JAY GANESH
Hindu mythology has rich abundance of legends that are told and retold so many times that one forgets which is the original, which is myth and which a mere figment of fantasy. But the flavour of hearing them narrated by elders and ardent devotees continues to hold folks spellbound in its permeating aroma of divinity. The Gods, Goddesses, smaller Deities and Demigods worshipped by the Hindus, is awesome just in sheer number, and each one of the Divinity has His or Her prowess extolled in basic simmple foklore. A child in a Hindu family grows up amidst such folklore and delights in the eternal victory of the good over evil. No wonder that as one grows up, one goes to town on the religious bandwagon.
Hindu mythology would be bereft of all its charm if we do not bring Lord Ganesha into any discourse. Is it not true that begining of any activity auspicious, and of worship, is essentially with the invocation of the Elephant headed Lord Ganesha? The Lord who is the remover of all obstacles. The Lord who paves way to success. Ganesha Chaturthi always brings in its wake the aura of festivity and joy. Of commencing new businesses, and ventures, and a spate of new activities.
Born out of the dirt of Parvathi's body, Ganesha as an fine lad is said to have gaurded His house upon instruction from His mother, from anyone entering. The boy, not recognizing Shiva as His father refused Him entry. An enraged Shiva who did not recognize. His own child started fierce battle with the support of Deva Ganas, and ultimately Nandi beheaded the beautiful lad. Hearing Parvathi's lamentations Shiva realized His mistake and tried His best to locate the head of the boy, but in vain. The Lord then decided to put the first head He came across which happened to be that of an elephant, and thus restored the boy's life. The anguished mother sought and was assuaged through a boon that Ganesha should be considered by all as the eternal remover of obtstacles, and hence the first worship should be made to Him before it is made to any other manifestation of divinity. Thus Ganesha is also known as Vigneswara, the remover of all obtacles.
In India there are hundreds of temples for Vigneswara and every Shivite temple would invariable have a shrine for Vigneswara. Ganesha the elephant faced God is one of the most popularly worshipped forms of divinity - as a remover of obstacles and the embodiment of good luck, in the Indian system of beliefs and practices. How we wish we could gain His Grace and by a virtual flourish of an invisible magic wand wish our fears and worries away! May Vigneswara the remover of all impediments, bestow on us the ability to overcome our difficulties, the compassion to understand others.
GANESHA SHLOKA
Samukaschiaka Danthascha Kipilo Gajakarnakam
Lambodarascha vikatoah vignarajo ganaadhipam
Dhoomakethurganaadhyaksham Faalchandro Gajananam
Vakrakunda Shoorpakarno Herambam Skandapurvajam
shodasaitani namamiyam pateth Shrunuyaadapi
Vidyarambhe Vivaahecha Pravesha Nirgameih Thadaa
Sangrame Sarvakaryeshu Vignasthasya Na Jayatheih.
