People should worship God out of love and devotion, not to seek boons or personal rewards.

 

It is true that people should worship God out of love and devotion, not to seek boons or personal rewards. Worshipping gods with selfish motives is considered inferior worship in Hinduism since it leads to rebirth rather than liberation. However, it is still important to know why we need to worship certain gods. We should worship Lord Ganesha with love and devotion as is worthy of honor, reverence and worship.

Ganesha protects his devotees from trouble makers. Ganesha himself is the biggest trouble maker. At the behest of his father, he often goes out with his army of Shiva ganas to create mayhem and strike fear in the hearts of his enemies. With his pleasant and unpleasant aspects and numerous manifestations he ensures the order and regularity of the worlds. With his positive aspects as the upholder of Dharma, he protects the worlds and helps his devotees, granting their wishes. At the same time, he unleashes his unpleasant aspects upon evil doers and the enemies of God.

By the grace of Ganesha one can overcome adversity and misfortune and change one’s destiny itself. According to the Vedas, everyone is born with certain fate because of past karmas and divine providence. Their influence cannot be easily neutralized except with divine help. Ganesha is not only the destroyer of obstacles but also a close associate of goddess Lakshmi. Therefore, by his worship one can not only overcome obstacles and difficulties but also earn the grace of goddess Lakshmi and improve one’s fortune. Lakshmi Ganapati is considered one of the most auspicious and pleasant forms of Lord Ganesha. By worshipping him, his devotees overcome their misfortune.

Contemplation upon Ganesha teaches us the virtue of cultivating sameness and detachment to the dualities of world and overcoming our habitual thought patterns, desires, attachments, likes and dislikes.

Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah ~ Shubh Prabhat!!