Ganesh Chaturthi Special: The symbolism of the inner self is Ganesha

गजाननं भूतगणादि सेवितं कपित्थ जंबू फल चारु भक्षणम् ।

उमा सुतम् शोक विनाश कारकम् नमामि विघ्नेश्वर पाद पंकजम् ।।

According to the Puranic accounts, the remover of obstacles, Lord Shri Ganesha, was born on the Chaturthi of the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, during midday. In Indian culture, Lord Ganesha is accorded the place of the first-worshipped deity. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, lasting until evening at 3:44 PM.

On this day, if one observes a fast, the meal should be taken in the evening. Worship should be performed preferably at noon, as all rituals and vows are based on the midday tithi.

'पूजा व्रतेषु सर्वेषु मध्याह्नव्यापिनी तिथिः'

After bathing in the morning, according to one’s capacity, one should sit before the idol of Lord Ganesha, meditate upon his Lambodara form, and take a vow. Begin the worship with ‘गं गणपतये नमः’, offer sindoor, perform the aarti, and include modak and durva grass, which are especially important in his worship. While reciting the ten names of Ganesha, offer two blades of durva each time to the idol, and finally one more – thus offering a total of twenty-one durva. In the same way, twenty-one laddus are also offered as bhog.

By observing the vow of Ganesha, one’s desires are fulfilled. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in many parts of India, but it is especially grand in Maharashtra, where it has become a principal festival.

The birth story of Ganesha is actually a symbolic representation of the soul. Lord Ganesha was never in the womb of Goddess Parvati. His abode was in the womb of fire and Ganga. This indicates the interdependent relationship between the soul and the five elements. When related to nature, the soul continues to remain a part of the Divine – this is the profound secret hidden in the story of Ganesha’s birth. Lord Ganesha symbolizes the inner self. Though he is the purest form of nature, he is still earthly and material.

As the lord of intellect, Ganesha, upon birth, first prevents Lord Shiva from approaching Mother Parvati while she is bathing. When the reason is explained, he obeys his mother’s command and even battles his father. This is a philosophical and spiritual episode, because in the beginning, the intellect runs only after material wealth and opposes spirituality. Such gross, material intellect is symbolically destroyed when Lord Shiva beheads him. Afterwards, by divine grace, he is given another head.

Here lies the logic: this represents transformation from worldly intellect to transcendental intellect – the intellect that is revered in the world. The removal of one head and the granting of another is a metaphor for the destruction of material intellect and the arrival of higher wisdom.

It is this transcendental intellect that makes one worthy of universal reverence. Shiva is the cosmic form of nature, and Parvati is his Shakti. From nature and Shakti arises Ganesha, the symbol of wisdom.

Whenever a person conceives an idea for any task, it cannot be accomplished successfully unless intellect is involved. That is why, before the beginning of any undertaking, Ganesha is worshipped.

According to the legends, when it was to be decided which deity should be worshipped first, it was resolved that whoever circumambulated the earth first would be accorded that honor. Ganesha, riding on his mouse, simply circled his parents, considering them to be the entire universe. Lord Shiva, pleased with this, declared him the first-worshipped deity. Seeing this brilliance of intellect, even Lord Brahma acknowledged him as Pratham Pujya (the foremost deity to be worshipped).

Thus, in every endeavor, Indians worship him first. As the lord of Shiva’s ganas, he is called Ganadhipati, and hence prayers are offered to him for the smooth and obstacle-free completion of all undertakings. Lord Ganesha is the embodiment of Omkara; meditating upon him, chanting his name, worship, and vows sharpen memory and intellect.

This is why he is also revered as the scribe of the great epic, the Mahabharata, alongside Sage Vyasa.

In Hindu households across the world, regardless of the place, before any ritual or puja, Lord Ganesha is first invoked and worshipped. In all auspicious works, the praise of Ganesha is considered supremely important. He is the remover of obstacles, with an elephant head, a large belly, and a human-like body. To please him, he is worshipped with his thousand names – a ritual called Ganapati Sahasrarcana. Along with this, reciting the Ganapati Atharvashirsha is also considered highly beneficial. Shubham Bhavatu

(Dr Ashok Pandey,Spiritual Healer, Vastu Consultant and Astrologer Pune - +91-7574885030, +91-9425006196)