Ganesha Chaturthi – The Divine Celebration of the Inner Lord

Introduction

Among the many sacred festivals in the Hindu tradition, Ganesh Chaturthi holds a place of unique reverence and spiritual beauty. Celebrated on the Chaturthi (fourth day) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada, it marks the earthly advent of Lord Ganesha — the elephant-headed God revered as:

Vighnaharta – the remover of obstacles
Prathama Pujya – the Lord of beginnings
Buddhi Pradayaka – the embodiment and bestower of wisdom and intellect

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival of celebration and ritual. It is a deep spiritual reminder of the eternal truths that govern inner transformation. Though portrayed in a form, Lord Ganesha symbolises the cosmic principles that guide the aspirant on the path of dharma, sadhana, and self-realisation.

Lord Ganesha in the Scriptures

In Hindu theology, Lord Ganesha is the first deity to be worshipped before initiating any activity — whether spiritual or worldly. This is not a mere tradition, but a recognition of the divine order within the cosmos. Before engaging in karma, one must seek the blessings of that divine intelligence which removes all inner and outer obstacles.

Ganapati Atharvasirsha Upanishad

This Upanishad, dedicated solely to Lord Ganesha, reveals His true identity as Brahman — the supreme, all-pervasive consciousness.

Sanskrit:
त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं रुद्रस्त्वं इन्द्रः
त्वमग्निस्त्वं वायुः त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चन्द्रमाः
त्वं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवः सुवर् ओम्॥

Transliteration:
Tvam Brahma Tvam Vishnuh Tvam Rudrah Tvam Indrah
Tvam Agnih Tvam Vaayuh Tvam Suryah Tvam Chandramah
Tvam Brahma Bhu-Bhuvah-Suvah Om

Meaning:
“You are Brahma, You are Vishnu, You are Rudra, You are Indra.
You are Agni, You are Vayu, You are Surya, You are Chandra.
You are the essence of Brahman, the substratum of the three worlds: Bhur, Bhuvah, Suvah.”

This profound declaration elevates Ganesha from a mythological figure to the personification of the Supreme Principle — the undivided, all-encompassing formless Divine.

Puranic Narratives

The Skanda Purana, Padma Purana, and Mudgala Purana provide rich stories about Ganesha’s birth, wisdom, and divine leelas.

One particularly well-known tale tells how Sage Vyasa chose Ganesha to transcribe the Mahabharata, as only He possessed the unparalleled intellect and concentration required. Ganesha agreed on the condition that Vyasa must recite without pause — symbolising the importance of uninterrupted focus, inner detachment, and mental clarity in the pursuit of wisdom.

Saints and Sages on Lord Ganesha

Over the centuries, enlightened saints have offered deep insights into Ganesha’s divine symbolism:

Adi Shankaracharya, in his Ganesha Pancharatnam, praised Ganesha as the remover of ignorance, the light of spiritual wisdom (jnana), and the granter of inner peace.
Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh described Ganesha as the awakened Muladhara Chakra — the energy base from where spiritual ascent begins.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa advised devotees to worship Ganesha to develop sharp intellect and deep devotion, which he considered the twin pillars of spiritual life.

The Profound Teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Lord Ganesha

A Synthesis of Scripture, Symbolism, and Sadhana

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, through His divine discourses, offered a unique synthesis of scriptural wisdom, spiritual symbolism, and practical inner guidance related to Lord Ganesha and the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. His teachings take us beyond external ritual, urging us to understand and internalise the Ganesh principle (Ganesh Tattva) as a living, guiding force within us.

1. The Symbolism of Ganesha’s Form

According to Bhagawan Baba, every aspect of Ganesha’s form conveys deep spiritual significance:

Elephant Head: Symbolises vast intellect, memory, and wisdom. Like an elephant clears dense forests, Ganesha removes the karmic obstacles from the path of the seeker.
Large Ears: Teach us to listen more, to develop patience and receptivity. Baba used to say:

“God gave you two ears and one mouth so you may listen twice as much as you speak.”

