Ganesha was born from the earthy essence of Goddess Parvati to stand guard while she bathed. Effortless for her, she made him from turmeric paste as a sign of her fertility.
When her husband Lord Shiva returned and was denied entry by this unknown child, a fierce battle ensued between them, leading Shiva to inadvertently decapitate Ganesha.
Realizing his error, Shiva replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant and revived him, bestowing upon him the revered status of a deity.
Ganesha’s soul was pure intentioned and therefore could not die. This transformative moment marked Ganesha's ascension and symbolizes the mergence of earthly existence and celestial wisdom, making him the deity of new beginnings, wisdom, a protector, and the remover of obstacles.
When granting Ganesha a new life, Shiva endowed him with the power to remove obstacles from the path of righteousness for others. This power is not just a physical attribute, but a symbol of overcoming ego, ignorance, and ego attachments (the real barriers to spiritual growth and enlightenment.) The elephant head signifies this strength.
Connecting to Ganesha helps to ensure an effortless and smooth path, free from distractions or disturbances. He is worshipped as the deity who provides the wisdom to navigate challenges and the strength to overcome them.
Ganesha is also a dirty associated with the root chakra, as remover of obstacles the pathway is cleared for the root to stabilize.
My favorite Ganesha Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Which means — I bow and give salutations to the remover of obstacles.
