Salutations to Lord Ganesha, the one who removes all obstacles
Om Shri Ganeshaya
Namah – ॐ
श्री
गणेशाय
नमः
In this article, I will disclose some unknown facts about Ganesha, the God of Success.
The Journey
Begins: Meeting Ganesha with Fresh Eyes
Imagine this: A man climbs the stairs
of an old temple early in the morning. He could be a wandering saint, a
peaceful hermit, or a simple devotee looking for answers. The air is cool,
birds are just beginning to chirp, and there's a thin layer of fog covering the
temple like a soft blanket. Inside, a small lamp flickers near a beautiful idol.
There is an elephant-headed god with kind eyes and a large belly who sits calmly,
as if watching everything.
The man folds his hands and bows. Not
because someone told him to, but because something inside his heart tells him, this
place is special.
And so, a thought arises—
Who is this god who is always worshipped first? Why does every prayer,
every ritual, every important beginning in Hinduism start with the name of
Ganesha?
If you think you already know Ganesha
well, read on. This article might surprise you. And if you’re someone just
beginning to explore Hindu spirituality, this may help you see Ganesha in a
whole new light.
What This Article
Will Show You
In this article, we will:
- Understand the true meaning of Ganesha’s
form, why he has an elephant head, a big belly, large ears, a single tusk,
and a tiny mouse as his vehicle.
- Learn what these symbols really teach us
about life.
- Explore why Ganesha is not just the
remover of obstacles but also the one who places them, and why both roles
are important.
- Uncover the message behind his mouse companion and how it resonates with our own minds.
- Get ready for Part 2 of this article, where we’ll explore his 32 forms and the mantras for each one, and how you can benefit from those mantras.
There
are countless stories about Lord Ganesha in the Puranas and
other sacred texts. These stories are not just for entertainment—they hold deep
meanings. Some people read them just like any other tale, enjoying the
imagination and emotions. Children may laugh or wonder, devotees may feel
devotion, and others may move on without thinking deeply. Those who are
truly seeking, every story hides a message, a lesson,
and a spiritual code meant to guide us in daily life.
In
this article, I won’t just repeat those stories. Instead, I will try to help
you understand what lies behind them, the wisdom, the symbolism, and the
practical teachings hidden in both the tales and the visuals we see in
temples and idols. These stories and images are like signs on the path. If we
learn to read them properly, they can help us move closer to understanding not
just Ganesha, but also ourselves.
Let’s begin.
Why Ganesha is
Worshipped First
In Hinduism, before starting any puja,
festival, marriage, journey, or even writing a book, we begin with a prayer to
Lord Ganesha.
Why?
Because Ganesha represents life itself.
Without life, no puja or ritual matters. He is the force that keeps the world
moving. In a way, he is like the gatekeeper of energy, allowing things to begin
and continue smoothly.
He is also the guardian of knowledge,
learning, and wisdom. So, whether it’s a child starting school, an adult
beginning a new job, or a family entering a new home, we first ask Ganesha to
bless the path ahead.
Understanding
Ganesha’s Form: Each Part Has a Meaning
Let’s now look at each part of Lord
Ganesha’s image and understand what it teaches us.
1. Gajanana – गजानन – The Elephant Head
Ganesha’s elephant head is perhaps his
most famous feature. But what does it mean?
- Elephants are strong and wise. They have
great memory and are calm unless provoked.
- The large head of Ganesha tells us to think
big and be wise in our decisions.
- Elephants move slowly and steadily—patience
and confidence are key traits of a strong mind.
Now look at his
vehicle: a mouse! The biggest animal rides the smallest one. Why?
It shows that every creature has value,
no matter how big or small. This also teaches balance, humility, and respect
for all life. Something more is there that can surprise you but on the later
part of this article.
2. Vakratunda – वक्रतुण्ड – The Curved Trunk
Ganesha’s trunk is curved and
flexible. It’s not just for show—it teaches us many things.
- A trunk can lift heavy things or pick up
a tiny needle. That means we must be strong when needed but also gentle
when required.
- The curved shape tells us that life is
not always a straight road. There will be turns, ups and downs. We must
learn to adjust and bend, not break.
His trunk often holds a Modak (sweet
dumpling). Why? Because life also gives sweet rewards when we handle challenges
with wisdom and calmness.
3. Ekadanta – एकदंत – The One-Tusked Lord
Ganesha has one tusk broken, and
there’s a beautiful story behind it.
