Thread by @SparesofWar

Sri Gurubhyo Nama:
Aum Gam Ganapathaye Nama:
Vinayaka Chaturthi wishes to all. While all Chaturthi thithis are significant, this Bhaadrapada/Aavani Shukla Paksha Chaturthi is specifically known as Varadaa Chaturthi. Worshipping Ganesha on this day can confer iha and para sukhas.

Jnaatva kurvita karmani. Knowing the raison d'etre behind each Naama and method of worship gives a higher sense of fulfilment. Therefore, let's attempt to understand a tiny drop of Ganapati tatvam on this auspicious occasion with His grace and also by the grace of Gurus.

Sanatana Dharma is the only philosophy in the world that can envision Paramatma who is, in reality, guna-ateeta, avastha-ateetha, kaala-ateetha, and deha-ateetha in a myriad of forms. Vedam recognizes Ganapati as one of the 6 forms of Brahman. That's why we have shan-mathas

i.e. 6 primary religions within the greater ambit of Aarsha Dharma. These incl Saivam, Vaishnavam, Saaktam, Gaanaapatyam, Souram, and Koumaaram.
Many would be knowing of the Puranic story of the episode between Bhagavan Shiva and Parvati that led to the birth of Ganapati and the

subsequent attachment of an elephant head. Popular serial/movie narratives also portray this is in a very mundane manner stripping it off its rahasyas. However, the fact is that Paramatma always existed as Ganapati even before this incident. For instance,

Skaanda Purana states,
Vaageesaadya sumanasa sarvaarthaanaa mupakrame |
Yamnatvaa krutakrutyasyu stam namaami Gajaananam ||

Before Brahma Deva proceeded with creation, He prayed to Paramatma, Who graced Him in the form of Aum kara as a Vakrathunda and bestowed the Vakrathunda

Sadakshari mantra to proceed with the onerous task of creation without obstacles. Also, the Vakrathunda denotes the Aum kara. Aum is a bheejaskhara that denotes Brahman and as such is comprised of A, U, Ma, and also a 4th state called Turiya. While A, U, Ma indicates Srusthi,

Stithi and Laya, Turiya indicates a state above it. That's why Maandukya Upanishad says Shivam Advaitam Chaturtham Manyanthe. That 4th state is only Shivam or bliss and is above duality. This is the actual form of Ganapati. Now, one might wonder why Puranas told the above story.

While Puranas tell in great detail about genealogies that span eons (in the current Kalpa), some of the deeper rahayas are conveyed allegorically. Once the seeker learns and implements this allegory in samsara, he/she will eventually develop the interest/eligibility to know the

real meaning under the guidance of a Guru. Shiva and Parvati denote Purusha and Prakruti. If you reverse the word Jaga, it becomes Gaja. Jaayathe gacchate iti jagat meaning that which is ephemeral. So, by embodying both Prakriti, which is Jagat as Gaja, and the tatva of Purusha

in one body, Ganapati swarupam is actually a synthesis of the relationship b/n Paramatma and Prakriti. Similarly, there is another popular story from the Syamantaka Mani episode in the Bhagavatam that watching the moon on chaviti begets accusations and ill fame.

Keeping aside the real world implications for a moment, let's try to see what the Rishi wants to convey. Krishna says in the Gita, Daivi hi esa gunamayi, Mama maaya duraatyaya. It is impossible to overcome my Maya which is a potency of the three gunas of material nature.

The manas is always subjected to Maya and as such cannot discern the real nature of Paramatma. Chandra is said to be Mana: kaaraka. Purusha Suktam says, Chandrama manaso jaatha: Chandra sprung from the Manas of Paramatma. Despite its hallowed origin, the manas cannot see the true

nature of Divinity due to all sorts of materialistic ignorance. Worshipping Ganapati removes this ignorance and helps us realize Iswara. Not many would immediately connect with such lofty rahayas. But when Vedam advocates Lokaa: Samasta Sukhinobhavantu, it cannot leave out anyone

Therefore, Rishis use simpler ways of kirtans/pujas, which ultimately confer the same benefit. The names Ganapati and Vinayaka themselves have so much of aloukika artha to them. For instance, Brahmavaivartha Purana says
Vipatthi vaachako vigna: naayaka khandanaarthaka: |

Vipatthi khandanartham namami Vighnanayakam ||
Essentially, Vinayaka is one Who destroys vipatthis or aapadas. Aapadas are things that are not in our control and as such strike when we are least prepared for them. These vipatthis or aapadas stem from our yearnings or taapatrayas.

These include aadhi-bhautika (due to other biotic/abiotic factors), aadhi-daivika (due to nature), and aadhi-atmika (due to self). That's we say Aapadaam apahartaaram daatharam sarva sampadam |
Lokabhiramam Sri Ramam Bhuyo Bhuyo Namamyaham ||
From a Yogic PoV, not being able to

rise above samsara and realize one's true nature is the biggest vippathi. Praying to Vinayaka will remove this obstacle. This is also the reason why, when we enter into a temple, the first Ganapati rupam we see right at the entrance is Vighneshwara i.e. one Who actually causes

hindrances. Perpendicular to Him is Vinayaka, One Who removes them. As Vishnu Sahasranamam says Bhayakrit Bhayanashana: He only creates fear and He is the One Who eventually removes fear.
We also have the practice of worshipping Ganapati first before starting any prayer.

Atharvashirsha says Tvam mulaadhaaro sthithosi nityam. You are situated in the first chakra i.e. the Mulaadhara. The travel across the chakras and finally to the Sahasrara starts from first realizing Mulaadhara. Therefore, worshipping Ganapati first in a loukika manner actually

is an indication for the aloukika aspect of awakening the Mulaadhara. Also, Ganapati is one of the most easily accessible forms of Brahman that can be worshipped by all in any form conceivable, though one should always go by what Vedam recommends and not some random stuff erected

at pandals. During Ganesha Chaturthi, there are two important aspects of worship, both of which are related to Prakriti. The Ganesha murthi is made of sand (paarthiva Ganapati) and Durva grass is offered. This makes it possible for anyone irrespective of status to worship Him.

This Paarthiva or Pruthivi tatvam is important to understand. There are Paarthiva Shiva Lingas (such as Ekaambareswara in Kanchipuram), Vishnu is associated with Prithvi in the form of Yagna Varaaha and Govinda, etc. In fact, Vishnu suktam says,

Vishnor nu kam viryani pravocham ya: paarthivaani vimame rajagm si. The glories of Bhagavan are as infinite as the number of sand particles on this earth. There's also a Vedic suktam called Durvaa suktam which says Sahasra paramaa Devi Shatamula Shataankuraa
Sarvagm haratu me

papam duurva dusswapna naashani. The Durva grass embodies Daiva sakthi and is more potent that thousands of purifying ingredients and hundreds of roots put together. Ganapati/Ganesha means the Lord of many Ganas. Ganas implies a group (as in species).

It is indeed such a lofty and esoteric thing that the One whose name starts with Ga (that signifies balam) and One who leads all the Ganas (primariy the 8 Vasus, 11 Rudras, and 12 Adityas), and One who is verily the form of Aum can be easily propitiated with mud and grass.

All it needs is sincere Bhakti and surrender. May Ganesha remove all obstacles in the path of Bharat's rejuvenated endeavor to reclaim its former glory.
Sincere pranamams to my Gurus and particularly to Brahmasri @SriSamavedam garu's enriching upanyasams on this subject 🙏🏻🙏🏻