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The Yoga Research Foundation warmly welcomes you to our annual celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi on Sunday, September 8th 2019 at the Miami ashram of our beloved Guru, Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda. Join us for an evening of delicious vegetarian fare, beautiful bhajan, and the highlight of the evening, Swamiji’s exposition of the delightful stories and profound symbolism underlying the cherished deity, Sri Ganesha.

Bhagavan Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles is one of the many manifestations of God adored and worshiped by seekers throughout the world.  Though God is one without a second, Hindu culture recognizes the differences of the human mind, and thereby advocates the worship of the Supreme Being in diverse ways through diverse forms. Lord Ganesha’s image is rich in symbolism and holds valuable insight that can benefit spiritual aspirants of all faiths.

As a preview of what you can expect on Sunday, here is an excerpt from Swamiji’s book Mysticism of Hindu Gods and Goddesses on the mystic meaning of Ganesha’s form:

“Ganesha” literally means the Lord of the Ganas, the spirits presiding over the five elements (Tattwas) which constitute the world. This aspect of the Divinity is worshiped first, when commencing all forms of sacred worships, festive celebrations, and auspicious undertakings. In its wider and mystic implications, every aspect of the Divinity means the Divinity Himself in all His Glory. Every finite aspect is the mirror reflecting the infinite. It is a channel leading to the Supreme.

Ganesha’s elephant head is symbolic of wisdom and majesty. His trunk symbolizes double consciousness, which is characteristic of the state of spiritual liberation; the elephant uses its trunk as the organ of smell as well as an organ of action. The individual consciousness of the finite self, pervaded and transcended by the Infinite Self.

He has only one tusk which symbolizes the non-duality of existence. Two hands carry a lotus bloom and a ball of sweet. The lotus is the symbol of spiritual unfoldment; the sweet is the symbol of the experience of the bliss of the Self. The other two hands carry weapons and a noose which are used for destroying the evil forces operating through the minds of aspirants.  His large stomach symbolizes the Cosmic Consciousness that includes, yet transcends all.

His vehicle, the rat, is the symbol of the intuitive intellect (Prajna) which, like a rat, cuts asunder the network of subtle desires, and burrows into the depths of the unconscious to reveal the Glory of the Self. The Divinity rides on the intuitive intellect, and having destroyed all limitations of the mind and senses, reveals the infinite grandeur of the Self.”

If this excerpt has ignited your interest and thirst for a deeper understanding, then we look forward to seeing you on Sunday as Swamiji is sure to deliver an insightful analysis of the mystical underpinnings of the form and fable related to Sri Ganesha. May your lives be filled with the boundless blessings of Bhagavan Ganesh.

OM Tat Sat!

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