13-Ganesh Moorti
Taken From:
http://www.hindujagruti.org
Entire Idol
Omkaar, the unmanifest (Nir-gun) principle
Trunk
It is a popular belief that an idol with the tip of the trunk pointing towards
the right and left are called right-sided and left-sided idols respectively.
However this is not the case. One should not decide whether the idol is
right-sided or left-sided depending upon which side the trunk is directed. It
should be decided depending on the direction in which the initial curve of the
trunk points. If the initial curve of the trunk in a Ganesh idol points towards
the right and the tip of the trunk points towards the left yet the idol should
be considered a right-sided idol. The reason for this is that, the initial curve
of the trunk pointing towards the right indicates that the right (that is Sun)
channel (Naadee) of Ganapati is active.
Right Sided Trunk Ganapati
Right-sided trunk: An idol of Ganapati with the trunk curved towards the right
is called Dakshinmoorti or Dakshinaabhimukhee Moorti (the idol facing the south).
Dakshin means the southern direction or the right side. The southern direction
leads to the region of Lord Yam (Yam Lok), the deity of death while the right side
belongs to the Soorya Naadee (Sun channel). One who is able to face the direction
of the region of Yam is powerful. So also, one with an activated Soorya Naadee is
also radiant. Thus in both senses, the Ganapati idol with the trunk curved towards
the right is said to be active (Jaagrat).
One feels repulsed by the
south direction because it is in that direction that scrutiny of one's sins and
merits are carried out after death, in the region of Lord Yam. Scrutiny akin to
that done in the south after death, begins when alive if one faces the south or
sleeps with the legs directed towards the south. The Dakshinaabhimukhee idol is
not worshipped ritualistically in the usual manner because Tiryak (Raj)
frequencies are emitted from the south. The ritualistic worship of this idol is
performed by observing all the norms of ritualistic worship meticulously.
Consequently the Sattwa component is augmented and one is not distressed by the
Raj frequencies coming from the south.
Left Sided Trunk Ganapati
Left-sided trunk: An idol of Ganapati with the trunk curved towards the left is
called Vaam-mukhee. Vaam means the northern direction or the left side. The
Chandra Naadee (Moon channel) is situated to the left. It bestows tranquility.
Besides, since the northern direction is spiritually favorable and bestows Bliss
(Anand), mostly the Vaam-mukhee Ganapati is worshipped. It is worshipped
ritualistically in the usual manner.
Modak (Laddoo-a sweet delicacy)
'Mod' means Bliss (Aanand) and 'ka' means a small part. So, Modak is a small
part of Bliss. A Modak is shaped like a coconut, that is it is like the cavity
'kha' in the Brahm Randhra. When the Kundalinee (spiritual energy) reaches the
'kha' cavity, the spiritual experience of Bliss is obtained. The Modak held in
the hand signifies Bliss endowing energy. 'The Modak symbolizes spiritual knowledge
(Gyaan): hence it is also called Gyaan Modak. Initially it seems that spiritual
knowledge is little (the tip of the Modak represents this); but as one starts
studying Spirituality, one realizes its vastness (the base of the Modak symbolizes
this.) A Modak is sweet in taste. The Bliss acquired through spiritual knowledge
too is like that.'
Goad (Ankush)
Destroyer of the energies which are harmful to the mission of acquisition of
spiritual knowledge and Bliss.
Noose (Paash)
Worldly bondage. The noose wielded by Ganapati signifies that he will tie the
noose around negative entities and take them away.
Serpent wound around the waist
The universal Kundalinee (spiritual energy)
Hood of the serpent
Activated (Jaagrat) spiritual energy
Mouse
The mouse which represents the Raj component is within the control of Ganapati.
|