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Ganesh is distinguished by his elephant-like features. Whilst her husband, Shiv, was in mediation, Parvati had a son named Vinayak who guarded and served her. When Shiv returned home, Vinayak would not let him enter and they duelled until Vinayak was decapitated. Parvati lamented and Shiv realised his mistake. He sent his servants to bring the head of the first living thing they encountered, which happened to be that of a baby elephant. Shivji resurrected the elephant-headed Vinayak as Ganesh. Ganesh's features are indicative of his qualities: his large ears represent attentive listening to the Lord's teachings; his vast forehead represents the intellect to realise the glory of the Lord; his short legs depict patience and his trunk represents deep wisdom. Thus Ganesh is a personification of the essential qualities a devotee should aspire to in his devotion to the Lord.
Lord Ganesh giving darshan in the Swaminarayan Art Gallery.
The rat is depicted at the feet of Ganpati because the rat is his vehicle. Hindu mythology says that a demon became devoted to Ganpati and took the form of a rat. This rat now takes Ganesh wherever he wishes. Ganpati repays the devout service of the rat and does not allow any of his weight to fall on the rat. To the rat, he remains weightless. |
