From a satsang with Paramacharya of SWAHA, H.H. Pt. Hardeo Persad
Sanatan Dharma, an eternal way of life woven with numerous deities, finds its quintessence in the recognition that amidst this vast pantheon, God remains singular and indivisible. This eternal verity, encapsulated in the phrase “Aham Braham Asmi – Thou art that”, reminds us that divinity transcends the bounds of form, and it is in this context that Mahaa Ganapati emerges as a profound and tangible manifestation of the divine essence.
Symbolism of Ganapati: Macrocosm and Microcosm
The Vedas affirm, “As in the microcosm, so in the macrocosm.” Ganapati, with his elephant head symbolising the vast macrocosm or universe, and his human body symbolising the microcosm, teaches us a profound truth – the universe and the individual are not isolated entities, but interconnected fragments of the divine tapestry. The amalgamation of these forms signifies that we are not separate from the divine, but rather an integral part of it.
Ganapati as the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer
In the splendid symphony of creation, Mahaa Ganapati stands as the quintessential creator. His role extends beyond mere physical creation, embracing the sustenance and eventual dissolution of all existence. Just as we differentiate between Ishwara and Parameshwara, Shakti and ParaaShakti, Shiva and ParamShiva, so too, there is Ganapati and Mahaa Ganapati. We recognize that each distinct aspect holds its unique significance in the cosmic dance.
Mahaa Ganapati: The Infinite and Indescribable
Mahaa Ganapati transcends temporal limitations, existing as the eternal entity without a beginning, middle or end. From the realm of Brahma, he emerges as the embodiment of sustenance and the catalyst for transformation. He alone encompasses the roles of destruction and reabsorption, symbolising the cyclical nature of existence. Mahaa Ganapati defies definition, for he is both the canvas and the artist, the eternal atma embodied.
Unconditional Surrender and the Path to Divine
The path to understanding Ganapati and the divine mandates unwavering faith and perseverance. As we create the ideal conditions, akin to cooling the air to witness its transformation to water or ice, we must strive for unconditional surrender to reach the divine. This surrender, born from humility and self-effacement, becomes the conduit through which our karmas dissipate, and we become instruments of the divine.
Prahalad: The Paradigm of Devotion
The devotion of Prahalad stands as an unshakeable monument to the unwavering faith in the face of adversities. Through being thrown from a mountaintop, confronting an elephant stampede and facing a snake pit, his resolute proclamation of the singular presence of the divine resonates as an inspiration for generations to come.
Ganapati Baba: Bridging the Divinity
Ganesh Baba emerges as the embodiment of both Nirguna and Saguna Brahm – the unqualified, formless divine and the divine with attributes. The form of Ganapati allows us to forge a deeper connection, transcending the chasm between the formless and the formed. Through him, we find a bridge to our own divine essence.
Ganapati: The Epitome of Wisdom
Ganapati, synonymous with wisdom, emerges as the remover of life’s obstacles. As the very foundation of the world rests in him, he encompasses its entirety while existing beyond its confines. The universe, in its entirety, emanates from him, yet he remains unbounded by the limitations of creation.
In a world that blossoms from him, he remains indefinable, indescribable and inexhaustible. Ganapati’s essence, like the eternal river of knowledge, flows through existence, reminding us that in recognizing him, we recognize our own inherent divinity. As we endeavour to follow scriptural injunctions and avoid prohibitions, the six conditions of surrender lead us toward the immeasurable ocean of the divine.
Ganapati, the divine force intertwined with wisdom and the alleviator of impediments, emerges as the ethereal thread binding humanity and the cosmos. In his embodiment, we discover not just a deity, but a mirror reflecting our own connection to the infinite expanse of divinity. With devotion and humility, we traverse the path, guided by the eternal wisdom of Ganapati, as we inch towards an understanding of the infinite symphony of creation and existence.
