One of the names of Ganesh Bhagavan is ‘Gajaanan’-the elephant- headed Lord .This form of the Lord is portrayed as having a human body with an elephant- head. The elephant trunk itself symbolises ‘vivek’ or the discriminative power. It is that power or ability to distinguish the real from the unreal, right from wrong and the transitory from permanent aspects of one’s existence. With the tool of vivek we are equipped to successfully confront challenges, to face problems fearlessly and to overcome obstacles, whether they are caused by “daihik” (physical), “daivik” (supernatural) or “bhautik” (environmental) factors.
One of the major obstacles that overwhelm us is that of the duality or distinction that we envision in almost everything as we trod along on this earthly sojourn. The merging of the elephant head and human body of Lord Ganesh indicates the state of non-duality or non-distinction which we should all strive to attain. It suggests the melding of the individual with everything and everyone so that there is unity among all. We become one with the world, thereby according equal consideration and non-differential treatment to our fellow-man. This awareness evolves into a continuing expansion of consciousness that ultimately leads to the one Absolute and Infinite Brahman. The Mahavaakyas expresses this non distinction in the maxim: ‘Aham BrahmAsmi- God and I are one’.
The question, then, is what causes this division and exclusivist attitude that sometimes direct our behaviour? Too often ,”avidyaa” or ignorance is allowed to navigate our lives as we construct our world with the blocks of partiality, mistrust and various prejudices. We miss the true significance of this concept of unity in duality, of acceptance and tolerance of each other. Various likes, dislikes, fears, attachments and egoism, borne out of ignorance, consume our world. We fail to apply the discriminative power dispassionately as we stumble on obstacles at every step on the journey of life. We become judgmental and subjective as rifts, both psychological and emotional, are created. We cut ourselves off from true awareness. We perceive ourselves as separate entities from our fellow-man and deny ourselves opportunities for embracing harmony, love, bonding and unity.
The period of Shri Ganesh Utsav reminds us of the power we wield over our own lives when we weigh our challenges on the scales of ‘vivek’, when we display resilience and fortitude in the face of obstacles and when we acknowledge the fact that each of us is part and parcel of the same Divinity. At this wonderful time of rejoicing, for this is what ‘utsav’ signifies, what is required is a change of VISION, not just the scenery. We need to clear the veil of maya or illusion that blinds us from acknowledging that relationship we share with each other. Scriptures declare: ‘Eshwar ans jeev avinashi” – We are all part and parcel of that one God. Each of us is divinity personified. As we celebrate this occasion, we ought to recognise this and resolve to refuse to submit to the lower tendencies of anger, lust, greed, jealousy, and arrogance as we interact with others. We should choose, instead, to demonstrate peace, sincerity and respect as we strive for success.
As we worship Lord Ganesh during this most auspicious period of rejoicing, may we be blessed with vivek and wisdom so that we reach beyond ourselves and harmonise our lives with that of the cosmos. May we develop a greater awareness of our God-ward journey and may our lives become Divine Songs. Jai Shri Ganesh.
Pundit Hardeo Persad
Paramacharya of SWAHA
