Question: Some religious groups claim that God Ganesh is a demigod. Is there any truth to this assertion?
Key Concepts to Understand First:
Before we delve into this question, it's essential to grasp the foundational concepts of 'Swansh' and 'Vibhinna Ansh.' Behind the various forms of God lies a profound understanding, but for simplicity, we categorize them as 'Swansh' and 'Vibhinna Ansh.' All forms of God fall under the category of 'Swansh,' signifying the expansion of the self or 'swa-ansh.' These 'Swansh' forms are inherently Divine and exist in unity with the Supreme God, guided by Swarup Shakti. In contrast, 'Vibhin Ansh' represents 'Jeev' or souls like us. These souls can be classified into three categories:
1. Those bound by Maya.
2. Those who eternally reside in the divine realm as souls, referred to as Nitya Siddha.
3. Those who have attained the divine abode of God through Bhakti.
Now, let's explore the term 'Devta of Swarg' (heaven). Some may refer to them as 'demi-gods.' After performing virtuous and Satvik Karm, a soul can attain heavenly abodes such as Swarg. However, the tenure as a Devta in Swarg is finite. Once these elevated souls have fully enjoyed heavenly pleasures and depleted their merits, they return to the earthly plane.
It's crucial to clarify that, as discussed in this blog https://www.heritagehighway.in/post/comparing-demigods-and-devtas-of-the-vedas-is-there-true-equivalence, 'Devtas' are not synonymous with the English term 'demi-gods.' Instead, a more fitting term for them is 'Celestial Gods.' Now, let's address the question of whether Ganesh Ji is a Celestial God or Swansh, i.e., a divine god. The unequivocal answer is that Ganesh Ji is indeed a divine god, and the evidence can be readily found in the Vedas.
Evidence 1:
In the 'Atharvashirsha,' a part of the Atharva Ved, we find the following verses:
‘त्वं सच्चिदानंद’
‘त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं’
The Vedas serve as the ultimate authority on this matter, and there's additional evidence to substantiate this claim.
Evidence 2:
ॐ कार प्रधान रूप गणेशाचे । हे तिन्ही देवांचे जन्मस्थान ॥
अकार तो ब्रह्मा उकार तो विष्णु । मकार महेश जाणियेला ॥
ऐसे तिन्ही देव जेथोनि उत्पन्न । तो हा गजानन मायबाप ॥
तुका म्हणे ऐसी आहे वेदवाणी । पहावी पुराणी व्यासाचिया ॥
Saint Tukaram Maharaj says that Ganesha is the source of 'Om' (AUM) and the origin of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha.
Evidence 3:
Furthermore, Saint Tukaram Maharaj, a universally respected figure, underscores the unity of Vithhal and Ganapati.
गणराया लवकर येई । भेटी सकळांसी देई || धृ ||
अंगी शेंदुराची उटी । केशर कस्तुरी लल्लाटी || १ ||
पायी घागुऱ्या वाजती। नाचत आले गणपती || २ ||
अवघ्या गणाचा गणपती । हाती मोदकाची वाटी || ३ ||
तुका म्हणे शोधून पाहे । विठ्ठल गणपती दुजा नोहे || ४ ||
For a comprehensive historical account, one can refer to the 'Tu Maza Sangati' serial, which provides authentic insights into Saint Tukaram's life.
Evidence 4:
Saint Ramdas Swami, whom Tukaram Maharaj considered the avatar of Hanuman, authored the aarti of Ganesh. The fact that people in Maharashtra continue to sing these prayers written by Ramdas Swami offers yet another piece of evidence that Ganesh Ji is indeed a divine God.
Evidence 5:
Support from the Puranas is also significant. During the marriage of Shiv and Parvati, they sought the blessings of God Ganapati. This incident serves as crystal clear evidence of Ganapati's divine nature. How could God Shiv and Goddess Parvati worship Ganapati if He were merely their yet-to-be-born son? Ganapati is an eternal divine form of God.
Evidence 6:
The greatest Rasik Saints of India have showered praise upon God Ganesh and composed devotional songs dedicated to Him. They maintain unwavering devotion, known as 'Ananyata,' without seeking material or liberation-based boons. Their sole request is selfless devotion and service to Shri Radha Krishn:
हे! गणेश गणपति लंबोदर |
कृष्ण प्रेम पाऊँ दे दो यह वर ||
अति ‘कृपालु’ तुम गौरीनन्दन |
अस वर दो दें राधा दर्शन ||
In Conclusion:
In conclusion, labeling Ganesh Ji as a demi-god arises from an incomplete philosophical understanding, often found in traditional knowledge and certain sects. In the Bhagavad Gita https://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/4/verse/2/hi, Lord Krishna explains that traditional wisdom can lose its purity as it's transmitted from one generation to the next, even if the person conveying it has received flawless guidance from an authentic Guru. Therefore, it is essential for us to discern the true Guru according to the Vedas and acquire our understanding of philosophy through their teachings.
In summary, Ganesh Ji is undeniably a divine form of God, as affirmed by the Rasik Saints of India. These saints maintain unwavering devotion, seeking only selfless devotion and service to Shri Radha Krishn.
Comments