The Esoteric Significance of Vinayaka Worship

Bharatiyas' festivals are pregnant with spiritual significance. Unfortunately Bharatiyas today give importance only to external rituals and observances, ignoring their inner meaning and eternal values.

"Parvathi thanayaa Ganaadhipa!" "Oh son of Parvathi! Lord of the Ganas". In these terms the Vedas extolled Ganapathi. Who is this Parvathi? Who is her son? What is the relationship between mother and son? Few Bharatiyas care to enquire into these questions. The Vedas proclaimed: "Oh Ganaadhipa? Who are these "Ganas"? .Are they celestial hosts or demonic (Asura) beings? They are celestial beings. Where are they? .Are they wandering in the external world or are they present subtly in human beings. He (Vighneswara) is called Ganaadhipathi because he is the Supreme Lord of the Ganas. The Ganas are the embodiment of the organs of perception (Jnaanendriyas) and of action (Karmendriyas). The mind is the master of these ten senses. The presiding deity of the mind is called Indra as he is the Lord of the lndriyas (the senses). The master over the mind is the Intellect (Buddhi).

What does the name "Ganapathi" signify? "Ga" means "Buddhi" (or intellect), "Na" means "Vijnaana' (wisdom). As Vighneswara is the Lord of the Intellect and Wisdom, he is called "Ganapathi".

It follows from this that what are called "Ganas" are parts of the human body. The individual (vyakti) is a part of creation (srishti) Hence, Divinity, of which the cosmos is a projection, is immanent In the human being. "Vigatho naayakah Vinaayakah" ("Vinaayaka has no master over him"). This means that Vinaayaka is a totally autonomous and independent deity. He has no Lord above him. In the world, any individual or authority has someone superior above him. But Vinaayaka has no overlord.

The worship of Vinaayaka has been in existence from times immemorial in Bharat. The Rig .Veda, the Narayanopanishad and the Thaithiriya Upanishad have passages referring to Vinaayaka. It is embedded also in a Gaayatri mantra.

This mantra indicates that Vinaayaka's divinity is glorified in this Gayathri mantra. Hence, "Ganapathi" signifies an all-pervading divine potency.

In everyday parlance, Ganapathi is described as the son of Parvathi. Parvathi represents Prakriti (Nature). Man is a child of Nature. Hence every human being is a Vinaayaka. He is a spark of the Divine Siva-Sakthi, the union of the Lord and Nature. Everything in the world has emanated from Nature (Prakriti). All things are aspects of Nature. It is to reveal this sacred truth that holy festivals are observed.

How does it happen that Vinaayaka has the head of an elephant and has a mouse as his vehicle? The mouse is called "Mooshika" (in Sanskrit). It is a sign of night, which signifies darkness. The mouse is a symbol of darkness. Because Vinaayaka has control over darkness, he is described as the rider on a "Mooshika". He is the one who dispels darkness and sheds light on the world.

The mouse (Mooshika) is also a symbol of the sense of smell. The mouse moves about following the direction of the smell ("vaasana"). Vinaayaka is the one who has mastery over "vaasanas", that is, desires and ignorance (represented by "Mooshika").

What is meant by describing the mouse ("Mooshika") as the vehicle of Vinaayaka? It means that Vinaayaka rides on the "Mooshika", representing desires (vaasanas) and ignorance (darkness).

Vinaayaka is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacles to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all these powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is this Siddhi (fulfillment)? When there is purity of mind you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinaayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (the Intellect and Self-Realization).' Hence, every human being should acquire control over the mind.

Every festival is celebrated by various culinary preparations. For Vinaayaka Chathurthi, these preparations are of a special kind. The edible offerings to Vinaayaka are totally free from oily substances. Vinaayaka is offered only items cooked through steam. What is the reason? According to the science of Ayurveda (the ancient Indian system of medicine), food cooked through, steam is easily digested.

Moreover, the Vinaayaka festival, which is celebrated in the month of Bhaadrapada, falls in a month when sesame and jaggery come to the market after the harvest. The sesame seeds are powdered and mixed with rice flour and jaggery and cooked in balls, which are offered as "Naivedyam" to Vinaayaka. Jaggery ("gur") is a cure for several ailments relating to phlegm and bile. The sesame seeds have the power to cleanse the lungs and improve the vision. These balls of sesame and jaggery are thus noted for their medicinal properties for curing both external and internal ailments.

