Mahaganapati Manasa Smarami
Leadership Lessons from Lord Ganesha
Dear Reader,
Okay, I know you are surprised to receive this today. It's always a tricky thing to be regular with newsletters. Here's why I had to send this across to you.
Today is Ganesh Chaturthi.
On this day, let’s reflect on leadership lessons to learn from Lord Ganesha.
Intelligence & Strength
Lord Ganesha symbolises cosmic intelligence and strength. He is worshipped as the 'Remover of Obstacles', as a true and powerful leader would be. No obstacle stands in the way of his intelligence and strength. Be it a blade of grass or a tree, the elephant-headed deity knows how to pull it out when required, thereby treating all situations with equanimity. Most importantly, for a deity so powerful and strong, Lord Ganesha uses 'Siddhi' and 'Buddhi' for problem-solving. And you thought they were his two wives, huh? ROFL, good guess!
Use Siddhi (wisdom) and Buddhi (intelligence) to remove obstacles on your path.
Poise
A striking aspect of the elephant-headed deity is the poise and focus with which He remains seated. For those who occupy powerful positions of leadership, this is a golden takeaway.
Be ever poised, dignified and calm under all circumstances.
Size
The modak-loving deity teaches us to accept ourselves with self-love and to focus on portion size. Take a closer look at the offerings that He loves - not burgers or pizzas - but traditional home made and steamed food that is good for health.
Size doesn’t matter, your choices do. Be happy as you are and enjoy good food.
Leadership & Sacrifice
Observing any form or image of Lord Ganesha will show a broken tusk, which earned him the title 'Ekadanta', which means 'One with a Broken Tusk'.
Having given his word to Sage Vyasa that he would write the Mahabharata continuously, Lord Ganesha broke his tusk to continue writing.
The single-tusked Ganesha symbolises duty, devotion, discipline and dedication to complete a task without any ego.
Lead by example and selfless sacrifice, and not by getting others to finish your work for you.
How does one invoke Lord Ganesha?
“Who is Vinayaka? In the sloka beginning with the words, "Suklaambaradharam Vishnum," only the form of the deity is described. But there is another inner meaning for the name Vinayaka. "Suklaambaradharam " means one who is clad in white. "Vishnum" means, He is all-pervading. "Sasivarnam" means His complexion is grey like that of ash. "Chathurbhujam" means He has four arms. "Prasannavadanam" means, He has always a pleasing mien. "Sarvavighnopasaanthaye" means, for the removal of all obstacles, "Dhyaayeth," meditate (on Him). Vinayaka is the deity who removes all obstacles.” [SSSS, Vol 24]
“The Vinayaka-principle, however, has only one meaning, which is relevant to everyone irrespective of whether he is a believer or a non-believer. "Vinayaka" means that He is totally master of Himself. He has no master above Him, He does not depend' on anyone. He is also called Ganapathi. This term means He is the lord of the ganas---a class of divine entities. This term also means that He is the master of the intellect and discriminating power in man. He possesses great intelligence and knowledge. Such knowledge issues from a pure and sacred mind. This knowledge leads to Vijnana (wisdom). Because He is the master of Buddhi (intelligence) and Siddhi (wisdom or realisation), He is described as the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi. [SSSS, Vol 24]
How about some music?
As a child, I grew up listening to the famous keertanam sung by Dr. K.J. Yesudas:
Mahaganapati manasa smarami
Vashishta vama deva adi vandita
Mahadeva sutam Guruguha nutam
Maara koti prakaasam dhiram
Maha kavya nataka adi priyam
Mooshika vahana modaka priyam
[Meaning: I concentrate with my mind on Maha Ganapati, who is worshipped by the rishis - Vashistha and Vama Deva. He is the son of Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) and is revered by Guruguha (Subramanya). He is effulgent like a million Kama Devas; he has steadfast courage. He delights in literature and the performing arts. He rides on a mouse and loves the 'modaka' sweet.]
Wrapping up this newsletter with a contemporary version of the same classical keertanam - it’s cool! Listen, enjoy and sing this when you can figure it out:)