Chanting “Ganapati Bappa Morya” will be echoing throughout India and many other parts of the world, from child to elder alike. On the Chaturthi of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapada, on 27th August, we shall all celebrate Shri Ganesha Chaturthi with devotion and reverence. Devotees worship him with love, calling him by many names — Vighnesha, Vidyādhipati, Ganesha, Lambodara, Heramba, and others.
However, some mock the form of Ganesha. They ridicule him for having an elephant face, a big belly, a tiny mouse as a vehicle, and call him greedy or odd-looking. But those who truly understand the profound symbolism behind Ganesha’s form would never speak that way. The root cause of such criticism is simply a lack of knowledge.
The Large Head – When we look at the sacred form of Shri Ganesha, we notice his large head. The large head symbolises that we must think big, cultivate higher ideals, and nurture noble thoughts. This, it says, is the secret of success.
The Wide Ears – To be a good leader or an effective speaker, one must first be a good listener. Ganesha’s wide, large ears symbolise the importance of listening more and absorbing knowledge.
The Small Eyes – Though he has a large head and wide ears, Ganesha’s eyes are small. Small eyes are sharp and focused, representing keen intellect and deep concentration. To understand the mysteries of the world and gain wisdom, one must cultivate focus and sharp vision.
The Trunk – Ganesha’s trunk is a symbol of skill, efficiency, adaptability, and the ability to adjust to any situation as required.
The Small Mouth – Ganesha’s small mouth teaches us to speak only as much as is necessary. If we talk less, our words carry more weight. As the saying goes, “Careless words can ruin a household; a leaking oven spoils the food.” Unnecessary chatter often invites superfluous problems. Speaking mindfully enhances our personality and respect.
The Single Tusk – Ganesha is known as Ekdanta — the one with a single tusk, the other being broken. This symbolises that we must retain the good and discard the bad in life. What a profound teaching hidden in that form!
The Four Arms – In his four hands, Ganesha holds an ankusha (goad), a pasha (noose), the gesture of blessing and protection (abhaya mudra), and either a modaka (sweet) or a lotus. While humans have two arms, deities often have four, eight, or even ten, signifying their immense divine powers. In one hand, Ganesha’s goad destroys the ignorance and bondage of his surrendered devotees. In another, the noose represents his magnetic power to draw all beings toward him, for he is the Supreme Self attracting every soul. The abhaya mudra reassures devotees that he will protect them always, in every way. The lotus signifies spiritual growth and devotion — showing that with true devotion, one can easily attain him. In some images, the lotus is replaced by a modaka, symbolising the fruits of spiritual practice and the ultimate liberation (moksha phala) that he grants to those who strive.
The Big Belly – Many refer to Ganesha as Lambodara, the one with the large belly. This belly symbolises that the entire universe resides in him, for he is the embodiment of the Supreme Reality (Parabrahman). It also teaches us to accept life with equanimity, embracing both good and bad with a balanced mind. Around his waist is a serpent, symbolising the Kundalini Shakti. When this dormant spiritual energy awakens, one realises the mysteries of creation and one’s own divine essence.
The Mouse as His Vehicle – It may seem ironic that such a great deity rides such a tiny mouse. The mouse represents desire and restlessness. Though small, desire is incredibly powerful, capable of binding us through countless lifetimes. History shows that many kings and emperors have been enslaved by their desires. But when one learns to master desires and control the mind, the slave becomes the master, the fool becomes the wise. That is why Ganesha rides the mouse, signifying that desire must be kept under control.
In each of these aspects, we can recall countless stories and teachings associated with Shri Ganesha’s life.
Our Sanatana Dharma is truly a profound spiritual tradition. It is filled with deep philosophical meanings and insights. We only need to understand it rightly, and its beauty and depth will reveal themselves to us
