Samkatahara Chaturthi
Vishalakshi Amman Kovil(K.Puduppatti)
WELCOME TO KASI VISHVANATHAR AND VISHALAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE
Sadhurthi is a day of importance for Lord Ganesh(Vinayaga), and is considered auspicious to initiate with any new endeavour, job or project. This occurs twice every month once during the growing moon period and once during the waning moon period. The Sadhurthi which falls during the growing moon period is considered as Sankadahara Sadhurthi and is considered more auspicious than the other occurance. The main Sadhurthi called Sri Ganesh Sadhurthi (Sri Vinayaga Sadhurthi) occurs during the month of September in the growing moon period and is celebrated in K.Puduppatti. During this festival large and decorated idols of Sri Vinayaga are drowned in the rivers and lakes marking the occasion.
SALUTATIONS to Lord Ganesha who is Brahman Himself, who is the Supreme Lord, who is the energy of Lord Shiva, who is the source of all bliss, and who is the bestower of all virtuous qualities and success in all undertakings.
Mushikavaahana modaka hastha,Chaamara karna vilambitha sutra, Vaamana rupa maheshwara putra,Vighna vinaayaka paada namaste.
MEANING: "O Lord Vinayaka! the remover of all obstacles, the son of Lord Shiva, with a form which is very short, with mouse as Thy vehicle, with sweet pudding in hand, with wide ears and long hanging trunk, I prostrate at Thy lotus-like Feet!"
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha. It is the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August-September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world.
Clay figures of the Deity are made and after being worshipped for two days, or in some cases ten days, they are thrown into Water.
Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun.
He is the Lord of power and wisdom. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. He is the energy of Lord Shiva and so He is called the son of Shankar and Umadevi. By worshipping Lord Ganesha mothers hope to earn for their sons the sterling virtues of Ganesha.
The following story is narrated about His birth and how He came to have the head of an elephant:
Once upon a time, the Goddess Gauri (consort of Lord Shiva), while bathing, created Ganesha as a pure white being out of the mud of Her Body and placed Him at the entrance of the house. She told Him not to allow anyone to enter while she went inside for a bath. Lord Shiva Himself was returning home quite thirsty and was stopped by Ganesha at the gate. Shiva became angry and cut off Ganesha's head as He thought Ganesha was an outsider.
When Gauri came to know of this she was sorely grieved. To console her grief, Shiva ordered His servants to cut off and bring to Him the head of any creature that might be sleeping with its head facing north. The servants went on their mission and found only an elephant in that position. The sacrifice was thus made and the elephant's head was brought before Shiva. The Lord then joined the elephant's head onto the body of Ganesha.
Lord Shiva made His son worthy of worship at the beginning of all undertakings, marriages, expeditions, studies, etc. He ordained that the annual worship of Ganesha should take place on the 4th day of the bright half of Bhadrapada.
Without the Grace of Sri Ganesha and His help nothing whatsoever can be achieved. No action can be undertaken without His support, Grace or blessing.
In his first lesson in the alphabet a Maharashtrian child is initiated into the Mantra of Lord Ganesha, Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah. Only then is the alphabet taught.
The following are some of the common Names of Lord Ganesha: Dhoomraketu, Sumukha, Ekadantha, Gajakarnaka, Lambodara, Vignaraja, Ganadhyaksha, Phalachandra, Gajanana, Vinayaka, Vakratunda, Siddhivinayaka, Surpakarna, Heramba, Skandapurvaja, Kapila and Vigneshwara. He is also known by many as Maha-Ganapathi.
His Mantra is Om Gung Ganapathaye Namah. Spiritual aspirants who worship Ganesha as their tutelary Deity repeat this Mantra or Om Sri Ganeshaya Namah.
The devotees of Ganesha also do Japa of the Ganesha Gayatri Mantra. This is as follows.
Tat purushaaya vidmahe Vakratundaaya dheemahi Tanno dhanti prachodayaat.
Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom and bliss. He is the Lord of Brahmacharins. He is foremost amongst the celibates.
