Skip to main content

Ganesha Worship: Symbolism, Significance, Benefits

Significance of Ganesha worship: With obeisance to Lord Ganesha, wishing you more success and joy in 2025 as the year progresses! We begin every New Year with renewed hope and confidence for a better tomorrow. In Hinduism, new beginnings are synonymous with Ganesha worship; so are auspicious occasions.

Subscribe To Svara's Newsletter on Books, Travel & Culture




Why Do People Worship Ganesha or Ganapati?

No undertaking can begin without first invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha. In the most famous and earliest Rig Vedic mantras, Ganesha is invoked thus:

"Ganaanam Tva Ganapatim Havamahe (2.23.1)"

As a Rig Vedic deity, Ganesha is also called as 'Brihaspati' and 'Vacaspati' - one who manifests himself through a mass of Light. His battle-axe is described as his most important weapon and he is always in the company of 'ganas' which represents a group of his following.

What is the Power of Ganesha?
Ganesha is revered as 'Prathama Vandana Gauri Nandana', one who is the son of Shiva and Parvati, and is to be worshipped first for successful outcomes and removal of all obstacles; one who vanquishes the enemies of gods, protects the pious and devoted ones and shows the right way of life to true seekers.

Without first offering worship to Lord Ganesha, no religious ceremony or ritual can succeed. This clearly indicates the prevalence and importance the Vedas place on Ganesha worship.

Symbology of Ganesha's Form
In every Hindu home, the image of Lord Ganesha is worshipped. However, not everyone understands the unusual and unique form they worship. When you gaze at the beautiful form of Ganesha, his large ears pinpoint to the importance of listening more and speaking less. If you look closely, you will also realise that 'elephants' are known for their memory, which is why most families ask the children to pray to Lord Ganesha to progress in their studies.

In Kerala, the famous Vidyarambham ceremony, where a child is introduced to the world of 'vidya' or the stepping stone to beginning education, takes place with invoking 'Hari Sree Ganapataye Namah' as the main mantra.


Symbols are known to convey attributes of a deity. In today's design-centric world, there are emerging studies on symbolism, colours and related attributes. We forget that way before technology has shown us the potential of design and technology, the earliest Rig Vedic mantras encapsulate the splendour of name, form and symbolism by extolling the attributes of each deity with precision.

Take the example of Ganesha's 'vahana' or vehicle - the mighty god has a humble vahana - a mouse!

At a time when we love to show off if anyone in the family owns a BMW or an Audi, our beloved Lord Ganesha chooses a humble mouse!

The message is more relevant today than ever:

Divine grace comes with purity and where there is no egoism. Our ego, when it enters our thoughts, words and actions, is like a mouse; hiding in darkness.

Our ego, the sense of "I" and "Mine" are the primary hurdles that we need to overcome and destroy before we can shine our good qualities and a pure heart.

Next time you gaze at the beautiful image of Lord Ganesha, pay more attention to the mouse. That's our ego; our primary obstacle in life's journey; and this is what we need to remind ourselves throughout the year ahead as we progress.


Once again, here's wishing you and loved ones, bright and beautiful beginnings in the year 2025. Subscribe To Svara's Newsletter on Books, Travel & Culture.

Comments

Most LOVED Posts

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences.  [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste.  You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this  new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v...

The Secret Wishlist by Preeti Shenoy

Have you ever been banished from your parents' good books because of a secret kiss when you were just sixteen? [READ: Why Japanese Fiction is Becoming my Favourite] Did you spend nearly all your life trying to win back the trust and approval of your parents for that one mistake you made? Have you regretted your marriage that your parents rushed you into and you agreed out of sheer guilt?  Have you ever made a secret wishlist with something like "have sex with someone other than husband" on it?  Yes or no, don't miss reading  Preeti Shenoy 's recently released novel titled 'The Secret Wishlist.'  From page one, you are bound to get pulled into Diksha's loveless marriage, her constant adjustments to Sandeep, a husband who expects everything to be done to suit his preference at all times and her need to feel valued as a person. There are so many instances when you would simply grit your teeth and wish that her boor of a husba...

Secrets & Lies - A Book Review

We all have secrets. Over years, they become memories, a little jaded, a little faded but definitely there. Lots of memories that are stashed away come alive when you read Jaishree Misra's latest novel, Secrets & Lies , a book that grabs your attention from page one till the end. I The novel revolves around the age of innocence and the growing up of a bunch of school girls who studied in St Judes', one of Delhi's most famous Convent schools with an Irish Principal, Miss Victoria Lamb whom the girls christen as Lamboo. The four girls in the novel are great friends but their dreams are shattered with the entry of a new girl called Lily. Later, they try to move on with their lives, hoping to forget Lily but haunted by her forever.  There's Bubbles, who had been fat and bad at studies but hails from a wealthy business family. Her ambitious parents arrange her marriage to Binkie, who is the only son of a multimillionaire in London. What touches your heart is tha...

Guest Post by Raji PV: What I love about Singapore

♥♥ This is the second Guest Post on Petals in 2015.  I thank my former colleague Raji PV for sharing her personal writing on my blog. Raji, as I know her, is a lovely person and a dedicated mother with an angelic, soothing presence. Her simplicity and humility inspire me. In a nutshell, I am blessed to be in her company. Thanks for writing, Raji! ♥♥  The first time I landed in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised by the lush greenery all around. Gigantic trees lining both sides of the road  met overhead high above the road. The change in scenery was too stark not to notice, as we arrived from Delhi. The sceptic in me did not expect it to last  more than a few miles; but guess what, I was overjoyed to have been proved wrong! Greenery in Singapore The beauty of Singapore lies in its ever-spreading green robe, both planned and natural, that stretches across the length and breadth of the island. Best of all, Singapore goes that extra mile in protecting its natural...