After returning from a feast at Kubera’s palace, Lord Ganpati, also known as Ganesha, was riding his mouse on the way home. It was a full moon that night. Suddenly, his mouse saw a snake and ran behind a bush, causing Ganpati to fall to the ground, and his stomach burst open, scattering the food. As Ganpati began to put the food back into his stomach, the moon god saw him and started laughing loudly. Angered by this, Ganpati threw one of his tusks at the moon, breaking it into two pieces, and pronounced a curse: “You shall always be black and never be seen by anyone.”

Frightened, the moon god pleaded for mercy. Ganpati relented, saying, “You shall change from new moon to full moon. However, if anyone sees the moon on my birthday, they shall not attain moksha (liberation).” This is why viewing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi is considered inauspicious and is believed to create Mithya Dosham (false accusation). Afterward, Ganpati tied the snake around his belly and continued his journey home.

Symbolism of Ganesha’s Broken Tusk

The symbolism of Ganesha's broken tusk represents the transcendence of duality. In the material world, we often identify ourselves as separate from everything else. This duality is created by the mind and ego to help us survive. The concept of ‘me-other’ is what keeps us from realizing our true Self, which is beyond body and mind. When we transcend this duality, we see the universe as a single whole and become aware of our true selves. Ganesha's single tusk symbolizes this non-duality. Wisdom allows us to see all as one, recognizing ourselves as integral parts of the whole.

The Rich Mythology of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganpati and Vinayaka, is one of the most well-known and worshipped deities in Hinduism. He is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the ‘Deva’ of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies.

Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Lord Kartikeya. There are numerous mythological stories associated with Ganesha, one of which explains why he is depicted with a broken tusk.

Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with Devotion

Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival celebrating Ganesha’s birth, is observed with great enthusiasm across India. Devotees install Ganesha idols in their homes and public pandals, performing rituals and offering sweets like modaks, which are believed to be Ganesha’s favorite.

To honor Ganesha and celebrate this auspicious occasion, consider wearing themed attire such as a Hanuman T-shirt, Ganesh T-shirt, Krishna T-shirt, Ganpati T-shirt, Anjaneya T-shirt, Krsna T-shirt, Lord Krishna T-shirt, or any Hindu T-shirt. To buy a variety of hindu t shirts like shivji t shirt, hanuman t shirt, ganesh t shirt, Krishna t shirt, ram t shirt, bajrang bali t shirt etc. click here! These garments not only display your devotion but also celebrate the rich mythology and cultural heritage of Hinduism.

Lessons from Ganesha’s Stories

The stories and symbols associated with Lord Ganesha offer profound lessons in wisdom, humility, and the unity of all existence. His broken tusk is a reminder that true wisdom lies in embracing non-duality, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things, and transcending the ego to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, let us remember these lessons and strive to embody the virtues of wisdom, humility, and unity that Lord Ganesha represents.

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

| GANESH CHATURTHI | LORD GANESHA | HINDU T SHIRT | SHIVJI T SHIRT | HANUMAN T SHIRT | GANESH T SHIRT | KRISHNA T SHIRT | RAM T SHIRT | BAJRANG BALI T SHIRT | 

~Mimansa Sharma