| Gajaananam bhootaganaadi sevitam Kapitta jamboophalasaara bakshitam Umaasutam shokhavnaashakaaranam Namaami vighneshwara paada pankajam Virtually every South Indian child is taught this shlokam as soon as he/she is barely even able to speak and is made to recite it as many times as fond elders will listen. This shlokam is in praise of the Hindu God -- Lord Ganesha -- the Elephant-headed God. According to the Shiva puranas, one day, Goddess Parvati, while bathing, created a boy out of the turmeric paste on her body, to guard her and stop anyone from accidentally entering her quarters. Thus, Lord Ganesha was born. Ganesha obediently guarded his mother, and when Lord Shiva (Parvati's husband) returned and demanded to be let in, Ganesha stubbornly refused him entry, because Ganesha has never seen Lord Shiva before. Lord Shiva lost his patience and waged a fierce battle against Ganesha and finally severed Ganesha's head with his trishul. When Parvati saw her son's lifeless body, she was nconsolable and refused to speak to Lord Shiva. The only way that she would be appeased was if Lord Shiva found Ganesha's head and restored him to life. Unfortunately, the head had been flung so far away that it could not be found. Frustrated, Lord Shiva finally beseeched Lord Brahma to show him a way out of this predicament. Lord Brahma advised Shiva to replace Ganesha's head with the first living being that he came across that lay with its head facing north. Lord Shiva sent his ganas who found a dying elephant and they brought back its head. Lord Shiva placed the elephant's head on Ganesha's body and infused life into him. To appease Parvati's fear that the three worlds would laugh at Ganesha for having an elephant head, Lord Shiva also granted Ganesha a boon so people would worship him before any other God, and also made him leader of the ganas. Symbolically, each anga of Lord Ganesha has a deep significance: Elephant head: fidelity, intelligence, ability to reflect Single tusk: ability to overcome all forms of dualism Wide ears: wisdom, capacity to listen intently to assimilate ideas Trishula on forehead: mastery of Time -- the past, the present and the future Potbelly: infinite universe, ability to swallow the sorrows of the Universe and protect it The four arms: four inner attributes of the subtle body -- manas, buddhi, ahankara, chitta The axe: retrenchment of all worldly desires. The axe prods man to follow the path of truth and righteousness The whip: a symbol of force that ties the devout to the Eternity of God Abhaya hasta: palm raised in blessing, granting shelter to the devotee Lotus flower: the highest goal of human evolution -- realization of the inner self Mooshikam: minute investigation of a cryptic object Ganesh chaturti is celebrated with great pomp all over India, especially in Maharashtra. The festival begins on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada. Huge clay idols of Lord Ganesha are installed all over the country with cleverly constructed scenes from ancient myths. Every morning and evening, hundreds of people gather together in these colorfully decorated pandaals and sing in unison, Lord Ganesha's praises. Offerings of coconuts and modaks are made to Lord Ganesha and then distributed as prasad. On the day of Anantachaturdashi, Ganesha idols are carried in processions and are immersed in the sea amidst joyful cheers: Ganapati bappa morya, pudhcha varshi lavkar ya! Glossary: The first shlokam: The cheer: This is a cheer in Marathi, the regional language of Maharashtra that means, "O Lord Ganesha, my King, come back quickly next year!" Abhaya -- blessing Ahankara-- ego Anantachaturdashi -- tenth day Bhadrapada -- month in the Hindu calendar Brahma -- One of the Trinity of Hindu Gods The Creator Buddhi -- intellect Chaturti -- fourth day Chitta -- conditioned concience Ganas -- celestial armies Hasta -- hand gesture Manas -- mind Modak -- sweet dish considered to be Lord Ganesha's favorite dish Mooshikam -- mouse, Lord Ganesha's vehicle Pandaal -- tent Parvati -- consort of Lord Shiva Prasad -- offering to God, sanctified by prayer Purana -- mythological story Shiva -- One of the Trinity of Hindu Gods, The Destroyer Shlokam -- hymn/chant Trishul -- trident |
| Creative Synchopations/ Ramya Kapadia Ganesha: Remover of obstacles |
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