Why do we Offer 21 Modaks to Lord Ganesh?

Every pandal or home you visit during Ganesh Chaturthi, you will find modaks forming an integral part of the Prashad (offerings to Lord Ganesha). We all know why. As they are the elephant god’s favourite. But if you notice carefully, some places specifically offer 21 modaks to the god. If you have also ever wondered why only 21, you will find the answer here. The reason is spiritual and narrative, making it a story worth knowing. 

The Spiritual Reason 

The spiritual reason linked with a bit of science behind this ritual is believed to be associated with the Sankhya philosophy -  an ancient Indian philosophy that's a dualistic theory of creation and causation. Number 21 is a depiction of 5 karma indriyas (work organs), 5 gyan indriyas (sensory organs), 5 tatvas (elements on Earth), 5 tanmatras (senses) and 1 man (mind). These state that we should offer everything to the lord so that we can realise him truly. 

The Legend 

Apart from the spiritual reason, there is an interesting legend behind the offering of 21 modaks. But first, let’s delve into why modaks are Ganeshji’s favourite. It is believed that Lord Ganesh broke his tooth while fighting with the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Due to his broken tooth, he was not able to eat anything. Soft modaks, slathered with ghee were prepared and given to him so that he could eat something fulfilling without having to chew it much. And this is how modaks became Ganeshji's favourite.

Is another question of when the ritual of 21 modaks came into being erupting in your mind? Well, here starts the actual story of why only 21 modaks are offered to the god. As mentioned in the ancient scriptures like Ganesh Purana and the Mudgala Purana, Lord Shiva along with child Ganesh visited his follower Anushya at her forest home for a meal. When they were seated for the meal, Anushya insisted on serving Bal Ganesh first and only after he was satisfied, food will be served to Shiva. The host kept on bringing meal after meal for Ganesh but his hunger would not satiate. Finally, Anushya brought one small sweet and Ganesh took a burp immediately after having it, indicating he was full. At the exact same time, Shiva took not one but 21 burps, stating even he was full without having a single morsel of the meal. 

Upon asking, Anushya revealed to Parvati, that the sweet served was modak. After this, Parvati, Ganpati's mother would serve him modaks with every meal. The reason behind Shiva’s 21 burps is not known but it is said that after this incident the offering of 21 modaks is associated with Ganpati. Hence, to date, 21 modaks are served to Lord Ganesh to satiate his and his father’s hunger.