Who is Lord Gaṇeśa According to Vaiṣṇava Scriptures?
In Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava understanding, Lord Gaṇeśa (Gaṇapati, Vighneśvara) is not the Supreme God but a great devotee of Govinda (Kṛṣṇa). He removes obstacles for sincere devotees engaged in worship of the Supreme Lord.
Brahma-saṁhitā 5.50
yad-pāda-pallava-yugaṁ vinidhāya kumbha-
dvandve praṇāma-samaye sa gaṇādhi-rājaḥ
vighnān vihantum alam asya jagat-trayasya
govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi
Translation:
“I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord. Gaṇeśa, the master of all obstacles, at the time of offering obeisances, places upon his head the lotus feet of Govinda, which are like a pair of buds, to gain power for his function of destroying impediments throughout the three worlds.”
👉 Key Point: Gaṇeśa derives his power by worshipping Govinda’s lotus feet. He is not supreme, but the servant of the Supreme.
Śrīla Prabhupāda Confirms
“Gaṇeśa is a great devotee. We offer him respect because he removes obstacles in the service of Kṛṣṇa.”
(Lecture on SB 1.2.17, Los Angeles, August 21, 1972)
Significance of Gaṇeśa Caturthī
- Common View: People often worship him for wealth or material success.
- ISKCON View: Devotees pray to Gaṇeśa only for removing obstacles to pure devotional service, not for material favors.
Bhagavad-gītā (9.23)
“Those who are devotees of other gods and who worship them with faith actually worship Me only, but in an improper way.”
➡️ When Gaṇeśa is honored as a servant of Kṛṣṇa, this worship becomes proper and pleasing to the Supreme Lord.
Śrīla Prabhupāda Emphasized
“We offer respects to Gaṇeśa as the devotee of the Lord. We never disrespect any demigod, but our worship is centered on Kṛṣṇa.”
(Lecture on Bhagavad-gītā 7.20, Vṛndāvana, August 10, 1974)
How ISKCON Devotees Celebrate Gaṇeśa Caturthī
- Kīrtana and Bhajana – Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra as the central act of worship. Bhajanas may include prayers acknowledging Gaṇeśa’s service to Govinda.
- Offerings to Kṛṣṇa, Then Honoring Gaṇeśa – Sweets such as modakas or laddus are prepared in a sattvic way. First offered to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, then prasādam is mentally offered to Gaṇeśa.
- Reading Scriptural References – Verses like Brahma-saṁhitā 5.50 are read to show Gaṇeśa bows to Govinda’s lotus feet.
- Prayers for Bhakti Without Obstacles – Devotees pray:
“O Gaṇeśa, remover of impediments, please bless me to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa purely and serve Śrī Śrī Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa without distraction.” - No Independent Idol Worship – ISKCON does not install temporary idols or conduct separate demigod pūjās. Gaṇeśa is honored through kīrtana, prasādam, and devotion to Kṛṣṇa.
Birth and Family
- Parents: Lord Śiva and Mother Pārvatī.
- Birth Story:
According to the Śiva Purāṇa and Skanda Purāṇa, Pārvatī created Gaṇeśa from the dust of her body (or sandalwood paste) to guard her chamber. When Śiva tried to enter, Gaṇeśa blocked him. In anger, Śiva severed his head. Later, Śiva restored Gaṇeśa’s life with an elephant’s head and blessed him as Gaṇapati—Lord of the gaṇas.
Iconography of Gaṇeśa
- Elephant Head: Wisdom, intelligence, and obstacle-removal.
- Large Ears: Patience and listening.
- Broken Tusk (Ekadanta): Sacrifice and detachment; used to write the Mahābhārata.
- Mouse (Vāhana): Humility and accessibility.
- Modaka (sweet): Bliss and reward of discipline.
Character and Qualities
- Vighneśvara: Remover of obstacles, worshipped at beginnings.
- Buddhi-priya: Patron of wisdom, arts, and sciences.
- Sumukha: Bringer of harmony and success.
- Vaiṣṇava-bhakta: Described in Brahma-saṁhitā as bowing to Govinda’s lotus feet.
Key Achievements and Pastimes
- Leader of Śiva’s Gaṇas: Appointed as commander-in-chief of attendants.
- Victory in the “World Race”: Circled his parents instead of the globe, showing true wisdom.
- Scribe of the Mahābhārata: Wrote Vyāsa’s dictation, breaking his tusk to continue.
- Blessings as Vighna-vināyaka: Invoked before any spiritual or worldly endeavor.
Conclusion: Keeping Kṛṣṇa in the Center
Gaṇeśa Caturthī in ISKCON is celebrated by glorifying Govinda and respecting Gaṇeśa as His devotee.
- We do not worship Gaṇeśa for material prosperity.
- We seek his blessings to remove obstacles on the path of devotion.
Hare Krishna!