When Sage Vyasa wanted to write the Mahabharata,
he asked Ganesha to be his scribe. Ganesha agreed, but on one condition—Vyasa
should not stop dictating even once. In the middle of writing, Ganesha’s pen
broke. But he didn’t stop. He broke his own tusk and continued writing with it.
What does this teach us?
- Dedication and commitment.
- Sacrifice for a greater goal.
- The ability to keep going even when tools
break or plans fail.
So, Ekadanta is not just a name; it’s
a reminder to never give up when you believe in something.
4. Mahakarnaya – महाकर्णाय – The Large Ears
Ganesha has very large ears, and this
too has meaning.
- They teach us to listen more and speak
less.
- In a world full of noise and opinions,
Ganesha reminds us to listen carefully and pick only what is useful.
- He also reminds us to pay attention to
good advice and ignore what doesn’t help us grow.
5. Vighna-harta
and Vighna-karta – Remover and Creator of Obstacles
People often know Ganesha as the Vighna-harta
– the remover of problems. But here’s something most don’t know: He is also Vighna-karta
– the creator of obstacles.
Why would God
create problems?
Think about it. If life had no
obstacles, there would be no growth, no learning, no achievement. It would be
boring and meaningless.
Ganesha sometimes places small blocks
in your path to make you stronger, to prepare you for bigger successes.
Think of it like a game: if there are
no challenges, what’s the point?
So next time something doesn’t go your way, instead of getting upset, ask
yourself, what is Ganesha trying to teach me? Take hurdles as the blessing
of Ganesha and pray to him so that you can cross them and enjoy victory. There is
no life without a challenge and happiness is nothing but overcoming that challenge.
No challenges means no success and no
motivation to improve, and no happiness of success. Let Ganesha Give us the
power to cross all hurdles and celebrate success.
6. Mooshak – मूषक – The Mouse
This part confuses many people. Why
does a powerful god like Ganesha ride a tiny mouse?
The mouse is not just a ride. It’s a
symbol. In ancient stories, the mouse was once a heavenly musician who became
arrogant and careless. Because of that, he was cursed to become a mouse. Only
after learning humility and devotion, he came to serve Ganesha.
The mouse represents our restless mind,
always running, always nibbling at thoughts, never still.
Ganesha’s mouse shows the path to control
over the mind, and he teaches us to control our thoughts, calm our minds, and stay
focused.
The mouse also teaches us to:
- Be careful and aware, don’t be careless
like the musician-turned-mouse.
- Take good care of your family and
responsibilities, just like a mouse builds a home and protects its young.
Why Ganesha Has a
Big Belly
Ganesha’s large belly is a sign of contentment.
He accepts everything, good and bad, and digests it all calmly. It teaches us
to be patient, peaceful, and emotionally strong, no matter what life throws at
us.
He often wears a snake around his
belly like a belt. The snake is a symbol of energy, reminding us of the hidden
strength inside us, called Kundalini Shakti.
Why You Feel
Connected to Ganesha
People across the world, whether they
are children, students, businessmen, artists, or spiritual seekers, feel a
connection with Lord Ganesha. Why?
Because Ganesha is relatable. He
smiles, he blesses, he removes fears, and he gives us the strength to move
forward.
When you sit before his idol in a
temple or even look at his image in your home, something inside you feels
calmer, more confident, more hopeful.
A Real-Life
Example: A Silent Blessing
Let me share a small story. A few
years ago, I was struggling with a decision. I didn’t know what to do. Late at
night, without telling anyone, I sat in front of a small Ganesha idol and
softly chanted,
“Om Gan Ganapataye Namah – ॐ
गं गणपतये नमः”
Within minutes, my racing thoughts settled. The next morning, I had clarity.
Things began to fall into place.
That is the silent magic of Ganesha.
He may not speak to you in words, but he speaks through feelings, events, and
inner strength. He makes you strong and perseverant to achieve tasks, and that’s
why he is called the lord of success.
Part 2 of this
article- Coming Soon
What’s Next? The 32 Forms of Ganesha
We’ll explore these 32 forms and their
mantras in the next article. If you’ve ever felt stuck in life, one of these
mantras may hold the key. These are not mantras but keys to success. I will
tell you how to use these keys for different aspects of your life.
