In plain words
So we must pray first to Vināyaka, so that no obstacles arise. From ancient times our people of Bhārata have kept such customs well.
Our ancient customs carry a sacred inner meaning
When we hold an auspicious occasion, we tie festoons of fresh green mango leaves to the house, and decorate it with plantain leaves. At a wedding we put up a pandal of green leaves. For what? Could we not pay money and set up attractive shamianas? That goes against our ancient custom. There is a great inner meaning in tying festoons of green leaves and in putting up a pandal of them. Where a wedding takes place, people gather in great numbers. The carbon dioxide they breathe out in large amounts is drawn in by the green leaves, which keep the air from being fouled. Besides, they give us the oxygen that is the support of our life, protect our health and bring us joy. Every one of our ancient customs carries a sacred inner meaning. Today people are forgetting such customs. Wherever a wedding is held, they put up huge shamianas. Taken with fashion, they bring plastic festoons and tie them up. Can those draw in carbon dioxide? Can they give out oxygen? They may look pleasing to the eye, but they are of no use to us at all. People think only of outward decoration; they give no thought to health.
Village people mix Cow dung in water, sprinkle it in front of their houses and decorate the ground beautifully with rangoli. This is most auspicious. By the smell of Cow dung, harmful diseases within us are cured. Foreigners have recognised this truth today, but the people of Bhārata make no effort to recognise it.