Part III: Shri Ganesh for realisation of our ‘natural intelligence’

It is said that in Kaliyuga, i.e. in the present time, Lord Ganesh will be worshipped as a main or principal deity. This gives me an idea, something to contemplate about. It occurred to me that the functioning of Ganpati is like the computer, but a cosmic computer. The descriptions, stories and events in puranic literature are very similar to the making and working of a modern computer. In fact, we can learn many things about the principles of computers as well as about Shri Ganesh through such a comparison.

One can visualise the computer and its workings as follows. The main server or motherboard (which does the computer’s core work) controlling numbers and digits (ganas), uses the primary memory disk (storage). The larger the capacity of the disk, the more benefits in speed and function. Here, the server represents the main figure of Ganapati. His large belly represents the size of the memory on the storage disk and the hardware, body of the computer. Ganapati is concerned with two elements. Earth, with which his hardware is related, and is based on. The second is Space, which is the programme or limitless capacity to function that He possesses.

The monitor, added separately to the computer, and definitely something without which the computer cannot be used, is like the head and face. It is very large and is usually kept with speakers embedded or placed on either side. This is like the large implanted elephant head (Vakratunda) with the two large ears (Gajakarana) on Ganapati. The trunk (shunda) on Ganapati’s elephant head is like the long cable from the computer to the keyboard and mouse. Just like the mouse controlled the movements of Lord Shri Ganesh, the movement on the computer interface is also determined through the mouse. When one thinks of a mouse, one immediately thinks of the teeth of the mouse and a bite. The computer mouse normally has two teeth, the left and right buttons (clicks) for most operations. The right button deals with the features or options that are rarely used, which can be compared to the half-broken right tooth of Lord Shri Ganesh (the Ekadanta concept of Shri Ganesh). The left tooth or button is continuously visible and operative. 

ALSO READ: Shri Ganesh for realisation of our ‘Natural Intelligence’

Ganapati, or the function of the brain, uses a programme, to decide and execute output for day-to-day functions based on inputs provided by the senses. He controls speech and numbers and removes obstacles to success. He connects everywhere, while remaining steady at one point.

Today, our brains have developed a capacity that allows us to conceive of Artificial Intelligence and bring it into common discussion. That same capacity can also be used to increase our Natural Intelligence (NI). 

ALSO READ: Part II: Shri Ganesh for realisation of our ‘natural intelligence’

As mentioned earlier in this column, along with a religious ritual, the ancient practices around festivals are actually advanced prescriptions to keep the gods’ energy systems working properly within us. The advise of the scriptures in this case are the primary works to be done for raising the Ganapati energy principle in us, to increase our Natural Intelligence. We need our brain computer to increase its functioning in today’s world, and this can be achieved through our association with Shri Ganesh.

In Indian puranic or so-called mythological stories, when we look at descriptions of tools and weapons, particularly in long and detailed descriptions of battles and wars, we find conceptual similarities with technologies today. For example, in the Mahabharata or Ramayana, they mention many advanced weapons, gadgets, energy and transport systems (like the Pushpaka Vimaan) that are like programmed and self-controlled and AI-based equipment today. But simultaneously, they also mention that these technologies were handled by people who had a very high degree of Natural Intelligence, with the capacity to make large and difficult decisions, and correctly control these technologies in the interest of human society.

Thus, these capacities that we have can be used to improve both Artificial Intelligence and Natural Intelligence (increased capacities of the human brain to experience concepts like friendship, love and ethical living). Human society has stopped paying attention to the development of NI. When we create technologies and material without inner development, we have seen not only the growth of disease, but also the adverse effects on Earth and the destruction of the ecosystem. The imbalance towards outer knowledge is troubling us and life is not going as per our expectations. So our disturbed inner selves, with bad vibrations, anger and greed, consuming resources without limits, also end up troubling the environment outside of us.

It is now our responsibility to develop our natural intelligence and spiritual practices to fill the environment with positive vibrations all over again and bring back balance. When we are at peace, even the Earth will be content again.

It is time to reboot our computers. Let us accept the programming provided by our scriptures and festival traditions, follow the recommended worship, energy, diet and health practices around each festival. Thus, we can realise the power of the various deities in their high energy phases throughout the year. 

Aum Shree Ganeshya Namah.

We wish all our readers, a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

(Concluded)

The author is founder of Atmasantulana Village, a world-renowned holistic healing centre. ayurveda@dnaindia.net