Hindu Gods – The
Story of Ganesha
The Hindu Symbols of
Ganesha
Ganesha, or Ganesh,
is perhaps the most beloved of Hindu Gods…and with little wonder as he
is the God of Prosperity, The Remover of All Obstacles (Avighna), the
Lord of all Gods (Ganapati), and the Bestower of Success (Siddhivinayaka).
He is the son of Shiva and Pavrati. Lord Ganesha actually has many other
names as well, but these will suffice for now. Ganesha is portrayed with
multiple arms and hands. It is, in fact, taboo to show him with only two
arms. In most illustrations Ganesha has four arms but can also be
portrayed with up to sixteen or even twenty. His arms hands and arms
are held in symbolic gesture or they are holding symbolic items. Some of
the objects are also placed at his feet. The sacred -elements range from
fruit and flowers to tools and weapons and have primarily a spiritual
significance. Different sources, however, do have varying
interpretations of the symbolic meanings…the ones I have chosen here are
the most often referred to. We will save the myriad of fascinating
stories of Ganesha for another chapter.
The Symbolic Weapons
Lets start with the
Weapons of the God of prosperity. Ganesha is almost always portrayed
with an ax or Mahaparashu. The ax is symbolic primarily for cutting the
bonds of attachment…though some interpretations have it that the ax is a
symbol of protection for his devotees. The axes can range from a
battle-axe, to a “large” axe to a pick ax (in the case of the pick ax it
also refers to Ganesha’s ability to “pick away” at the foibles and
misconceptions of his worshipers. Sometimes Ganesha is portrayed with a
sword, which can again be symbolic of both cutting away attachments and
also of protection for his devotees. The trident or Trishula that he
is sometimes pictured with refers to the three spiritual weapons of
Love, Wisdom and Action. Sometimes Ganesha wields a dagger, a chhuri,
the razor’s edge of which signifies the narrow path that must be walked
to achieve higher spirituality. A Mace, or Gada, is indicative of
Ganesha’s decisiveness and discipline as he continuously pushes his
devotees in the spiritual quest until completion. At times the Lord
Ganesha is seen holding a Vajratrishula or lightning bolt. The
lightning bolt symbolizes spirit over mind and mind over matter.
Another of Ganesha’s “spiritual weapons” is the Chakra or discus. The
discus represents the sun and the mind and is thusly a powerful weapon.
The noose, or Pasha, is yet another of Ganesha’s weapons…this one used
to pull “wandering” devotees closer to spirituality.
The Symbolic Tools
Tools are another
category of symbolic objects in Ganesha’s possession. The goad or
Ankusha, is used to prod those who tary on the path to spirituality.
Loving Ganesha often carries a Kamandalu, water vessel, and a symbol of
fullness and of meeting the needs of others. A Mudgara is a hammer to
represent his role as the Patron of Arts and Crafts…protector of all who
build and construct for the good of others. Ganesha is sometimes seen
holding his own broken tusk, which he uses, as a pen to write scriptures
with as Vyasa dictates them. He teaches us that we must finish what we
start…and that sacrifice is necessary in the persuit of learning and
higher spirituality. Ganesha has been known to use a bow of sugar cane,
an Ikshukarmuka that he uses to shoot benevolent arrows of living
thoughts. He uses a Vina, an Indian Lute, demonstrating that Ganesha is
sound, he is everything. He teaches us to listen within. Ganesha
carries a stick, a Danda, a symbol of his authority and a warning not to
resist dharma. A fly-whisk, or Chamara, is used by the Loving Lord
Ganesha to fan memories of the past from the minds of his followers and
help them reside in the present. Often Ganesha has Shastra or scripture
at his feet…he is a student of life and writes and comments on our
existence.
The Symbolic Fruit
Also at Ganesha’s
feet one can often find a basket of fruit or Phala. The fruit represents
the world at our feet…there for our asking. The Amra, or mango,
represents spiritual fruition. A mouse, or Mushika, is always shown at
his feet representing his ability to get into the smallest corner and
openings of the mind…and to represent desire that we must control.
Ganesha’s humility is demonstrated by the fact that the diminutive mouse
often carries him on his spiritual journeys. Powerful and loving Ganesha
is still a gentle vegetarian seen with a pomegranate, the seeds of which
are red, like meat and blood, but are still sweet and good.
In his hand he holds
Modaka, sweet rice balls, symbolic of the ultimate sweetness…that of
enlightenment. A coconut is used to show the ego which has a hard
outer-shell and is sweet and soft inside. The Lotus blossom (Padma) in
Ganesha’s hand symbolizes spiritual awakening as the blossom rises up in
beauty from the foul swamp waters.
The Symbolic Body
His upright hand
shows His compassion for and protection of his devotees and is often
portrayed with the symbol Aum, the cosmic sound that represents the
oneness of all. His trunk represents discernment, which is necessary to
successfully negotiate the path of spirituality. Ganesha’s large belly,
Lambodara, symbolizes his ability to peacefully digest all is good and
bad in life. A snake, or Naga, is often shown on Ganesha’s shoulder
indicative of Kundalini energy rising.
Ganesha is a
powerful and loving God rich in colorful stories and symbolism. He is a
figure that we can all use to remind of the more noble paths that we
might walk.
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