The sanctity of Sri Ganesha
One major annual festival associated with Ganesha is Sri Ganesha Chaturthi that will be observed on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Dorie Moodley from the South African Hindu Maha Sabha writes on the significance
SRI Ganesha Chaturthi embodies success and wisdom. The present age of science and technology has systematically relegated human moral values to the periphery, leaving humanity in a state of hopelessness and despair.
Hence, our religious beliefs and its faith have been marginalised contributing to a range of social problems.
In Hinduism, this period of immoral activities is referred to as the Kaliyuga era which commenced in 3102 BC, where it is predicted that evil will predominate, and will result in chaos and the eventual demise of a civilisation.
Fortunately, religion is the only spiritual path and the only antidote to save humanity from this abyss. Traditional practices from ancient times and which are still in vogue remain a useful survival mechanism because of its inherent ability towards social cohesion and nation building.
In the Hindu pantheon, there are numerous gods and goddesses where each deity has a specific set of attributes to fulfil an individual’s temperament (gunas).
For instance, Hindus seek the blessings of Sri Ganesha for success and wisdom in all their undertakings.
One major annual festival associated to Ganesha is Sri Ganesha Chaturthi.
Sri Ganesha is identified as the fountain head of wisdom (buddhi) and success (siddhi) as the primary reasons for the popularity of this deity. He is revered as the presiding deity and a permanent chief guest in a Hindu home.
The community, when building a house or any structure, will invoke the blessings of Sri Ganesha.
Furthermore, he is venerated at roadside shrines, places of employment and temples, and even centres of business. It has become a norm for Hindus to bow to him for his grace in launching any work or business enterprise.
It is believed that Sri Ganesha, as part of our inner being, also protects one from diseases of both the mind and the body.
Also all auspicious events begin with an invocation to this supreme deity whose images are found everywhere and whose memory is proverbial in modern times.
With reference to symbolism, the most interesting facet of Sri Ganesha icons is to serve the purpose of communicating the philosophical truth behind the faith in this deity and to translate the values of his gestures and make it more amenable to the modern world.
During this auspicious period in the Hindu calendar, the president and his cabinet of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha wish all Hindus to constantly revere Sri Ganesha for eternal success and intellect.