Why do we worship Vinayaka before we begin any important work? As we observe the festival of Vinayaka Chaturthi, Bhagawan explains through an important story.

Parameshwara invited His two sons, Vinayaka and Subramanya, to go around the world and said that whoever completed the trip first would get a fruit immediately. Subramanya mounted his peacock and set out on the race with zest. Ganapati, who was cast in a big mould and had as his vehicle a mouse, was no match for his younger brother. How could he hope to go around the world? A little while later, seeing Subramanya approaching the place, Ganapati circumambulated his parents and, sitting before them, claimed that he had gone round the world. Parvati asked him, “Without going round the world, how can you claim you have done so merely by going round us?” Ganesh replied: “Oh, Mother, the whole earth is permeated by both of you. If I go round you, is it not equal to going round the whole world? You are Omnipresent, and to go round you is equivalent to circling the Universe.” Parameshwara presented a fruit to Vinayaka and said: “Because you have a keen intellect, you shall be the master of all the spirits.” It is for this reason that Vigneshwara is worshipped by one and all before performing any auspicious function, whether it is entering a new house or performing a marriage ceremony or any other religious function.