Sanatan Sanstha

Campaign for awareness of spiritually
correct way of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi

Interesting facts about Lord Ganesh

Ganapati's Names and their Meanings

Origin and meaning of name Ganapati

Gana + pati = Ganapati. Pati is the nurturer.

    The various meanings of gana are as follows.
According to Maharshi Panini: Gana is a collection of the eight vasus. The word vasu refers to direction, the guardian deity or the deity of the directions (dikpal or dikdev). Ganapati is the master (swami) of the directions. Other deities cannot reach the place of worship in any direction without His permission. Hence, any auspicious occasion or ritualistic worship (puja) of any deity is commenced with the ritualistic worship of Lord Ganapati. Once, Ganapati clears the directions, the deity one is worshipping can manifest itself there. This is also referred as Mahadvarpujan or Mahaganapatipujan.
According to Sanskrutkosh: Gana means a pure spiritual particle (pavitrak). Hence, Ganapati is the master of pure particles.
According to Nighantukosh: Gana is the collection of tiryak(raja) or visphutit (tama) frequencies which are harmful to animate creation. The one controlling them is Ganapati. There are total 360 frequencies traveling continuously through the eight directions. The collection of these frequencies is referred to as gana. Sage Hiranyagarbha was the exponent of these frequencies.

Some other Names
1. Vakratunda: Generally vakratunda implies a crooked mouth or trunk. However, this is incorrect. 'Vakran tundayati iti Vakratund' means Vakratunda is the one who punishes those who follow the wrong (unrighteous) path and leads them to the righteous path. The one who straightens the acute (tiryak) raja-tama predominant 360 frequencies and makes them sattvik (sattva predominant) like the 108 frequencies by means of His trunk.
2. Ekadanta or Ekashrunga: This Name is bestowed because He has only one unbroken tooth (the other is broken). It is symbolic of the singular Brahman. The word dantin is derived from the root dru- darshayati (to show). Thus the name also means He is the one who shows the direction to acquire the spiritual experience of the sole Brahman which is non-dual.
3. Krushnapingaksha: this word is derived from Krushna + pinga + aksh. Krushna means the one with a dark complexion, pinga means smoky and aksha means the eye. Dark complexion is in the context to the earth while smoky refers to the clouds. Thus it means the one who has the earth and clouds as the eyes, that is the one who can view everything on the earth and in the clouds.
4. Gajavaktra: Gaja means clouds. He is considered the representative of the dyu region (dev lok) the region of the deities. Vaktrat means mouth. Thus Gajavaktrat is the vast one whose mouth constitutes the dyu region. If (symbol Om) is placed vertically then one gets the experience of Gajavadan. The Mudgal Puran has explained the meaning of the word gaja as ga = the principle from which everything undergoes dissolution and ja = the principle from which everything is created. So Gaja means Brahman.
5. Lambodar: Lambodar is derived from lamba (large) and udar (belly). Saint Eknath has explained the meaning of this word as,
  The entire visible and invisible creation dwells in You.
Hence You are called Lambodar.
 
