MEANING OF VINAYAKA CHATURTHI

"Vakratunda MahakaayaSuryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru MeDevaSarva
Kaaryeshu Sarvada "

Meaning: The Lord with the curved trunk and a mighty body, who has the luster of a million suns, I pray to thee Oh Lord, to remove the obstacles from all the actions I intend to perform. Ganapati or Ganesha, the Lord of Gananas, the elephant faced God, represents the power of the Supreme Being that removes obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. Ganesha is revered as the son of the Shiva and Parvati, and is always honored first in most worship services and rituals.Ganesha is also known as Ganapati, Vigneswara, Vinayaka, Gajamukha and Ainkaran. He is worshipped for siddhi, success in undertakings, and buddhi, intelligence. He is worshipped before any venture is started. He is also the God of education, knowledge and wisdom, literature, and the fine arts. Ganesha is also one of the five Gods the worship of whom was popularized by Adi Shankaracharya; the other four are Vishnu, Shiva, Devi and Surya. The worship of these five deities is called the pancayatana Homam. In some cases, a sixth G od, Skanda is also worshipped.The large head of an elephant symbolizes wisdom, understanding, and a discriminating intellect that one must possess to attain perfection in life. The wide mouth represents the natural human desire to enjoy life in the world. The large ears signify that a perfect person is the one who possesses a great capacity to listen to others and assimilate ideas. The trunk relates to the power of human mind, which must be strong enough to face the ups and downs of the external world and yet delicate enough to explore the subtle realms of the inner world.The two tusks denote the two aspects of the human personality, wisdom and emotion. The right tusk represents wisdom left tusk represents emotion. The broken left tusk conveys the idea that one must conquer emotions with wisdom to attain perfection
The essential purpose of the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival is to teach a person to avoid the company of bad people and cultivate the company of the good.

What does the term Ganapathi signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi or intellect, ‘Na’ means Jnana (Wisdom). ‘Ganapathi’ means one who is the Lord of the intellect and of wisdom. He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Gunas also symbolise the senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakaha" (Vinayaka is one who is without a master above himWhat does the name "Ganapathi" signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi (or intellect), Na means Vignaana (wisdom). As Vighneswara is the Lord of the Intellect and Wisdom, he is called "Ganapathi".
Similarly, a common Sanskrit word to denote elephant is GAJA. Here Gajanan means elephant faced - a name for Ganapati. But the word Gaja has a much deeper connotation. GA indicates gati, the final goal towards which the entire creation is moving, whether knowingly or unknowingly. JA stands for janma, birth or origin. Hence GAJA signifies GOD from whom worlds have come out and towards whom they are progressing, to be ultimately dissolved in Him. The elephant head is thus purely symbolical.
It follows from this that what are called Ganas are parts of the human body. The individual (Vyakti) is a part of creation (Srishti). Hence, Divinity, of which the cosmos is a projection, is immanent in the human being. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakah" (Vinayaka has no master over him"). This means that Vinayaka is a totally autonomous and independent deity. He has no Lord above him. In the world, any individual or authority has someone superior above him. But Vinayaka has no overlord.
The worship of Vinayaka has been in existence from times immemorial in Bharath. The Rig Veda, the Narayanopanishad and the Thaithriya Upanishad have passages referring to Vinayaka. It is embedded also in a - Gayatri mantra :
"Thathpurushaya Vidmahe,
Vakratundaaya Dheemahi,
Thanno Danthi Prochodayaath".
This mantra indicates that Vinayaka’s Divinity is glorified in this Gayatri mantra. Hence, Ganapathi signifies an all-pervading Divine potency
Vinayaka is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacle to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all those powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is this Siddhi? When there is purity of mind, you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (the Intellect and Self-Realisation). Hence, every human being should acquire control over the mind. Another notable fact about Vinayaka is His Vehicle, the mouse (Mooshika). What does the mouse represent? It represents darkness, which is the symbol of ignorance. The mouse moves about in the dark. Ganapathi is regarded as controlling the darkness of ignorance.
The mouse is also known for its strong sense of smell (vasana). Based on the smell emanating from an object, the mouse finds its way to it. The inner significance of vasana in relation to humanity is the heritage of ‘vasanas’ which they bring from their previous lives. These vasanas (inherited tendencies) account for the actions of human beings in their present lives. They also signify desires. Without recognising this underlying significance of Vinayaka’s mastery over ignorance and desires, people merely wonder how a large being like Vinayaka could ride on a tiny creature like a mouse.
There is an inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day shoThe Ganapati Upanishad identifies Lord Ganesh with the Supreme Self. Lord Ganesh represents the Pranava (AUM) which is the symbol of the Supreme Self. Taitiriya Upanishad (1.8.1.) states: "AUM ITI BRAHMAN -AUM is Brahman(GOD). AUM is all this . Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invokong Lord Ganesh before beginning any rite or undertaking any project.
Lord Ganesh removes all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. So he is called VIGNA VINAYAKA or VIGHNESHWAR would be dedicated to acquiring control over one the sense organs (Indriyas).
GaneshEight ManifestationsThe incarnation of the Lord in the form of Vakratunda, riding a lion, is the nature of Deh-Brahma. He takes this avatar to subdue the demon Matsarya (rivalry).
The incarnation Ekdanta is of the nature of Dehi-Brahma, with a mouse for a vehicle, intended to subdue the demon Madasura (conceit).
Incarnation Mahodara is of the nature of Jnana-Brahma, to overpower the demon Mohasura (delusion).
The Gajananda incarnation is to bless the Sankhya Yogi by vanquishing the demon Lobhasura (greed).
The Lambodara incarnation is of the nature of Sattwic Shakti Brahma to subdue the demon Krodhasura (anger).
The incarnation Vikata, riding a peacock, is of the nature of Sour-Brahma, to subdue the demon Kamasura (lust).
Incarnation Vighnaraj, riding the celestial serpent Sesha, is of the nature of Vishnu-Brahma and is intended to conquer the demon Mamatasura (attachment).
The Dhumra-varna incarnation is of the nature of Shiva-Brahmato conquer the Asura Abhimaan (pride).
There is an inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day should be dedicated to acquiring control over one the sense organs (Indriyas).

"Ganaanaam Twam Ganapathi Gam HavaamaheKavim Kaveenaam Upamasra VastamamJyeshta Raajam Brahmanaam BrahmanaspathaAanashrunvanna Oothibhi Seedha Saadanam "

Meaning: We invite You, the Lord of spiritual faith (of Lord Shiva). You are the wisest among the wise, the best to be given as a standard of comparison. You are the senior Lord, Lord of the Vedic manthras, listening to our prayers. Please visit our home with prosperous things and be seated here. courtesyvedas