In college days, I was very much interested to know about God. And even Baba's temple was nearby which included a library too. I used to read books a lot there by sitting in the temple after Aarathi sometimes. At the same time I used to note few points whichever I liked. I would like to share these, about Lord Ganesha, with you all which was written by Vivekananda. I would like to thank my dearest friend Sushma suggesting this site to share my thoughts. So now, let's come into detail about Lord Ganesha, our Hindu deity.
1. The head of Ganesha is of an elephant and the body is one of a human being.
Meaning : The Lord or God or Truth includes in it both the Animal and Human Kingdom. The Lord exists in and through both.
2. The head is in shape of OM.
OM has three parts :
A -> Waking World
U -> Dreaming World
M -> Deep Sleep World
OM includes all sounds. This means all words are included in 'OM'.
Meaning : Whole vision, wisdom of an enlightened person, is a vision which includes the whole world.
3. Large ears symbolize that an awakened person is one whose listening is very sharp and very attentive. Attentive listening is one which is focussed on what is being said.
4. Trunk means that an awakened person is like a trunk, who has the capacity to effectively handle (only through large ears) the big issues as well as small issues in life.
5. Hands : Ganesha has 4 hands. These 4 hands represent the 4 aspects of the mind i.e.,
a) Manah
b) Buddhi
c) Chitta and
d) Ahamkara
In the upper right hand, there is an Axe. This Axe represents detachment.
In the upper left hand, there is a Noose(Pasha). The Pasha is Prema Pasha. After detachment, a wise person attracts all people close to him with the Pasha of Love - Prema Pasha. Love guarantees nothing but provides everything.
The other right hand is Mudra. Mudra is Abhaya Mudra where the hand is fully open.
In some other idols, there is Chin Mudra, a Mudra which communicates the whole Vedantic Truth.
Abhaya - fearless, Mudra - posture
Abhaya assures freedom to everyone. No one needs to be frightened of me. This is Abhaya Mudra.
Chin - Chit means consciousness, Mudra - posture
The whole posture is one of consciousness. In this Mudra, the index finger represents EGO(Ahamkara), thumb represents Brahman(Truth), and the other 3 fingers i.e., middle, ring and little finger represents Satwa, Rajas and Tamas, the three Gunas.
The index finger is always used to threaten or criticize or brand somebody. So, not used for Japa. So, it represents Ahamkara.
Thumb is the support (Adhara) for all other fingers in the absence of which the other fingers become powerless. Thumb is likened to the 'Atma' consciousness.
The other three fingers represents 3 Gunas which the world is made of, and is called as Trigunatmika Maya. In this posture, the thumb and the index finger are merged together in the form of a circle. This means that I(EGO) should detach itself from the world.
The left hand i.e, 4rth hand, there is Modaka, a sweet. This means that the result of an understanding and implementation of all this what has been said is the Modaka-sweet-your life is going to be sweet.
6. Eyes symbolize purity and innocence personified. The clear eyes represents a Pure Mind.
7. Tusks : He has got 2 tusks.
One tusk is broken. This means Duality(Dwandwa) is broken, that is, released from bondage. Dwandwa stands for Raga and Dwesha i.e., likes and dislikes. A wise person operates from the background of sankalpa(commitment) and samarpana(surrender). Just accepts the facts as they are.
8. Vibhuti(Ash) : 3 lines is applied.
The body is going to be reduced to ashes. The ego 'I' when burned, he applies it on the forehead.
9. Stomach : The big stomach represents the capacity to stomach all problems of life.
A wise person is one who has the capacity to digest and ingest all problems. This is what the big stomach connotes.
Secondly, it symbolizes the very appetite to live life. For an awakened person, life is full of fun. He becomes so participative in life, that every moment is a source of joy and adventure with or without problems, with or without difficulties.
The stomach is surrounded by a snake. The snake represents the psychic energy of a person; the life energy; the life potential of a person.
This psychic energy in its unexploded form is like the dormant snake wound in 3 coils. When coiled, the snake occupies a very small space. When uncoiled, it occupies a very large space.
The snake in the expanded form is wound round the stomach. Each one of us has a tremendous potential which is dormant in us. It is for us to wake up and exploit this potential.
10. Yajnopavita : A sacred thread round his body. This thread has three strands. The 3 strands represent the 3 Vedas - Rig, Yajur and Sama Veda. There is a knot tied in the Yajnopavita, which is called Brahmagranthi. This means that all the 3 Vedas ultimately speak of Brahman alone. The essence(Tatparya) of all the 3 Vedas is Brahman(Truth). Truth has another meaning of Moksha or Ananda. An awakened person is one who has the Veda for his armour, the shield. His whole protection is the Veda. Veda means 'Vid' TO KNOW. The whole enquiry of the Veda is to explore, knowingness becomes the content of the Veda. To know what? To know 3 aspects. The Subject, the Object, and the relationship between the subject and object.
The content of knowing is to discover the freedom through exploration. All knowing is possible in a space of observation.
11. The Sitting Posture shows one leg folded touching the other and the other leg is touching the bottom of the ground where he is seated. This means that there is an integration of the mind(Manah) and the intellect(Buddhi).
12. In front of Ganesha, we find a lot of sweets and delicious dishes and a rat looking at Ganesha.
The plate full of fruits, sweets and dishes represents the colourful world of objects.
The RAT represents DESIRES. Generally, rat will run to eat but here it is looking at Ganesha meaning that for an awakened person who has discovered Truth, thereby the desires, are waiting for orders, like the rat being the master of his desires. Ganesha riding on the rat means He is riding on his desires, i.e., He is the master of His desires. Therefore, Ganesha has a crown. The crown means a Sovereign. Only when you are a master of your desires can you become the king of your life. King means Master of his own life.
'Jitendriyah' means one who is Master of his Indriyas(sense organs).