Pot-belly
Vinayagar's pot-belly suggests that it can contain anything
and everything. His belly is considered to be the womb of
the world. While the pregnant woman supports one life or
perhaps two or three, Vinayagar supports and sustains all
life.
Large Ears
Vinayagar's large ears teach us to talk less and listen
more. Many of our problems with people arise because we
listen little but talk a lot. Ears are used to gain knowledge.
The large ears indicate that when God is known, all knowledge
is known.
Modakam
In representations of Vinayagar, He is depicted as holding
the modakam, a sweet cake, in one hand. There are usually
modakam placed in a tray in front of him or held by His
trunk. This is to show that the spiritually wise man always
finds the world and life sweet as it enables him to be of
service to fellow beings of God.
Mooshika Vahana
Lord Vinayaka has got an elephant face and human body. Ganapati
has been given the head of an elephant because He is known
for His extraordinary intelligence. The elephant is symbolic
of extreme intelligence. Vinayaka is the embodiment of intelligence.
He rides on an animal called mooshika (a large kind of rat).
The rat runs here and there, Man's mind too, ruled by impulses,
runs hither and thither. However, he is also capable of
being wise, hardworking and strong like the elephant. Man's
goal then is to remove his mouse qualities and enter the
elephant stage. The huge elephant sitting on a tiny mouse
also indicates the truth that the Atman is the same in all,
irrespective of size or birth or race.
