Our devotion gets redoubled when we find Ganapati available in the home or temple. We all have special and dedicated reverence towards Ganapati. The Hindu people across the world do worship this omnipresent God first. Though the people of the world do worship this powerful elephant headed God first, very rare numbers of people know why Lord Ganesha is prayed first before starting any auspicious performance.
The people or wise Pandit invoke this supreme God before performing Puja for any other lords.
Every one of us does have a belief that Lord Ganesha will save us from any disaster and obstacle. Lord Ganesha really an all powerful God whom we unambiguously accept and pray for our betterment.
Today, the people put images of the Ganapati on the marriage invitation cards, birthday invitation cards, and business initiation cards etc. This is popular belief that the Lord Ganapati will destroy all sorts of hindrances. That is why the people put the images of Lord Ganesh on various invitation cards.
General belief about Ganesh’s body
Lord Ganesha is the only God who has an elephant head, big ear, and large tummy. The elephant head is an indication of knowledge and wisdom. That is why this almighty is worshiped in every school by the students in East India.
The big ear denotes that Lord listens to everything whatever his devote says. The people especially pray this omnipresent Lord with great devotion as he is the Vighnahart or destroyer of all misforutune obstracle . Ordeals and disaster etc. Hence, praying Lord Ganapati can eliminate all the misfortune from the life.
Why Lord Ganapati is worshipped first?
Have you ever wondered about why Lord Vinayak is worshiped first? According to Hindu scripture Ganapati Upanishad, Ganapati appeared even before the foundation of nature and consciousness. This is one of the important reasons why Ganapati is worshiped first before starting any Puja.
The mythological theory is one day Goddess Parvati advised Ganesha to guard the gate and prevent anyone who tries to enter. Lord Shiva came and tried to enter the room while Lord Ganesha was guarding the gate. However, the little Ganapati did not allow to enter the gate. Hence, Lord Shiva beheaded his little boy out of anger.
Goddess Parvati came running as Ganesha started screaming due to pain and saw his boy’s miserable plight. Goddess Parvati got angry and menaced to destroy the world if his boy’s life is not restored back. Seeing the wrath of the Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva replaced the head of elephant and life of Ganesha got restored.
Shiva realized the Ganesha’s condition and Parvati’s sadness. Hence, he bestowed Lord Ganapati that no puja will be done before Lord Ganesha is worshiped. He also blessed with the immense divine power to Lord Ganesha.
The contest between Lord Kartikeya and Ganesh
Another myth has also been prevailing since time immemorial. Once Kartikeya the elder brother of Lord Ganesha declared that he is the best God among all the Gods. But, Lord Shiva advised to both the brothers to encircle the universe.
The one will be declared the winner who encircled the universe first. Lord Kartikeya started encircling the universe by taking his peacock. while Lord Ganesha commence moving around Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati thinking the parents as his universe.
Understanding, his intelligence Lord Shiva declared him as the winner. Since then Lord Ganesha is being worshiped first.
Yogic belief
There is a Yogic belief that has been prevailing as well. According to Yogic belief, all of our activities have been categorized into two i.e. material and spiritual. It is said that Lord Ganapati controls the ‘Muladhar Chakra’ of our body. Muladhara is considered to be the interface between spiritual and material worlds. Lord Vinayaka said to control these worlds.
He is only who gives us enlightenment and make us free from rebirth. He is the only powerful God who gives us success in the worldly affairs. So far as Yogic principle is concerned, the Muladhara Chakra is controlled by Lord Ganapati. That is the reason, he is prayed first before starting any undertakings.
Hence, it is imperative to get blessings of Lord Ganesha to be free from any obstacles. Our devotion towards Lord Gangesha will certainly give us not only spiritual success but also the material success.
