The Elephant God | Lord Ganesha | Significance of Ganesha's structure | Symbolic features of Ganesha

Lord Ganesha

In Sanskrit, Gana means group or mass, and Isha means Master/Lord. Hence Ganesha means Lord of the people. Ganesha is the God of all beginnings and hence called Prathamesh. He's worshipped at the beginning of anything new because Ganesha is the remover of obstacles and hurdles. Hence he's called Vighna Vinashaka. He's also worshiped to gain wisdom, prosperity and auspiciousness. His characteristics are so significant that they can be hardly contained in one go.

Lord Ganesha

Nidhi was a 6 year old charming young girl. She was very lively, active and playful all day long. She had a deep interest in everything she came across and used to ask her mother several questions about new things she saw everyday. She was sharp and would grasp at once whatever her mother told her.

It was the fourth day of full moon. Every month, this day according to the Hindu calendar is celebrated as Sankashta Hara Chaturthi which is an auspicious day dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Nidhi's mother had observed fast that day and sought to visit Lord Ganesha's temple. So she took Nidhi along with her to visit the temple.

Nidhi visited this temple for the first time and was mesmerized to see the huge marble sculpture of the deity. Many questions arose in the little girl's mind as she gazed at the idol with admiration.
They offered flowers and fruits to the Lord. Nidhi's mother had also prepared Modaks at home and brought here to offer to the Lord, as Modaks are Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet. After offering, they prayed to the Lord and circumambulated the deity. Then they bowed down to be blessed, took Prasad and sat down in the front area before the Lord. Nidhi couldn't contain her curiosity anymore and began inquiring her mother.

She asked, "Amma, why does Ganesha have such a big head?"

The mother who was determined to answer mostly factually to the girl was glad to explain her child.

She said, "The Big Head indicates that one must always think big with a big heart. Also it is symbolic of knowledge, wisdom, intelligence and power of discretion / Vivek (clear thinking), i.e., one must know to discriminate between right and wrong and lead the righteous path (Dharma marga)".

"Hmm, I see." said the little girl but she had many questions flowing in her mind yet. She asked, "Why does the Lord have such large ears, but small eyes and mouth so small that you can't even see it?"

The mother was overjoyed that her child came up with this question and replied happily saying, "The Lord's Large Ears signify that one must listen more, His Small Eyes signify that one must concentrate with full attention and Small mouth indicates that one must talk less."
 
"Ohh, is that so?", exclaimed the girl in awe. She was thoughtful for a while.

Then she said, "Ok Amma, thank you for telling me so much about Ganesha. Also, is there any meaning as to why the Lord has only one tusk? And does the long trunk also denote something?".

Mother replied, "Yes dear, there is so much that the structure of Lord Ganesha's body parts teach us. One tusk indicates that one must retain only the good and throw away bad. And the Trunk stands for flexibility and adaptability. It indicates that one should not be rigid and must be adaptable to whatever situation comes up in life. Only then you'll be able to face the challenges of life and thrive to succeed".

By now the girl was very amazed by the vast meaning of each body part of the structure of the Lord and was only keen to know more.

She queried, "Why is Ganesha's stomach so big? Does he eat a lot of Modaks?"

The mother laughed and said, "Yes, Ganesha loves food and He eats a lot. But his Big Stomach indicates that one must gracefully accept and digest both good and bad that life shoves unto us".

She continued saying, "Let me explain to you other features of the Lord. He has an Axe in one hand. It indicates that the Lord helps his devotees by removing obstacles on their way. The Lord also helps to cut off all bonds of attachment in this surreal world.

The Blessing hand blesses the devotees to follow the spiritual path to reach the supreme abode.

A Rope in one hand denotes that the Lord restrains devotee's mind from wandering towards materialistic desires, thus pulling it back towards the highest goal.

The Lotus is a symbol of purity. It signifies that though one lives in this material world, he must stay detached to all worldly things.

The Lords' One foot up and one foot on the ground is symbolic that we should take part in both spiritual and material world.

The Trishul on Lord's Forehead is symbolic of trikaal i.e., past, present, future and Lord Ganesha's mastery over it.

Modakas symbolise the rewards of your Sadhana and good deeds.

Mushaka (Mouse) is Lord Ganesha's vehicle. It represents worldly desires. The mouse bowing down close to Ganesha indicates that a little desire is good but too much desire has to be mastered over. Desires must be kept under our control and we should not let our desires drive us. That's why Ganesha rides on desires and controls it. The mouse is also symbolic of darkness of night. It can see well in the dark. Hence it signifies an object that leads us from darkness to light.

Nidhi, I hope you have listened and understood what I have just told you. Now, let's go home."

Nidhi nodded while she was absorbed in thoughts.

The little girl had listened to her mother very patiently. She was overwhelmed after listening to everything her mother told her. They went back home.

Nidhi had gained sheer knowledge that day. Whatever her mother explained to her had made an immense impression in her mind. They lingered in her mind every now and then. Thus, she naturally started applying what she had learnt into her day to day activities. Nidhi was set on the right path of righteousness (Dharma) and bound to blossom thereon.