By Souzana Alkhouri
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What a pleasure it is to have you here. Let me introduce myself. My name is Manzara, and I am a devout servant of the elephant deity known as Ganesha. In case you are little acquainted with Ganesha, I would love nothing more than to enlighten you on his character.
Ganesha is also known as Ganapati and Vinayaka. He is one of the most worshipped deities in Hinduism, and he can always be recognized because he has the head of an elephant. Ganesha is the Lord of Success or the Remover of Obstacles in life which means he brings prosperity, peace, and good living. Ganesha is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies.
I am sure you have seen an image of Ganesha, whether you were aware of who he was or not. Ganesha has the head of an elephant and the huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He represents the unity of the Small Being (man) with the Great Being (the elephant). It is likely very obvious to you that the elephant is the largest and strongest of the animals, yet he is as gentle as the bud of a lotus. The elephant does not kill to eat, thus he is a vegetarian.
You may have even noticed me in images of Ganesha. I am the rat, the animal vehicle on which Ganesha rides.
All the images of Ganesha contain four animals: man, elephant, serpent, and the rat. There is a great amount of symbolism in the images of Ganesha. First off, Ganesha has four arms. Ganesha is shown with one front hand in the abhaya pose of protection and refuge, and the second holding a modaka (a dumpling stuffed with dried fruits, coconut, and jaggery) which symbolizes the sweetness of the Atman (the realized inner self). In the other two hands behind him, Ganesha holds a ankusha (elephant goad) which is to prod man to the path of righteousness and truth, and in the other hand he holds a pasha (noose) which symbolizes what worldly attachments are. Ganesha's pot belly signifies that he swallows the sorrows of the universe and is a protector of the world. His elephant head is symbolic of auspiciousness, intellect, and strength. Ganesha's large ears are known to sift the bad from the good-and only retaining the good.
You have come no later than expected. This year is unlike any other year because for the next ten days, Ganesh Chaturthi is going to take place at Ganesha's palace (to learn more about Ganesh Chaturthi click here). All who enter will have a place to chant mantras to the lord Ganesha-who might I add, will be there to welcome, care for, feed, and share stories with all who worship and bring offerings. What a treat!
Rumor has it, we will hear stories about Ganesha's creation which involves a battle between Ganesha and his father, Shiva. We will also hear about the race around the world for the divine fruit between Ganesha and his brother, Skanda (click here to learn more about Skanda). Ganesha will also share the story about why we are not to gaze up at the cursed moon on his birthday along with how he began to wear the serpent around his stomach! Ganesh Chaturthi will be concluded with the story about how Ganesha came to write the Mahabharata for Sage Vyasa at the Himilayas! How exciting!
Oh, I think I hear the bells of lord Ganesha.
Come! We mustn't waste a moment! The festival won't start until I carry him in!
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Coverpage
Story one: The Creation of Ganesha
Story two: Race Around the World
Story three: Birthday of Ganesha
Story four: Writing the Mahabharata
"Ganesha" by Unknown.
"Ganesha Symbolism" by Unknown (posted by Ningyo Minamoto-2004).
"Lord Ganesha" by Unknown.