Small Eyes: Represent inner vision and concentration, essential for spiritual progress.
Trunk: Highly sensitive and adaptable — it symbolises discrimination (viveka), the ability to distinguish between truth and illusion.
Mouse as His Vehicle: Represents the desire-driven mind. A mouse is small, restless, and can gnaw through anything — just like unbridled desire. Ganesha rides the mouse, indicating mastery over desires.
Modaka (Sweet): Held in His hand, it represents the sweetness of inner bliss, attained through sadhana and self-control.

“Ganesha is not just a deity with an elephant head. He is the very embodiment of wisdom, the master of the intellect, and the controller of the inner instruments of man.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Ganesh Chaturthi Discourse, 1994

2. Ganesha as the Embodiment of Inner Mastery

Baba explains the name Ganapati as the Lord of the Ganas, where “Gana” means senses, and “Pati” means master.

Thus, Ganapati is one who has achieved mastery over the senses, the mind, and the ego.

“People think Vinayaka is a strange deity with an elephant face. But Vinayaka means one without any master. He is a symbol of complete self-mastery and independence from ego and desire.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse, 2002

3. The Real Worship of Ganesha

While respecting the value of traditional rituals, Baba always pointed to self-transformation as the true worship.

“Install the Ganapati principle in your heart. Let all your thoughts, words, and deeds be filled with purity and divinity. That is true worship.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse, 1995

During Ganesh Chaturthi, Baba encouraged devotees to practice introspection, identifying the inner obstacles that hinder our spiritual journey — ego, jealousy, pride, greed, and ignorance. These, He said, are the real offerings (Naivedya) to Lord Ganesha.

4. Ganesh Chaturthi in Prasanthi Nilayam

In Prasanthi Nilayam, the Ganesh Chaturthi festival was celebrated with great devotion and simplicity:

Students created clay Ganesha idols
Vedic chants and bhajans filled the atmosphere
Beautiful processions of Ganesha idols were carried with joy
Finally, the idols were immersed in water, symbolising the return of the form to the formless

Swami would personally bless the student groups, using the occasion to emphasise the importance of unity, humility, and purity of heart.

The Inner Meaning of Visarjan (Immersion)

On the final day of the festival — Anant Chaturdashi — the idol is immersed in water. Baba explained this ritual as symbolic of inner dissolution:

Dissolution of ego into the ocean of divinity
A reminder that all forms are temporary, but the formless is eternal
A call to see Ganesha within — in the heart, in all beings, and in all actions

“Creation emerges from the Formless and merges back into the Formless. The idol is a symbol, but the essence lies in understanding that the Divine is within you. You are not different from Ganesha.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

The Sacred Vedic Invocation: Ganapati Mantra

One of the most revered mantras of Lord Ganesha appears in the Rig Veda (2.23.1). It is a timeless invocation of divine wisdom and auspiciousness.

Sanskrit:

गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे
कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम्।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत
आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम्॥

Transliteration:

Ganaanaam Tvaa Ganapatim Havaamahe
Kavim Kaveenaam Upamashravastamam
Jyeshtharaajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspata
Aa Nah Shrinvanootibhih Seedha Saadanam

Meaning:

“We invoke You, O Lord of the Ganas,
The most wise among the wise, most celebrated among seers,
The eldest ruler of all mantras and sacred knowledge.
May You hear our prayers and come with blessings.
Please be seated in this sacred place.”

“Ganapati is not merely a figure with an elephant head. He is the embodiment of Buddhi (intellect) and Vijnana (wisdom). This Vedic mantra invokes Him as the guardian of sacred knowledge and the remover of inner obstacles on the path to Self-realisation.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Why 10 Days of Worship for Ganesh Chaturthi?

Ganesh Chaturthi begins on the 4th day (Chaturthi) of the Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha (waxing moon fortnight) and culminates on the 14th day (Anant Chaturdashi) — spanning 10 sacred days of devotion, discipline, and transformation.

This 10-day period is not arbitrary. It has deep spiritual and symbolic meaning, grounded in Vedantic thought, scripture, and practical sadhana.

Ten Days Represent the Ten Indriyas (Senses)

According to Vedantic philosophy, human beings operate through 10 indriyas:

5 Jnanendriyas (organs of perception):
Eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin
5 Karmendriyas (organs of action):
Hands, feet, speech, excretory organs, reproductive organs

Lord Ganesha is the master of the senses — the one who governs, purifies, and integrates them.

