Lord Vinayagar: His existence and its underlying philosophical significance. THE BIRTH OF GANESHA One day Goddess Parvati was at Her on Mount Kailash preparing to bath. As She didn’t wish to be disturbed, She instructed Nandi, Lord Siva’s bull, to stand guard the the entrance and forbid anybody from entering. Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Mother Parvati’s order. However when Lord Siva arrived and naturally wanted to enter, Nandi (being loyal foremost to Lord Siva) obviously had to permit Him to enter. Mother Parvati was upset at this slight, but even more than this, at the fact that She had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was to Lord Siva. So, upon taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from Her body and breathing life into it, created Ganesha, thereafter declaring Him to be Her own loyal son. The next time Mother Parvati wished to bathe, She posted Ganesha on guard at the entrance. In due course, Lord Siva arrived, only to find this strange boy telling Him that He couldn’t enter His own abode! Understandably furious, Lord Siva ordered His army to destroy the boy - but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself. This surprised Lord Siva seeing that this was no ordinary boy. The usually peaceful Lord Siva decided He would have to battle Him and in His divine fury severed Ganesha’s head. When Mother Parvati learned of this, She was so enraged that She decided to destroy all of creation. Lord Brahma naturally had His issues with this, and pleaded that She be merciful and reconsider Her drastic plan. She said She would, but only if two conditions were met: 1) That Ganesha be brought back to life, and 2) That He be forever worshiped before all the other Gods. Lord Siva, having cooled down by this time and realising His mistake, agreed to Mother Parvati’s conditions. He set out with Lord Brahma to bring back the head of the first creature He finds that is laying with its head facing north. They returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant, which Lord Siva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Post breathing new life into Him, He declared Ganesha to be His own son as well, and conferred upon Him the status of being foremost among the Gods, and leader of all the ganas (Lord Sivas attendants and servants). PHILOSOPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE On the exterior, this story seems like an interesting tale that we may relay to our children or a myth devoid of substance. But its underlying philosophical message is as follows: Parvati is Aadi Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the ordinary human body She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini Shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves; ridding ourselves of impurities, vices as well as negative thoughts, words and deeds that the Lord automatically graces us with His presence. This is why Lord Siva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing. Nandi, Lord Siva’s bull, who Ma Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperament. Nandi is so devoted to Lord Siva that his (Nandis) every thought is directed to Him (Lord Siva), and he is easily able to recognize the Lord Siva when He arrives. This denotes that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the Kundalini Shakti’s) abode. One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants. After Nandi permitted Lord Siva to enter, Ma Parvati took the turmeric paste from Her own body, and with it created Ganesha. Yellow is the color associated with the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who governs this chakra. Devi needed to create Lord Ganesha, who represents the earth-bound awareness, as a shield to protect the essence of divinity from unripe minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from distractions of the material world, and towards divinity, (just as Nandi had) that the great secret of existence is revealed. Siva is the Lord and supreme teacher. Ganesha in this story represents the ego-bound Jiva atma (egotistic individual soul). When the Lord arrives (herein represented by Siva) the jiva (herein represented by Ganesha) surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually fails to recognize and acknowledge Him - and may even end up arguing with or fighting Him! Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of a Guru (Spiritual Master), to sever the head of our ego and humble us (just as Lord Siva severed the head of Ganesha). So powerful is this ego however, that at first the Guru’s instructions may be futile (just as Lord Siva’s army failed to subdue Ganesha). It often requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way. Devi threatened to destroy all of creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary vehicle (the physical body) and begins to merge with the param atma (supreme universal cosmic soul). The physical world is here represented by Devi. This impermanent and very much changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs. The unchanging absolute is here represented by Lord Siva, to which belongs the soul. When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this existence, which is the handwork of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Lord Siva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing His head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big”, or universal ego. This doesn’t mean that we become more egotistic. On the contrary, it means that we no longer identify with the limited individual self (Jiva atma), but rather with the larger universal self (param atma). In this way, our existence is renewed, becoming one that can truly benefit Creation. It is however only a functional ego, like the one Krishna and Buddha kept. It is like a thin string tying the liberated Consciousness to our world, solely for our benefit. Lord Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas (Lord Sivas attendants who herein represent all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings). These various beings all contribute to the government of the Creation; everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes, to the elemental qualities like fire and water, to functioning of the body’s organs and processes. If we don’t honor the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to THEIR Lord, who is Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes material and spiritual obstacles and enables our endeavors to succeed. Such is the greatness of Lord Ganapathi. Though Im a day late, Im certain that your Vinayagar Sathurthi was a blessed, joyous and spiritually-escalating one. Sidhivinayagar Saranam Saranam!!! (Picture: Holy Trimurthi Lord Bramha, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva resurrecting Lord Ganesha by attaching an elephants head to His body.)
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 15:55:53 +0000
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