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What is the symbolism contained in Ganapati’s form?
Significance contained in Ganapati’s birthday:
Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Lord Ganapati and is celebrated every year on the 4th day of the waxing fortnight, during the month of the Bhadrapada (the 6th month as per the Indian calendar).
Sixth month- The number 6 symbolizes that the energy, which we are worshipping as Ganapati, is over and above the 5 basic elements of earth, water, fire air and space.
Waxing fortnight- This signifies knowledge (jnana).
The 4th day (Chaturthi)- It symbolizes that this God is over and above the 3 attributes of Nature (trigunas) and also over and above the 3 states of existence (waking, dream and deep sleep states).
Therefore, in a nutshell, it can be said that the Supreme Lord who is over and above the 5 basic elements, the 3 states of existence as well as the 3 attributes is being worshipped on this day in the name of Ganapati.
Among the 6 chakras (spiritual energy centres), the base centre is the Mooladhara Chakra. Lord Ganapati is the primordial deity for this centre. This is also the reason as to why He is worshipped before commencing any task.
Symbolism behind his form:
His elephant head symbolizes limitless strength. It emphasizes that He is one who cannot be defeated. His large head symbolizes His wisdom. Small eyes show that He can see things far away and understand all happenings minutely with His foresight. The large ears display His ability to hear in great detail everything that is expressed.
The ‘pasha’ (noose) held in His hand shows that illusion is under His control. ‘Ankusha’ (goad) states that ego is under His control. The single tusk depicts the ultimate victory –the one from which there is no return. His big stomach contains in it all the secrets. The snake is the sleeping Kundalini. The rat symbolizes the destruction of all the secrets of the enemies. Ganapati sitting or standing on the rat means that He drives away spiritual ignorance. The existence of both the rat and the snake near Him teaches that a person has to give up jealousies, enmities and hatred and has to live in peace and harmony. The trunk symbolizes the Pranava mantra (AUM).
-(Bhaktimala Oct 1983, Oct 1988 & Nov 1985)
Ganapati has tiny eyes (sūkṣma netra) which imply ‘do not see evil’. The large ears imply ‘do not hear evil’. Ganapati eternally keeps the trunk folded and turned to imply ‘do not speak evil’. The famous principles of life, more commonly popular as Gandhiji’s principles, i.e. don’t see evil, don’t hear evil and don’t speak evil, are in reality the principles adopted by the ancient seers or Maharishis.
When we worship Lord Ganesha, we seek wealth, happiness etc. We secure from Him the happiness that we seek, but we fail to secure the jnana (knowledge), which is in fact most essential. Hence first learn to seek Jnana.
- Bhaktimala Nov 1982 & Jan 1984
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/what-is-the-symbolism-contained-in-ganapatis-form/
Significance of Saraswati
Saraswati is always depicted as seated on a rock, playing a veena (musical instrument), wearing a white saree with a swan next to her. Saraswati means a flow. It is a flow of knowledge. When Saraswati is depicted as seated on a rock, it means that she is sitting on our head. Our backbone is the veena in her hands. The basis for the knowledge or Jnana is truth (satya). This is depicted by the white saree. The Jnana that is acquired through realization of truth leads to Brahmananda (bliss of Brahma). The swan signifies this ananda.
Thus the form of Saraswati signifies that she is the giver of knowledge (Jnana roopini). She is the basis not only for speech but also for the 64 kalas (arts). The movement of the sense organs and the thoughts in our mind are all her due to blessings only. Therefore not only students, but anyone who seeks good knowledge and good thoughts should take shelter in her.
She exists in the form of sound. As per the Puranas, Parashakti’s body parts became the 50 sounds or the 50 alphabets. All the languages in the world came from these 50 alphabets. These alphabets are her beejaksharas (seed letters). Beejaksharas are the minute sounds that explain about her.
The predominant beejaksharas in her worship are ‘Aim’ and ‘Vam’. Vam is the Amrita beeja. The word ‘Aim’ gives speech and knowledge. The story of Kalidasa is a great example of this. Kalidasa, the cowherd, would repeat the word ‘Aim, Aim’ to drive the cattle. Though he said it routinely, he was ultimately blessed with Devi’s compassion and he became one of the greatest poets.
- Bhaktimala Dec 1997 & Mar 1998
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/significance-of-saraswati/
Luxuries keep person away from seeking spiritual knowledge.
Those who seek luxuries cannot get spiritual knowledge. Spiritual path requires one to keep away from enjoyments. There are some lessons to be learnt. Some hardships required. Only then we will get used to the training and discipline.
