Why Lord Ganesha Never suffered From Diabetes inspite of having pot belly obesity

Today the developing world is facing an epidemic of potbelly obesity-related diabetes and the same has been linked to eating refined carbohydrates especially refined sugar.

Lord Ganesha is depicted with big tummy and sweet (laddoo) in one of his hands and yet he never suffered from diabetes.

There are two interpretations of this. The first is a spiritual interpretation and i.e. that in mythology Ganesha depicts principles of stress management and sweet laddoo means control of desires. The big tummy symbolizes retaining all information gathered from hearing with two big elephant ears.

The second is a medical interpretation where the big tummy represents the susceptibility of Indians to metabolic syndrome, the present epidemic related to abdominal obesity. Indians have a weakness for eating sweets as well as being vulnerable to developing pot belly obesity.

This is shown as uncontrolled desire to eat sweets (Laddoos) and the prevention of the same is shown by all the fruits or leaves, offered to Ganesha, that have anti diabetic properties.

The main Ganesha Mantra can also be interpreted as explaining anti diabetes properties of Ganesha offerings.

“Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi Sevitam; Kapittha Jambu phalasara bhakshitam; Umasutam Shoka Vinasha karanam; Namami Vighneswara pada pankajam”.

The Mantra means

a.  ”Oh Elephant-faced, worshipped by the existing beings, of all living beings, tasting the elephant apple (kaith) and jambolana (jamun), the Son of Uma, destroyer of grief, I bow to the lotus feet of Ganesha who is lord of all.”

 

b. Or Gajananam (the big tummy one worshipped by all) Bhoota (Durva grass and Bilva patra used for worshipping Ganesha) Ganadi (in equal quantity) Sevitam (if consumed); Kapittha (Kaith) Jambu (Jamun) phalasara (fruits) bhakshitam (to be consumed); Umasutam (son of Uma) Shoka (diseases) Vinasha karanam (get rid of); Namami (I bow to) Vighneswara (destroyer of grief) pada pankajam (feet of lord)”

 

The mantra talks about four medicinal herbs: Durva grass and Bilva patra (Bel leaves) used for Ganesha worship; fruit of elephant apple (Kaith) and fruit of Jambolona (or Jamun). All four have anti diabetic properties and can be mixed in equal quantity and prepared as a medicinal juice.

Medically, Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon) has been shown to possess anti diabetic, cholesterol lowering, immune-modulatory, DNA protective, aphrodisiac, male fertility, anti cancer and anti inflammatory activities. Similarly Bilva Patra has both anti diabetic and fertility promoting properties.

Elephant apple (Limonia acidissima) also named as Wood Apple, Elephant Apple, Monkey Fruit, Curd Fruit, Koth Bel, Kaitha  and Kath Bel, has been shown to possess strong anti diabetic properties.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini) also has DNA protective, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and is an essential ingredient of most antidiabetic Ayurveda preparations.

Worth trying: Regularly take equal mixed quantity of Durva grass, Kaith fruit and Jamun fruit juices to prevent diabetes and to reduce the ill effects of metabolic syndrome.

Note: This article is the author’s personal interpretation based on listening to many Ayurveda experts.