of the dirt
Rubbed out of the body of Adi Shakti
Goes to prove without even an iota of doubt
That even the dirt or worthless matter
Could matter the most
with boundless prowess when properly harnessed
Power which is mystic in nature to say the least.

Lord Ganesha is the one who is the first deities to be venerated
Whenever any business or any venture is to be initiated
Since He is bountiful and benevolent of all the deities.

Factually when a new venture has to see the light of the day
Lord Ganesha is worshipped for getting His graces
For self and for our dear ones
And also for getting peace and prosperity for us all
Along with good wishes for smooth sailing in anything we undertake.

Ganesha has two consorts
Named Ridhi and Sidhi
Ridhi is for our prosperity
Whereas Sidhi is for getting spiritual orientation in our existence
Including increasing positive thoughts for actionable results.

Lord Ganesha is also worshipped
For ensuring protection
From the ill-omens
Along with increasing the power of recreation
Whilst removing obstacles from our path
Because Lord Ganesha is considered as the patron
Of sagacity and intellect in abundance
He is both Veghanaharta
The one who removes the obstructions from amongst us all
And a Vegana Karta an obstacle creator for the evil doers.

Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayak Chaturthi is celebrated on the birthday of Lord Ganesha – which falls between 19th August to 20th September every year. This year, His birthday falls on 31st August 2022. Ganesha is the most loved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess  Parvati. The devotees’ firm belief is that on this most auspicious day, He bestows his supreme blessings on us with His presence and showers His bounties (shuvta) on us as He is the Lord of prosperity, unlimited wisdom, and a trouble shooter to the core.

LORD GANESHA IS CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST BENEVOLENT DEITY

The Ganesha’s birthday is celebrated according to the Hindu Calendar month of Bhaadrapada starting with the Shukla Chaturthi – 4th day of the waxing moon period till 14th day of waxing of moon. There is a celebration of ten days for which full preparations are made before hand. This includes; procuring lovely idol of Lord Ganesha, preparation of eatable, especially modaks for friends and relatives, some install Ganesha Idol on this day at their homes for getting His graces. This festival is celebrated in almost all the parts of India. Even in foreign countries like Canada, USA, UK etc where Indians are there, this festival is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm. It has special relevance in Maharashtra.

HOW THE BIRTHDAY OF LORD GANESHA CAME ABOUT?

Legend has it that Goddess Parvati created Ganesha out of sandalwood paste which was applied on Her body before taking bath. She was impressed by her own creation which ignited her curiosity of breathing/infusing life into that creation. Low and behold, the creation of Maa Parvati came to life!

Subsequently, Maa Parvati told him to guard the entrance of the bathroom and ordered him not to allow anybody enter it while she was taking bath and attending to other rituals. All this transpired when Lord Shiva had gone somewhere. When He returned back, Ganesha, standing guard at the entrance, did not allow Him to enter. When questioned, who he was. Ganesha replied that he was Ganesha the son of Maa Parvati!

Lord Shiva sent His Ganas including powerful Nandi to teach the child a lesson in mannerism. As Ganesha was created by Shakti, he was very powerful besides being obedient to the core. Indira and his army of demigods too used their power to overpower Ganesha but in vain.

Now it was the turn of Narda with Saptarishis who tried to persuade the child for allowing Lord Shiva but it was also a futile exercise. All this infuriated Lord Shiva still further. Out of anger, He cut the head of Ganesha with His Trident.

When Maa Parvati came out after Her bath, she found the severed head from the body of her creation. This scene enraged her immensely. Observing her state of mind, Lord Shiva promised to bring back to life their son. The Demigods went in search of the person facing north but could not find any humans. However, they could find only bring the elephant’s head which was fixed on the headless body.

Ganesha came back to life instantly through the supernatural powers of Lord Shiva. He was graced with several bounties by Lord Shiva and other Demigods.

The purpose of this creation was to remove egocentric tendencies based in small head of Ganesha and replacing with bigger Gajhead with immense wisdom and sagacity with no ego at all. The intention was to bring about change from negative to positive orientation by Lord Shiva. This infusion of positivity in Lord Ganesha; with immense wisdom and intelligence is beneficial to us devotees. And that is why we all worship Lord Ganesha to get all the bounties with our sincere prayers onto Him.


WHY GANESH CHATURATHI IS CELEBRATED?

In the past, only Hindus used to participate in the festivities but presently there is a community participatio. There is enactment of concerts; discourses based on intellectual/spirituality related topics, skits, folk dances etc. Dahi Handi competition is another interesting and much awaited by the participants. Here prizes are also awarded to the winners. People of all castes, religions and colour participate in these festivities and this becomes a fertile ground for national integration and engenders understanding between different communities. All these activities have twofold benefits. Firstly, it enhances unity in diversity and secondly it ensures competitive fervor between people.

As Lord Ganesha is embodiment of good tidings, people start their new businesses on this most auspicious day so as to have His blessings for the success.

LORD GANESHA’S WISDOM IS WELL KNOWN

He is the one who penned down Mahabharta dictated by Sage Vyasa at one sitting itself. This shows his wisdom, patience and persistence.

Lord Ganesha is known by 108 names but the following are its prominent ones:

HE IS THE VIGHNAHARTA

Vighna means problems or troubles whereas harta means to remove. It goes to show that Lord Ganesha has the power to remove the impediments or troubles from our midst.

HE IS THE VINAYAKA

Vinayaka is similar to Vighanaharta; the one who removes troubles from our midst.

HE IS THE GAURISUTA

Gaurisuta means son of Gauri (another name of Goddest Parvati). She is possessing all the powers to remove any hurdles which comes in our way.

HE IS THE BALCHANDRA

Balchandra; Bala means child and Chandra is associated with moon. Lord Ganesha carries the moon as a holy sign (Tilk) on his forehead.

HE IS THE EKADANTA

Eka signifies single or one danta means tooth oor tusk. When Parashuram got very angry with child Ganesha, when he came in his way when he wanted to meet Lord Shiva, Parashuram chipped one of Ganesha teeth.

HE IS THE VAKRATUNDA

It means Ganesha is the first incarnation. VAKRA means curved and TUNDA means trunk. He is known to have regained the kingdom of Gods by overpowering demon Matsara with his power and intelligence. Chanting OM BAKRATUNDA AHE NAMON will make us a candidate for Lord Ganesha’s graces.

HE IS THE LAMBODRA

It means the one who has a huge belly. According to Mudgala Purana, Lord Ganesha is Lambodara Avtara. He helped in protecting the Gods from Krodasura.

HE HAS THE POWER OF KRISHNAPINGAKSHA

It is said that Lord Ganesha is known to have the characteristic of seeing everything from anywhere and anywhere. It also shows that he has the same traits as Lord Krishna (The Avtara of Lord Vishnu).

MY PRAYERS TO LORD GANESHA

My earnest prayers to our Lord Ganesha is to grace the humankind with intelligence, knowledge and wisdom so as to bring about peace and prosperity. As He has the power to ensure success of our businesses, we pray for His graces and remove all obstacles from our midst.