Attributions
Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is easily recognizable by his elephant head, a symbol of wisdom, and his large belly, which signifies abundance. He is the god of beginnings and is traditionally invoked at the start of any endeavor or ritual. Ganesha is considered the lord of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. His role is to place or remove obstacles, thus ensuring success or failure according to the individual's merit.
Symbols and Appearances
Ganesha is often depicted with one or more of his four arms holding various symbolic objects: an axe (to cut attachments), a noose (to capture all difficulties), a paw of rice or a bowl of sweets (which symbolizes the reward of wisdom and the sweetness of the soul), and a broken tusk (which represents sacrifice). He often has a rat as his mount, a symbol of desire that can cause problems if not controlled. Ganesha is sometimes shown dancing or playing music, illustrating his joyful nature and love of art.
Myths
One of the most famous myths of Ganesha is the story of his birth. Parvati created Ganesha from the dirt of her body to guard the door while she took a bath. When Shiva wanted to enter and was stopped by Ganesha, he angrily beheaded the young boy. Realizing his mistake, Shiva replaced Ganesha’s head with that of an elephant. Another important myth involves the race around the world to win the fruit of knowledge, which Ganesha won by circling his parents, thus demonstrating that respect and love for them were equivalent to traveling around the universe.
Spiritual Message
Ganesha’s spiritual message centers on the importance of intelligence, wisdom, and effort to overcome obstacles. He teaches that every obstacle has a solution and that difficulties can be overcome with caution and intelligence. Ganesha reminds his followers to seek the path of least resistance, not by taking shortcuts, but by using wisdom to navigate life effectively. He is also a symbol of joy and generosity, encouraging people to celebrate and share life’s blessings.
