Concept - Glory & Significance of Lord Sri Maha Ganapathi (Obstacles Remover)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

Sri Maha Ganapathi

(The remover of obstacles)

In Hindu religion and philosophy Lord Ganesha has acquired a unique and significant prominence and is considered as the most potent God. Also known as Maha Ganapathi (Ganesha), the elephant headed God is the best known and the most revered God in Hindu religion who is offered prayers first before any other God. He is known as Vinayaka (Vigathanayaka). That means the one who has no master over him. He is totally an independent Deity, has no overlord and is the one who leads. He is popularly known as Ganapathi (Gana + Pathi) the Lord of all the Ganas (divine Groups or spiritual entities). The word Ganapathi also signifies, Ga means Buddhi (intellect), Na means Vignana (wisdom) and Pathi means the Lord. Ganapathi means the one who is the Lord of intellect and wisdom. He is considered as the Lord of learning and patron of letters.

He is also referred to by other names like Vighneshwara the Lord of Vignas (obstacles), Gajaanana the one who has the face of an Elephant, Ekadantha the one who has only one tusk etc. Looked upon as a Brahmachari people also believe Siddhi and Buddhi as his consorts but in fact they are his two energies, wisdom and success. Lord Ganesha is the bestower of intelligence and discriminative knowledge (Buddhi) and success (Siddhi). He is the one who has shown to the world the significance of parents by taking a circumambulation around his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi that bestowed him the position of Ganaadhipathya, the Lordship over the Ganas. Sri Ganapathi is not only the Lord of learning, intellect and wisdom but also the controller of obstacles and destroyer of miseries of his devotees.

Vedic & Pouranic reference

While several scripts are said to have made reference to Lord Ganesha, specific scripts viz. Sri Ganesha Purana, Mudgala Purana (both Upa Puranas) and Sri Ganesha Atharvaseersham considered as Ganesha Upanishad are exclusively dedicated to Lord Ganapathi. These scripts have eulogized the glory and significance of Lord Sri Ganesha.

We find a reference to Lord Ganapathi from the popular Vedic sloka Ganaanaam Twaam Ganapathi Gam Havaamahey… that is said to be from Rig-Veda. He is eulogized as Jyesta Rajam, that means He is the greatest among the greats and an elderly God. Lord Sri Ganapathi is said to be an embodiment and personification of Omkaram (Pranava Swaroopam) which is primordial to all the Veda Manthras. There is also a separate Gayathri for Lord Ganesha who also has Sahasranama sthothram. Popular sloka Suklaambaradharam Vishnum… that is compulsorily recited before commencement of any Vedic ritual assume Lord Ganesha as a form of Lord Vishnu who is omnipresent. Sankata Nashana Ganapathi Sthothram from Narada Purana said to have been composed by Sage Narada is a very popular prayer dedicated to Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganapathi is not only worshipped by human beings but also by all the Deities including the Trinal Lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. Lord Vishnu is said to have worshipped Lord Ganesha and obtained Siddhi during the course of killing the demons Madhu and Khaitabha. In the process, He (Lord Vishnu) is said to have performed penance and consecrated a Salagrama idol of Lord Ganesha at a place currently known as Siddhatek near Pune in Maharastra on the banks of holy river Bheema. This place is known as Siddhi Vinayaka Kshethra where, a famous Ashta Vinayaka temple has come up attracting thousands of pilgrims through out the year. Like this, the legends behind these eight temples of Lord Ganesha (Ashta Vinayaka temples) are standing as testimony to the glory and significance of Lord Maha Ganapathi since yore.

Lord Ganesha is also said to have played a significant role behind the origin of famous temple of Lord Shiva at Gokarna (Aatma Linga Kshetra) and that of Lord Sri Ranganatha Swamy at Sri Rangam (Anthya Ranga Kshethra) near Trichy. Though the famous epic Sri Maha Bharatha was composed by Lord Veda Vyasa, it is said that He had invoked the help of Lord Ganesha in scripting the same who did it with one of his tusks. Like this, reference to several legends of Lord Vinayaka are said to be available in other Pouranic scripts like Shiva Purana, Skhanda Purana, Brahma Vaivartha Purana apart from Sri Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana.

Origin of Lord Ganapathi

There are several legends attached to the origin of Lord Ganapathi. Though as per the popular legend Lord Ganesha is said to be the creation of Goddess Parvathi Devi (Aadi Shakti) the presence of Lord Ganapathi is felt in all the Yugas since time immemorial. He is known by different names in different Yugas. Lord Ganapathi has taken four different forms in four Yugas. In Krita Yuga he was known as Mahotkata Ganapathi having 10 arms riding on a Lion. In Treta Yuga he was white-coloured, eight-armed and was known as Mayura Ganapathi riding on Peacock. In Dwapara Yuga he was red-coloured, manifested from the clay on the body of Goddess Parvathi riding on a mouse (Mooshika vahana) and chaturbhuja with four arms known as Gajaanana Ganapathi. In Kali Yuga he is known as Dhoomrakethu Ganapathi.

Symbolism of Lord Ganesha

Generally, we find Lord Ganesha depicted as a dwarf and fatty figure with pot belly, elephant head, large ears, small eyes, long nose and mouse as vehicle. From an artistic angle this figure is most enchanting and blissful. But behind this artistic symbolism, hidden is a philosophy, a moral, a management principle and a lesson for every body to learn in life.