“Vinayaka means the one who is master of the senses. Worshipping Him means striving for mastery over your own body, mind, and senses.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Throughout the 10 days of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees are encouraged to purify these 10 faculties through:

Prayer
Fasting
Chanting
Reflection and inner discipline

This leads to the elevation of consciousness and the dissolution of ego-driven tendencies.

A Gradual Process of Inner Transformation

Each day symbolises a step forward on the spiritual path. The festival represents the journey from:

Tamas (inertia and ignorance) to
Rajas (desire and activity) to
Sattva (purity and harmony)

Here’s a suggested daily progression:

Day	Inner Focus
Day 1	Awakening devotion; removing gross obstacles
Days 2–5	Surrendering ego; calming restless desires
Days 6–9	Cultivating purity, devotion, and discrimination
Day 10	Merging with the Divine (Visarjan = inner immersion)

Each day offers an opportunity to overcome one layer of inner ignorance, moving closer to the Ganesh Tattva — the divine principle within.

Aligning with Lunar Energies

The lunar calendar and Vedic timekeeping associate the waxing moon (Shukla Paksha) with ascending spiritual energy. As the moon grows in brightness, it symbolises the growing clarity and purity of the soul.

The festival begins on Chaturthi and concludes near the full moon — representing the gradual illumination of inner consciousness.

Thus, the 10 days mirror the soul’s journey from darkness (avidya) to light (jnana).

Scriptural and Mythological Roots

In the Mudgala Purana and other texts, various forms of Ganesha are described as vanquishers of internal and external asuras (demons) — symbolic of the negative tendencies within:

Lobha – Greed
Moha – Delusion
Mada – Pride
Matsarya – Jealousy
Ahamkara – Ego

Each day of Ganesh Chaturthi can thus be associated with invoking an aspect of Ganesha to overcome one of these negative tendencies.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s Perspective

Bhagawan Baba always emphasised that the true essence of festivals lies in inner transformation. For Ganesh Chaturthi, He explained:

“Ganesh Chaturthi must be celebrated not merely by worshipping an idol, but by removing the inner obstacles that hinder your progress. Ten days of worship symbolise the ten steps to spiritual realisation.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse on Ganesh Chaturthi

According to Baba, the aim of these 10 days is to:

Transform character
Cultivate love, unity, and humility
Burn the ego
Align one’s life with dharma and devotion

Culmination in Visarjan – The Return to Formlessness

On the 10th day, the idol is immersed in water — a deeply symbolic act known as Visarjan.

This is not a farewell but a spiritual culmination:

Ego dissolves into the ocean of divinity
It’s a reminder that all forms are impermanent
The formless Lord now resides within the purified heart

Why So Many Names for Ganesha?

Lord Ganesha is known by many names, each reflecting a divine quality, cosmic role, or spiritual teaching. These names are not arbitrary; they are gateways to inner contemplation, each helping devotees connect with a different facet of the Ganesh Tattva — the Divine Principle He embodies.

1. Names Reflect Divine Qualities (Guna Dhyana)

In Sanskrit, each name reveals a particular aspect of Ganesha:

Name	Meaning	Spiritual Insight
Vighneshwara	Remover of obstacles	Overcome challenges with faith
Vinayaka	One without a master	Master of the mind, senses, and ego
Ekadanta	One with a single tusk	Sacrifice and unity of purpose
Lambodara	Large-bellied One	Acceptance, balance, and inner capacity
Gajanana	Elephant-faced	Wisdom, strength, and discernment

Each name is a mantra in itself, and contemplating on these names is known as Guna Dhyana — meditation on the divine attributes of God.

2. Names Arise from Scriptural Stories (Leela Smarana)

Many names of Ganesha arise from His divine leelas, as narrated in the Puranas:

Ekadanta: When Ganesha broke one of his tusks to continue writing the Mahabharata for Sage Vyasa, he was named Ekadanta — the one with a single tusk.
Vakratunda: The one with a curved trunk — symbolising the winding, non-linear path of life, and the divine intelligence required to navigate it.
Bhalachandra: The one who wears the crescent moon on his forehead — similar to Lord Shiva, signifying the control of time and mind.

These names are not mere labels — they are living reminders of Ganesha’s divine role in both cosmic and personal transformation.

