But who is Ganesh?

Who is Ganesh and what is the significance of praying to him?

Why is he so famous ?

Ganesh is one of the most popular and revered deities in the Hindu pantheon. Recognizable by his elephant head, he occupies a central place in Hinduism and his meaning is rich in symbolism.
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Identity and attributes of Ganesh

Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati.He is depicted with a red human body and an elephant's head, usually with a single tusk..
Its most common attributes are:
  • Four arms, symbolizing his power
  • An axe, a noose and an elephant goad
  • A rat as a mount (vahana)
His elephant head is the result of a myth where Shiva mistakenly cut off his head and replaced it with that of a baby elephant..

Meaning and symbolism

Ganesh embodies many qualities and concepts:
  • God of wisdom, intelligence and education
  • The one who removes obstacles
  • Symbol of prosperity and success
  • Representative of the union between the divine and the human
  • Guardian of the first chakra (Muladhara)
Its trunk symbolizes the balance between knowledge and action, while its broken tusk represents detachment..

Veneration and popularity

Ganesh is worshipped by a very wide audience in India and beyond:
  • It is invoked before every ritual or new undertaking.
  • Students and intellectual workers pray to him especially
  • It is celebrated during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival
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  • Its popularity extends beyond India, reaching Asia and the West.

Reasons for its fame

There are several factors that explain Ganesh's great popularity:
  1. Its role as an "obstacle remover" makes it attractive to anyone seeking to overcome difficulties.
  2. Its unique and recognizable appearance, half-man, half-elephant, makes it easily identifiable.
  3. He embodies universally valued qualities such as wisdom and success.
  4. His benevolent and protective nature makes him an approachable and beloved deity.
  5. Its rich symbolism allows for multiple interpretations and personal connections.
In summary, Ganesh is a central figure in Hinduism, embodying wisdom, success and protection. His deep meaning and distinctive appearance make him one of the most well-known and loved deities, both in India and internationally.
 
 
What is the origin of Ganesh's elephant head?
The origin of Ganesh's elephant head is explained by several myths, but the most widespread tells the following story:Ganesh was born as a normal child, son of Shiva and Parvati. One day, when Shiva was away, Parvati asked her young son Ganesh to stand guard while she was taking her bath. When Shiva returned, he found this unknown boy preventing him from entering his house.Not recognizing his own son, Shiva flew into a great rage and, in a fit of fury, cut off Ganesh's head with his sword..When Parvati discovered what had happened, she was devastated and demanded that Shiva restore their son to life..To fix his mistake, Shiva promised to replace the child's head with that of the first creature he would encounter. This creature turned out to be a baby elephant..Thus, Shiva attached the baby elephant's head to Ganesh's body, restoring him to life and giving him his famous half-man, half-elephant appearance..This symbolic story is often interpreted as representing the need to "cut off the head", that is, to get rid of the ego, in order to access a higher consciousness, symbolized by the wisdom of the elephant..There are other variations of this myth, but they all lead to the same conclusion: Ganesh obtains his elephant head through an incident involving his divine parents, Shiva and Parvati.
 
Why is Ganesh often depicted with a rat ?
Ganesh is often depicted with a rat for several important symbolic reasons:
  1. The rat, named Mushika, is the mount (vahana) of Ganesh.In Hinduism, each deity has an animal vehicle that symbolizes and enhances his powers.
  2. This association symbolizes the contrast between the large (the elephant) and the small (the rat), illustrating the union between the divine and the human that Ganesh represents..
  3. The rat represents negative forces or unwanted thoughts over which Ganesh, through his weight and wisdom, exercises control..
  4. According to legend, the rat was originally a celestial musician who was transformed into a rat by curse. Ganesh tamed it and made it his mount, thus fulfilling a prophecy..
  5. The rat also symbolizes Ganesh's ability to enter the narrowest of places, thus representing his omniscience and omnipresence..
  6. In some interpretations, the rat represents human desires which Ganesh helps to master and direct towards higher goals.
  7. The rat is also associated with abundance and prosperity in some Asian cultures, reinforcing Ganesh's aspect as the god of wealth and success..
This association between Ganesh and the rat is therefore rich in symbolism, illustrating wisdom, control of negative forces, and the balance between the great and the small in Hindu philosophy.
What is the significance of Ganesh's broken tusk ?
Ganesh's broken tusk is an important symbolic element in Hindu mythology, with several significant interpretations:
  1. Sacrifice and devotion: According to a popular version, Ganesh broke his own tusk to use it as a pen to write the Mahabharata under the dictation of the sage Vyasa..This act symbolizes his devotion to knowledge and literature.
  2. Ego Control: The broken tusk represents Ganesh's ability to overcome his ego and make sacrifices for a greater cause..
  3. Transcendence: The sacrifice of one's tusk is seen as a symbol of oneness and transcendence, hailed by the gods..
  4. Humility and sense of humor: In another version, Ganesh is said to have broken his tusk to throw it at the moon which was mocking him after a fall..This shows his ability to respond with humor in the face of adversity.
  5. Filial respect: One interpretation says that Ganesh allowed his father Shiva's axe to break his tusk so as not to question the power of his father's weapon..
  6. Symbol of his power: The broken tusk is sometimes interpreted as a sign of Ganesh's strength, capable of overcoming all obstacles..
  7. Balance between preservation and destruction: The broken tusk can symbolize the balance between preservation (represented by the intact tusk) and the destruction necessary for renewal (the broken tusk).
In short, Ganesh's broken tusk is a rich symbol that embodies values such as sacrifice, humility, wisdom, and the ability to overcome obstacles. It helps make Ganesh a complex and deeply respected deity in Hinduism.
 
