Pointers for us from Lord Ganesha’s Idol

Celebrations of the Ganeshotsav are going on in full swing. With each passing day we are trying to understand the essence of Lord Ganesha. In this article here, let us go one more step closer to the Lord and understand the indications that Lord Ganesha wants to give us.

Why was such a form chosen for Lord Ganesha? This form was chosen so that we could understand the essence of being formless. The form of Lord Ganesha helps us to understand that we should seek the formless essence within each one of us. It is with this understanding that we can be true devotees of Lord Ganesha.

Every idol is actually a symbol to remind us about our true nature, about who-we-truly-are. Symbolism has been an ancient method to convey deep not-so-obvious truths for the generations to come. Hence, many idols have been created so that people can always remember the truth behind each symbol.

Lord Ganesha symbolizes that we should move from the form to the formless. But are we truly worshipping Lord Ganesha with this understanding? Or are we busy performing various rituals without the right understanding?

Lord Ganesha, also called the elephant-headed God, has big ears like that of an elephant. The big ears indicate that we need to be good listeners, and enhance our power of listening. We need to listen attentively without any presumptions. When it comes to grasping the ultimate truth of life, the big ears indicate a heightened receptivity for the truth.

But sadly some people think that Lord Ganesha has big ears so that He can listen to our prayers. Hence many people pray to Lord Ganesha for the fulfilment of their desires in life. But isn’t this a wrong belief? God does not need ears to listen to us as He is present everywhere and is all-knowing.

How can one indicate this formless aspect of God? A form helps to hint at the formless. When one seeks within, they do not find anything except blankness and hence it is difficult to understand the formless. One needs to realize that this blankness within is being known in the light of that formless presence that we are seeking. This blankness that is illumined by the light of presence can shift us from darkness in life to the bright light of peace and bliss. And hence understanding the form (like Lord Ganesha) becomes all the more important.

Everything depicted in the idol is meant to make us reflect on ourselves.

When we worship Lord Ganesha with the right focus and contemplate on each symbol, each secret hidden in His idol is revealed. Just as the ears of the idol suggest that we enhance our ability to be receptive and listen without any presumptions.

The big forehead: The big forehead symbolizes right understanding (Buddhi). Are we enhancing our understanding about life? Are we questioning our own understanding about life? Although people believe that a big forehead symbolizes wisdom, it essentially indicates that we need to enhance our wisdom.

The long trunk: The long trunk indicates that one should get to the depth of the topic through right contemplation. An elephant can lift a huge log with its trunk just as efficiently as it can hold a tiny needle. This indicates that we need to contemplate in a way that will help us understand both the gross as well as subtler aspects of the topic. After deep contemplation on a topic, many different aspects of the topic are revealed that help raise our understanding.

Lord Ganesha is seated on a mouse: This indicates that we need to control our mind. The mouse is a symbol of greed. Just as the greedy mouse keeps running from one place to another in a split second, our mind keeps wandering to gratify insatiable desires one after the other. Lord Ganesha sitting on the mouse is an indication that we need to conquer our mind, restrain our mind and the senses that just keep chasing one desire after other.

The Laddu: The Laddu is a symbol of completeness and the Modak is the symbol of joy. With contemplation, we need to bring completeness in every aspect of our life just like the laddu. In this way, when we contemplate, grasp and internalize the indications given, our life will be filled with divine joy.

The Tusk: Further, if we carefully observe, we will also notice that one tusk is complete and the other tusk is broken. It indicates that we need to transcend all dualities of life and be established in the oneness of pure being.

Many people also talk about various stories associated with Lord Ganesha. They get entangled in those stories instead of comprehending their deeper meaning. Hence the Ganeshotsav festival is here to awaken us. Let this festival be an opportunity to awaken the right understanding of life.

Let our comparing and judging mind receive the right understanding. The comparing mind is the demon within us. Let this demon surrender to Lord Ganesha. That’s when true celebration will begin.

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

You can also read: What does Lord Ganesha Symbolize?