Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

Vakra-Tunda Maha-Kaayaa Soorya-Koti Samaprabha 
Nirvighnam Kuru may Deva Sarv-Kaaryessu Sarvdaa 

Meaning:

With a huge body and curved trunk - having the brightness equal to millions of suns

Oh Lord, free all my actions and undertakings from hindrances -

May all our works and activities always be free of obstacles - with your blessings.

                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lord Ganesha represents the union of both - materialism and spirituality.

A huge pot-like belly – represents abundant material wealth.

The huge elephant head is a symbol of wisdom and divinity.

A larger head represents a larger brain - which means more intelligence - more knowledge, and discerning power.

In Indian mythology, the elephant is considered divine – endowed with divine qualities such as empathy, compassion, and wisdom.

(Indra has a divine elephant named Airavata in heaven)

Elephants find their food with their trunks.

Which always keeps turning or circling here and there.

The curved trunk in the image of Lord Ganesha represents desires, emotions, and intentions, etc.

The direction of our desires and priorities often keeps changing - Always looking for something or the other.

Interestingly, in the idols or pictures kept in homes - Lord Ganesha's trunk is usually tilted towards the left - representing the emotions of the heart rather than the brain - indicating the desire for worldly wealth and glory.

But in many temples, especially in some temples of Maharashtra, his trunk is turned towards the right side - that is to the right side of the brain - which symbolizes deep thinking - knowledge, and wisdom.

Thus – the trunk pointing to the left means the desires of the heart – wealth, glory, luxury, worldly pleasures, etc.

The trunk pointing towards the right means the inclination and longing to know the truth-reality-spiritual knowledge and wisdom.

Most of the images and idols of Lord Ganesha have the trunk pointing towards the left – which represents the desires of most people and even of most Bhaktas and devotees – who want to acquire more worldly wealth, luxury, and glory.

Let us pray on this Ganesh Chaturthi that our priorities and inclinations are in the right direction – towards the truly spiritual side.

Beyond ignorance, our inclination should increase toward Gyana - true knowledge intelligence, and wisdom.

                       " Rajan Sachdeva"