The ancient Bharatiyas never indulged in meaningless practices. Every festival has an inner spiritual significance. Every word they spoke, every step they moved, every food they consumed had spiritual Significance.

"Vinaayaka" is the Lord of all learning (Vidya). Does learning mean bookish scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to the cosmos is included in the term learning (vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling, and thinking- every kind of activity is related to learning. Vinaayaka is the master of every kind of learning. Today learning is identified with acquisition of information. But apart from knowledge of the physical world, we have many other kinds of knowledge relating to chemistry, the fine arts and other skills.

Vinaayaka is the master of every kind of knowledge. Learning is related to the intellect (Buddhi). It is not mere scholarship. Familiarity with books is not knowledge. One's entire life is a continuous process of learning. Any process of enquiry is related to learning. But basically our enquiry should be concerned with finding out what is transient and what is permanent. This is true knowledge.

Hence, today students worship Vinayaka with zeal. Vinaayaka is not the one who merely comes to the aid of those who read their books. He helps everyone at every step in life's journey. He is readily accessible. He is pleased with an offering of flowers of no value ("Jilledy" flowers). It is said that any one who eats these flowers will become insane. Such flowers are offered to Vinaayaka. Vlnaayaka is also worshipped with an offering of green grass.

What is the inner meaning of these kinds of offerings? It means that earlier Vinaayaka used to be worshipped even by animals. His face is that of an elephant. His vehicle is a mouse. These are symbols from the animal kingdom. They indicate that Vinaayaka is worshipped even by birds and beasts.

Vinayaka is thus worshipped by all beings and is Lord over all beings. He does not belong to one country or one nation or one, period of time. He is related to all places and all times.

There are scriptural texts which testify to all this. But some of them are quite fanciful. For instance, in one puranic story, it is stated that once Siva and Parvathi were playing a game of dice. For any game there has to be an umpire, who has to declare who is the winner. Siva and Parvathi agreed to have Nandi (the divine bull) as the umpire. Nandi is a favorite of Siva, as he is Siva's vehicle. Although Siva lost the game, Nandi declared him the winner. It is stated that Parvathi was indignant over Nandis partiality for Siva and cursed him that he should die from an incurable disease. Thereupon Nandi fell at the feet of Parvathi and pleaded for forgiveness. "Mother forgive me. Should I not show at least this amount of gratitude to one who is my master? Is it not humiliating for me to declare that my master has lost the game? To uphold his honor I no doubt uttered a lie. But am I to be punished with such severity for so small an offence?" Nandi prayed for forgiveness in this manner. Parvathi forgave Nandi and taught him the means to atone for his lapse. She told him. "The Chaturdasi day in the month of Bhadrapada is the day when my son's birthday is celebrated. On that day you have to offer to my son what pleases you most (green grass)". This means that one atones for one's sins when one offers to the Lord what is most pleasing and enjoyable to him. For Nandi the most enjoyable and relishing food is green grass. As directed by Parvathi Nandi worshipped Ganapathi by offering green grass. Nandi was then relieved of his dreaded disease. His health improved and by the grace of Parvathi he was redeemed.

This incident is the basis for the practice recommended for pilgrims to Gaya. Benares and other places that they should give up something they love most as an offering to the Divine. This means that they should give up something which they like most and not something, which they do not like. Whether it be a fruit or a vegetable, what you should choose to give up as an offering to God is What you like most. This means that you give up consuming there after that vegetable or fruit. This practice has been prevailing from ancient times among pilgrims going to Benares, Prayag or other sacred places for a holy bath in the Ganga or Yamuna.

Today many people go to Prayag (Allahabad). What is the real meaning of Prayag or Kasi? The scripture declares: "The human body is a temple in which the Indweller is the Eternal Self." The body is the temple in the center of which the Ganga of Wisdom (Jnaana) is flowing. In this Ganga of wisdom the two rivers of Bhakti (Devotion) and Shraddha (Earnestness) (represented by Yamuna and Saraswathi) merge and the point of conjunction of the three is known as Prayag. Hence, the Divine should be offered what is most pleasing to one.

