Ganesh Bhagavan – Panch-tattva Dev

All forms of life comprise the five natural elements (Panch Mahabhuta), namely Air, Water, Earth, Ether and Fire. They provide the foundation for the physical world. These five elements or tattvas combine together to create a balance in Nature, which ultimately helps in the creation and sustenance of life. Any kind of disharmony may lead to a catastrophe.

There is a direct relationship between these elements and the functioning of the body. The elements are in the body in their subtle forms and their energy or natural power provides sustenance for the body. When these tattvas are in balance, man is able to function at his highest level as a human being.

The nature of the elements are as follows:

1. Aakash     ether                  space, purity                                Ajna Chakra
2. Vayu          wind                   lightness                                     Anaahat Chakra
3. Agni           fire                      fiery                                            Manipur chakra
4. Jal             water                   suppleness, fluidity                     Swadishthaan chakra
5. Prithivi         earth                 grounded, firmness                         Mulaadhaara chakra

Bhagavan Himself is said to be the manifestation of these elements. The Shri Ganapati Atharvasheersha, one of the most widely-recited stotras among devotees of Bhagavan Ganesh, reveals the nature of this deity as having all Divine forms within Himself, the embodiment of the ultimate Brahman. In this stotra Ganeshji is said to be the creator, sustainer and destroyer of the universe. He is the manifestation of the three planes of existence: Bhu (earth), Bhuvah (intermediate sphere) and Svah (heavens). The expression, ‘Idam Sarvam’ – You alone are all this’ sums it up. Indeed, Bhagavan Ganesh is the all-pervading reality.

This is reflected in His many names which are a reflection of the multiplicity of the roles he plays and the countless attributes accorded Him. To many devotees He is the Lord of obstacles, the Lord of beginnings, the bestower of knowledge, the Lord of auspiciousness, the Lord of all created beings and much more.

Among the various analogies and representations of Bhagavan Ganesh, the geometrical configuration of the five tattvas is one form that portrays the all-encompassing Supreme Being. It reveals His nature as Brahman. In this form Bhagavan Ganesh is known as Panch-tattva Dev, God of the five elements. The five functions of Brahman (creating, sustaining, destroying, removal/concealment and showering of favour and grace) are also reflective of these tattvas, depicting His primal energies.

The constitutive principles of life are also represented in the geometrical formation, indicating the step-by-step evolution towards attaining the state of non-duality, the state to which everyone strives to attain, consciously or unconsciously.

A look at the pictorial representation of the final shape formed from the combined geometrical shapes of the elements shows the close resemblance to that of the familiar form of Bhagavan Ganesh. These elements are represented as follows:

      ELEMENT            SHAPE                         CONSTITUTIVE PRINCIPLES           

1. Ether                    oval                                 sound
2. Air                       circle                               sound, touch
3. Fire                      triangle                           sound, touch, form
4. Water                   crescent-shaped              sound, touch, form, taste
5. Earth                     square                            sound, touch, form, taste, smell

This representation of Bhagavan Ganesh as ‘Panch-tattva Dev’ indicates to man the inward journey and the path that leads to the realization ‘Aham Brahman Asmi’ – the Lord and I are One.