Glory of Lord Ganesh
Ganesha is honored all over India as the kind and wise god. Hindus pray to him before starting any work to remove obstacles, earning him the name ‘Vighneswara’. He is always called upon at the start of ceremonies and pujas. Also known as ‘Ganapati’, he was made the leader of the Ganas by Siva and Parvati. Sage Vyasa honored Ganesha by reciting his sixteen names before beginning the Skandam. They are: ‘Sumukhan, Ekadantan, Kapilan, Gajakarnan, Lambodaran, Vikatan, Vighnarajan, Vinayakan, Dhumaketu, Ganadhyakshan, Phalachandran, Gajanan, Vakratundan, Surpakarnan, Heramban, and Skanda Purvajan.’
Sri Ganesha has shrines even in the remote villages of South India. In most of the images of Ganesha, the trunk is turned towards the left side. According to the South Indian tradition, Ganesha is represented as a celibate but is shown in the company of His consorts in the North. They are Siddhi, personification of success and Buddhi, symbol of wisdom. He is worshipped in many forms.
The worship of Ganapati has become very popular now-a-days. Ganesh puja is performed with great devotion and enthusiasm by Hindus throughout India. ‘Vinayaka Chaturthi’ festival is celebrated with great eclat throughout India in the month of Bhadrapada, usually in September. The temples as well as the temporary structures dedicated to the deity that come up in all the streets are brilliantly lit, attracting large crowds. The huge processions during the immersion (Nimajjanam) mark a sense of unity among the Hindus. According to legends, Ganesha Himself wrote the great Epic ‘Maha Bharata’ to the dictation of sage Vyasa.
Lisen to Ganesh Suprabatham
The glorious forms of Lord Ganesha are
Bala Ganapati: Seated on a lotus, He has four hands holding a banana, mango, sugar cane and jackfruit, all representing the earth’s abundance.
Taruna Ganapati: The youthful Ganapati is in a sitting posture with eight hands. His bright red color reflects the blossoming of youth.
Bhakta Ganapati: With four hands He shines like the full moon. Bhakta Ganapati is seen holding a banana, a mango, coconut and a bowl of sweet payasa pudding.
Vira Ganapati: Red in colour, He is in a standing posture with 16 arms. The commanding warrior is seen with various weapons.
Shakti Ganapati: With four hands, He is in a sitting pose with a consort on His left thigh. Powerful and assuring, He allays fears with this posture.
Dvija Ganapati: Four-headed and four-armed, He is moon-like in appearance. He is adorned with ornaments in his hands.
Siddhi Ganapati: He is a symbol of confidence and accomplishment. His colour is golden yellow and He is seen holding a bouquet of flowers, axe, mango and sugarcane.
Uchchishta Ganapati: He is the Lord of offerings. Blue in colour, He has six hands. His consort is seated on his left thigh.
Vighna Ganapati: Having eight hands, brilliant goldcoloured, He is adorned with ornaments. Kshipra Ganapati: Red-hued, four-armed, He is a giver of boons.
Heramba Ganapati: Seated on a lion He has five heads with ten hands. His posture is one of offering safety and protection.
Lakshmi Ganapati: With eight hands, He is seen with two consorts. He is the embodiment of wisdom and achievement. His colour is white and He is known to grant boons.
Maha Ganapati: He is red-hued having three eyes. He has His consort seated on His left thigh and the Moon on His head.
Vijaya Ganapati: A bestower of success, He is robust and resourceful. He is red in colour with four hands. He is seen riding a mouse.
Nritya Ganapati: Yellow in colour and joyful in appearance, He is seen in a dancing posture under a kalpavriksha tree.
Urdhva Ganapati: With six hands He is of golden hue. His consort is seated on His left thigh.
Ekakshara Ganapati: Having four hands and three eyes, He is red-complexioned. He is seen in a lotus pose on a Mushika.
Varada Ganapati: Four-armed and three-eyed, He is a boon giver. He is seen with a consort named ‘Pushti Devi.’ He holds a pot filled with jewels in his trunk.
Tryakshara Ganapati: The Lord of three letters, He is of golden hue having four hands. He is the embodiment of the sacred word, AUM.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati: He has six hands and three eyes. He is of red colour and is seated on a grass throne.