Unfortunately today this ancient traditional practice has been reduced to a fashionable formality. Pilgrims going to Prayag are asked by the pandas (priests) to give up what is most pleasing to them. Some of the pilgrims ponder over what they can easily give up and mention the names of these vegetables and fruits. They give up the bitter gourd or something else, which they dont like. This is not proper. People should offer to give up what they relish most as the best offering to the Lord. But when they offer something, which they don't like, the Lord seated in the heart declares: "Be it so!" As you have not offered what is most clear to you but what you dislike most, the Lord also offers to you what you dislike most. The reward for such dubious offerings to God is that instead of health you get disease. If you offered what is good, will not God give you what is good for you ?

This is illustrated by the example of Harischandra. He made an offering of what was most dear to him, namely, Truth (Sathyam). He was prepared to give up his kingdom, his wife and son and sell himself in bondage to uphold Truth. Truth is God. God is Truth. Where there is Truth there is God. Therefore adore Truth. Make all your offerings truthfully. Thereby you will reach the abode of Truth. As is your offering so is your reward. This is the truth demonstrated by Vinaayaka.

There are other examples of Vinaayaka's greatness. Vinaayaka will not inflict trouble on anyone. However, apprehending that if Vinaayaka accompanies anyone, he will cause trouble, he is given a food offering and kept in the comer of the house. But Vinaayaka is not a lover of sleep like Kumbhakarna (Ravana's younger brother). Seeing his big belly people imagine that he is slothful.

There was once a demon by name Gajaasura. He was a demon King. He performed severe penance. Easwara appeared before him. Easwara is easily propitiated, and he gives readily whatever one prays for, without examining whether it is right or wrong to confer such a boon. He gives whatever the devotees pray for. This was what happened in the case of the demon, Bhasmaasura. He prayed to Siva to grant him a boon that whomsoever He touches by his hand should be reduced to ashes. Siva granted the boon. Immediately Bhasmaasura wanted to test the power he had received by trying to place his hand on Siva Himself! Ultimately Siva had to be saved from Bhasmaasura by a stratagem of Vishnu who made the demon place his hand on his own head. He was then reduced to ashes.

Likewise, Gajaasura also performed penance and prayed to the Lord. Easwara appeared before him and asked him what he wanted. Gajaasura said: "Lord! You must merge in my stomach. Siva granted the boon and lodged himself in the demon's stomach. Parvathi, not finding Easwara, went out in search of her Lord and could find him nowhere. She went to her brother, Vishnu, and appealed to him to trace her missing Lord.

Vishnu knew that Siva was in the habit of granting boons indiscriminately and getting into difficulties. He told her: "Parvathi! I know what has happened. Be calm. You go to your abode. I shall bring Easwara there".

Vishnu took Siva's Nandi and decorated it to appear like a performing bull. Assuming the role of a bull-performer, Vishnu led the bull to the city of Gajaasura, playing on a pipe all the way while the bull danced to the tune. The bull was dancing to the music of the Divine embodiment of all mysteries. Gaajaasura was intensely watching the performance of the bull and its master. Pleased with their performance, Gajaasura asked the bull trainer, "What do you want?" The latter said: "You should not go back on your word. Will you grant me what I want? You are Gajaasura, a great king," "Yes", he said, "give me Easwara who is in your stomach," said Vishnu. Only Vishnu knew this fact, none else. Gajaasura immediately fell at the feet of Vishnu and said: "Swami! This secret is not known to anybody except yourself. I will keep my word even at the cost of my life. But there is one condition. My head should be worshipped by all and Easwara should wear my skin". Vishnu agreed to it. That is the reason why Easwara wears an elephant's skin. The head of Gajaasura is worshipped as Vinaayaka's head."

These are some of the puranic stories relating to Vinaayaka. They are only stories. But such stories have been related to turn people's minds God-ward.

If a deep enquiry is made, it will be realized that there is only one God. God is present in all. Vinaayaka is not separate from us. The indwelling Principle in our hearts is the Divine Atmic Principle.

