Ganesh Symbolism
Ganesh
Many Hindus like to boast that the first transplantation of history was performed by Lord Shiva. The story, in short, says that he cut off the head of young boy Ganesh for refusing to let him enter his own house under instructions from his mother who was bathing at that time. When she finished her bath and came out door, she found her son killed by her husband unknowingly. The boy's head was lost. So, Lord Shiva planted the head of a baby elephant on the body of the boy. Someone made up a story like this without realizing that it inherently insults Lord Shiva by portraying him as a reckless child-killer who could not talk to the child nicely nor could wait a few minutes until his wife finished her bath.
Lord Ganesh is a symbol of the desirable qualities a leader, whether of a small unit like a family or larger units like cities, nations etc., should have. A very good pictorial depiction of this concept has been making rounds on the internet without mention of the artist who prepared it. (Looks like it came from funlock.com). The picture is self-explanatory and is presented here in the hope that my Hindu friends will realize the true meaning and, without boasting about transplantation, explain it to non-Hindus if and when necessary.
In case the picture above does not open properly, here is the interpretation of the organs of Lord Ganesh. (The website of funlock seems to have been closed. If the reader still would prefer to see the picture, this writer can send it separately upon receipt of an email request for it.)
Cutting off his head = changing his mindset from a selfish to a broadminded one
Big head = Thinking big
Small eyes = concentrate, pay attention to details
Rope = to pull you nearer to the highest goal
Trunk = High efficiency, adaptability
One trunk = Retain good, throw away bad
Large ears = Listen more
Axe = To cut off all bonds of attachment
Small mouth = Talk less
Blessings = Blesses and protects on spiritual path to supreme
Large stomach = Peacefully digest all good and bad in life
Prasada = The whole world is at your feet for your asking
Modaka (laddu) = Rewards of Sadhana (efforts at self improvement)
Mouse = Desire, unless under control can cause havoc. We should ride the desire, keep it under control and not allow it to take us for a ride
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