 
 
How is Ganesh related to Shiva and Parvati
Ganesh is intimately related to Shiva and Parvati, being their son according to Hindu mythology. Here are the main elements of this divine family relationship:

Birth of Ganesh

Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati, two of the major deities of the Hindu pantheon..However, there are different versions regarding his birth:
  1. According to one version, Parvati created Ganesh alone, without Shiva's intervention. She used special earth, saffron and dew to shape her son..
  2. Another version says that Parvati created Ganesh from the secretions of her skin, while she was looking for a reliable guardian for her door..

The Beheading Incident

A crucial episode in the story of Ganesh directly involves his parents:
  1. One day, Parvati asked Ganesh to stand guard while she was bathing, forbidding her to let anyone in..
  2. Shiva, returning from meditation and not knowing Ganesh, wanted to enter but was prevented by the young guard.
  3. A conflict ensued in which Shiva, furious, ended up beheading Ganesh..
  4. Discovering what had happened, Parvati was distraught and demanded that her son be brought back to life..

The elephant head

To appease Parvati and repair his mistake, Shiva took steps:
  1. He ordered the head of the first creature he encountered to be brought, which turned out to be an elephant..
  2. Shiva fixed this elephant head on Ganesh's body, thus restoring his life..
  3. In compensation, Shiva made Ganesh the leader of the ganas (his servants) and granted him divine powers..
This mythological story not only explains Ganesh's unique appearance with his elephant head, but also illustrates the complex and deep bonds that unite him with his divine parents, Shiva and Parvati.
Why is Ganesh considered the most revered god in India ?
Ganesh is considered one of the most revered gods in India for several important reasons:

Symbolism and attributes

Ganesh is known for his wisdom, intelligence and ability to overcome obstacles. He is worshipped as:
  • The god of wisdom, education and intelligence
  • The god who removes obstacles and brings success
  • The patron saint of schools and knowledge workers
  • The god of abundance, success and wealth, both material and spiritual
His distinctive appearance with an elephant's head symbolizes his great wisdom and superior intelligence.

Ritual significance

Ganesh occupies a primordial place in Hindu rituals:
  • He is the first god worshipped at the beginning of the day and during new undertakings.
  • We call upon him before starting any new project, marriage or new stage of life.
  • He is considered the protector of the world and of vital energy (kundalini)

Accessibility and popularity

Several factors contribute to its great popularity:
  • He is revered by Hindus of all ages across the world
  • His endearing appearance and positive attributes make him approachable.
  • It is associated with universal values such as wisdom and success

Spiritual significance

For yoga practitioners and spiritual seekers, Ganesh holds special significance:
  • It represents the awakened Kundalini and divine knowledge
  • His blessing is considered necessary for progress on the spiritual path.
  • It is associated with the first chakra, fundamental in yogic practices
In summary, Ganesh's unique combination as a god of wisdom, protector against obstacles, central figure in rituals, and symbol of spiritual progress makes him one of the most revered and beloved deities in Hinduism and Indian culture in general.
 
How is Ganesh related to knowledge and wisdom ?
Ganesh, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism, is closely associated with knowledge and wisdom in several ways:

Physical symbolism

Ganesh's elephant head embodies wisdom and knowledge.Elephants are known for their exceptional memory and intelligence, which reinforces this association. Their small eyes symbolize concentration, while their large ears and small mouth represent the importance of listening more and talking less - a quality essential to gaining wisdom..

Attributes and functions

Ganesh is considered as:
  • The god of knowledge, virtue and wisdom
  • The patron saint of letters, writing and knowledge
  • The god of intelligence and education
  • The alleged inventor of the Sanskrit alphabet
It is often invoked before undertaking new studies or intellectual projects.

Mythological symbolism

According to some legends, Ganesh used his broken tusk to write the Vedas or the Mahābhārata under the dictation of the sage Vyâsa..This story highlights his role as guardian and transmitter of sacred knowledge.

Application in yoga and spirituality

In the practice of yoga, Ganesh is associated with inner wisdom and the ability to overcome mental obstacles.His figure is used to encourage practitioners to cultivate wisdom, perseverance and inner balance in their spiritual journey.In summary, Ganesh embodies the connection between divine and human knowledge. He represents the ability to acquire, preserve, and apply wisdom, making him a central figure in the quest for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment in the Hindu tradition.