Following on from my previous blog entry on how Ganesh (Ganpati, Ganesha) was created here is a break down of some of the symbolism associated around him.
Symbolism within Hindu culture is prevalent in all of its deities and the rituals that go hand in hand with them. From a Western point of view all these gods and the mythology that surrounds them, seems quaint, but may seem absurd to worship. However, when you consider the symbols and the totenism associated with them and consider the meaning in the context of your own existence, then there is something beautiful about them.
So some meanings about the icon of Ganesha.
Trunk
An elephants trunk has the strength to uproot a tree and the finesse to pick up a needle. Ganesha’s trunk symbolises the fact that the wise person has immense strength and fine discrimination.
Ears
Ganesha has large ears. The wise man hears all.
Hands
Ganesha has four hands. In one he holds a lotus, the symbol of enlightenment. In the other a hatchet. That is, the old karma – all your sanskars, the accumulated good and bad of past deeds get cut when enlightenment comes.
The third hand holds laddus, or sweet meats. They are the rewards of the wise life. However, Ganesha is never shown eating the laddus. The wise man never partakes of the rewards of his deeds. He is not attached to them.
The fourth hand is shown blessing the people. The wise man wishes the best to everyone.
Tusk
Ganesha has only one tusk, the other is shown broken off. The symbolism here is that the wise person is beyond duality (Our ego separate from our surroundings). Once we transcend this duality we see the universe as a single whole and we become aware of our true selves. Wisdom allows us to see all as one and ourselves as an integral part of the whole.
Feet
Ganesha is shown sitting with one foot on the ground and the other resting on his knee. The wise person is of the earth, but not entirely.
Rat
Ganesha is seen seated on a rat. The rat is a symbol of our senses, because it is said that the rat has to keep nibbling all the time – like the senses they are never satisfied. The wise person rides on his senses, he keeps them under control.
Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati, the god governing the life force and the earth mother. This symbolises the spirit and body of the wise person. Finally the wise person has the dignity of an elephant.
If you say “Aum Ganeshaya Namah”before starting anything what you are saying is “in what we are about to do, let wisdom be our guide”.
In a sense Ganesha is the most powerful god and he is usually remembered before starting any rituals for other deities.
So Ganesha is up there with the biggies and worthy of a 10 day festival. Check out the position of any Eastern statue, icon or totem and question “What does this really mean?” or more importantly “What does this mean to me, how can this be an inspiration to me?”
Ref: Kishore Asthana – unknown paper
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September 13, 2008 at 10:24 pm
nick fox
Ganesha is indeed a worthy deity, Colin; in this respect we seem to be cut from the same cloth. Of all the Gods in the Hindu pantheon I would rate Ganesha (sometimes spelled ‘Ganeesh’) above both Kali and Siva. Being far too desperate for the luxury of monotheism I’ll pray to anybody or anything, of course. My all time favourite is the Blessed Oliver Plunkett (now canonised, a saint thus … but he’ll always be the Blessed Oliver Plunkett to me) who is good for a bit of celestial intervention when the secular chips are down. My faith in the BOP is unshakable, and for the price of a candle or two all sorts of mischief becomes absolved. Mind you, one doesn’t approach the BOP lightly! Anguish and sincere angst are part of the deal. Luckily, contrition isn’t a ‘must have’ … fortunate for me, at least, since I’m rarely sorry for what I’ve done. I just want to get out of trouble. So, to sum up: Ganesha is great for granting what you want (wife, sheep, new shoes, etc) and the BOP is peerless when your back is against the wall and friends are what you used to have. He’s got me out of a lot of deep shit, I can tell you. If you ever need a friend, Col, the Blessed Oliver Plunkett is the one to grovel to.
October 29, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Kishore Asthana
This citation is from my article on the Symbolism of Ganesh in the Times of India, Speaking Tree Column on the editorial page. Link given below:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Speaking_Tree/The_image_of_Ganesha_and_its_meaning/articleshow/3437331.cms
October 30, 2008 at 6:58 am
colinlaidlaw
Thank you Kishmore, and may I say it is a great article.