What is it that you should offer to God? Is it an unripe fruit or a ripe fruit? You should offer only a good ripe fruit. Likewise, you should offer your good thoughts to the Divine. That is the supreme significance of the Vinaayaka Chathurthi festival. Without realizing this, people install a mud idol, decorate it with meaningless flowers, make offerings of useless things and seek the most valuable things from him. What kind of bargain is this? You should offer to the Lord what is most sacred. Look at the example of a cow. It is offered all kinds of grass and other fodder: But it offers in return the most nourishing milk. Even the cow offers to man something pure and holy. But what does man Offer to God? He keeps the pure things for himself and offers the impure to God. This is not right. You should offer to God what will please Him. You pray to God to give you all kinds of things. How are you entitled to ask for them? Only if you offer to God what will please Him. If you do not perform acts, which will please God, how do you expect God to do things that will please you?

Therefore, at the outset you have to do things, which will please God. Then God will offer what will please you. This is one of the truths to be learnt from the Vinaayaka festival.

Vinaayaka is the Lord of life. Men should learn to shed selfishness and cultivate love of the Supreme Self. This is the inner truth about Vinaayaka. Vinaayaka should not be considered as merely an elephant-headed deity riding on a mouse.

Similar mistakes are made about other deities. For instance, Saraswathi is represented as a Goddess riding on a swan. Saraswathi is the Goddess of Speech. Speech is based on the inhaling and exhaling of breath. In this process of respiration, the sound "So-Ham" is produced and when it is repeated regularly, you have the sound "Ham-SO" - which is identified with a swan. The inhaling and exhaling process is the chariot on which the Goddess of Speech moves.

The inner meanings of the terms and symbols used in Vedantic parlance have to be properly understood.

The best way to please God is to act according to His injunctions. For instance, I advise students not to indulge in excessive talk. Carry out your duties. Contemplate on God. Is all this advice being given for God's sake? No. Whatever Swami tells you is for your own good. Recognize that everything is for your good. (Swami recalled in this context a story in which there was a minister to a king who was in the habit of declaring, that whatever happened was for one's good. Once the king cut his finger while slicing a piece of sugarcane. Seeing the bleeding finger of the king, the minister remarked that the cut was for the king's good. The king got so angry that he committed the minister immediately to prison. Even then the minister remarked that the prison sentence was for his own good. A few days later the king went alone for hunting in a forest and was resting under a tree. The servants of the tribal chief of the forest seized the king to be offered as human sacrifice for the tribal goddess. When the king was about to be beheaded, it was noticed that the king's finger was mutilated and such a mutilated person could not be offered as sacrifice. The king was freed. He remembered the minister's words and realized that the injury to his finger had saved him from death. He straight went to the prison and asked his minister how he could declare that the prison sentence was good for him. The minister replied that but for his being confined in prison, he would have accompanied the king and the tribals would have chosen him in the place of the king for their sacrifice).

The lesson of this story is that one should learn to welcome everything that happens as for one's own good. Recognition of this truth is the means to acquire God's grace. Develop the firm conviction that whatever God says or does is for your own good.

This is what all the Bharatiya festivals seek to teach. Underlying every festival is a profound spiritual message. Unfortunately present day students, caught up in modernity, are unable to comprehend this truth. They are obsessed with trifles and do not realize that education is for the purpose of leading the good life and not for earning a living. Yearn to lead an ideal life.

Consider Vinaayaka as the Indweller in your Heart. He is constantly warning you against what is bad. You ignore the warning and get into trouble. How much will you benefit if you "follow the Master" within you. Your conscience is the Master. Above all, heed the dictates of the Divine. That will be your best safeguard.

Vinaayaka is one who has all the five elements under his control (Swami incidentally referred to Arjuna's penance for acquiring the Paasupatha Astra from Siva and explained how he overcame the powers of the five elements by the power of his penance). He is the embodiment of all potencies. He has no superior above him.

In our bhajans, the first prayer is addressed to Vinaayaka. The bhajan starts with "Om", the Pranava. It is the combination of Pranava with Vinaayaka, which serves to redeem our life.

[Bhagavan concluded His discourse with the bhajan, "Hari Bhajana Binaa Sukha Santhi Nahi".]