He has as his vehicle a small mouse. He is the presiding Deity of the Muladhara Chakra, the psychic centre in the body in which the Kundalini Shakti resides.
He is the Lord who removes all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. Hence He is called Vigna Vinayaka. His Bija Akshara (root syllable) is Gung, pronounced to rhyme with the English word "sung". He is the Lord of harmony and peace.
Lord Ganesha represents Om or the Pranava, which is the chief Mantra among the Hindus. Nothing can be done without uttering it. This explains the practice of invoking Ganesha before beginning any rite or undertaking any project. His two feet represent the power of knowledge and the power of action. The elephant head is significant in that it is the only figure in nature that has the form of the symbol for Om.
The significance of riding on a mouse is the complete conquest over egoism. The holding of the ankusha represents His rulership of the world. It is the emblem of divine Royalty.
Ganesha is the first god. Riding on a mouse, one of nature's smallest creatures and having the head of an elephant, the biggest of all animals, denotes that Ganesha is the creator of all creatures. Elephants are very wise animals; this indicates that Lord Ganesha is an embodiment of wisdom. It also denotes the process of evolution--the mouse gradually evolves into an elephant and finally becomes a man. This is why Ganesha has a human body, an elephant's head and a mouse as His vehicle. This is the symbolic philosophy of His form.
He is the Lord of Ganas or groups, for instance groups of elements, groups of senses, etc. He is the head of the followers of Shiva or the celestial servants of Lord Shiva.
The Vaishnavas also worship Lord Ganesha. They have given Him the name of Tumbikkai Alwar which means the divinity with the proboscis (the elephant's trunk).
Lord Ganesha's two powers are the Kundalini and the Vallabha or power of love.
He is very fond of sweet pudding or balls of rice flour with a sweet core. On one of His birthdays He was going around house to house accepting the offerings of sweet puddings. Having eaten a good number of these, He set out moving on His mouse at night. Suddenly the mouse stumbled--it had seen a snake and became frightened--with the result that Ganesha fell down. His stomach burst open and all the sweet puddings came out. But Ganesha stuffed them back into His stomach and, catching hold of the snake, tied it around His belly.
Seeing all this, the moon in the sky had a hearty laugh. This unseemly behaviour of the moon annoyed Him immensely and so he pulled out one of His tusks and hurled it against the moon, and cursed that no one should look at the moon on the Ganesh Chaturthi day. If anyone does, he will surely earn a bad name, censure or ill-repute. However, if by mistake someone does happen to look at the moon on this day, then the only way he can be freed from the curse is by repeating or listening to the story of how Lord Krishna cleared His character regarding the Syamantaka jewel. This story is quoted in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Lord Ganesha was pleased to ordain thus. Glory to Lord Ganesha! How kind and merciful He is unto His devotees!
Ganesha and His brother Lord Subramanya once had a dispute as to who was the elder of the two. The matter was referred to Lord Shiva for final decision. Shiva decided that whoever would make a tour of the whole world and come back first to the starting point had the right to be the elder. Subramanya flew off at once on his vehicle, the peacock, to make a circuit of the world. But the wise Ganesha went, in loving worshipfulness, around His divine parents and asked for the prize of His victory.
Lord Shiva said, "Beloved and wise Ganesha! But how can I give you the prize; you did not go around the world?"
Ganesha replied, "No, but I have gone around my parents. My parents represent the entire manifested universe!"
Thus the dispute was settled in favour of Lord Ganesha, who was thereafter acknowledged as the elder of the two brothers. Mother Parvati also gave Him a fruit as a prize for this victory.
In the Ganapathi Upanishad, Ganesha is identified with the Supreme Self. The legends that are connected with Lord Ganesha are recorded in the Ganesha Khanda of the Brahma Vivartha Purana.
On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too. You can get the assistance of a pundit. Have an image of Lord Ganesha in your house. Feel His Presence in it.
Don't forget not to look at the moon on that day; remember that it behaved unbecomingly towards the Lord. This really means avoid the company of all those who have no faith in God, and who deride God, your Guru and religion, from this very day.
Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!
Posted by Kasi Vishvanathar and VishalakshiAmman at 6:30 AM 0 comments
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LORD GANESHAS NAMES AND MEANINGS
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Lord Ganesha names & meanings
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
1. Akhurath: One who has mouse as his charioteer 2. Alampata : Ever eternal lord 3. Amit : Incomparable lord 4. Anantachidrupamayam : Infinite and consciousness personified 5. Avaneesh: Lord of the whole world6. Avighna: Remover of obstacles
7. Balaganapati: Beloved and lovable child
8. Bhalchandra: Moon-crested lord
9. Bheema: Huge and Gigantic
10. Bhupati: Lord of the gods
11. Bhuvanpati: God of the gods
12. Buddhinath: God of wisdom
13. Budhipriya: Knowledge bestower
14. Bhudhividhata: God of knowledge
15. Chaturbhuj: One who has four arms
16. Devadeva: Lord of all lords
17. Devantakanashakarin : Destroyer of evils and asuras
18. Devarata: One who accepts all gods
19. Devendrashika: Protector of all gods
20. Dharmik: One who gives charity
21. Dhoomravarna: Smoke-Hued lord
22. Durja: Invincible lord
23. Dvaimatura: One who has two mothers
24. Ekaakshara: He of the single syllable
25. Ekadanta: Single-Tusked lord
26. Ekadrishta: Single-Tusked lord
27. Eshanputra: Lord Shiva?s son
28. Gadadhara: One who has the mace as his weapon
29. Gajakarna: One who has eyes like an elephant
30. Gajanana: Elephant-Faced lord
31. Gajananeti: Elephant-Faced lord
32. Gajavakra: Trunk of the elephant
33. Gajavaktra: One who has mouth like an elephant
34. Ganadhakshya: Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
35. Ganadhyakshina: Leader of all the celestial bodies
36. Ganapati: Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
37. Gaurisuta: The son of Gauri (Parvati)
38. Gunina: One who is the master of all virtues
39. Haridra: One who is golden colored
40. Heramba: Mother?s Beloved son
41. Kapila: Yellowish-Brown coloured
42. Kaveesha: Master of poets
43. Krti: Lord of music
44. Kripalu: Merciful lord
45. Krishapingaksha: Yellowish-Brown eyed
46. Kshamakaram: The place of forgiveness
47. Kshipra: One who is easy to appease
48. Lambakarna: Large-Eared lords
49. Lambodara: The huge bellied lord
50. Mahabala: Enormously strong lord
51. Mahaganpati: Omnipotent and supreme lord
52. Maheshwaram: Lord of the universe
53. Mangalamurti: All auspicious lord
54. Manomay: Winner of hearts
55. Mrityunjaya: Conqueror of death
56. Mundakarama: Abode of happiness
57. Muktidaya: Bestower of eternal bliss
58. Mushikvahana: One who has mouse as charioteer
59. Nadapratithishta: One who appreciates and loves music
60. Namasthetu: Vanquisher of all evils and vices and sins
61. Nandana: Lord Shiva?s son
62. Nideeshwaram: Giver of wealth and treasures
63. Omkara: One who has the form of OM
64. Pitambara: One who has yellow-colored body
65. Pramoda: Lord of all abodes
66. Prathameshwara: First among all
67. Purush: The omnipotent personality
68. Rakta: One who has red-colored body
69. Rudrapriya: Beloved of lord Shiva
70. Sarvadevatman: Acceptor of all celestial offerings
71. Sarvasiddanta: Bestower of skills and wisdom
72. Sarvatman: Protector of the universe
73. Shambhavi: The son of Parvati
74. Shashivarnam: One who has a moon like complexion
75. Shoorpakarna: Large-eared Lord
76. Shuban: All auspicious lord
77. Shubhagunakanan: One who is the master of all virtues
78. Shweta: One who is as pure as the white colour
