Sunday, August 28, 2011

Ganesha, the Stress Management Guru

If Lord Krishna was the first counselor who taught the principles of counseling, Lord Ganesha taught us the principles of stress management. We should worship Lord Ganesha and follow his principles whenever we face any difficulty or are stressed out.

The elephant head of Ganesha represents that when in difficulty, use your wisdom, intelligence and think differently. It can be equated to the Third Eye of Lord Shiva. Elephant is the most intelligent animal in the kingdom. Here wisdom implies to thinking before speaking. Lord Buddha had also defined that one should not speak unless it is necessary, is based on truth and is kind.

The big elephant ears of Lord Ganesha signify listening to everybody (taking opinions) when in difficulty. Elephant ears are known to hear long distances.

Elephant can also see a long distance and in terms of mythology the elephant eyes of Ganesha represent acquiring the quality of foreseeing when in difficulty. The elephant mouth of Ganesha represents speaking less so that more time can be given to ears to listen

The big tummy of Ganesha represents retaining and digesting all information gathered by hearing to people in difficulty.

The trunk represents to use one’s power of discrimination to scrutinize gathered information. It also indicates to do both smaller and bigger things by oneself. Elephant trunk can pick up a needle as well as break a tree.

The broken and unbroken tooth of Ganesha represent being in balance both in loss and gain. One should not get upset if the task is not accomplished and also not get excited if the task is accomplished.

In times of difficulty, Ganesha also teaches us not to lose strength and control one’s attachments, desires and greed. The four arms of Ganesha represent strength. Ropes in two hands indicate attachments, Laddu or Sweet in one hand represent desires and mouse represents greed. Riding over the mouse indicates controlling one’s greed.

Ganesha is worshiped either when one’s task is not getting accomplished or when a new work is initiated. In both situations, these principles of Lord Ganesha need to be inculcated in one’s habits.

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