Om Gam Ganapathaye Namah
Ganapati is not a myth. It is a reality! Many Sadhakas have experienced Pratyaksha Darsanas (manifest visions) of Ganapathi. Ganapathi is an Ishwara Prateeka (one of the various expressions of Ishwara in the Karana Loka) realized by many Rishis! Millions of people worship Bhagwan Ganapathi with great devotion. There are lakhs of people who have attained unusual worldly and spiritual achievements through Ganapati Upasana (meditation on Ganapati). Thousands of temples enshrined with the various forms of Ganapati can be found all over India.
Although Ganapathi is a reality, there are many mythical stories surrounding Ganapathi. There are numerous myths and legends propagated about Ganapathi.
The stories about Vikramaditya are examples. Although several kings adopted the title of ‘Vikramaditya’, it is Chandragupta II, the son of Maharaja Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty, who is commonly referred to as Vikramaditya. The Gupta period is known as the Golden Age in the history of India. He ruled from CE 375 – 415. Vikramaditya was a historical figure. But the stories of Vikramaditya and Betal (Vetal) are only fictitious. They can be called myths. Just like it is said that Parasurama flung his axe to create the land of Kerala! There are references that Kerala was formed by the receding of the sea. Due to this reason, some people created the story of Parasurama ‘flinging-the-axe’ out of their fantasies.
Many stories about Ganapathi are not only mythical but also silly. Since they have been widely promoted and accepted, it is difficult to remove it from the minds of people. Certain ignorant people will create a ruckus about it without knowing the facts!
That Ganapathi wrote Mahabharatha as Vyasa narrated it is only a poetic imagination. Many literary works use symbolisms and styles such as parrots narrating a story, QA conversations between Uma and Maheshwara, and dialogue between Guru and Sishya to set their backdrops.
How did Ganapathi get an elephant’s head? Hadn’t this question stirred up a huge controversy recently. Is it plastic surgery or organ replacement?! It is interesting to note that the recent ‘Ganapathi Myth controversy’ had arisen as a response to what our Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi ji had jokingly told many years back; that concepts such as plastic surgery, organ transplantation, aircrafts (Pushpaka Vimana), nuclear weapons (Divyastras), test-tube babies (birth of Kauravas) had existed in ancient India.
The minds of majority people are filled with ideas ingrained in them through grandma’s stories that we have been hearing since childhood, the inauthentic Puranas that we have read, children’s stories, novels, and comics!
It is very difficult to change what is imprinted on our minds through art forms such as dance-drama, story-telling, Harikathas, Kathakali, cartoons, animations, serials, and movies. We have to examine these stories through basic scientific temper, logic, and common sense about the greatness of Ishwara and decide.
Certain Puranas give contrasting accounts on the origin of Ganapathi. The Puranas have never been recognised as authentic by anyone. Puranas are works that have imitated the beliefs, customs, and mindsets of the people who lived in a certain period. There are rights and wrongs in them. Puranas do have good stories, parables, and excellent hymns. At the same time, you can also find many absurd stories that portray all the Ishwara Prateekas (one of the various expressions of Ishwara in the Karana Loka) and Rishis in a very bad light. (These could be interpolations!) The wise must imbibe the stories with good morals and principles while rejecting the absurd stories. The example of the swan is cited in context of how to study the Puranas. It is called Hamsa Nyaya. If you give milk mixed with water to a swan (Hamsa), it separates the water from the milk, and drinks only the milk. If those who lack Hamsa Buddhi, study the Puranas, it is going to be problematic.
Let us briefly list out some stories and concepts widely propagated about the origin of Ganapathi.
The first story – Some Puranas state that Ganapathi was born to Parvathi and Paramasiva when they roamed as elephants!
Second story – certain other Puranas state that Parvathi created Ganesha out of Kumkuma to guard her bath area.
Third story – The Rishis say that Mahaganapathi (Moola Ganapathi) who resides in the Karana Loka (causal world and lacking any form), manifested on earth with an elephant-head (Gajamukha Ganapathi) to kill the demons Gajasura and Analasura.
Anyone can clearly conclude that these three stories are contradictory to each other. If one of them is true, then the other is false. Decide which is true using your own intellect and based on your concept of a God. Let’s examine each of these stories about the origin of Ganapathi through common sense.
Let’s take the first story – This concept claims that Ganapathi is the child born to Parvathi and Paramasiva when they roamed as elephants. Thai story is referenced in some of the Pulluvan songs. But the creators of this story will have to answer certain questions:
Why did Parvathi and Paramasiva have to disguise themselves as elephants on earth?
Let’s assume Ganapathi was indeed born to them when they were elephants, then how did that Bhagwan get a human body? How can a baby elephant get a human body?
Why did Parvathi-Parameshwara make this strange creation to last eternally?
No one will ever have answers to these questions!
Now let’s examine the second story – the next popular story is that Parvathi created Ganapathi out of Kumkuma to guard the bath area.
Here is the brief of this story:
Once Parvathi was taking a bath when her husband Paramasiva arrived. Parvathi didn’t like that. Parvathi created a son for herself using her Kumkuma to guard her bath place. When Paramasiva came again, Ganapathi stopped him. They started fighting against each other. Shiva chopped off the head of Ganapathi with his Trishoola. Parvathi started crying. Then, Shiva killed the first elephant he saw, and attached its head onto Ganapathi’s body. (This is not plastic surgery but organ transplantation!).
So a few questions here again!
Why should a wife feel threatened if her husband approaches her in their bathroom?
What is there to hide from Ishwara – who sees everything, and is all-knowing?
Parvathi who is aware of all this was yet so timid?
If she indeed needed guards for her bath area, she could have employed guards!
Would anyone make their children guard the bath area while bathing? That too to be not seen by her own husband?
If Parvathi is displeased, she could have communicated that to Paramasiva.
Without informing him of her displeasure, did she have to create another being (that too secretly!)?
Going by this story, Ganapathi is only a creation of Parvathi and not her son.
Going by this story, how does Ganapathi become Paramasiva’s son?
Was Ganapathi created out of Kumkuma? Is the body of Ganapathi the colour of Kumkuma?
Why couldn’t the omniscient Ishwara recognise “the child with the Kumkuma body” who stopped him?
Why did Ishwara kill this boy who was safeguarding his wife by performing the duty of a watchman?
Can Ganapathi even die?
Why does Parvathi have to cry when she learns that her son is dead?
Doesn’t have the power to bring him back to life? Couldn’t Parvathi who created Ganapathi by kneading Kumkuma, create another head using Kumkuma and bring him back to life?
Couldn’t Paramasiva who is Mrityunjaya and the giver of the knowledge of immortality create a head and give back life to Ganapathi?
Why was it necessary to kill an innocent elephant to give a new head to Ganapathi?
Can an elephant head substitute an original human head? (Don’t forget that the brain is the most important organ!)
Gajamukha Ganapathi is described as bearing resemblance to an elephant head. The same is depicted in images and idols! Not exactly the head of an elephant, nor is it black in colour!
It would be great to know what explanation the makers of these stories have to offer for these questions that even a small child would ask!
Such false and absurd stories are injected into the minds of even children through some non-authentic books, grandmother’s stories and legends. As children grow older, people start to consider not only these stories but Ishwara itself as a myth! Certain others convert into other religions! So who is at fault here?
Those who argue that ‘Ganapathi is a myth’ and those who mock that ‘Ganapathi wouldn’t have existed if Parvathi’s bathroom had a latch’ may have some particular goals. Along with responding to them, there is a need to correct the misconceptions that have become deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
Gajamukha Ganapathi The third story related to Ganapati is that Mahaganapati (Moola Ganapathi) of the causal world manifested on earth as an elephant-headed form (Gajamukha Ganapathi) to slay the demons Gajasura and Analasura – (This story which is held by the Rishis seems more logical).
During time immemorial, there were two Asuras on earth, Gajasura and Analasura who had performed Tapas and attained boons to become invincible. At the end of their Tapas, they pleaded to Ishwara that ‘they could be defeated only by a creature with the head resembling an elephant and body of a human’. In the overconfidence that such a strange being could never exist, the Asuras made such a crooked demand, to prevent themselves from being defeated by anyone. According to the laws of the universe, hard Tapas will bear results. Hence, Ishwara gave them the boon they asked for while warning them that if the power of the boon is misused against others i.e., if they go against Dharma itself, they will be destroyed.
But Gajasura and Analasura, who were blinded by the power of their boons, became so arrogant that they started harming the Rishis, common people, and other living beings on earth. All the efforts of the kings to resist them were in vain. The Asuras, growing more and more arrogant owing to their power, harmed other beings ruthlessly. It reached a point where the people cried and prayed, “Ishwara, please save us from the barbaric attacks of these Asuras”.
It was then that Mahaganapathi of the Karana Loka (causal world) manifested and appeared on earth as Gajamuka Ganapathi to save the Rishis, people, living beings, and the Sanathana Dharma given by Ishwara. He saved the world by killing Gajasura and Analasura. Gajasura who tried to save himself by taking the form of a Mooshika (mouse), was blessed by Ganapathi and made his Vahana in his Pratishtha. He took this form only for a few moments to kill Gajasura. But since then, we have been following the practice of worshipping Gajamukha Ganapathi.
Vinayaka Chaturthi is the day when Ganapathi appeared as Gajamukha (one with elephant-head) to save the world by killing Gajasura and his companions. (The stories of Chandra and Kubera related to Vinayaka Chaturthi are nonsense.) This is a more logical explanation than the silly stories that are popular even today, and keeping with the true nature of God.
This is what we need to promote – Mahaganapathi Rahasyam (The secret of Mahaganapathi)
Who is Mahaganapathi? How did Bhagwan appear as a Gajamukha Ganapathi?
I am providing here the explanations taught by prominent Aarsha Guru Paramparas. My Gurus Sri Sankara Gurudev ji, Sri Nikhileshwarananda Paramahansa ji and others taught me this interpretation.
Rishis describe three Ganapathis.
Ganapathi in the Vedas. (Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda, Atharva Veda – these are our Vedic literature (written Vedas)).
Ganapathi Moorthi or Ganapathi Bhagwan – Mahaganapthi (Moola Ganapathi) residing in the Karana Loka as pointed out by the Tantric Rishis.
Gajamukha Ganapathi (the one with an elephant head and a human body). The form that appeared on earth. The form that is popular in images and idols.
The first Ganapathi is the Ganapathi mentioned in the Vedas. Here Ganapathi is another name for Parameshwara. Just as Parameshwara is also known by names such as Pashupathi, Bhootapathi, Prajapathi etc.
The Vedas refer to Parameshwara who is the supreme lord of all living beings as Ganapathi. He is also described as Jeeveshwara, Athmeshwara, Bhooteshwara etc.
Maharshi Yaska clarifies through the Yaska Niruktham that Paramashiva, Parashakthi, Vishnu, Parabrahma, Brahma, Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Sastha, Narayana, Rama, Krishna, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Prajapati, Manu, Niryathi, Aditya, Mithra, Yama, Varuna are all different names representing the different attributes of the same Parameshwara.
It is this Parameshwara Tatva which exists as Brahma (the Samashti or whole or general) in the Vshwa and as Aatma (the Vyashti or particular or individual) immanent in all the beings. This Paramatatva or supreme tatva is also known as Paramporul, Paramatma, Parabrahmam. The Mahavakyas such as Tat Tvam Asi, Aham Brahmasmi, Ayamatma Brahma, Prajnanam Brahma, Soham, Hamsa, Shivoham indicate that at the transcendental level, Aatma and Paramatma are one and the same! Which means the Parameshwara Tatva which is also Ganapati Tatva is also immanent in each one of us!
The second Ganapathi –Let’s talk about the Tantric – Yoga – Siddha view of Ganapathi Bhagwan or Ganapathi in the Karana Loka.
According to Sanathana Dharma, there are three worlds: Sthoola Loka (Physical world or Prapancha), Sookshma Loka (Astral world), and Karana Loka (causal world). Causal world is the highest world. The body of the Bhagawans in Karana Loka is the Karana Sareera or causal body. Hence Ganapathi is described as Karana Jyothi Swaroopa, Sacchidananda Swaroopa, and Pranava Swaroopa.
Humans who are limited in many ways cannot perceive Sookshma – Karana Lokas or the Sookshma – Karana Sareeras. These cannot be perceived through the five human senses (eyes-sight, ears-hearing, nose-smell, tongue-taste, skin-touch) or imagined by the mind. Therefore, Mahaganapathi does not have a half human, half elephant form as in the Sthoola Loka.
Elephants and humans appeared billions of years after the existence of earth. The Sookshma Loka was formed long before the Sthoola Loka consisting of Earth, solar system, milky way galaxy, the billions of galaxies was formed. Ganapathi was a Bhagwan in the Karana Loka which was formed much before all of these. It means Ganapathi is in the form of a Karana Jyothi. He has neither Sookshma Sareera nor Karana Sareera.
The third one is the Gajamukha Ganapathi.Gajamukha Ganapathi is the manifestation of Mahaganapathi (Karana Jyothi Swaroopa) of the Karana Loka, on earth to save humans. (Just as Narasimha manifested to save Prahlad and the world from Hiranyakashipu).
