Gana means indriyo (the senses). One who has control over his senses is called Ganpati. Gana also means ‘guna’, one who is full of guna (good qualities). What are these gunas?
1. His ears are large. Thus, he will listen to all that the devotee has to say.
2. He has a small mouth and large stomach. Thus, he will keep all that the devotee says a secret and will digest anything and will not vomit out anything that the devotee says, does or offer.
3. Instead of nose, he has a trunk. Thus, he can smell out any problem in the life of devotee, take it from the devotee and take it inside him.
4. He has small eyes that can penetrate the smallest & smallest of things, so nothing remains unseen from him.
5. He has a snake around his waist. It suggests that he keeps all negative forces tied to his waist and prevents negativity in the life of the devotee.
6. He has a large head suggestive that he is extremely intelligent.
7. He rides a mouse. Mouse symbolizes fear. Thus he helps the devotee overcome fear and helps the devotee ride over fear.
8. He likes to eat modak (a type of sweet dish). Though he can digest anything, he prefers sweet fruits of results that devotee offers. Thus, does karya (action) where the devotee will get desired fruits.
9. Do not offer durva (grass) to Ganapati. Why would anyone want to eat grass? Just because he has elephant head, it does not mean that he eats grass. His stomach is not that of an elephant.
10. Riddhi (name and fame) & Siddhi (success) accompany him. Name fame, right action comes with poojan (worship) of Ganapati & then Lakshmi (Wealth) follows.
11. Thus he is Pratham (first) pujnaya (to be worshiped).
- These are topics of various aspects of spirituality as told by Para.