GANPATI BAPPA MORIYA

EKADANTHAAYA VIDHMAHEE

VAAKRATUNDAAYA DHEEMAHI

THANNO DHANTIHIH PRACHODAYAAT

According to the Indian Convention, Ganesh is the prime most deity whom everyone of us must worship first since He is the reliever of obstacles, giver of wisdom and all boons and finally bestows liberation on all those who seek His Grace, and thus cuts asunder the worldly bondage.

The Indians are of the firm belief that no success can be achieved without first paying obeisance to Lord Ganesh. So those who aspire wordly and spiritual success in their life should first start their prayers to Lord Ganesh. Adoration of Vinaayaka as Prathama Vandhana (First Deity to be saluted) has been mentioned in the Vedas. Reference to Him is made in the Gayathri also.

He is one who instills purity in body, and fearlessness in the mind. It is said "Thanno Dhanthih Prachodayaath" giving importance to his tusk. He rides on a small Muushika (mouse). Muushika is symbolic of the darkness of ignorance, while Ganesha signifies the effulgence of Wisdom that dispels the darkness of ignorance.

Lord Ganesh is the elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Shiva is the one who removes and destroys all evils in the world. Parvathi is the Goddess of Sarvashakthi, who helps in his work. He is also affectionately known by many other names like Vinaayaka, Heramba, Siddhivinayaka, Gajamukha, Vigneshvara, Lambodhara,Gajanana, Ganpathi etc.

What does the term Ganapathi signify? 'Ga' means Buddhi (Intellect). 'Na' mean Vijnana (Wisdom ). 'Ganapthi' means one who is the Lord of the intellect and wisdom. He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Ganas also symbolise the senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses.

It is only when the man is pure that the intelligence blossoms. It is only with the blossoming of intelligence that Siddhi (the spiritual goal) is attained. Vinayak presides over the the Buddhi and Siddhi (the intellect and the spiritual realisation). The scriptues say that Siddhi and Buddhi are the consorts of Vinaayaka and Kshema and Anandha are his two sons. Siddhi and Buddhi symbolises the powers of attraction of Ganapthi.

Vinayaaka is known for his supreme intelligence. He has the head of an elephant. The elephant is also known for its high intelligence. The elephant will not trust anybody except its master.

Because Vinaayaka is endowed with exceptional intelligence, His elephant face is symbolic of supreme intelligence. Vinayaaka also mean that He is the one who has no master above Him. He is the supreme master. He is beyond the mindless state. One who has stilled the mind cannot have any master.

He is also called Lambodhara which means Guardian of Wealth - Lakshmi Svaruupa. Here lakshmi represents all wealth and prosperity and not only Dhanam (money) for which there is a separate deity called Dhanalakshmi. Here wealth means Sukha and Anandha (pleasure and bliss). What is the use of having all things when there is no pleasure and bliss?

Vinaayaka is also called Vigneshvara as He removes all obstacles coming in the way of devotees who pray to Him sincerely. Only Vinaayaka teaches the lessons that are essential for mankind. One should not stop with installing the idol and doing pujas for a few days. One should make efforts to become a Naayaka or Master over onself by practising the nine-fold path of devotion.

He broke his tusk to use it as a pen when He was writing the Mahaabhaaratha to the dictation of Sage Vyaasa. He is a shining example of the spirit of sacrifice that He exhibited for the welfare of the humanity. That is why he is called Ekadhantha or one with single tusk.