Be Assured: Is Ganpati Buppa Returning His abode Happily?
Although we know as Lord Almighty resides in the heart of all devotees, but we have deep faith and utmost belief that the one who is first revered, most merciful, destroyer of all the obstacles Ganpati Bappa visits the earth every year to know the wellbeing of his devotees. Every year there is an atmosphere of euphoria and enthusiasm all around in the joy of Buppa’s 10 days sojourn. All the devotees eagerly wait for Buppa and some keep their list of their wishes ready, some to share their sorrow/ pain or failures and some devotees just to offer gratitude to Him. People welcome Buppa with pomp and gaiety, offer prayers, prepare various types of dishes to ensure top level hospitality. His idols in various sculptures, displaying the best arts, different postures, different forms, exquisite decorations are made on seeing. People rejoice and the 10 days celebration on earth is at its peak.
But devotees with spiritual inclination focus on the external structure and inner divinity of Ganapati ji so that they can use those qualities to upgrade themselves. He is God, so to understand and analyze His inner divinity and imbibe it in our life is not possible for human beings, so at least we should look at the characteristics of His external body parts and can absorb something from it, then surely Ganpati Bappa will go back heaven from earth happily and feel satisfied.
Let us first see how beautiful his name is Ganesha. In Ganesha, “G” means “Knowledge”, “N” means “Salvation” and “Ish” means “Lord”.
Now his head is that of an elephant, that is also a symbol of the fact that just as an elephant in a dense forest emerges from its giant body crossing all the clumps and paves the way for the rest of the animals, in the same way Ganesh ji is also the obstacle destroyer and makes the path easy for all His lovers. The big head of Lord Ganesha signifies wisdom, intelligence and big thinking, the smaller and sharp eyes signify concentration in the goal, while the big ears give the message of how merciful Buppa is. His ability to listen others and keeping them in his memory and resolving as soon as possible is exemplary.
His swinging trunk demonstrates to face all the circumstances of life calmly. It enhances the qualities of high adaptability and efficiency in life.
The four arms of Lord Ganesha represent omnipresence in all the four directions, the axe in one hand teaches to get away from all bondage, the rope in one hand reminds everyone to be connected from heart, and teaches to be disciplined while laddu in one hand gives the message of the fruit of sadhana and feeling of joy and one hand always remains in the posture of blessings for the devotees. The big belly is a symbol of acceptance, while the ride of a mouse gives inspiration to ride on one’s weaknesses and overcome them. One tooth is a symbol of giving up bad traits and maintaining best things, whereas small mouth is a symbol of speaking less but accurately.
In this way the whole philosophy of life is hidden in the outer form of Ganpati Bappa, and if not the entire 365 days of the year, even in these few days of his earthly stay, be determined to be introverted in the atmosphere of celebration to overcome our issues. If we really contemplate over it, undoubtedly Ganpati Bappa will be satisfied on such efforts by His devotees and he will return happily with feeling that his devotees have learned, taken inspiration from Him. And with individual upliftment, many social changes and a lot of amelioration of the entire human society is possible.
– Shashi Dip ©✍
Thinker/Bilingual writer
Mumbai
shashidip2001@gmail.com