Takeaways from
This Article
Ganesha is more than a cute idol, he
is a deep symbol of life, balance, and wisdom. Every part of his form teaches
us practical lessons for daily life. He gives us strength to face challenges,
and also tests us to help us grow. His mouse companion reminds us to control
our mind and act carefully. Worshiping Ganesha is not just a ritual, it is a
way to connect with your highest self, live life like a game, enjoy it elevate spiritually
and move further.
May
Ganesha bless the readers of this article.
By Pradeep Mahaur – Pradeep Mahaur Magazine
Insights on Hindu Wisdom and Global Affairs from an Indic perspective.
Some references
Symbolism & Elephant Head
Wikipedia – Ganesha (General symbolism)
Covers his role as remover/placer of obstacles, intellect, and association with Om vedanshcraft.com+2artofliving.org+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6
Art of Living – “Understanding the Symbolism of Ganesha’s Elephant Form”
A detailed breakdown of each feature—head, ears, tusk—highlighting wisdom, focus, strength artofliving.org
Wikipedia – Mythological anecdotes of Ganesha
Origins of the elephant head from Shiva Purana, meaning of large ears, tusk symbolism en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4artofliving.org+4
Wikipedia – Ganesha (General symbolism)
Covers his role as remover/placer of obstacles, intellect, and association with Om vedanshcraft.com+2artofliving.org+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6en.wikipedia.org+6en.wikipedia.org+6
Art of Living – “Understanding the Symbolism of Ganesha’s Elephant Form”
A detailed breakdown of each feature—head, ears, tusk—highlighting wisdom, focus, strength artofliving.org
Wikipedia – Mythological anecdotes of Ganesha
Origins of the elephant head from Shiva Purana, meaning of large ears, tusk symbolism en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4artofliving.org+4
📿 Mantras & Upanishads
VedanshCraft – Powerful Ganesha Mantras
Explains popular chants like “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” and “Vakratunda Mahakaya…” linked to obstacle removal en.wikipedia.org+11vedanshcraft.com+11timesofindia.indiatimes.com+11
Wikipedia – Ganapati Atharvaśīrṣa (Upanishad)
Discusses the sacred Upanishadic hymn identifying Ganesha with Om/Brahman—pure affirmation en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4
Times of India – “Top 4 powerful Ganesha mantras…”
A recent (June 2025) summary of the most effective mantras for clarity, strength, and success timesofindia.indiatimes.com
VedanshCraft – Powerful Ganesha Mantras
Explains popular chants like “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” and “Vakratunda Mahakaya…” linked to obstacle removal en.wikipedia.org+11vedanshcraft.com+11timesofindia.indiatimes.com+11
Wikipedia – Ganapati Atharvaśīrṣa (Upanishad)
Discusses the sacred Upanishadic hymn identifying Ganesha with Om/Brahman—pure affirmation en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4
Times of India – “Top 4 powerful Ganesha mantras…”
A recent (June 2025) summary of the most effective mantras for clarity, strength, and success timesofindia.indiatimes.com
📚 Scriptures & Names
Wikipedia – Ganesha Purana
A central scripture detailing Ganesha myth, symbolism, theology, and his thousand names reddit.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9
Wikipedia – Ganesha Sahasranama
Elaborates on the compilation of 1,000 names and their spiritual significance in devotion lotussculpture.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4
Wikipedia – Ganesha Purana
A central scripture detailing Ganesha myth, symbolism, theology, and his thousand names reddit.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9en.wikipedia.org+9
Wikipedia – Ganesha Sahasranama
Elaborates on the compilation of 1,000 names and their spiritual significance in devotion lotussculpture.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4
🌍 Cultural & Cross‑Religious References
-
Wikipedia – Ganesha in world religions
Highlights comparisons like Janus of Rome, showing Ganesha’s universal archetype as a guardian of beginnings en.wikipedia.org
🗣 Community Insight
-
Reddit – r/hinduism discussion on Ganesha symbolism
Community explanation discussing tusks, arms, mouse, hiss tellingly:
“…The large elephant head … symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect…” artofliving.org+2reddit.com+2vedanshcraft.com+2
Decoding Ganesha’s Symbols and Powers, Spiritual Significance of Ekadanta, Vakratunda, Mooshak, How Ganesha Teaches Life Lessons through Mythology, Ganesha Worship Guide for Daily Life and Festivals, Ancient Hindu Wisdom through Lord Ganesha
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