That is why in Mysore ashram not all comforts are provided. Reaching Mysore ashram is itself a pilgrimage. On a battlefield one cannot choose his wants. “Obey the leader and begin the fight” is the golden rule there. Similarly in the spiritual path, desires and enjoyments cannot exist. You need to know this so that you can understand what should be the mental state of a disciple at the time of upadesha.
Vyasa incorporated Bhagavad Gita as part of the battle scene. A few years after the war the Pandavas returned to their kingdom and began to rule. A few years later, one fine morning, Arjuna recollected that Krishna had preached him Gita at the battlefield. He approached Krishna and asked, “Dear Krishna, that day when you were preaching my mind was unstable. I was in the battlefield and there was chaos all around. I cannot even remember what exactly you had preached. Now my mind is calm. There are no tensions. Why don’t you preach me again?”
Krishna smiled and agreed to begin the next morning. The next morning both of them settled down in the luxurious palatial room, on soft spongy, comfortable beds and Krishna began preaching. All along Krishna was smiling within himself, “This innocent devotee does not realize that these comforts are the main hurdles for spiritual lessons. On the contrary he feels that they are essential.”
As Krishna was preaching, at every moment some palace employee would approach Arjuna with a problem. He would whisper something into Arjuna’s ears and Arjuna in turn would softly tell him the solution. In this way 18 days went by and Krishna started singing the mangalam (conclusion). Arjuna was stunned. Did 18 days go by? Have you already finished? He asked Krishna. Totally immersed in his luxuries Arjuna failed to grasp anything. From this it is clear that luxuries are obstacles for spiritual growth.
- Bhaktimala Sep 96
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/luxuries-keep-person-away-from-seeking-spiritual-knowledge/
Why is Veda recital considered powerful?
Even those animals, birds and insects that happen to hear a Veda recital, undergo many positive changes in their subsequent births! This is because Veda is the language of the Gods. It is also a form of God. Vedas are those drops of nectar that explain about the essence of God, about illusion that has enveloped the creation and more importantly about the methods that one could adopt to merge back into Him.
Veda recital by a person who has learnt the Vedas through the proper channel and procedure and who has a pure mind has the unique ability to wash away the sins of the listeners and bestow auspiciousness!
It is not enough to learn the Purushasuktam and then declare that the Vedas have been mastered. ‘Vedas’ include a lot more than that. To learn Vedas a dedicated and continuous effort of 10-12 years is needed.
Some people carry this false belief that only ‘good for nothing’ people who are unfit for academic education learn Vedas. This is absolutely incorrect. Veda Saraswati (Goddess of Knowledge) blesses only those who have limitless merit accumulated across many births (janmantara punya) and who systematically follow their ancient family traditions to learn Veda. Only a few lucky people get a chance even to listen and appreciate a Veda chanting. Then imagine what luck would be required to learn the Vedas!
Learn to listen and enjoy a Veda recital. If mastering Vedas is a penance, then listening is also penance. Helping Vedas is also a penance.
- Bhaktimala June 97, Nov 98
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/why-is-veda-recital-considered-powerful/
Charity and social service (seva) are important disciplines
Seva (service) should be done physically, mentally or financially. You can even supply groceries or contribute towards it. On any special occasion in the family like a wedding, naming ceremony, house warming, birthday, wedding anniversary etc. along with your personal expenses spend some money towards the old and needy people. Do annadana (giving food as a charity) on that day. You should understand that Swamiji is teaching you the important trait of sacrifice (tyaga). Donations should always be given happily. Complete your Guru runa (debt).
In the ancient times, whenever people donated huge money to build temples, they instructed that their name should be engraved on the floor or on the steps so that all devotees who visited the temple would walk on it. The idea was that their ego should be humbled and thereby destroyed completely.
Quite contrary to this the modern man seeks that for any small donation he makes his name be written on the fans, tube lights, ceiling, walls etc. so that it is advertised. This is so shameful. Our elders say that when the left hand should not know what the right hand has given away! It is to be so secretive. In fact once the donation is made, there should be no thought about it. Even if the thought comes by mistake, you should be ashamed of it.
Of course there are people who donate publicly, so as to encourage others to follow. This is good. If such people wish to have their name engraved then it should be on the floor not the ceiling.
- Bhaktimala 1993
Look around you and help in any small way you can. It can have a great impact. Actually a small help brings great results. Feeding a hungry person is also a great act. Help others in your own small way. Pass on this good quality to others.
After all, what you are now giving belonged to someone else yesterday and it will belong to someone else tomorrow. You brought nothing with you when you came to the earth. You will take nothing with you when you leave. Even God does not take the abhishekha that is done to him. He leaves it for you to take it as prasada. Everyone should understand this principle.
- Bhaktimala Jan 06, Oct 98
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/charity-and-social-service-seva-are-important-disciplines/
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