Haridra Ganapati: With four hands, He is of yellow colour assuring and protecting His devotees.
Ekadanta Ganapati: With single tusk His form is marked by blue colour with four hands.
Srishti Ganapati: Lord of happiness and success, He is of red complexion riding on his friendly mouse.
Uddanda Ganapati: With ten hands His posture is one of assertiveness enforcing dharma. He is red in colour. His consort is seated on the left thigh.
Rinamochana Ganapati: A liberator, He has four hands. He is of crystal colour and dressed in red.
The practice of people making and worshipping Ganesha idols made of PoP, different chemicals and colours causes enormous damage to ecological balance. Especially after the Ganesha idol immersion that normally takes place on the ninth day, the tanks, lakes, rivers and other water bodies are contaminated. These are nonbiodegradable and hence pollute the waters and harm aqua life. It adds to the woes of already depleting water resources. Such environmental pollution is still widespread as the practice of making PoP idols is followed in many places. However, with the efforts of environmentalists and social awareness groups, this is being replaced with making clay idols of Ganesha. Eco friendly clay idols will not pose any danger to the natural surroundings, and the benefits of this practice need to be propagated on a large scale.
Leaves used for Ganesh Pooja
The twenty one leaves hold a unique significance and purpose in Ganesha Pooja. By offering these twenty one leaves to Lord Ganesha, devotees seek His divine blessings for wisdom, success, and the removal of obstacles in their lives. Here we are giving the leaf name along with medicinal value.
1. Machi Patram – (Davana): Treats skin diseases.
2. Bruhati Patram – (Dorali): It relieves joint pains.
3. Bilva Patram – (Bela) : All parts of this tree’s leaves, fruit, stem, and roots are used as medicine to cure various diseases.
4. Doorvayugmam – (Doorva) : Doorva helps to arrest bleeding and anemia.
5. Dhattura Patram – (Dhotara) : It works as an antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory.
6. Badari Patram – (Bora): It treats Laryngitis, cough, digestive disorders, wounds, and injuries.
7. Apamarga Patram – (Aaghada) : It treats digestive disorders, poisonous bites, asthma. Improves digestion and metabolism.
8. Tulasi Patram – (Tulas) : It is one of the best antiviral herbs. It is an antimicrobial and anti-toxic.
9. Chootha Patram – (Aamba) : It treats diabetes, heartburn, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin discoloration. It also acts as a good energizer and stimulant.
10. Karaveera Patram – (Kanheri) : This is a toxic herb and it is used for external applications.
11. Vishnukranta Patram – (Shankhapushpi) : Used to treat brain and nervous system-related disorders.
12. Daadimee Patram – (Dalimb) : It treats dysentery, food poisoning, diarrhea, and acidity-related disorders
13. Devadaru Patram – (Devadar) : It treats skin diseases, wounds, injuries, headaches, arthritis, mastitis, and stiffness.
14. Maruvaka Patram – (Murva) : It treats skin diseases and stops abnormal menstrual flow. 15. Sindhuvara Patram – (Nirgundi) : It treats Vatarelated problems, used as anti-poisonous drugs, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and grey hair.
16. Jaati Patram – (Chameli) : It treats skin diseases, wounds, mouth-related problems, indigestion, erectile dysfunction, gingivitis, and eye diseases.
17. Gandaki Patram – (Kanchanar) : Used to treat heart-related diseases, piles, skin diseases, and cervical lymphadenitis.
18. Shamee Patram – (Shami) : It treats mouth ulcers, joint pains, diarrhea, itching skin diseases, scorpion bites, wounds, bleeding disorders, and repeated abortion.
19. Ashwathha Patram – (Pimpal) : It treats joint swelling, pain, pimples, bleeding and wounds. Its bark is used in the preparation of many medicines.
20. Arjuna Patram – (Arjun) : It treats joint pains, heart diseases, wound and septic conditions, fractures, chronic respiratory disorders, and tuberculosis.
21. Arka / Mandar patram – (Rui) : It treats poisonous bites, wounds, injuries, leprosy, tumors, joint pains.
