HAPPY VINAYAKA CHAVITHI

The son of Parvati was given the name Ganesha by Shiva.

The word Ganesha is made up of gana (followers of Shiva) and isha (lord), thus Shiva

appointed the lord of his ganas.Ganesha is usually depicted either as a pictograph or

as an idol with the body of a man and the head of an elephant, having only one tusk,

the other tusk appearing broken.The image of Ganesha is a composite one. Four

animals viz., man, elephant, the serpent and the mouse have contributed for the

makeup of his figure. All of them individually and collectively have deep symbolic

significance. The image of Ganesha thus represents man's eternal striving towards

integration with nature.

According to the strict rules of Hindu iconography, Ganeshm figures

with only two hands are taboo. Hence, Ganesha figures are most commonly seen with

four hands which signify their divinity.

GANESHA'S SYMBOLISM:

Big Head-------------------Think Big.

Small Eyes-----------------Concentrate.

Large Ears-----------------Listen More.Sift bad from Good

Small Mouth---------------Talk Less.

One Tusk-------------------Retain Good Throw Away Bad.

Trunk-----------------------High Effeciency And Adaptability.Picking the samllest

as well as biggest things.

Leftmost Front hand------Abhaya/Blessings pose symbolises blesses and

protects on spiritual path to supreme.

Rightmost Front Hand----Holding a Sweet(Modaka) symbolises the sweetness

of the realised inner self.

Leftmost Rear Hand-------Holding an Axe to strike and repel obstacles and lead

to the path of righteousness and truth.

Rightmost Rear hand------Holding a Noose(thread) that conveys the worldly

attachments and desires and pull you nearer to the

highest goals.

Large Belly-----------------Peacefully Digest All Good And Bad In Life.

Mouse----------------------Desire.......unless under control can cause

havoc....Ride the desire and kep it under control

and dont allow it to take you for a ride.

Prasadam at the feet-------The whole world is at your Feet and for your asking.

An intriguing aspect of Ganesha's iconography is his broken

tusk, leading to the appellation Ekdanta, Ek meaning one and danta meaning teeth. It

carries an interesting legend behind it:

When Parashurama one of Shiva's favorite disciples, came to

visit him, he found Ganesha guarding Shiva's inner apartments. His father being

asleep, Ganesha opposed Parshurama's entry. Parashurama nevertheless tried to

urge his way, and the parties came to blows. Ganesha had at first the advantage,

seizing Parashurama in his trunk, and giving him a twirl that left him sick and

senseless; on recovering, Rama threw his axe at Ganesha, who recognizing it as his

father's weapon (Shiva having given it to Parashurama) received it with all humility

upon one of his tusks, which it immediately severed, and hence Ganesha has but one

tusk.

In addition to this there are other stories that narrate the Ekadanta

legend. His total devotion towards his mother is the reason why in the South

Indian tradition Ganesha is represented as single and celibate. It is said that he felt

that his mother, Parvati, was the most beautiful and perfect woman in the universe.

"Bring me a woman as beautiful as she is and I shall marry her", he said. None could

find an equal to the beautiful Uma (Parvati), and so the legend goes, the search is still

on...