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Now,
some of you might argue that what is a God doing
with an axe. How can he be party to violence
? Again the key is to look at the deeper meaning.
The axe signifies the cutting of our attachments
with the objects of the world, on a materialistic
and emotional plane.
History of Public Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi
In
1894, Lokmanya Tilak himself placed an idol
of Lord Ganesh in Vinchurkar Wada, Maharashtra,
India and began this practice.
Lokmanya
Tilak's aims behind starting the public celebration
of the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi
Prior to starting this public celebration, the
social scenario of the Hindus was not stable.
The Hindus were not very keen on practicing
their religion. They were disunited. The Indians
were cowed down by the supremacy of the Westerners.
The natural prowess of the Indians was suppressed
by this state of affairs
Observing all of this, Lokmanya Tilak took the
initiative of starting a public celebration
of the festival keeping in mind the below aims.
To
create awareness about religion through the
programs organised during the public celebration
of Ganesh Chaturthi among the Hindus
To make Hindus aware of their latent prowess
To nullify the feelings of animosity in society
To make people aware about their rights and
duties
To rejuvenate the good religious customs
To commence crusades essential in those times
To activate the energies present naturally in
the society and those generated traditionally.
Ganapathi
Bapa Moriya Pudchya Varshi Laukar Yaa. ( ganapathi,
the lord, come again soon next year.)
Science
behind rituals performed for Ganesh Chaturthi
Some practical questions
regarding Ganesh Chaturti celebrations
What is the significance
of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi?
In the 120 days from the full moon (pournima)
in Ashadh till that in Kartik of the Hindu lunar
calendar, yama frequencies, which have the ability
to destroy and are tama predominant reach the
earth in greater quantities. During this period
they are of a greater intensity. However since
during the same period, that is from the fourth
day (chaturthi) in the bright fortnight of Bhadrapad
till Anant chaturdashi, Ganesh frequencies too
reach the earth in greater quantities it helps
in reducing the intensity of the yama frequencies.
Thus celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi derives the
benefits from Ganesh frequencies and helps in
reducing the effects of yama frequencies.
What should be the
duration of the celebration according to scriptures?
According to the scriptures, it should be worshipped
ritualistically and immersed immediately thereafter.
Since divinity in the sculpt made from mud remains
only for one day one can immediately immerse
them on second day. It is because man enjoys
celebrating festivals and was not satisfied
with celebrating for only one day, man began
festivities by keeping the idol for one and
a half, five, seven or ten days. According to
the custom, Ganesh should be immersed on the
first, second, third, sixth, seventh or tenth
day.
Can we change the duration
of the celebration to one and a half day or
do we need to ask someone before doing so?
Even if according to the family tradition of
spiritual practice (kulachar) the Ganapati was
to be kept for five days, one can worship the
idol for one and a half or seven days. One need
not ask an authority in Spirituality before
doing so.
What is the need for
a new idol?
Inspite of having an idol of Ganapati, which
is routinely worshipped, a new idol is brought
for Ganesh Chaturthi. During the period of Ganesh
Chatuthi, the Ganesh frequencies reach the earth
in larger quantities. If these frequencies are
invoked in the usual idol of worship, then that
idol will acquire a tremendous amount of energy.
To worship such an idol meticulously observing
all the norms of ritualistic worship throughout
the year would be a difficult task as one would
have to follow the restrictions of ritualistic
worship (karmakanda).
Hence, a new idol is installed to invoke the
Ganesh frequencies and is then immersed. The
proportion of sattva, raja and tama components
in Ganapati frequencies is 5:5:5 while that
in an average person is 1:3:5. This makes it
difficult for an average person to receive Ganesh
frequencies for a long time.
Which family member
should celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi?
The vowed religious observance followed for
Ganesh chaturthi is referred to as 'Siddhivinayak
vrat'. Actually it is beneficial if all family
members observe it. If all the brothers live
in a joint family, that is have a common treasury
and kitchen, then jointly a common idol can
be worshipped. However, if due to some reason
the treasury and kitchen are separate then each
one should observe the vowed religious observance
of Ganesh (Ganeshvrat) in one's own home.
Rituals
and their significance
Before commencing the ritualistic worship, rice
(grain) is spread over the seat on which the
idol is to be installed. Either a fistful or
a mound of rice is used, depending on the local
custom. On invocation of Ganapati and His ritualistic
worship, energy is generated in the idol. This
energy saturates the rice on which the idol
is placed. If there are two strings of a musical
instrument (a stringed musical instrument) of
the same frequency, when sound is generated
by one the same is generated by the other. Similarly,
when frequencies of energy are generated in
the rice below the idol, this energy is transmitted
to the rice stored in the house. Thus one can
eat rice saturated with energy as a sacrament
of food (prasad) throughout the year.
When performing each
of the following rituals a particular mantra
is recited.
[Detailed
information on ritualistic worship is given
in 'Science of Spirituality: Chapter 7 - Path
of Devotion (Bhaktiyoga)'. The actual ritualistic
worship is based on 'Shri Ganesh Pujavidhan'
compiled by Mr. S. K. Devdhar.]
1. Sipping water from the palm (achaman): This
brings about internal purification.
2. The resolve (sankalpa): It may be difficult
to obtain the benefit of a ritual without making
a resolve.
3. Purification of the seat (asanshuddhi): This
is brought about by touching one's seat and
offering obeisance (namaskar).
4. Chanting the Purushsukta (Purushsukta nyas):
Amidst chanting of the Purushsukta, the deity
should be invoked in one's heart, head, small
portion of hair on the head (shikha), face,
eyes and between the eyebrows. This facilitates
an increase in the sattvik (sattva predominant)
temperament.
5. Worship of the pot (kalashpuja): All deities,
seas, holy rivers, etc., should be invoked in
the pot. Sandalwood paste (gandha), consecrated
rice (akshata) and flowers should be offered
to the pot. This sattvik water is then used
in the ritualistic worship.
6. Worship of the conch (shankhapuja): The conch
should be washed and filled with water. Then
sandalwood paste and white flowers should be
offered to it. One should not offer consecrated
rice and tulsi leaves to it.
7. Worship of the bell (ghantapuja): One should
create sound by ringing the bell to welcome
the deities and drive off the demons (asurs).
The bell should be placed to one's left and
sandalwood paste, consecrated rice and flowers
should be offered to it.
8. Worship of the lamp (dipapuja): Sandalwood
paste and flowers are offered to the lamp.
9. Purification (pavitrikaran): The water from
the conch should be poured onto one's right
palm and then sprinkled over oneself and on
the substances to be used in the ritualistic
worship.
10. Worship of the entrance (dvarpuja): Flowers
and consecrated rice should be scattered in
all four directions. This itself is the worship
of the guardian deities of the directions (dikpal).
11. Consecration of the idol (pranpratistha):
One should place the right hand over the heart
of the idol of the deity and chant a mantra.
Consecration of an idol is done at Ganesh chaturthi
or to activate any new idol. This is not included
in the usual ritualistic worship, as due to
the regular worship the God principle has already
been attained by it.
12. Meditation (dhyan): One should chant 'Vakratunda
mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha Nirvighnam kurume
deva sarva Karyeshu Sarvada
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