Ganesha is one of the prominent Hindu Gods. Unlike other Gods who are a manifestation of the human form, he is having peculiar anatomy. He is elephant-headed. He is the harbinger of luck. Every Indian household, irrespective of the School of Hindu thought, have some paraphernalia of Lord Ganesha at their homes to bring luck and prosperity.
He is Vighanharta or the destroyer of obstacles that one may face while starting some new work. That is why he is worshipped first whenever something is started. He is not a principal deity but he is worshipped before any other god is worshipped.
Worshipping him also ensures that all the elemental forces would not create any trouble in the journey. Ganesha paintings or statues can also be seen installed in front of the temples across India and other parts like Indonesia. Even the Indonesian state, which has the highest level of the Muslim population, features Ganesha motifs on their important places and currency.
According to a mythological anecdote, he broke down his tooth to make a makeshift quill for writing the epic Mahabharata when the peacock-feather quill broke down which he was using. He acted as a faithful and determined scribe. He is the god of wisdom and knowledge. For this reason, people who are going to appear in any exam frequents his temple for his blessings.
He is the protector of material luxuries of this realm. People keep things related to him in their cars and homes. He is married to Ridhi i.e. prosperity and Sidhi i.e. wisdom. His progenies are the harbinger of Shubh-Laabh or divinity and profits in one’s business. He is worshipped along with Goddess Laxmi as he is her favorite.
He is the God of Hindus. But, Ganesha paintings could also be given to other non-Hindus for the purpose of home décor. He is too cute and adorable for anyone to refuse to accept him as a part of their lives. This is so for a simple reason. He is the representation of things that are common to all. On Ganesha Chaturthi, people of different religions, regions, castes, races, and cultures come together to celebrate the arrival of this elephant God.
Yogic philosophy is also one of the schools of Hinduism. Hinduism is also considered as a way of life and not particularly a religion as is understood widely. Under the Smarta Tradition of Hindu philosophy, Ganesha is considered as the center of all things.
You may purchase a painting of any Hindu deity just for the sake of aesthetics involved in them. Art doesn’t recognize the boundary of religion or anything else for that matter. It just needs the appreciation from the spectator. The symbology involved, however, is needed to be understood for understanding things properly.
There is a common culture that people bring Lord Ganesha’s painting at home when they are facing trouble in their lives or they want whatever they are doing to go smoothly. Religion is nothing but a matter of faith. An animate thing gives so much strength to a person which can’t be equated to even assurance of the whole world.
Features of Lord Ganesha
He is having different anatomy from other Gods. His appearance may look like some demon as understood by victims of orientalism. He is human but he is having an elephant head. An elephant is one of the intelligent mammals of the animal kingdom.
Therefore, if the symbology behind this head is interpreted, then it would unfold that why an elephant head was placed when Lord Shiva could have placed any other animal’s head who is mighty was a lion.
This symbolizes that Lord Ganesha is God of intellect. The trunk is the symbol of the ability to differentiate between the good and bad things which could only be achieved by wisdom.
He adorns a mark of his father’s trident or Trishul on his forehead. Actually, this trident is the symbol of three dimensions of time in which we live i.e. the past, the present, and the future. This also describes his devotion towards his parents. He also carries a rope by which he attracts everyone who worships him.
He rides on his mushak or mouse. This mouse represents greed and uncontrolled desires of the human mind that distracts a man from the path of righteousness. Lord Ganesha keeps them in check and whoever worships him with pure heart attains victory over his desires and is no more affected with the fake luxuries of this realm.
Some people also consider him as their teacher. His favorite sweet is Modak and Moti choor ke laddoos. He is worshipped in his child form too. Buy his paintings and bring home luck and prosperity associated with him. This Ganesha Chaturthi, with an eco-friendly statue, brings his paintings so that he could stay with you forever.
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