3. One Form, Many Functions (Adhikāra Bhēda)

Lord Ganesha is invoked in many roles:

Vighnaharta – Remover of obstacles
Buddhipriya – Bestower of intellect and inner clarity
Prathama Pujya – The first to be worshipped in all rituals
Siddhivinayaka – Giver of siddhi (spiritual powers and success)
Ganapati – Commander of Shiva’s ganas (divine energies)

Just as one person can be called father, teacher, or friend based on their role, so too Lord Ganesha carries many divine roles, each revealed through His many names.

4. Spiritual Practice: Chanting the Names (Nama Japa)

Chanting Ganesha’s names — particularly the 108 Names (Ashtottara Shata Namavali) or 1000 Names (Sahasranama) — is a deeply powerful sadhana. It is not mechanical repetition but a form of guna dhyana — invoking and awakening divine qualities within ourselves.

“As is the name, so is the form. By meditating on the name, you develop the form and awaken the divine qualities it represents.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

5. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Ganesha’s Names

Bhagawan Baba often explained the spiritual significance of Ganesha’s names in His discourses:

“Vinayaka means one who is beyond all masters. He is the master of the mind, the master of the senses, and the master of the intellect. This is why He is worshipped first. Each name of Ganesha is a lesson in spiritual discipline.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Discourse on Ganesh Chaturthi, 1998

He taught that chanting the Lord’s names with love:

Cultivates inner steadiness
Removes mental and karmic obstacles
Awakens divine virtues
Leads to detachment and devotion

Summary: Many Names, One Lord

Name	Meaning	Inner Message
Vighneshwara	Lord of obstacles	Face challenges with surrender and courage
Vinayaka	Self-governed Lord	Be free from ego and desires
Ekadanta	One-tusked Lord	Sacrifice lower self for higher truth
Lambodara	Pot-bellied One	Digest life’s experiences with balance
Gajanana	Elephant-faced Lord	Wisdom and strength lead the path

“God has a thousand names, but one heart of love. Whichever name you chant, do so with pure love.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Important Mantras of Lord Ganesha

Mantras dedicated to Lord Ganesha are not just sounds, but powerful tools for inner purification, removal of obstacles, and spiritual awakening. Chanting them with faith and love invokes His divine grace.

1. Ganapati Bija Mantra

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Meaning:
Salutations to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.

Purpose:
This is a powerful bija (seed) mantra, often used for daily japa. It awakens Ganesha’s shakti within the heart and removes mental restlessness.

“This mantra is enough to bring peace to the restless mind and success to a struggling heart.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba (paraphrased from discourses)

2. Vakratunda Mahakaya Mantra

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva-Karyeshu Sarvada

Meaning:
O Lord with the curved trunk, mighty form, and brilliance of a million suns,
Please remove all obstacles from all my tasks — always.

Purpose:
Traditionally chanted before exams, new projects, or travel, to seek smooth success.

3. Ganesha Gayatri Mantra

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे
वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि
तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe
Vakratundaya Dhimahi
Tanno Danti Prachodayat

Meaning:
We meditate on the one-tusked Lord (Ekadanta),
Contemplate the curved-trunked One (Vakratunda),
May that Tusked One (Danti) inspire and illumine our intellect.

Purpose:
Perfect for meditation, study, and developing discrimination (viveka).

4. Sankata Nashana Ganesha Stotra

प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम्।
भक्तावासं स्मरेनित्यं आयुःकामार्थसिद्धये॥
Pranamya Shirasa Devam Gauriputram Vinayakam
Bhaktavasam Smarenityam Ayuh Kamartha Siddhaye

Meaning:
I bow with my head to Lord Vinayaka, the son of Gauri,
Who resides among His devotees. May He grant longevity, fulfilment, and success.

Purpose:
Traditionally chanted on Chaturthi or during trials and challenges.

5. Ganesha Moola Mantra

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः
Om Shri Ganeshaaya Namah

Meaning:
Salutations to the auspicious Lord Ganesha.

Purpose:
A gentle and widely-used mantra — suitable for bhajans, prayers, daily worship, or chanting during chores.

