1. In His Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse in 1971, Swami said: “To get rid of delusion and enable man to comprehend his inherent divine nature, the ancient sages taught a prayer. This prayer is the one that is addressed to Lord Ganesha.

Shuklam-Baradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam
Prasanna Vadhanam Dhyayeth Sarva Vighnopa-Shantaye

Suklaambaradharam means one who is clad in white. This is the symbol of purity…universal love and compassion. Vishnum is the second attribute ascribed to Him. Vishnu means that He is present everywhere, at all times... Sasivarnam means His complexion is grey like that of ash. Chathurbhujam (Four-handed) is the next denotation. This means that apart from two visible hands, He has two invisible hands that are available for the two divine uses of (1) Blessing the devotee, and (2) Guarding him from danger. ”

What does Prasanna Vadhanam mean?

A. Always Forgiving.
B. Of Resplendent Beauty.
C. Of Graceful Countenance.
D. Of Pious Nature.

2. In His 1994 Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, explaining the true meaning of the name Ganapathi, Swami reveals: “The essential purpose of the Vinayaka Chathurthi festival is to teach a person to avoid the company of bad people and cultivate the company of the good. What does the term Ganapathi signify? ‘Ga’ means Buddhi (intelligence). 'Na' means Vijnaana (wisdom). 'Pathi' means master. So, Ganapathi is the master of all knowledge, intelligence and wisdom. There is also another significant meaning for the word, that He is the Leader of all the Ganas who are celestial. Ganas also symbolize ____________.”

A. Words
B. Actions
C. Universe
D. Senses

3. In His 2002 Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, elaborating on the name Vinayaka, Swami states: “He is also called Vinaayaka, which term means that He is one who has no master above Him. He is the Supreme master. He is beyond the mindless state. One who has stilled the mind cannot have any master.”

According to Swami, how can man possess the knowledge of self-mastery?

A. By means of a Guru.
B. By having a pure and sacred mind.
C. By detachment from material objects.
D. By gaining knowledge from Holy Scriptures.

4. Explaining the meaning of the name Vighneshwara, in His 1989 Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, Swami elaborates: “Man is confronted with many Vighnas (obstacles) in the journey of life. Prayers are offered to Ganapathi - who is better known as Vighneswara - for removing such obstacles and minimizing impediments. Ganapathi is an important deity for people of all sects. He is the deity to whom worship is offered first in any ritual.”

According to Swami, by what means can Vighneshwara remove any obstacles and impediments in our way?

A. According Him His place of honour.
B. Offering Him His favourite food.
C. Invoking His presence by penance.
D. Praying to His Mother Parvathi.

5. In His 1997 Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, Swami expounds: “In what form does Vinaayaka - the one who has no master - exist within a human being?

A. Appetite
B. Digestion
C. Soul
D. Heart

6. In His 1991 Divine Ganesha Chaturthi Discourse, Swami narrates a story that reveals the mystery behind why Lord Ganesha is worshipped first: “How did Vinayaka acquire siddhi (supreme powers)? His parents held a contest for their two sons - Ganesa and Subrahmanya. They said they will offer their grace in the form of a fruit to whoever came first in circumambulating the universe. The younger son Subrahmanya set out immediately on his peacock to go round the universe. On seeing Subrahmanya approaching his parents, almost at the end of his trip, Vinayaka, who had been quietly sitting all the while, got up and went round the parents and sat down.”

Why did Lord Ganesha not go around the Universe?

A. He wasn’t interested in the fruit after all.
B. He felt His parents were His true Universe.
C. He doubted whether it was possible.
D. He did not want to leave His parents.

7. Swami has said: “Association with Gods, as vehicles, ornaments, accessories or servants of Gods, endows objects, animals and men with specially sacred status. Elephants, Lions, Eagles, Snakes, Primates - all these and many more have been divinized thus. Divinity is not limited to mankind alone. We find divinity present in birds and beasts too.”

In His 1992 Divine Ganesha Chaturthi Discourse, Swami further explains as to how Lord Ganesha’s family is an ideal one, maintaining harmony and peace in spite of the antagonistic elements present amongst them: “Easwara's family consists of Shiva, Parvathi, Ganapathi and Subrahmanya. When you consider the vehicles of the four, you find that by nature they are antagonistic to each other.”

While Shiva’s vehicle is the bull, and Parvathi’s is the lion; of their two sons, Ganapathi’s vehicle is the mouse - what is Subrahmanya’s vehicle?

A. The Peacock
B. The Eagle
C. The Horse
D. The Cat

8. In His 1988 Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, Swami explains:

“What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity? The symbolic significance of Ganesha's elephant head has to be properly understood. The elephant has profound intelligence. Moreover, the elephant has large ears and it can hear even minute sounds…The elephant takes the praise and blame equally. When it hears something bad, it moves its body this way and that way and shakes off the unwanted things while it retains good things quietly. Only Vinaayaka teaches the lessons that are essential for mankind.”

Besides intelligence, according to Swami, which other quality stands out the most in an elephant that man should learn from?

A. Compassion
B. Reverence
C. Strength
D. Gratitude

9. In His Divine, 1997 Ganesha Chaturthi Discourse, Swami reveals the symbolic meaning of the relation between Paarvathi and Ganesha: “When Ganapathi is described as Paarvathi thanaya, who is this Paarvathi? Paarvathi signifies Prithvi (Mother Earth). Everyone is a child of Mother Earth. The meaning of Paarvathi thanaya (son of Paarvathi) is that Ganapathi, who is the Lord of the Ganas, is the son of Paarvathi, who symbolizes Shakthi (the Divine Energy).”

Swami then asks: “Where are Paarvathi and Ganapathi to be located?”

A. In Celestial regions.
B. In Spiritual Oneness.
C. Wherever they are worshipped together.
D. Only in sacred lores.

10. In His 1997, Divine Ganesha Chathurthi Discourse, Swami teaches us the significance of Ganesha’s vehicle – the mouse: "Man is bound by three tendencies. The first is Kama (the longing to possess). When that longing fails, Krodha (anger) raises its hood. When the desire is fulfilled and the thing is gained the third tendency, Lobha (greed) overtakes him. If one's desire is beneficial, the Divine will shower Grace. Ganesha has no desire, no anger, no greed. His Grace is available for all who seek good and godly goals. Look at the vehicle which He has chosen, the mouse! The mouse is a creature that is led, even to destruction, by Vasana (the smell of things). Men are all victims of Vasana (preferences and predilections stamped on our minds during the past lives). Ganesa smothers and suppresses the Vasanas which misdirect man and create misfortune.”

According to Swami, what is the significance of Ganesha using the mouse as His vehicle?

A. To teach humility.
B. As this expresses contentment.
C. As symbolizing the controlling of the darkness of ignorance.
D. As symbolizing control over anger.

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-Heart2Heart Team