Lord Ganesha is one of the most widely worshipped Hindu gods. His popularity extends beyond the borders of India. He is worshipped in different parts of the world, not just by people of Indian origin but even people from other religions.
Lord Ganesha remains one God you can pray to remove all obstacles in life and play with the next moment… Even call him by his first name.
Well, this flexibility is one of the unique qualities of Lord Ganesha and one of the reasons why most Indians or their parents who went out of India to settle down in different parts of the world – at least carried a small idol or images of Lord Ganesha – as a personal lucky charm to help them in their business and personal life.
This made Lord Ganesha travel worldwide in the pockets pocket or purses of his believers – even without a passport, to protect and bring them good luck. A widely held belief is that Lord Ganesha is easy to please and never lets down anyone who seeks his blessings. This is why not just Hindus but even people from other religions and cultures expect Lord Ganesha to bring them good luck and protection. Many of his devotees carry his image in their pockets as insurance and assurance of his blessings and protection 24×7 wherever, in whichever part of the world they may be.
For instance, former U.S. President Barack Obama always carried a small idol/image of Lord Hanuman in his pocket as a source of inspiration, instant energy, and motivation whenever and wherever he felt tired, hopeless, or discouraged.
This is one of the reasons why Lord Ganesha is today a universal and international brand. His popularity still is spreading fast among people of all age groups – even beyond the borders of India.
Lord Ganesha is the lord of new beginnings and one God who brings positive energy to anyone who chants his name. Just that is enough for Lord Ganesha to go inside – even stay in his devotee’s homes – for as long as they wish (during Ganesh Chaturthi). The bonus is that as a ‘return gift,’ Lord Ganesha never fails to remove all obstacles and bring success to his believers in all their endeavors.
In modern terminology, Lord Ganesha is an icon of intellect, knowledge, and wisdom. He is a troubleshooter and crisis manager – this is something that clicks and makes him resonate with people of all backgrounds and cultures.
One of the greatest qualities of Lord Ganesha – the God who travels worldwide in his believer’s pockets is that he not only helps them in their personal life during festivals and celebrations but also blesses their commercial endeavors and cultural contexts. This makes him one of the most beloved and respected gods of all time.
Extra-ordinary qualities of Lord Ganesha
Lord Ganesha is believed to possess many great qualities that are admired and revered by his followers. These superior personality traits inspire and motivate his followers to lead a life full of wisdom, kindness, and perseverance. These qualities of Lord Ganesha include:
Wisdom: Lord Ganesha is considered to be the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge. His big head represents his vast intelligence, and he is often depicted holding a book or writing tool, symbolizing his scholarly nature.
Power: Lord Ganesha is believed to have immense power, which he uses to overcome obstacles and challenges. He is often worshipped before starting new ventures to provide the strength and courage needed to succeed.
Creativity: Lord Ganesha is considered to be the patron of the arts and sciences, as well as creativity and innovation.
Kindness: Lord Ganesha is known for his kind and compassionate nature. He is believed to have a gentle disposition and is a friend in need for everyone or anyone – rich or poor, big or small – who seeks his help.
Success: Lord Ganesha is associated with success and good fortune. His worshippers believe that by praying to him, they can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Leadership: Lord Ganesha is considered to be a great leader, and his worshippers look to him for guidance and direction. He is believed to possess the qualities of a good leader, including wisdom, strength, and the ability to inspire and motivate others.
Perseverance: Lord Ganesha is known for his ability to persevere in the face of adversity. His worshippers believe that by following his example, they too can overcome challenges and achieve their dreams.
Also Read: Why is Durga Puja a popular festival?
Many names of Lord Ganesha and their meaning
Lord Ganesha is known by many names like Ganapati, Vinayaka, or Vighnaharta – each with a different meaning and connotation.
Bappa – an extremely popular and affectionate nickname -commonly used in Maharashtra
Ganapati – meaning “lord of the people” is one of the commonly used names for Lord Ganesha
Vighnaharta – meaning “remover of obstacles”. It reflects Lord Ganesha’s ability to clear the path of his devotees and bless them with success and prosperity.
Vinayaka – means “the supreme leader”. It is a popular name for Lord Ganesha.
Lambodara – means “one with a large belly”. It refers to Lord Ganesha’s overweight figure.
Ekadanta – means “one with a single tusk”. It refers to Lord Ganesha’s iconic appearance.
Gajanan – meaning “elephant-faced” – is a common name of Lord Ganesha.
Siddhidata – meaning “giver of success” – symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s ability to bless and grant good luck, fortune, and wisdom to his devotees.
Why Goddesses Laxmi and Sarawati accompany Lord Ganesha
In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi, and Goddess Saraswati are three important deities. Lord Ganesha is the God of new beginnings, wisdom, and intelligence, while Goddess Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth, prosperity, and fortune. On the other hand, Goddess Saraswati is the Goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning.
The significance of having Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswati on either side of Lord Ganesha is rooted in the belief that success, prosperity, and wisdom go hand in hand. The symbolic coming together of these deities is supposed to mean that you mean wisdom, knowledge, and wealth in equal proportions to succeed in all aspects of life.
Goddess Lakshmi on one side of Lord Ganesha signifies the importance of material wealth and prosperity. It is believed that with the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, one can attain financial stability and abundance.
Goddess Saraswati on another side of Lord Ganesha signifies the importance of knowledge, wisdom, and learning. With the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, anyone can not only attain spiritual and intellectual growth but also achieve success in all stages of life.
There is a popular saying – anyone who has prosperity may not have wisdom and hence remain a fool who will sooner or later lose his wealth. But anyone who has knowledge and intellect – but no money can by virtue of his skills and abilities earn enough and retain or possess it for the rest of his life and beyond.
The message that this conveys is that the presence of the three deities — Goddess Laxmi, Goddess Saraswati, and Lord Ganesha together represent the complete package of success, prosperity, and wisdom, which is essential for self-satisfaction as well as a successful and prosperous life.
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