The name Ganapati immediately brings to mind the elephant-faced God, worshipped all over India irrespective of caste, creed, or religious beliefs. He is famous as the Vighnaharta, remover of obstacles, and is, therefore, worshipped before undertaking any task.
Some devotees are content with just gazing at his divine form, chanting his name, or singing his glories. However, others are benefitted by contemplating his divine virtues, sports, or the symbolic meaning of his divine form.
Let us see the auspicious form of Ganapati to be meditated upon and worshipped.
Usually, an elephant has two tusks. They represent the vision of duality and also pairs of opposites. Ganapati is depicted as having one tusk – he has broken such false notions, has a vision of non-duality and is beyond pairs of opposites. ‘O Lord, may we too not be tossed high and low by profit or loss, honour or dishonour, joy or sorrow, heat or cold and see oneness in all.’
Hands represent the power to act. Ganapati accomplishes everything with his four hands. They also represent the four human pursuits – righteousness or merits; wealth; pleasures and comforts; and liberation. Ganapati can bestow all four on us. ‘O Lord, may we accomplish much through your blessings.’
Ganapati carries the goad, which signifies self-control. He also controls the entire world of things and beings, however big and strong they may be.
Ganesh also carries a modak, sweet, in his hand. He is the giver of moda, all joy – worldly, spiritual or the ultimate bliss of Realisation. Modak also represents Vedanta, knowledge which gives bliss. Only one who is happy can make others truly happy. Ganapati lives in bliss, experienced directly as the modak in hand. ‘O Lord, do give us eternal joy.’
Ganapati without any partiality blesses all who come to him. However, each one receives according to his capacity, need and interest. The immature return happy with the little they get, whereas a genuine seeker returns with inexhaustible bliss. ‘O Lord, do bless us with the best and the highest.’
Ganapati is able to stomach everything – the good, bad and the ugly. He holds the entire world in his big belly. So, when we feed him, we feed the whole world. ‘O Lord, may we be able to stomach all we get in life and serve the world through serving you.’
The Elephant-faced God hears all and keeps what is good in his head. Elephants are known to have an excellent memory and are highly intelligent. ‘O Lord, may we too receive more and more knowledge and wisdom.’
An elephant’s trunk is capable of carrying heavy logs of wood and also picking up something as small as a needle. Ganapati’s trunk symbolises the ability to discriminate and accomplish big and subtle tasks. Also, his trunk is never straight. It is either turned to the right or left. It means that Ganesh takes the side of his devotee. ‘O Lord, may you bless me to accomplish all duties that come my way and may you always be on my side.’ Ganapati has a subtle and keen vision. ‘O Lord, may I too see the Truth that is subtler than the subtlest.’
Ganapati is considered the embodiment of the sacred Aum. Its three syllables – A, U and M – represent his feet, stomach and head, respectively. ‘O Lord, may we know your true Omkar swarup by the worship of your divine form.’
The great contemplate on the great and become great. Seekers and devotees meditate on the form of Ganapati as described and attain oneness with him.
-Swami Tejomayananda
