• Since Ganesha leads, when Gods are invoked, installed and adored, this festival leads the long line of festivals for other forms of God: Navarathri, Deepavali, Sankranthi, Sivarathri etc. The duty this day is to contemplate on the universal and eternal truth embodied in Ganesha and worship him with purity and faith, praying for the grace which can prevent lapses and promote progress in all efforts to achieve the highest goal.

Ganesha is the embodiment of intelligence (Buddhi) and achievement (Siddhi). He was approached by sage Vyasa with a prayer to write down the Mahabharatha even as he composed the hundreds of thousands of its verses! Ganesha agreed immediately, He brooked no delay, even to secure a writing too, he broke his pointed tusk and was ready to start.

• The essential purpose of the Vinayaka Chaturthi festival is to teach a person to avoid the company of bad people and cultivate the company of the good. What does the term Ganapathi signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi or intellect, ‘Na’ means Jnana (Wisdom). ‘Ganapathi’ means one who is the Lord of the intellect and of wisdom. He is also the Lord of all Ganas (spiritual entities). Gunas also symbolise the senses. Ganapathi is thus the Lord of the senses. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakaha" (Vinayaka is one who is without a master above him).
• On this day, students place books in front of the Ganesha idol and offer worship. They pray to the deity to illumine their minds. Hence, Ganesha is known as ‘Buddhi Pradaayaka’, one who grants intelligence. No one should regard Ganesha as uncouth because of his elephant head and his immense belly. Vinayaka is a deity who encompasses the Universe within himself. He is a deity of infinite Potency. Hence holy days like Vinayaka Chaturthi should be celebrated only to remind ourselves of sacred truths and to sanctify our minds and time accordingly. They should not be treated as holidays for feasting and merry making.
• Bharathiya’s festivals are pregnant with spiritual significance. Unfortunately, Bharathiyas today give importance to only externals rituals and observances, ignoring their inner meaning and eternal values.

"Parvathi thanaya Ganaadhipa"-‘Oh son of Parvathi! Lord of the Ganas’. In these terms the Vedas extolled Ganapathi. Who is this Parvathi? Who is her son? What is the relationship between mother and son? Few Bharathiyas care to inquire into these questions. The Vedas proclaimed, "Oh Ganaadhipa!" Who are these ‘Ganas’? Are they celestial hosts or demonic (Asura) beings? They are celestial beings. Where are they? Are they wandering in the external world or are they present subtly in human beings. He (Vighneswara) is called Ganaadhipathi because he is the Supreme Lord of the Ganas. The Ganas are the embodiment of the organs of perception (Jnanendriyas) and of action (Karmendriyas). The mind is the master of these ten senses. The presiding deity of the mind is called Indra, as he is the Lord of the Indriyas (the senses). The master over the mind is the Intellect (Buddhi).

What does the name "Ganapathi" signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi (or intellect), Na means Vignaana (wisdom). As Vighneswara is the Lord of the Intellect and Wisdom, he is called "Ganapathi".

• It follows from this that what are called Ganas are parts of the human body. The individual (Vyakti) is a part of creation (Srishti). Hence, Divinity, of which the cosmos is a projection, is immanent in the human being. "Vigath nayakah Vinayakah" (Vinayaka has no master over him"). This means that Vinayaka is a totally autonomous and independent deity. He has no Lord above him. In the world, any individual or authority has someone superior above him. But Vinayaka has no overlord.

Thanno Danthi Prochodayaath.

This mantra indicates that Vinayaka’s Divinity is glorified in this Gayatri mantra. Hence, Ganapathi signifies an all-pervading Divine potency.

• In everyday parlance, Ganapathi is described as son of Parvathi. Parvathi represents Prakriti (Nature). Man is a child of nature. Hence, every human being is a Vinayaka. He is a spark of the Divine Siva-Sakthi, the union of the Lord and nature. Everything in the world has emanated from Nature (Prakriti). All things are aspects of Nature. It is to reveal this sacred truth that holy festivals are observed.
• How does it happen that Vinayaka has the head of an elephant and has a mouse, as his Vehicle? The mouse is called ‘Mooshika’ (in Sanskrit). It is a sign of night, which signifies darkness. The mouse is a symbol of darkness. Because Vinayaka has control over darkness, he is described as the rider on a Mooshika. He is the one who dispels darkness and shed light on the world.

The mouse (Mooshika) is also a symbol of the sense of smell. The mouse moves about following the direction of the smell (Vaasana) . Vinayaka is the one who has the mastery over vaasanas, that is desires and ignorance (represented by "Mooshika").

What is meant by describing the mouse ("Mooshika") as the vehicle of Vinayaka? It means that Vinayaka rides on the Mooshika, representing desires (vaasanas) and ignorance (darkness).

Vinayaka is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacle to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all those powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). What is this Siddhi? When there is purity of mind, you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (the Intellect and Self-Realisation). Hence, every human being should acquire control over the mind.

• Vinayaka is the Lord of all learning (Vidya). Does learning mean bookish scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to cosmos is included in the term learning (Vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling, thinking - every kind of activity is related learning. Today, learning is identified with acquisition of information. But apart from the knowledge of the physical world, we have many other kinds of knowledge relating to chemistry, the fine arts and other skills.