6. Siddhi Vinayaka Mantra

ॐ सिद्धि विनायकाय नमः
Om Siddhi Vinayakaya Namah

Meaning:
Salutations to Siddhi Vinayaka, the giver of success and perfection.

Purpose:
Chanted for success in exams, projects, ventures, and spiritual practices.

7. Ganesha Ashtottara Shata Namavali (108 Names)

Chanting the 108 names of Lord Ganesha — each beginning with “Om…Namah” — is a powerful devotional practice. Some names include:

Om Sumukhaya Namah – The One with a pleasant face
Om Vighnarajaya Namah – The King of Obstacles
Om Lambodaraya Namah – The One with a big belly
Om Gauriputraya Namah – Son of Mother Gauri

“Each name is a seed. Plant it with love, water it with devotion, and it will grow into inner peace.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba (implied from discourse themes)

How to Use These Mantras in Daily Life

Begin your day with 11, 21, or 108 repetitions of Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Chant Vakratunda Mahakaya before new activities
Use Ganesha Gayatri during meditation or before studying
Recite Sankata Nashana Stotra weekly, especially on Tuesdays or Chaturthi
Play 108 Names in the background during puja or house cleaning
Offer mantras as a way to dissolve internal obstacles — not just external ones

Lord Ganesha and His Divine Consorts

Introduction: Siddhi, Buddhi, and Riddhi

While Lord Ganesha is universally revered as the Remover of Obstacles, He is also associated with divine consorts, each symbolising key spiritual and material qualities:

Siddhi – Spiritual perfection and accomplishment
Buddhi – Intellect, discrimination, and inner clarity
Riddhi – Prosperity, abundance, and dharmic success

These consorts are not necessarily “wives” in the literal sense. They are personified principles that naturally accompany those who walk the path of Ganesha.

Scriptural References

The Mudgala Purana and Ganesha Purana describe Siddhi and Buddhi as daughters of Brahma, who were married to Ganesha in recognition of His virtues.
In iconography, Ganesha is sometimes depicted with Siddhi and Riddhi beside Him, offering spiritual and worldly blessings.

Spiritual Symbolism

These consorts represent qualities within the seeker:

Buddhi – Clarity of thought and discernment
Siddhi – Inner mastery and spiritual achievement
Riddhi – Abundance in service of dharma

Wherever Ganesha is invoked, these divine attributes naturally follow.

“Siddhi and Buddhi are not outside Ganesha — they are His very nature.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Marriage and Celibacy – Two Views

In South Indian traditions, Ganesha is often viewed as a brahmachari (celibate) — symbolising self-control and inner focus.
In North Indian and tantric traditions, He is depicted with consorts — representing a balance of spiritual and worldly life.

These two views are not contradictory, but complementary:

As a celibate, He is the ideal renunciate.
As a householder, He is the balanced master of both realms.

Devotional Insight

To worship Ganesha is to seek and cultivate:

Buddhi – Wisdom
Siddhi – Spiritual accomplishment
Riddhi – Divine prosperity

These qualities are the natural rewards of a life rooted in devotion, purity, and self-discipline.

“When the Lord is enshrined in the heart, all auspicious qualities follow.”
— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Conclusion: Becoming Ganesha Ourselves

The 10 days of Ganesh Chaturthi are not just about celebration — they are a spiritual retreat. Through sincere worship, introspection, and practice, we move towards becoming:

Wise like Gajanana
Steady like Lambodara
Focused like Ekadanta
Self-mastered like Vinayaka

“When Ganesha is installed in your heart, all your obstacles disappear. That is the real Prasadam.”
— Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Ganpati Bappa Morya!

May Lord Ganesha bless us all with:

Wisdom to discern truth from illusion
Strength to overcome life’s challenges
Devotion that is pure and unwavering
And the realisation of the divine within

Ravinder Grover

Disclaimer: ‘Without Prejudice’. I offer my insight into astrology solely based on my learnings of astrology principles and techniques, some of which I learnt from the Sages of the highest order. These predictions are offered for guidance purposes only. I offer absolutely no guarantee on my calculations and analysis. These predictions are not intended to harm anyone by any means. I expressly disclaim all warranties, implied or contingent, for making use of these predictions or for incurring any loss or loss of profit in any manner. No notice or advice from anyone will create any liability whatsoever