How Ganesha is a Vignaharata, Remover of Obstacles

Sri Ganesha as per Indian traditional knowledge embodies the divine Tattva that goverrns the existence and functioning of the subtle form of existence of living beings which in turn comprises

1. Manas – the mind that aggregates the senses fed by the body’s sense organs into experiences and moods,
2. Buddhi – the intellect which is fed by the mind with options to choose from and choices to make
3. Ahamkara – the ego which in turn grows as a sense of identity with the body due to these choices made and
4. Chitta – the sub-conscious memory that remembers and stores all these experiences as impressions.

Together, these 4 subtle parts of a living being are called Antahkarana – that which function from the inside, unseen, unseeable. In short, they can be identified as the doer from inside.

Inside what? Inside the physical body.

The Antahkarana denote the subtle organs that generate the sense of identity of an individual entity and all the knowledge and wisdom of that entity gained from experiences. The word Mind is also used at times to denote the Antahkarana put together.

The Antahkarana are the subtle parts of an individual vis-a-vis the gross, physical body of the individual which bears the physical organs that keep the body alive and mobile.

The physical body’s interaction with the external world is through the sense organs, Gnanendriya and motor organs, Karmendriya. It is interesting that, while the Sense organs sense the world outside the body and the motor organs act with /react to the world outside the body, it needs the subtle Antahkarana to work in a balanced manner inorder to regulate activities of the brain which keep the various organ systems working correctly to keep the individual in good health.

Thus, maintaining a good mental health is essential for a good physical health.

Gana denotes group of people or hordes or masses. Groups tend to behave in a certain collective fashion. This is due to their minds and the common sense of identity they experience. A republic is therefore called Ganatantra – rule by / technique of a group of people.

Ganesha, who embodies the Antahkarana in the living, is therefore the Esha, Lord of the Gana, hordes, the masses, the people, the living. 

Once we see the reality of this aspect of existence, we will be able to relate to Ganesha as our personal divinity, as the Lord of our Mind, as the Leader of mankind itself.

Just as the physical body is not above diseases, the Antahkarana, our subtle composite Mind too, is not above afflictions. These afflictions however are of a different kind and have been majorly identified as 6 in number and called Shadripu or Arishadvarga. Ari meaning hostile, enemy. Arishadvarga are the 6 types of conditions that are hostile or enemies of the Antahkarana. These include –

1. Kama-Lust
2. Krodha-Anger
3. Lobha-Greed
4. Moha-Delusion
5. Mada-Intoxication
6. Matsarya-Envy

And together, they also feed and give rise to a sense of identity which is prone to

7. Mamata – Pride and Arrogance
8. Ahankara – Ego.

Thus, the subtle existence of an individual is also prone to 8 major forms of afflictions.

Ganesha, as the divinity for the Antahkarana helps us realize these aspects of our own subtle self and the various portrayals of Ganesha shows us ways to avoid these afflictions.

For, not only do these afflictions disturb the state of calm they become obstacles in the proper funtioning of our physical body.

Not only do these afflictions affect the functioning of our physical body, they also lead to bad decision making and behaviour, which inturn places obstacles between us and the goals we want to achieve in life.

Not only do these afflictions cause obstacles in our life, lifestyle and lifegoals, they also quiety lead to accumulation of subtle, sub-sconscious impressions.

In Indian traditional knowledge and philosophies, the Antahkarana with its subtle impressions are described as lasting beyond the physical body and as the cause for rebirths.

Ganesha can lead the way to discard the adverse and hostile subtle impressions accumulated in the Antahkarana over many births and rebirths which stand in the way of realizing true and eternal bliss, a state of Moksha. Ganesha thus, can lead an individual to liberation from the cycle of rebirths.

Ganesha, by helping us realize these afflictions of the Antahkarana and showing us ways to overcome them, thus helps us overcome obstacles in life as well as afterlife.

We therefore have 8 forms of Ganesha, each mapping to each of these 8 afflictions as described in the Mudgala Purana. They are called the 8 Avatars of Ganesha and each avatar is associated with overcoming a particular human weakness depicted as an Asura, a great hostile force. 

1. Vakratunda – for jealousy, Matsarya
2. Ekadanta – for intoxication, Mada
3. Mahodara – for delusion, Moha
4. Gajanana – for greed, Lobha
5. Lambodara – for anger, Krodha
6. Vikata – for lust, Kama
7. Vighnaraja – for pride and arrogance, Mamata
8. Dhumravarna – for ego, Ahankara.

Symbolically through the various names, forms and legends of Ganesha, our ancestors and seers have been continuosly reminding us of how to conduct ourselves wisely to avoid pitfalls in our daily lives.

Ganesha is therefore called a Vignaharata – remover of obstacles.