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Dr. Pillai reveals the secret of Clay Ganesha rituals: how Ganesha absorbs karma, dissolves in water, and sacrifices himself to relieve suffering.

“Ganesha dispels karma and gives you a break. That is why he is the most important, most celebrated of the Divine beings. This is something that I have experimented in the lives of countless of my devotees. Ganesha does relieve the suffering of people.” — Dr. Pillai

Ganesha: The Remover of Obstacles and Karma

Ganesha is universally known as the remover of obstacles. Yet, Dr. Pillai emphasizes an even deeper truth: Ganesha is the dispenser of karma relief. More than giving wealth, intelligence, or prosperity, Ganesha offers the priceless blessing of removing suffering at its karmic root.

For Ganesha’s birthday, his greatest gift is his willingness to take on the karmic burdens of his devotees so they can live with freedom and a new destiny.

Learn more about How Ganesha Removes Karma

The Clay Ganesha Ritual: A Technology of Karma Removal

Dr. Pillai has shared that Ganesha was the first to discover that sacrifice is central to karma removal. This discovery is preserved in the tradition of creating clay statues of Ganesha before his birthday.

These statues are not symbolic alone. According to Dr. Pillai, they are brought to life through spiritual processes, infused with the living presence of Ganesha. Once enlivened, the statues become vehicles through which Ganesha can absorb the karma of devotees.

He explains:
“Ganesha cannot be seen and he is not living in a physical form. His crucifixion is in the form of his clay image taking on the karma of people. After that the image is dissolved. It is a very powerful ritual.”

Read about the Spiritual Meaning of Ganesha Chaturthi

Dissolution of Karma in the Ocean

On Ganesha’s birthday, the enlivened clay statues are immersed in the ocean or flowing water. This act represents the dissolution of karma itself. The clay image takes on the burden of the devotee’s karmic imprints and is then sacrificed into the waters, symbolizing release and renewal.

Dr. Pillai says:
“It is something like Jesus accepting the karma of people and then dying on the cross. But here it is the same technology, just represented in a different way. Ganesha takes the karma through his image, and once it is dissolved, the karma is gone.”

Explore more about Ganesha as the Archetype of Wisdom and Compassion

Why Clay is Sacred in Ganesha Worship

The use of clay is significant. Unlike permanent stone or metal idols, clay represents impermanence, allowing Ganesha to embody karma temporarily before returning to the elements. Dr. Pillai has pointed out that clay itself becomes a vessel of transformation, because it can hold the karmic energy and then dissolve back into nature.

This is why Ganesha is called the Lord who accepts burdens. His clay form becomes the sacrificial medium, giving devotees a direct way to experience relief from suffering.

Learn more about Ganesha’s Golden Age Teachings

Celebrate Ganesha’s birthday with rituals that carry forward his greatest teaching: sacrifice as the path to karma removal.

Join the 2025 Ganesha Birthday Remedies at Pillai Center

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