Thus Spake the Divine - The Auspicious Beginning

Thus Spake the Divine

The Auspicious Beginning

Vinayagar

(Lord Ganesha)

In this chapter, Sri Maha Periyava has enlightened us about the genesis of Lord Ganesha.

The unique distinguishing feature of Tamil Nadu is that wherever we go, there is a Pillaiyar (Lord Ganesha) temple. Each and every street will have a Pillaiyar temple, every river bank will have a Pillaiyar temple, and under the shade of every prominent tree, there will be a Pillaiyar temple! Most of these temples will not even have the formal structure of a temple, a Vimana or Gopuram; or even a

sanctum sanctorum. One can often see Lord Ganesha blissfully sitting under a sacred Peepal Tree!

We, in Tamil Nadu, call Him “Pillaiyar”. Ganesha is the Eldest Son of Lord Parameshvara and Goddess Parvati, the Father and Mother of the whole universe. The Tamil synonym for “son” is “Pillai”. Therefore, He being the first Pillai (Son) of the Universal Father and Mother, He is addressed respectfully as “Pillaiyar”. The suffix “...”ar” in Tamil signifies the tone of respect to the addressee. We call Lord Subramanya, the Second Son of the Universal Parents as “Kumaran” and not as “Kumaranar”. The respect is meant only to the Eldest Son Ganesha, who is respectfully adored as “Pillaiyar”.

Though Lord Ganesha may look like a Child God, He is The One existent even before the cosmos. Pranavam (the symbol of OM) denotes the Supreme Being or the Brahmam. The entire cosmos and all other living beings emerged only from the Pranavam. Pillaiyar embodies the Pranavam. If you look at His Elephant Face and the Curved Trunk, you can decipher the image of the Pranavam.

Pillaiyar is the personification of benevolence and compassion. The story of Avvaiyar will substantiate this fact. Avvaiyar is the Ardent Devotee of Pillaiyar who authored the Vinayagar Agaval. One who recites Vinayagar Agaval is blessed to attain enlightenment and wisdom. There is a story on Avvaiyar.

Sundaramurti Swamy, along with Cheraman Perumal Nayanar, started journeying to Kailasa (Abode of Lord Shiva). They wanted Avvaiyar also to accompany them to Kailasa. At that moment, Avvaiyar was performing pooja to Pillaiyar. They hurried her up to join them to Kailasa. But Avvaiyar made it categorically clear that she would not hasten up her pooja to Pillaiyar and they could leave if they wished to. To her, Vinayagar Himself is the personification of Kailash! Therefore, she continued her exhaustive pooja with utmost dedication. Seeing this, Sundaramurti Swamy and Cheraman Perumal started their journey to Kailasa. At the end of Avvaiyar’s pooja, Lord Ganesha appeared before her, lifted her in His trunk and dropped her in Kailasa in just one sway! Only after she reached, did Sundaramurti and Cheraman Perumal arrive at Kailash! This amply makes evident that Lord Ganesha is the One who possesses the dexterity to perform an incredible task effortlessly!

This article is a snippet from the Book Thus Spake the Divine, is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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