Ganesha Chaturthi: The journey of the Macrocosm into the Microcosm
The festival of Ganesha Chaturthi has begun with its undying and ever refreshing, exuberant and mind blogging festivities directing to the worship and adoration of Bhagavaan Sri Ganesha—one of the most popular deity in the Sanaatanee culture whose worship has also spread across many of the theological sects across Hinduism. For instance, in Vaishnavanism where only forms of Maha Vishnu are worshipped, Sri Ganesha has a place of adoration. In Buddhism where no ritualistic tradition is encouraged, the recognition of Ganesha is noted; in Jainism where God is not accepted, Sri Ganesha has a presence.
In essence, Sri Ganesha and his worship transcends numerous traditions of the world and is invoked for success, removal of obstacles and granting of wisdom. He is called Ganapati, the lord of mind—he who inspires the cultivation of good values, rightful thinking and application of wisdom to action.
In the Hindu culture he is worshipped first without stringent requirements and methods. He can be invoked at will and need no special process, methodology or offering. He inspires the infant to adult and remains a source of pure energy and positivity.
In deep philosophy, Lord Sri Ganesha embodies the Supreme Self and is presented as the eternal symbol and sound AUM. As the son Shiva and Parvati, he is the product of Shraddha and Vishwasa—faith and trust in the Divinity of one’s own self—Aatman.
Ganesha Chaturthi celebrates his ‘birth’ which begins with a symbolic yet philosophical and spiritually deep attempt to invoke the Unborn, Absolute and Formless Self into the Born and Form; worship him and then return him to the unborn, formless state through the process of Visarjan. In short, Ganesh Chaturthi is an attempt at shifting the infinite space of the all pervasive divinity into our finite human space for communion. It is ‘the fetching’ of the macrocosm to the human microcosm and then by Visarjan, a return to the macrocosm.
On this blessed occasion of Sri Ganesha Chaturthi, may the benign Lord Sri Ganesha bless and inspire us all.
Om Sri Ganapataye Namah!
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