The Powerful Elements Of Lord Ganesh-Part 2
June 3, 2007
The significance and symbolic interpretations of every element of our Lord helps to understand Him. It is for us to learn, understand and hopefully imbibe some of His attributes and get closer to Him.
The Head:
Lord Ganesh’s head symbolizes the soul and also denotes wisdom. When the sacred symbol of Om is inverted, it gives the perfect formation of His head. Ganesh is depicted with several heads and each of them signifies different understandings which help in the attainment of Ganesh consciousness.
Dwimukha Ganesh:
Dwi means two and Mukha stands for head / face. These two heads signify the microcosmic and macrocosmic aspects of the Universe. It also denotes Brahmanda, which is known as the cosmic egg or the golden matrix, Hiranyagarbha. It is the source of all creations.
Trimukha Ganesh:
This three-headed form represents the three states of being called the Gunas (Qualities and Attributes). They are Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Sattva is the mode of goodness and equilibrium, Rajas denotes passion, effort and action or activity and Tamas depicts ignorance, lack of action or inertia. In its purest state, the mind is pure Sattva and the two sources of mental disturbances are Rajas (Excess activity) and Tamas (Inactivity).
Chaturmukha Ganesh:
The four-headed Lord Ganesh represents Manas (Mind), Chitta (Individual Consciousness), Buddhi (Intellect) and Ahamkara (Ego). These are also used to name His arms. This form is compared with that of Lord Brahma who also has four heads and they represent the four Vedas – Rig Veda, Vajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda.
Panchamukha Ganesh:
These five heads of Ganesh symbolize the five elements – Maha Bhuta namely earth, air, water, fire, and ether. The fifth head is located above the four heads and it denotes the highest level of pure consciousness or Sat- Chit-Ananda or Anandamayakosha.
The Eyes:
Man and animal both perceive their environment through their eyes. They are able to see things as they are. The animal that lacks this capacity is the elephant. It sees everything bigger than itself. This implies that one should not discriminate, but regard everyone bigger, better and more virtuous than oneself. Sometimes Lord Ganesh is depicted as red-eyed because He killed the demon, Sindhura. (Sindhur denotes vermilion) Trinetra (A third eye which is placed on His forehead between the eyebrows) is seen in His other forms.
The Trunk:
The elephant uses its trunk for various tasks like carrying load, uprooting trees, to pick thin blades of grass or fruits from trees. Thus the trunk has the unique capacity of performing both gross and subtle activities. This is a symbolic representation of Lord Ganesh’s intellect and His powers of discrimination. We too should train our minds to handle both big and small challenges of life.
The dangling trunk between the tusks signifies the discrimination between the worldly and the spiritual matters. But the Lord is beyond dualities.The deity’s trunk when curved to the left side, He is known as Idamburi Vinayaka and when on the right, He is known as Valamburi / Valampuri Vinayaka. The Siddhivinayak Swaroop (Form) has the trunk on the right.
The positioning of the trunk is associated with the Nadis (It means what is flowing through the channels of the body). Ida Nadi is associated with the moon and symbolizes the trunk placed on the left side. This denotes the guna of Tamas. While performing Puja (Rituals for prayers / Method of worshipping) of Idamburi Vinayaka, the rules are simple and if one is not able to follow the accurate and detailed mode of worship, one is pardoned. Pingala Nadi is associated with the sun and the trunk here is placed on the right. Special care is taken when one offers puja to Valamburi / Valampuri Vinayaka. This represents the Rajas guna.
Usually people do not consecrate the deity of Valamburi / Valampuri Vinayaka at home as all are not able to perform His worship as per scriptures. It is said that if the rules are not followed correctly then the heat and brightness of the sun can affect the worshipper. So it is best left in the hands of knowledgeable priests. When the trunk is in the centre between His tusks, it symbolizes that the Sushumna Nadi is open. This nadi is related to the Sattva Guna. Such idols are very rare. The deity’s trunk when raised in the air, it means that the Kundalini Shakti has reached the Sahasra permanently. This form is fairly uncommon.
Kundalini literally means coiling like a snake. The energy and consciousness moves in a spiraling motion situated at the base of our spine. There are seven chakras (Energy Points). It starts at the Muladhara Chakra at the base of the spinal column, near the anus, passing through five other chakra namely Svadisthana-placed a little above the point of origin, Manipura – located at the gastric plexus, Anahata-situated on the level of the heart plexus, Vishuddhi-placed at the throat level, Ajna located on the forehead and finally Sahasrara at the top of the head. Lord Ganesh is the controller of the Muladhara chakra and governs the power or Shakti that is dormant.
Other interpretations state that the positioning of His trunk on the left denotes success and symbolizes Grihasthas (The Householder. In Hinduism, human life is classified into four Ashramas or stages. Brahmacharya is the stage where one studies scriptures under a guidance of a Guru and leads a celibate life. In Grihasta Ashrama, one marries and leads a householder’s life. In Vanaprastha Ashrama, one completes all his duties as a son / husband / father and leaves to spend a life in the forest which involves in meditation. The final Ashrama is Sanyasa where one severes all ties with the material world and works towards spiritual enhancement to achieve salvation.) The trunk on the right denotes worship and prayers symbolizing Moksha (Liberation) and renunciation of the world.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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6 Responses to “The Powerful Elements Of Lord Ganesh-Part 2”
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I would like to know about lord Ganesha’s trunk. The right side means is it the right hand side of Lord or who is looking the idol of lord his/her right hand side?
Hi Sudip,
When in doubt, look at the form of Lord Ganesh in his Siddhivinayak Swaroop. That form has the trunk different from all the usual forms. Our left is the Lord’s right
Hi Nayna,
Thanks for your reply. My problem is that which types of Ganesha I will place at my residence? The trunk is in left side of the idol or my left side of the idol?
or the picture of idol is in this page is Idamburi Ganesha?
Hello Sudip,
Please don’t get stressed over buying an idol of Lord Ganesh. Idols are available anywhere and everywhere. You can even buy an idol in silver or in marble, jade, onyx. Most idols have the trunk positioned in Idamburi style. If you are still worried of making a mistake, then select a stylized form or even purchase the form where the trunk is in the centre. If you are going to keep the idol in your puja/pooja room, then you can choose the Vinaharta form as well. Pay close attention, whenever you make a purchase that the Lord’s Vahan, Moushak or mouse is within the design and prominently visible. Many stylized idol makers don’t pay attention to such details. And yes, this image of the idol in the post is Idamburi Ganesh.
Take a look at one of our previous post, it will give you a fair idea http://nayna.in/blog/divine-grace/the-avatars-of-lord-ganesh/
Please help
Two years ago i bought a gold idol of goddess laxmi and lord ganesh seated together ,but i just realized today that the trunk is to lord ganesh’s right, just like Siddhivinayak swaroop.
what should i do??
please help????