 - Shri Eknathi Bhagvat 1:3
6. Vikat: Vi + krut +akat (akuti). Vi means in a specific manner, krut means done and akat means the Final Liberation (Moksha). Hence, Vikat means the one who generates frequencies in a specific manner and endows the Final Liberation (Moksha). Hence, vikat means the one who generates frequencies in a specific manner and endows the Final Liberation.
7. Vighnesh: Vighna + ish = Vighnesh. The one who controls and destroys obstacles is Vighnesh. Obstacle in this context is, being entrapped by the 360 (raja-tama) and 108 (sattva) frequencies. This is contrary to the target of going beyond the three components (trigunatit). Ish is derived from i + sh - ikshate means to look at and sh - shamayate means to cool. So ish is the one who destroys the heat generated by these 360 and 108 frequencies. Vighnaharta is another Name of Ganapati.
8. Dhumravarna: Dhumra means smoke. Smoke is the first state of materialization. It is the transitory state between the solid manifest (sagun) and the unmanifest (nirgun) states. Thus one who possesses such a smoky complexion is Dhumravarna. According to the rule that, 'there is no smoke without fire' Ganapati also possesses the fire element [live coals (angar)].
9. Bhalachandra: Bhal refers to the part of the head above the eyebrows. The frequencies arising from Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Minakshi merge into each other and produce many groups of thousands of frequencies. Prajapati, Shiva, Vishnu and Minakshi are unmanifest (nirgun); however Their frequencies are not. Amongst these the point of origin of the three frequencies namely those of affection, mercifulness and motherly love is referred to as the moon (chandra). Thus the one who adorns such a 'moon' on the forehead is Bhalchandra. Actually this is Lord Shankar's Name. But since Ganapati is His son it is also linked with Him.
10. Vinayak: This word is derived from 'visheshrupen nayakaha'. This means the one who is endowed with all the features of a leader. 'It is universally accepted that there are six Vinayaks. The summary of information on Vinayaks given in the Manavgruhyasutra and Boudhayangruhyasutra is that the Vinayak attendants (Vinayak ganas) are destructive, troublesome and cruel. When they start harassing one begins to behave like an insane man. One has horrifying nightmares and is constantly fearful. To overcome this obstacle of the Vinayak attendants, the scriptures have advocated various rituals (Shantividhi). Vinayak, that is Ganapati is the presiding deity of these Vinayaks.'
11. Gajanan: Gaja means elephant and anan means face. The one with a face like that of an elephant (and a body which constitutes the entire universe).
12. Vratapati: 'In Ganapatyatharvashirsha Ganapati is offered salutation as "Namo Vratapataye". Vratapati is the chief of the vratyas. The Aryans bestowed this name on that group of non-Aryans who favoured vowed religious observances (vrats) without believing in sacrificial fires (yadnyas). The people belonging to this group are vrats. "Vrat iva vratyaha". A twice born (dvij) without any sanskars (rites) performed on him is also called vratya.'
13. Chintamani: 'Chintamani is another Name of Lord Ganapati. An extroverted tendency (kshipta), a more extroverted tendency which may even lead to sin (mudha), an introverted tendency (vikshipta), a more introverted tendency (ekagra) and a state in which all activities have ceased (niruddha) are the five states of the subconscious mind (chitta). [Information on this is provided in 'Science of Spirituality : Chapter 36 - Path of Meditation (Dhyanyoga)']. The one who enlightens on these states is Chintamani. The theory according to Mudgal Puran is that by devotion unto Chintamani, the five states of the subconscious mind are destroyed and total Serenity (Shanti) is acquired.'
14. Mangalmurti : 'Man' means complete and glu-gayate means the one endowing Serenity or purity. That which purifies both internally as well as externally is auspicious (mangal). An image bringing auspiciousness is thus Mangalmurti.In Maharashtra 'Mangalmurti morya' is used to proclaim Ganapati's glory. The word morya in it refers to a famous devotee of Lord Ganesh in the fourteenth century called Morya Gosavi, from Chinchvad, near Pune. This depicts the inseparable relationship between God and a devotee.
15. Umaphal: Uma is Parvati; phal means product. Ganapati acquires this Name as He is the product, that is son of Parvati. Umaphal also means spiritual knowledge (dnyan). Ganapati is the deity of spiritual knowledge. So this Name befits Him in both ways.
16. Vidyapati : Shri Ganesh is the master of the 18 vidyas -
1. The science of proper articulation and pronunciation (shiksha)
2. Science of rituals (kalpa)
3. Grammar (vyakaran)
4. Etymological explanation of difficult Vedic words (nirukta)
5. Astrology (jyotiish)
6. The science of prosody (Chandas)
7. The Rugveda
8. The Yajurveda
9. The Samaveda
10. The Atharvaveda
11. The Purva-Uttarmimmansa (concerned with the correct interpretation of Vedic rituals and the settlement of dubious points with regard to Vedic texts)
12. A system of Hindu philosophy founded by Sage Goutam (nyaya)
13. The Purans
14. The science of righteous conduct (dharmashastra)
15. Ayurveda
16. Dhanurveda
17. Gandharvaveda
18. The science of ethics or morality (nitishastra)
     Hence before beginning the study of any of these or in the ritual performed for their study, the ritualistic worship of Shri Ganesh is important.
17. Brahmanspati : The Vedas are referred to as Brahman. They may also be termed as Vedabrahman. Ganesh is the master of the mantras in these Vedas. Hence He is called Brahmanspati.

Special Features
The one who converts the language of light (prakashbhasha) into the language of sound (nadabhasha)
     Since Ganapati can comprehend the language of sound He is able to understand what one speaks, hence He is a deity who is easily appeased. Ganapati is the deity who converts the language of sound into light and vice versa. Most other deities can understand only the language of light. Some examples with regard to this are given in the table below.

The deity
The ability to comprehend the language of light (%)
The ability to comprehend the language of sound (%)
1. Brahma
98
2
2. Vishnu
80
20
3. Mahesh
80
20
4. Shakti
70
30
5. Ganapati
60
40

Importance of ‘Shri Ganeshaya namaha’ at the beginning of a letter
     There was an ancient custom of writing, ‘||Shri Ganeshaya namaha||’, ‘||Shri Saraswatyai namaha||’, ‘||Shri Gurubhyo namaha||’ at the beginning of a letter or anything other article. Why this particular sequence?
 We understand anything first through the intellect and Lord Ganesh is the Bestower of Intellect (Buddhidata). Hence, ‘||Shri Ganeshaya namaha||’ should be written first.
It is Goddess Saraswati’s role to put into words the Knowledge gained through the intellect. Hence, ‘||Shri Saraswatyai namaha||’ should be written next.
The Guru Himself acts as the medium for gaining Knowledge and putting it into words. Hence, ‘||Shri Gurubhyo namaha||’ should be written third.
    For instance, Sage Vyas needed an author with a sattvik and sharp intellect to write the epic, Mahabharat. Hence, He prayed to Lord Ganesh to be the author.

Since Ganapati gets rid of obstacles He is worshipped before any religious, auspicious ceremony is performed. On account of this attribute He is worshipped before commencing any function from a folk dance for entertainment to a wedding and all rituals including house-warming (gruhapravesh).
     When Ganapati is worshipped as a part of other ritualistic worship and rituals instead of using an idol, a betel nut is placed on a mound of rice and Ganapati is invoked there. In south Konkan in Maharashtra, India, a coconut is used in lieu of a betel nut. Chanting the mantra 'Om bhutburvaha svaha Mahaganapataye namaha' ritualistic worship with sixteen substances (shodashopchar puja) is performed.
    After the religious ceremony for which the ritualistic worship is being performed is completed, the idol of Ganapati is immersed. For small auspicious ceremonies ritualistic worship is not performed, only the deity is contemplated upon. The mantra used in the process is -
  Vakratunda Mahakay kotisuryasamaprabha
Nirvignam Kuru me deva Sarva Karyeshu sarvadaa ||

Meaning: 'O Lord ! You who possess a crooked trunk, a fat body, who is endowed with the luster of a million suns, may all my actions be free of obstacles.'

According to the science of Spirituality, when arranging the altar, the picture or statue of Lord Ganapati should be kept at the center, with the pictures of the male deities to its right and that of the female deities to the left.
     For spiritual progress, frequencies of peace and Bliss and not that of energy (shakti) are desirable. Hence, even while performing ritualistic worship (puja), which is the first step of spiritual practice on the Path of Devotion, all details, such as arrangement of the altar should be so as to achieve peaceful and Blissful vibrations. The above mentioned arrangement of the altar ensures frequencies of peace and Bliss due to the following reasons:
  Worship of Lord Ganapati activates both the Sun channel (Surya Nadi) and the Moon channel (Chandra Nadi) of the spiritual energy flow system (Kundalini) of the deity. The Sun channel is on the right side of the deity and the Moon channel on the left. The Sun channel has action promoting (rajasik) spiritual energy, flowing through it, while the Moon channel has soothing (sattvik) spiritual energy flowing through it.
  Female deities have more manifest energy than male deities do. Hence, when the pictures or statues of female deities are placed to the left side of Lord Ganesh's picture/statue, the former's manifest energy is balanced by the soothing energy of the Moon channel of Lord Ganapati. Similarly, when the pictures or statues of male deities are placed to the right of Lord Ganapati's picture/statue, the active (rajasik) energy of the latter's (Lord Ganapati's) Sun channel is balanced by the (mostly) unmanifest and peaceful energy of the male deities. Thus, the overall energy emitted from the altar is soothing and Blissful in nature, aiding the worshipper's spiritual progress to the next level of spiritual practice

Sacred to all the sects: 'A sect is one which considers only its deity of worship (upasyadevata) as supreme and believes that it is responsible for the creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe. It does not believe in other deities'. Inspite of the existence of several sects, every sect including the Jain sect performs the ritualistic worship of Ganesh.

One who increases the vital energy (pranshakti)
     Various functions in human body are governed by certain energies. Among them the main energy is the vital energy. Chanting the Name of Ganapati helps in increasing that energy.

The principle, ability and manifest energy
The principle: 70% (Isham = 100%)
The ability: Creation 10%, sustenance 70% and dissolution 20%
The manifest energy: 10%

Family members: According to the Purans, since Shiva-Parvati are His parents, Ganesh frequencies are generated by the confluence of the radiant (tej) frequencies emitted by Shiva and Minakshi.

The vehicle (vahan): The word vahan is derived from the word vru-vaha which means to transport. The vehicles of deities change according to their mission. The vehicle used by Ganapati mostly is the rat. But He has other vehicles as well. Aa+ vahan =aavahan, which means to invoke. A deity does not manifest without an invocation that is an invitation. (However, if a devotee is in distress then it rushes to his rescue even without an invitation!). Thus when a deity is invoked to carry out a mission, the vehicle should complement that mission, for instance, a lion for battle.
    The table below gives vehicle and the special features of various idols of Ganapati according to the yug (era).

Yug
Vehicle
Special Feature of Ganapati's idol
1. Krut (Satya) Lion Ten arms
2. Treta Peacock Six arms
3. Dvapar Rat -
4. Kali Rat Fair complexion

   [Note: Vehicles of deities are not real; they are the gross forms of the energy of a deity used by it to travel from one place to another. This is akin to a female deity (devi) being the gross form of the energy of a male deity. Actually, deities can travel anywhere by a mere resolve (sankalpa). They do not require vehicles.]

Ganapati according to numerology (Sankyashastra)
    According to the Samamudgal Ganeshsukta, Ganapati is made up of the numbers 1 and 3. Their meanings are given below.

A. 1 means the root or spiritual experience and 3 means the creator, sustainer and destroyer. Such a deity which is the creator, sustainer and destroyer and which endows spiritual experiences is Ganapati.
B. 1 means Brahman, 2 means the Great Illusion (Maya) and 3 means nescience (avidya). Ganapati is the one who brings 3 that is ignorance to the state of 1 that is Brahman.
C. 1 means one dimension, 3 means the pruthvi (absolute earth) element having three dimensions. The one leading from three dimensions to one. In Spirituality, one aims at going from 'many to one'.

    The figure of Lord Ganapati with numbers 1 and 3 is drawn as follows. Only the trunk is drawn with number 1. All the other organs are drawn with number 3.

