Auspiciousness of 21 and Ganesh

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By Indsamachar bureau, 20 September  : Indian philosophy is very inclusive, it has place for evens and odds also. More so auspiciousness is attached to odd numbers more than even numbers.

During Ganesh pooja we use 21 or 11 as prime numbers for various rituals, like, 21 Durva (grass blades), 21 Patri (different types of tree leaves), 21 Modak (sweet), 21 aavartana (repetation of certain mantras, 21 auspicious names of Ganesha etc.

In some traditions 11 number is used instead of 21. Let’s explore significance of 21 and its relationship with Ganesha.

Sanskrit word for 21 is Ek-Vimshati literally means 20+1. 21 is made out of various combinations, like 5+5+5+5+1

Each of these 5 represents something of human life and human being. Each of the 5 numbers represents

1)      5 Gyanendriya – 5 Organs of perception- or organs which gives us knowledge

2)      5 Karmendriya- 5 Organs for generating actions

3)      5 Panch Prana- 5 vital energy forces of human

4)     5 Panch Bhoota-  5 basic elements of nature

वाक्पाणिपादपायूपस्थानि पञ्च कर्मेन्द्रियाणि। शब्दस्पर्शरूपरसगन्धाःसामान्याकाराः पञ्च तन्मात्राणि। आकाशमवकाशप्रदं वायुःसञ्जीवनमग्निर्दाहकः पाचकश्च सलिलमाप्यायकं द्रवरूपं चभूमिर्धारिका

Gyanendraiyas (organs of perception/ knowledge) and the knowledge or perception gained by each is as below

Described as स्पर्शन-रसन-घ्राण-चक्षु: श्रोत्राणि

1)      Sparsh means touch by Skin

2)      Rasan means taste by Tongue

3)      Ghran  means smell by Nose

4)      Chakshu means seeing by Eyes

5)      Shrotrani means listening or hearing by Ears

Karmendriyas or organs who perform or act are वाक्पाणिपादपायूपस्थानि

1)      Upastha- Genital or organs which are used to cleans or reproduction or sexual pleasure

2)      Payu- Excretory organs

3)      Paad- Legs

4)      Paani- Hands

5)      Vaak- Organs to speak

5 Basic elements are

आकाशमवकाशप्रदं वायुः सञ्जीवनमग्निर्दाहकः पाचकश्चसलिलमाप्यायकं द्रवरूपं च भूमिर्धारिका

1)      Avkaash- Sky/ ether

2)      Vayu- Air

3)      Agni- Fire

4)      Salil/ Jal- Water

5)      Bhumi/ Pruthvi- Earth

Panch Prana or the types of air residing in a human body are

1)      Apaan- Exertive, stays in lower abdomen

2)      Vyan- Circulative, situated in the heart and lungs and flows throughout the entire body

3)      Udaan- Upward moving, situated in the throat and it has a circular flow around the neck and head

4)       Samaan- Digestive, situated in the abdomen with its energy centered in the navel.

5)      Praan- Vital life force, situated in the head, centered in the third-eye, and its energy pervades the chest region.

Beyond these 20 felt or observable limbs, elements, vayu and indriyas a human has one more important element – Mann (mind)

Summing up all these a number generated is 21. All these 21 are needed to be cleansed to generate energy of the Muladhar (base energy centre) whose lord is Ganesha.  And thus 21 becomes auspicious number to reach out to Ganesha.

According to Kashmir Shaivadarshan there are 36 elements, Samkhya yoga thinks it is 25, Nyaya shshtra thinks it’s 16 in numbers.

However Ganpatya (people follow Ganesh tradition) thinks it’s 21.

The prime Veda or the first Veda is called as Rig-Veda, Patanjali mentions there are 21 branches of Rig-Veda.

If a mythological story is to be believed, once earth and heaven were gripped by the fear of Anlasur. Analasur means demon who is like fire. He used to gobble up saints and humans. The rising atrocities of Anlasur forced Indra and other deities and saints to reach for Shiva for help. All requested Shiva to put an end to the terror of Anlasur. After listening to the plight of Gods and saints, Lord Shiva said that only lord Ganesha can help you get rid of Anlasur. Later Lord Ganesha gobbled up Alnasur but started feeling irritation in his stomach. Ganesha tried many ways to soften the irritation, but all in vain. Then Saint Kashyapa advised Lord Ganesha to eat a collection of 21 Durva. After eating Durva’s Lord Ganesha got respite from irritation.

So this Analasur is nothing but 21 human elements, and Ganesha is one who is deeper inside the base energy center needs to be offered with these 21 elements under control to gain ultimate knowledge.

Let these 21 elements make our human life meaningful and take us to realization of the true Ganesha.

Shri Ganesharpanmastu श्री गणेशार्पणमस्तु

 

Compiled by: Dr Sandeep Sadanand Chaugule

You can follow the author on Twitter @sandipchaugulle