Ganesha Worship

Like Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakthi, Lord Ganesha also has a sect of followers in Hindu religion who are known as Ganapathyas who worship Lord Ganapathi as the Supreme God. They follow a unique sampradaya in the worship of Lord Ganesha. While daily worship of Lord Ganesha is prescribed and prevalent in Hindu philosophy, He is exclusively worshipped on two specific days in the Hindu Lunar calendar. They are, on the fourth day of the dark fortnight (Chaturthi) known as Sankasta Chaturthi that occurs in every lunar month and on the fourth day of the bright fortnight in the lunar month of Bhadrapada Masam that is known as Sri Ganesha Chaturthi. Apart from this, worship of Lord Ganesha in the form of prayer, pooja or homa is done before commencement of any religious functions like Marriage or Gruha Pravesam etc. Worship of Lord Ganesha is prevalent in Hindu religion as a popular astro remedy for various astrological problems. Tuesday is considered as the favourite day for worshiping Lord Ganesha or for performing Ganapathi Homam.

Ganesha worship is simple with multiple merits. He is fond of Garike (Dhoorva Grass) in his worship. It is said and believed that worship of Lord Ganapathi without Garike is useless. Lord Ganesha is known as Naivedya Priya having penchant for devotees’ offerings. In Naivedya (offerings) Lord Ganesha is fond of a sweet dish known as Modaka. He is known as Kshipra Ganapathi the one who grants wishes of his devotees very quickly. Swastik mark is considered as the auspicious symbol of Lord Ganesha that we find exhibited in houses, shops and establishments. People also exhibit the image or photo of Subha Drishti Ganapathi in front of their houses or shops and establishments to ward off any evil influences.

Significance of Ganesha Chaturthi

Chaturthi is the fourth day in lunar calendar that occurs twice in a lunar month and Lord Ganesha is fond of this day (Chaturthee Poojana Preethaha) and is the presiding Deity of Chaturthi thithi. But every Chaturthi is not celebrated as Ganesha Chaturthi. It is only the Chaturthi day falling in the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada masam that is observed as Ganesha Chaturthi. Availability of Chaturthi thithi spread beyond noon is prevailed upon for observance of the festival. Lord Ganesha is specially worshipped on this day by observing a vrata known as Siddhi Vinayaka Vratham. There are several legends behind this Sri Vinayaka Vratham like, the story of Gajasura, Mooshikaasura, Goddess Parvathi Devi, Lord Subramanya, Chandra the Moon God and the story of Syamanthaka Mani etc. It is believed and said as per scripts that, it was on this day the incarnation of Lord Ganesha took place. It was on this day Goddess Parvathi Devi (consort of Lord Shiva) created a doll from the paste on her body while taking bath and offered life to it that got manifested into Sri Vinayaka. It is said that the incarnation of Lord Ganesha took place in the constellation of Hastha. Irrespective of the caste and creed people from all walks of life in Hindu religion worship Lord Ganesha on this day. This day is celebrated as the birth day of Lord Ganesha.

Ganesha Chaturthi & Syamanthakhopaakhyanam

On one of the occasions of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, Chandra the Moon God’s behavior with Lord Sri Ganesha was unbecoming that led to the annoyance of Goddess Parvathi Devi who cursed Moon. The impact of the curse was that whoever looks at the Moon will earn ill-repute. This has resulted in whoever looking at the Moon started facing false allegations and ill-repute. Subsequently the curse was relaxed to not looking at the Moon only on the day of Bhadrapada Sukla Chaturthi that is on the day of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi.

Incidentally it so happened that during Dwapara Yuga, Lord Sri Krishna had to face false allegations of having stolen the precious jewel named Syamanthaka Mani owned by Sathrajit. In order to wipe out the false allegations made against Him, Lord Sri Krishna himself had to personally search for the precious jewel. During the course of his hunt for the jewel Lord Sri Krishna had to fight with Jaambavantha and finally retrieved the jewel from him and handed over the same to Sathrajit. Thus, Lord Sri Krishna got rid of the false allegations made against Him. In the process He also married Jambavathi Devi and also Sathyabhama Devi.

This story of Syamanthaka Mani known as Syamanthakhopaakhyanam is from the 10th canto of Sri Madbhagavatham. It is compulsorily read on the day of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi festival by every one. It is believed that, if any one accidentally looks at the Moon on the day of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi festival will get freed from the curse, if he reads or listens to the story of Syamanthakhopaakhyanam and will also be blessed by Lord Sri Ganesha.

Ganesha is a household name among the Hindu families and we find parents naming their children with the names of Lord Ganesha viz. Vinayaka, Ganapathi, Ganesha, etc. Without His invocation no religious or non-religious function begins, without His homa/ritual no remedy is complete, without singing or playing His keerthana no music concert begins, without His prayer a child is not inducted into education. One should understand properly the significance of Lord Ganapathi and his form and worship him for a hassle free life and achievement of success in endeavors.

For more information on the following topics 

• Symbolism of Lord Ganesha
• Incarnations & Forms of Lord Ganesha
• Sri Ganesha - Symbolism
• Lord Ganesha – An Astro Remedy
• Customs & traditions of Ganesha Chaturthi festival
• Significance of Ekavimshati Pathra Pooja - Usage of Duurva (Garike) in Ganesha Pooja
• Temples of Lord Ganesha - Ashta Vinayaka Temples & their locations
• Slokas on Lord Ganesha - Sankata Naashana Ganapathi Sthothram
• Sri Ganesha Chaturthi - Vinayaaka Vratha Kalpam (Pooja Vidhaana & Checklist)

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LORD GANESHA - Obstacles Remover

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu