Saluting and invoking Sri Ganesh

addressed or referred to as the very spirit of Yoga and the secret channel to the One…: whichever reality or aspect was invoked has probably depended through the centuries on the contemporary balance of forces as well as on the motivations prevailing in society and in individuals. And thus it came to pass that, for a fairly long period, his cult was considered as one of the five ways to realize the Divine, the other four being those of the Shakti, Vishnu, Shiva and Surya. Many are the names used to address Lord Ganesha and there are myriads of tales involving him in numerous different capacities: a prankster, a cunning instrument of the higher will, a menacing and dark opposing force, an immovable obstruction, a friend and companion and protector, a great king of wisdom, a bringer of prosperity and a provider… There are also several distinct “avatars” depending on the ages and in this age he rides the little rat (perhaps a shrew is the more exact definition), which in turn symbolizes the burrowing in the dark places, the wise hoarding of resources, the irresistible drive for advance and progression. For long in the past he was apparently a silent observer of proceedings and witness to the innumerable entreaties and pretences and subterfuges and prostrations in the relationships between human beings and powerful gods and goddesses. Perhaps this is one way he developed his knowledge and understanding of both human and godly nature. Sri Aurobindo has only referred to Lord Ganesha as the one who dissolves obstacles by the power of knowledge. Mother has later related a few instances in which She interacted directly with Ganesh – the first time in his golden form during a meditation Mother was regularly holding and to which various gods would discreetly attend. Her regard for his help in terms of material support and particularly in channeling the money-power for Her work, has been noted in various occasions, but it is also obvious that She held him in deep affection and Her keeping a small figurine of him by Her side was only perfectly natural. It is thus no surprise that one of the very first lands purchased in Her Name for the present Auroville was that of his little shrine. * *

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