A festive attraction to
all eyes;
Each one tempting as if
all we can buy
In various shapes and
sizes, a splendid show
A picturesque
omnipresence of Lord we find.
In every corner and nook,
generous and kind.
2. Some in saffron and some in tinted
red
And some in burnished in
gold and some in silver shade;
And some in blue and some
in black clay made;
And some in purple and
some in gray -colored lead.
A plethora of colors here
on display;
Not custom-bound but in
artistic creative ways.
3. In dancing pose with one foot raised,
the Lord is seen
Another one playing on
lyre, on harp or flute;
Another one playing with
kids like a baby cute;
Another one dressed as a
saint with face serene;
In garb of a scientist or
a cosmonaut there
As if Lord is see in
every being and everywhere.
4. People feel their Lord as very close
to their hearts
A fun-loving, friendly,
forgiving God;
Though sketched and
caricatured as a lad
To show people’s flaws,
foibles and guilty acts;
A message of love, joy
and equality shines
Through these
eye-catching idols divine.
5. Each idol shaped in its own
thoughtful, artistic light
In different shapes and
colors painted bright;
Shown on different
mounts, a thrilling sight;
Shining on a swan with
snowy wings milky -white
Seated on the sturdy bull,
the Lord is seen to ride
Seen with an ash-grey petty mouse beside.
6. On the lotus-seat the Lord is like the rising sun
Shaded by serpent hoods, the Lord showers His grace;
On sacred Garuda armed
with the discus and mace
The Lord is seen with
gold jewels adorn;
Along with His consorts
on golden throne
Flanked by white
elephants, the Lord is shown.
7. Seated on sturdy lion the five-faced
Lord is seen
With various weapons in
his ten arms;
The valiant Lord attracts
with radiant charms;
Protecting devotees from
evil powers mean
The most powerful figure
of lord bold
Shining like a thousand
suns, behold!
8. Borne by peacock the Lord appears
benign
Blessing devotees with
his upraised palm;
Like Krishna, he plays in
child-like form;
In the lap of his beloved
parents divine
He plays the scribe beside
the Vyasa sage
The Lord fought with the demon to subdue his rage.
9. The Modak in hand shows thy bliss and
nature kind;
Thou, concrete symbol of OM,
the sacred sound;
The cosmic force as
serpent around thy waist is bound
The fickle rat stands for
egoistic, greedy mind
Thy broken tusk reveals
thy noble sacrifice
The crescent on thy crown
divine glow signifies.
10 We feel
as if we saw the cosmic universe
A
spell-binding charm in these idols we find
Lord of knowledge and Nature! Majestic and
kind
Content with leaves, you give blessings immense;
God of gods, make our fields and orchards
fertile
Bless us with peace and let us not Nature
defile.
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Note: Lord Ganesha is considered as one who removes obstacles and confers success in efforts of all beings in the universe. So, he is worshipped first before starting any work, ritual or ceremony. As the beloved son of lord Shiva and Parvati he is revered as the Lord of knowledge, intelligence, wisdom and all arts. He confers Buddhi (discrimination) and Siddhi (fulfilment) in any effort. He is the symbolic representation of OM, the primal sacred sound or the unmanifested form of Parabrahman. The Modak in his palm shows him as the bestower of bliss. According to Puranas there are nearly thirty-two manifestations of Lord Ganesha. All worlds are embodied in his pot-belly and his elephant-head stands for intelligence and knowledge. Though he is almighty God, he prefers simple form of worship. He is content if he is offered blades of grass, wild flowers and fruits. Of course, Modak is his favorite dish. As the God of agriculture, he is worshipped by peasants before starting their farm work. Students also pray to him for his blessings to get success and knowledge in their studies.
The festival of "Ganesh Chaturdhi" is celebrated in India and in many other countries with great enthusiasm and devotion. This festival is celebrated for nine days with great pomp and show. Many cultural activities and poojas are done. This is an occasion for all people to get together and worship Ganesha. Large idols of Ganesha are set up under tents in many places with floral decorations and bright illumination. On the tenth day the Ganesha idols are taken in a procession and immersed in ponds, rivers and streams. The statues made of plaster of paris and other artificial material cause water pollution and harm to many fishes and water plants. Instead of harming Nature with pollution, eco-friendly idols of Ganesha with organic colors are better worshipped, so that Nature and our surroundings should be protected.
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21st Septmeber, 2024 Somaseshu Gutala
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