Below are some Dhyana Shlokas and short Stotras highlighting the Mahaganapathi Rahasyam. The Tantric Guruparamparas recite them daily. In all of these, there are references to a manifestation in the form of Gajamukha appearing to protect people from Asuras like Gajasura. Thus the third story which is held by the Rishis can be said to be logical and authentic.
Mahaganapathi (Moola Ganapathi Dhyana Shlokas)
महागणपतिं वन्दे शिवशक्तिस्वरूपिणम्
स्थूलं सूक्ष्ममतिक्रम्य कारणं लोकमास्थितम्
रुद्रलोके वसन्तं त्वां रुद्रभूतगणाधिपम्
गजानलासुराभ्यां च जनस्य भुवनस्य च
त्राणनायावतीर्णं तं गजाननसुरूपिणम्
शुभलाभसुतोपेतं ऋद्धि सिद्धिप्रियं शुभम्
सर्वसिद्घिप्रदातारं सर्वविघ्ननिवारिणम्
ज्योतिषा सच्चिदानन्दस्वरूपेण सुदीपितम्
Meaning:
I bow to / meditate upon Mahaganapathi (Moola Ganapathi) who is Sacchidananda Satva Jyothi Swaroopa, who is Shivasakthi Swaroopa, he who exists as the lord of the Rudras in the Karana Loka which is beyond the Sthoola and Sookshma Lokas, he who appeared as Gajamukha to save the world and people from Gajasura and Analasura, one whose wives are Siddhi and Riddhi, children Shubh and Labh, and the remover of all obstacles and bestower of victories and boons.
Mahaganapathi Panchakam
शिवशक्तिस्वरूपं तं
स्थूलसूक्ष्मोत्तरे लोके ।
कारणे रुद्रभूतेशं
भजेऽहं गणनायकम्।।
Meaning:
I worship / meditate upon Ganapathi who is Sivasakthi Swaroopa, the lord of Rudrabhoota Ganas in the Karana Loka which is beyond the Sthoola and Sookshma Lokas. (The Anucharans of Maharudra or the Mahayogis who have attained the Salokya state are called Rudrabhoota Ganas. For example, Ganapathi, Subrahmanya, Sastha, Veerabhadra, Bhadrakali, Durga, Nandikeshwara, Anthimahakala, Bhairava, Ghantakarna, Vapura etc.)
गजाद्यसुरगणाच्चैवं
लोकान् रक्षितुमायातम्।
सच्चिदानन्द रूपं तं
भजेऽहं गणनायकम्।।
Meaning:
I worship Ganapathi who manifested in a Gajamukhi form to save the world from the cruel Asuras like Gajasura and who is in essence a Sacchidananda Swaroopi.
पत्नीभ्यां ऋद्धि-सिद्धीभ्यां
शुभ-लाभेति पुत्राभ्याम्।
समन्वितञ्च विघ्नेशं
भजेऽहं गणनायकम्।।
Meaning:
I worship Ganapathi who is Vighneshwara, the remover of all obstacles, radiating with wives Siddhi and Riddhi and offsprings Shubh and Labh.
Riddhi = development, progress, good fortune, success, wealth, prosperity, and abundance
Siddhi = worldly, superhuman, and spiritual powers – Laukika Siddhi, Alaukika Siddhi, and Adhyatmika Siddhi
Shubham = auspiciousness and supreme virtue
Labham = gain, success
महागणपतिं वन्दे
शुद्धिसिद्धिबुद्धिप्रदातारम्।
विघ्नेशं मूलरूपं तं
भजेऽहं गणनायकम्।।
Meaning:
I worship Mahaganapathi whose Moola Roopa or original form is Vignesha (Sacchidananda), the bestower of Shuddhi, Siddhi, Buddhi to the world.
जयशक्तिप्रदातारं
सर्वसत्त्वगुणोपेतम्।
ज्योतिस्वरूपदेवं तं
भजेऽहं गणनायकम्।।
Meaning:
I worship Ganapathi who exists in the Karana Loka as Jyothi Swaroopa in the causal world, one who is of Satva Gunas, the bestower of all victories and powers.
On this Vinayaka Chaturthi day, let us pledge to do away with all absurd stories being spread about Ganapathi.
Om Gam Ganapathaye Namah 
Wishing you all a happy, blessed, and auspicious Ganesh chaturthi.