About Lord Mahaganapathi

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. 

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.

Big Head: Simple living and high thinking. It depicts wisdom, knowledge (intelligence), discrimination, clear planning and foresightedness.

Big Ears: Listening is an art. A good listener is a good Manager (principle of lend your ear but be discriminative).

Small mouth: Talk less and work more.

Small eyes: Stay focused. Have bird’s view but not worm’s view. Be ever alert and conscious of surroundings.

Long nose and curved trunk: There is no straight path to success. Be flexible and adaptable. Long nose also indicates the reach.

Large Stomach: Ability to digest, Acceptability (accept both good and bad in life). Ganesha’s large stomach is a treasure of Vedic knowledge.

Axe in the hand: Exercise proper controls in the path to success.

Mouse: Mouse symbolizes the egoism which unless under control can cause havoc. Egoism is nothing but ignorance (darkness). You ride the ego and don’t allow it to over ride you. Always keep desires under check. Mouse also symbolizes that nothing is insignificant in this universe. What is important is one should know how to utilize them effectively. Don’t ignore small. Size makes no difference. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka’s vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light.

Common sense and Problem solving skills: Using one of his tusks when his quill got broken while scripting Mahabharatha

Wisdom: Treating parents as God (Mathru Devo Bhavah – Pitru Devo Bhavah)

Communication: Communication gap is a distance between two ears. Ganesha was chosen by Lord Veda Vyasa to script the great Epic Mahabharatha. Ganesha was an effective communicator.

Strategic Management and timely decision making: Deciding to take Pradakshina around his parents during his competition with Lord Karthikeya.

Adaptability and Opportunities from Constraints: With small feet, pot belly, mouse as vehicle etc… Ganesha never ran away from constraints & obstacles. He adapted well to the circumstances. With his common sense and wisdom converted his constraints into opportunities without any egos and went on to become the Chief Lord of Ganas (Ganapathi).

Role model: Elephant shows the path in the forest which is full of obstacles and constraints.

Thus, Ganesha’s form and worship conveys so many messages including philosophical, health consciousness, environmental protection, adaptability to the nature, management principles. Lord Ganesha is a leader acceptable to all, a leader who is a role model, a path maker and is the one who is there when needed.

Lord Ganesha is also called as Kshipra Prasada Ganapathi. The one who quickly grant wishes and comes to the rescue of his devotees who sincerely offer him prayers.
Ganesha signifies the triumph of wisdom over ignorance and of ego-lessness over desires. Ultimate reward is only through sadhana that is Modaka in the hands of Ganesha. Thus, the body of Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and a visible representation of the highest reality.

The Lord Mahaganapathi has Ten Arms (Dasabhuja Ganapathi),  Moon on the head,    Third Eye (Thrinethra), Sakthi on the thy of Mahaganapathi.