Festivals related to Lord Ganesh - Chaturthi

1. History: The day on which Ganesh frequencies reached the earth for the first time, that is the day on which Ganesh was born is called the fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of Magh according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Since then an association between Ganapati and chaturthi has been established.
2. Importance
A. Since the frequencies of Ganapati and those of the earth on the date (tithi) of chaturthi match, they favour each other. This implies that on that date more frequencies of Ganapati reach the earth.
B. Chaturthi means turyavastha, a state beyond the state of waking (jagruti), dream (svapna) and deep sleep (sushupti), the target of a seeker.
C. Prohibition of looking at the moon : Looking at the moon is prohibited on this day because the moon is the cause of the mind, that is it provokes the mind to operate. The seeker wants thoughtlessness. Just as in the constellation of planets the moon is unstable as it has phases of waxing and waning so also in the mental body, the mind is unstable. Looking at the moon increases the instability of the mind by 1/1 lakh times. When the mind becomes thoughtless one acquires the turyavastha. On sankashti after doing spiritual practice the whole day, the moon is viewed at night. It is a sort of indication for the mind to return to the usual state after doing spiritual practice that day.
    The story connected to this in the Purans (mythological texts) goes thus. Once the moon ridiculed Ganapati saying, 'What a big belly You have, Your ears are like sifting pans, that trunk is weird and those eyes are so tiny !' So, Ganapati cursed him, 'Henceforth no one shall look at your face. Whoever does will be accused of theft'. Accordingly everyone would avoid the moon. So it could not go anywhere. Living in seclusion is very difficult. Hence, it appeased Ganapati by performing austerities and pleaded for a mitigation of the curse. 'When reducing the intensity of a curse, the main curse should not be destroyed. Both the curse and its mitigation should be present in certain proportions. It is not befitting for Me to destroy a curse given by Me completely.' Thinking thus Ganapati mitigated the curse saying, 'None shall look at you on the day of Ganesh chaturthi. However on sankashti chaturthi no meal shall be eaten without looking at you.'
3. Types: The fourth day (chaturthi) in the bright fortnight of each Hindu lunar month is called vinayaki and that in the dark fortnight is called sankashti.
A. Vinayaki : The ritualistic worship on this day does not include viewing the moon and worshipping it unlike sankashti. On the day of vinayaki one fasts the whole day through and ends the fast the next day. The deity of this vowed religious observance is 'Shri Siddhivinayak'. Vinayaki is performed for well-being and prosperity.
B. Sankashti : On this day, one should fast the whole day. In the evening after a bath one should make preparations for ritualistic worship of Shri Ganapati. In the night after looking at the moon either an idol of Ganapati or a betelnut placed on a mound of consecrated rice (akshata) symbolic of Ganapati should be worshipped with sixteen substances (shodashopachar puja). Twenty-one rounds (avartans) of Atharvashirsha should be recited. The moon should be paid obeisance after giving an offering and sprinkling sandalwood paste (gandha), flowers and consecrated rice in its direction. On the day of chaturthi the offering should be made in a circular, shelving metal dish (tamhan). Finally only after the offering of food, which consists of five delicacies (mahanaivedya) is done, one should eat. The deity of this vowed religious observance is 'Shri Vighnavinayak'.
    Sankashta means sankat (crisis). 360 different frequencies are emitted from the core of the earth. These surround the body and thus slow down the body processes. This itself is called a 'sankat'. In the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month these 360 frequencies are more active. This obstructs the flow of energy in the channels (nadis) in the body. Sankasht is performed to overcome this crisis. Ganapati controls the 360 frequencies. Hence by His worship one is released from the bondage of these 360 frequencies.
C. Angaraki : The chaturthi which falls on Tuesday is called angaraki. Angaraki means the planet Mangal (Mars) or the earth (bhumi). Ganapati is the presiding deity of Mangal just as He is of the earth. Ganapati and Mangal both have the same complexion. On the day of angaraki Ganesh frequencies reach the earth in greater quantities. The Ganesh frequencies from Mangal too reach the earth. Consequently most of the frequencies coming from the moon are destroyed. Hence the benefit obtained by performing 'angarika vinayaki' and 'angarika sankashti' is equivalent to a series of vinayakis and sankashtis performed in a year.
    Angaraki is not a vowed religious observance like others performed throughout the day and night. It is an observance composed of five prahars (one prahar is a period of about three hours), four during the day and one at night. According to the ritual, a meal should be taken at moonrise. Thus that meal becomes a part of the ritual and is not partaken of to end the fast.

Some special points regarding recitation of Atharvashirsha

Note: A recitation of the Atharvashirsha can be downloaded from the audio downloads page.

    Tharva means hot, atharva means cool and shirsha means head. Thus Atharvashirsha is that recitation by means of which one acquires mental peace. Sage Mudgal, a disciple of Bhagvan Sage Jaimini from the Samaveda branch wrote the 'Sammudgal Ganeshsukta'. Thereafter Sage Mudgal's disciple Sage Ganak wrote the 'Ganapati Atharvashiriha'. In most mantras meditation on the deity that is description of its idol precedes its praise. In the Atharvashiriha however it is the reverse.
    Recitation of the Atharvashiriha: When reciting this verse the following suggestions should be considered.

1. The pronunciation should be correct and one should concentrate on the meaning.
2. The recitation of the verse should be very slow and in one rhythm.
3. When it is to be recited more than once it should be recited only upto 'Varadmurtaye namaha'. The recitation of the benefits obtained from it, which follows later, should be done only after the last round (avartan). Similarly, instead of chanting the Shantimantra each time before the reading it should be chanted only once, in the beginning.
4. Twenty-one rounds of this verse constitute one consecration by sprinkling with water (abhiihek).
5. One should bathe before beginning recitation of the verse.
6. Instead of a wooden seat (pat), a folded washed cloth, deerskin, a woolen blanket or a grass mat (darbhasan) should be used.
7. A simple sitting posture should be adopted so that one does not have to change it till the entire recitation is complete.
8. Excluding the south, one can sit facing any direction.
9. One should sit in an erect posture, without bending the back.
10. Before commencing the recitation obeisance should be offered to one's parents and Guru.
11. If possible, before commencing the recitation one should worship Lord Ganapati and offer Him consecrated rice (akshata), durva, shami and red flowers. If ritualistic worship is not possible then one should at least meditate on Him for a minute, offer obeisance and then begin the recitation.
12. To avoid mistakes in pronunciation of the verse one should learn it from one well versed in it.
13. When reciting the verse one should look at an idol of Ganapati or Om as it facilitates development of concentration.
[back to top]

Links