Vinayaka is the master of every kind of knowledge. Learning is related to the intellect (Buddhi). It is not mere scholarship. Familiarity with book is not knowledge. One’s entire life is a continuous process of learning. Any process of inquiry is related to learning. But, basically our inquire should be concerned with finding out what is transient and what is permanent. This is true knowledge.

• Students worship Vinayaka with zeal. Vinayaka is not the one who merely comes to the aid of those who read their books. He helps everyone at every step in life’s journey. He is readily accessible. He is pleased with an offering of flowers of no value (Jilledy flowers). It is said that anyone who eats these flowers will become insane. Such flowers are offered to Vinayaka. Vinayaka is also worshipped with an offering of green grass.

Once, the story goes, Parvathi and Parameswara were playing a game of dice with Nandiswara (Parameswara’s vehicle, the bully as the umpire) . Although Iswara lost the game, Nandi declared Him as the winner. Enraged at this unfair decision Parvathi cursed Nandi that he would be afflicted with an incurable disease. Nandi, seeking Parvathi’s forgiveness, explained that he gave the verdict in Parameswara’s favour because the latter was his master and his duty as a servant was to serve him. Parvathi relented and said that Nandi would be freed from the curse if he offered to her son Ganapathi what was most relished by Nandi. Nandi pondered for a moment and declared that what he loved most as a bull was fresh green grass. He would offer that to Ganapathi. That was how the practice of including fresh green grass among the offerings made to Ganapathi during festival occasions came into vogue.

Ganapathi accepts as offerings many things which we consider useless and trivial. One of the names of Vinayaka is "Arkadronapriya" (one who loves thummi and jilledi flowers - flowers which are usually not valued by people). Other offerings to Vinayaka include a special kind of grass. There is a story relating to this.

• Once upon a time there was an Asura (demon) named Gajasura. He performed a penance. Iswara, pleased with his penance, offered him as a boon whatever he desired. Iswara is a deity who is easily propitiated. Hence he is known as Bhola-Sankara. When he is pleased with a devotee, He gives the devotee whatever he asks. Sometimes He gets into a difficult situation, as in the case of Bhasmasura who was granted by Siva the boon to turn into ashes anyone on whose head he placed his palm. Immediately after getting the boon he wanted to test his power by trying to place his hand on Siva’s head itself!
• What was the boon Siva gave to Gajasura? The demon desired that fire should go forth from him continuously so that no one dare approach him. Siva granted him the boon. Gajasura continued to do penance and Siva used to appear before him off and on. Once Siva asked him what he wanted. The demon said: "I want you to dwell in my stomach." Siva granted the boon and lodged himself in the demon’s stomach. Siva’s consort Parvathi, searched for Siva everywhere and could not find Him. As a last resort, she went to her brother, Vishnu, and appealed to Him to trace the whereabouts of her husband. The all - knowing assured her; "don’t worry, dear sister. Your husband is Bhola - Sankara. He grants readily whatever boon his devotee prays for, without considering the consequences. I suspect that he must have got into some trouble. I shall find out what has happened."

Vishnu, who is the director of the cosmic play, staged a small drama. He converted Nandi (Siva’s bull) into a dancing-bull and led it before Gajasura, while himself assuming the role of a piper playing music on the pipe. Gajasura was in ecstasy over the dancing performance of the bull: He asked the piper (Vishnu) what he wanted. The piper replied: "Can you give what I ask?" "What do you take me for? I shall readily give you whatever you ask." The piper said: " If that is so, release from your stomach Siva who is dwelling there." Gajasura then realised that the piper was none other than Vishnu Himself, who alone could know the secret of Siva’s presence inside his stomach. He fell at the feet of Vishnu, released Siva from his stomach and prayed to Him for a boon. He said: "I have been blessed by many boons from you. My last request is that all should cherish my memory by worshipping my head after I pass away." Siva thereupon brought His son and placed Gajasura’s head on him.

What should be offered to God are things which will please Him. This is what Parvathi enjoined on Nandiswara. She told him: "Offer to My son what will please him and what is most pleasing to you."

• Another notable fact about Vinayaka is His Vehicle, the mouse (Mooshika). What does the mouse represent? It represents darkness, which is the symbol of ignorance. The mouse moves about in the dark. Ganapathi is regarded as controlling the darkness of ignorance.

The mouse is also known for its strong sense of smell (vasana). Based on the smell emanating from an object, the mouse finds its way to it. The inner significance of vasana in relation to humanity is the heritage of ‘vasanas’ which they bring from their previous lives. These vasanas (inherited tendencies) account for the actions of human beings in their present lives. They also signify desires. Without recognising this underlying significance of Vinayaka’s mastery over ignorance and desires, people merely wonder how a large being like Vinayaka could ride on a tiny creature like a mouse.

• If you want to lead a life of happiness, free from troubles and difficulties, you have to pray to Ganapathi, the remover of all obstacles. There is no need to go to an temple. Vigneswara dwells in each and every one of you as your Buddhi (Intelligence) and Vijnana (Wisdom). When you make proper use of your inherent intelligence and wisdom, you will be successful in life. Realise that you have a conscience that is your guide and consciousness which represents your divinity. Ganapathi, who presides over the senses, should be your guide in acquiring mastery over the senses. There is an inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day should be dedicated to acquiring control over one the sense organs (Indriyas).