Ganesha

Mythology

According to the most popular myth: Parvati (Shiva's wife) created Ganesha from the impurities of her own body, mixed with sandalwood paste, to have a guardian son. He gave him life and put him as guard at the door of his bathroom. When Shiva returned and Ganesha did not let him pass (he did not know him), an angry Shiva cut off his head with his trident. Parvati became so devastated that Shiva, repented, ordered the first creature he found to bring back its head — which turned out to be an elephant. So Shiva placed the elephant head on the body of Ganesha, who returned to life as the unique god he is today.

In addition: by way of compensation for the unfortunate incident, Shiva blessed Ganesha as "the first to be invoked" in any important enterprise — privilege that all Hindus today honour: before any new project, ceremony, important journey or significant work, Ganesha is invoked for him to clear the obstacles. He is also the divine scribe of the Mahabharata (he transcribed it as the sage Vyasa dictated it — broke his own tusk as pen when his ordinary one was broken; this is why he has only one tusk in iconography).

Symbolism and worship

Iconography: elephant head on a small fat male body, four arms (carries different sacred objects in each hand: ritual axe to cut obstacles, rope to pull devotees towards him, pasham to capture difficulties, modaka — sweet that he loves), broken right tusk, large ears (he listens generously to all the prayers), large belly (contains the entire universe), mouse as vehicle (despite his huge size, his vehicle is the small mouse — symbolises that the divine inhabits all sizes and that even small things have value).

Ganesha is invoked for: 1) Beginning of new projects — opens the path, removes obstacles. 2) Studies and academic exams (patron of intellect). 3) Arts (patron of writers, dancers, musicians). 4) Important journeys. 5) Resolution of obstacles already encountered. His festival: Ganesh Chaturthi (in August-September), one of the most popular religious holidays in India, especially in Maharashtra. His traditional offerings: modakas (Indian sweet of rice and coconut), red flowers, durva grass (specific sacred to him), incense.

Working with Ganesha today

Without being Hindu, you can connect with Ganesha respectfully: 1) Place a Ganesha figure on your altar or workspace — he is one of the easiest deities to incorporate due to his unconditional benevolent generosity. 2) Recite his mantra "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha" ("I bow to Ganesha") at the beginning of important ventures or when you face obstacles. 3) Offerings: red flowers, sweets, incense, water. 4) Particularly powerful invocation in moments where you need to clear the path: difficult job interview, business proposition, project just about to start, traffic jam in life. 5) Respect the Hindu tradition; recognise that you connect with a real living deity of an active religious tradition.