Lord Ganesha Represents Supreme Intelligence: Mahat tattva
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Lord Ganesha is the eldest child of Shiva and Parvati. He’s one of the favorite Hindu Gods. Lord Ganesha has an interesting birth story and his significance is associated with the Vedic meaning of his existence: he represents Supreme intelligence. Find out how Lord Ganesha represents supreme intelligence and the significance of intelligence in human life in the guide below. Dive in!
Lord Ganesha Birth Story According to Hindu Mythology
It is believed that once Devi Parvati was alone in Kailash. She wanted to take a bath but had nobody to guard the door. So, she created a clay idol using the sandalwood paste that she had applied to her body. She infused the idol with Prana (life) and named the Idol Ganesha, her Son.
Parvati asked Ganesha to deny entry to everybody as long as she was bathing. So, when Lord Shiva came home to Kailash, Ganesha didn’t let him enter the house. Shiva and Ganesha were totally unaware of each other. Lord Shiva got so angry that he beheaded Ganesha, instantly killing him.
When Parvati came out, she lost all her senses and consciousness when she found her son dead. Shiva feared for the life of his wife. So, he sent his army to Bhu Lok (Earth) and ordered them to bring the head of a child (any child) whose mother had her back towards the sleeping child.
Every mother on Earth was facing her children except for an Elephant. So, Shiva’s army brought the head of the baby elephant that Shiva used to infuse Prana (life) in Ganesha again. Once Ganesha was alive again, he apologized for denying an entry to Shiva after he got to know that Shiva was his father. Shiva, on the other hand, blessed Ganesha to be the God of New beginnings.
Lord Ganesha and Shiva Rivalry: Does Ganesha Represent Supreme Intelligence in Human Beings?
Intelligence in Vedic terms is the higher knowledge of Atma (Soul) and Paramatma (God). In modern terms, it is associated with the sharp intellect and IQ of a person. In either case, intelligence exists inside the mind of humans. And the mind cannot exist without a body.
Now, many scriptures and verses in Vedas have compared Ganesha with intelligence. The ancient explanation that makes the most sense is as follows.
In Vedic astrology and Sanatana Dharma, Lord Shiva represents the higher knowledge of self (recognition of Atma and Paramatma) and Devi Parvati represents Nature (Prakriti). In much simpler terms, Shiva represents the mind and Parvati represents the body. Clearly, mind and body cannot exist separately. The result of the union of Shiva and Parvati (mind and body) is Ganesha (intelligence).
The rivalry between Ganesha (intelligence) and Shiva (mind) is because of Parvati (body).
Shiva had beheaded Ganesha that had left his mother, Parvati bereft. Unable to function and understand anything without her son, Parvati had urged Shiva to bring Ganesha back to life. Since Shiva is incomplete without Parvati, he had brought Ganesha to life.
Now, if you analyze this mythological story in terms of the connection between mind, intelligence, and body, here’s what it signifies: the body (Parvati) cannot make decisions or think right from wrong in the absence of intelligence (Ganesha). And, it’s the mind (Shiva) where intelligence exists.
So, yes, Ganesha does represent supreme intelligence (Mahat-tattva) in human beings.
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What is the Purpose of Intelligence in Human Beings?
The only reason that humans are wiser than animals is that they have the intelligence to understand the difference between right and wrong and good and evil. What science calls IQ, represents intelligence.
In terms of spirituality, intelligence helps humans to explore the purpose behind their birth and become better humans. Without intelligence, a human is nothing but a fool.
3 Ways in Which Lord Ganesha Blesses Human Beings
Now that you know how Ganesha represents intelligence and how intelligence requires both mind and body to exist, it’s much more intriguing to explore how Lord Ganesha helps human life to thrive on Earth.
He Blesses his Devotees with Riddhi (wealth) and Siddhi (wisdom)
Riddhi and Siddhi, according to mythology, are the two, out of 5, wives of Lord Ganesha. In context to spirituality, when a person worships Lord Ganesha, Ganesha blesses the native with wealth, fortune, and wisdom.
He Removes all Obstacles and Hurdles from the Life of His Devotees
Another name of Ganesha is Vighnaharta (Vighna means obstacles and Harta is the one who removes obstacles). It is believed that when appeased, Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees with good luck so that nothing can ever create a hurdle in the life of the natives.
Another legend says that Shiva blessed Ganesha, after bringing him back to life, that he will be worshiped at the beginning of every auspicious work. Hence, Lord Ganesha is also known as the Lord of new beginnings. It is believed that when a native starts an auspicious work by worshiping Ganesha, the work gets successful.
Hindus offer the first wedding card to Lord Ganesha and start every prayer after chanting the Ganesha aarti since it is believed that Ganesha removes hurdles.
He’s the Ultimate Tool to Salvation (Moksha)
Lord Ganesha is the intelligence of humans. When clouded by greed, bad karma and evil deeds, and unending attachment to earthly bondages like love, humans get trapped in the cycle of life and birth.
When a devotee worships Lord Ganesha, the Lord, in turn, imparts wisdom that makes humans use their intelligence to look beyond earthly desires. It clears the conscious and soul. And moksha can be achieved only when the soul gets rid of desires. Hence, worshiping Ganesha helps his devotees in achieving Salvation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Ganesha the Lord of new beginnings?
Yes. According to legends and Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva had blessed Ganesha that no auspicious event would ever be fruitful unless Ganesha will be worshipped first. Hence, it is a ritual to worship Ganesha at the beginning of every event. Therefore the name: the Lord of new beginnings.
2. Does Ganesha represent supreme intelligence in human beings?
Yes. Lord Shiva signifies the mind and Devi Parvati (Shiva’s wife) signifies the body. The union of Shiva (mind) and Parvati (body) is Ganesha (intelligence).
3. Does Ganesha bring good luck?
Yes. Lord Ganesha, if appeased, can bless his devotees with luck, fortune, and wealth.
4. Is Ganesha the remover of obstacles?
Yes. In fact, one name of Ganesha is also Vighnaharta (someone who removes hurdles and obstacles)
5. What is the name of Ganesha ji’s wife?
Riddhi and Siddhi are the two most popular wives of Ganesha.
6. How many wives does Ganesha have?
Ganesha has 5 wives, not two. Riddhi and Siddhi are the most popular. But there are 3 other wives too, Tushti, Pushti, and Shree.
7. Why did Shiva behead Ganesha?
Shiva didn’t know Ganesha was his son since his Ardhangini (wife), Devi Parvati had created Ganesha in his absence and had asked Ganesha to guard the door since she was taking a bath. When Shiva had returned home, Ganesha denied Shiva entry since Parvati had asked him to guard the door. Instead, he challenged Shiva for a war. Hence, Shiva beheaded Ganesha in anger after he was denied entry into his own house.
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