79. Siddhidhata: Bestower of success and accomplishments
80. Siddhipriya: Bestower of wishes and boons
81. Siddhivinayak: Bestower of success
82. Skandapurvaja: Elder brother of Skanda (Lord Kartik)
83. Sumukha: Auspicious face
84. Sureshwaram: Lord of all lords
85. Swaroop: Lover of beauty
86. Tarun: Ageless
87. Uddanda: Nemesis of evils and vices
88. Umaputra: The son of goddess Uma (Parvati)
89. Vakratunda: Curved trunk lord
90. Varaganapati: Bestower of boons
91. Varaprada: Granter of wishes and boons
92. Varadavinayaka: Bestower of Success
93. Veeraganapati: Heroic lord
94. Vidyavaridhi: God of wisdom
95. Vighnahara: Remover of obstacles
96. Vignaharta: Demolisher of obstacles
97. Vighnaraja: Lord of all hindrances
98. Vighnarajendra: Lord of all obstacles
99. Vighnavinashanaya: Destroyer of all obstacles and impediments
100. Vigneshwara: Lord of all obstacles
101. Vikat: Huge and gigantic
102. Vinayaka: Lord of all
103. Vishwamukha: Master of the universe
104. Vishwaraja: King of the world
105. Yagnakaya: Acceptor of all sacred and sacrificial offerings
106. Yashaskaram: Bestower of fame and fortune
107. Yashvasin: Beloved and ever popular lord
108. Yogadhipa: The lord of meditation
Posted by Shanker at 11:36 AM
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Lord Ganesha names & meanings
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
1. Akhurath: One who has mouse as his charioteer 2. Alampata : Ever eternal lord 3. Amit : Incomparable lord 4. Anantachidrupamayam : Infinite and consciousness personified 5. Avaneesh: Lord of the whole world6. Avighna: Remover of obstacles
7. Balaganapati: Beloved and lovable child
8. Bhalchandra: Moon-crested lord
9. Bheema: Huge and Gigantic
10. Bhupati: Lord of the gods
11. Bhuvanpati: God of the gods
12. Buddhinath: God of wisdom
13. Budhipriya: Knowledge bestower
14. Bhudhividhata: God of knowledge
15. Chaturbhuj: One who has four arms
16. Devadeva: Lord of all lords
17. Devantakanashakarin : Destroyer of evils and asuras
18. Devarata: One who accepts all gods
19. Devendrashika: Protector of all gods
20. Dharmik: One who gives charity
21. Dhoomravarna: Smoke-Hued lord
22. Durja: Invincible lord
23. Dvaimatura: One who has two mothers
24. Ekaakshara: He of the single syllable
25. Ekadanta: Single-Tusked lord
26. Ekadrishta: Single-Tusked lord
27. Eshanputra: Lord Shiva?s son
28. Gadadhara: One who has the mace as his weapon
29. Gajakarna: One who has eyes like an elephant
30. Gajanana: Elephant-Faced lord
31. Gajananeti: Elephant-Faced lord
32. Gajavakra: Trunk of the elephant
33. Gajavaktra: One who has mouth like an elephant
34. Ganadhakshya: Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
35. Ganadhyakshina: Leader of all the celestial bodies
36. Ganapati: Lord of all Ganas (Gods)
37. Gaurisuta: The son of Gauri (Parvati)
38. Gunina: One who is the master of all virtues
39. Haridra: One who is golden colored
40. Heramba: Mother?s Beloved son
41. Kapila: Yellowish-Brown coloured
42. Kaveesha: Master of poets
43. Krti: Lord of music
44. Kripalu: Merciful lord
45. Krishapingaksha: Yellowish-Brown eyed
46. Kshamakaram: The place of forgiveness
47. Kshipra: One who is easy to appease
48. Lambakarna: Large-Eared lords
49. Lambodara: The huge bellied lord
50. Mahabala: Enormously strong lord
51. Mahaganpati: Omnipotent and supreme lord
52. Maheshwaram: Lord of the universe
53. Mangalamurti: All auspicious lord
54. Manomay: Winner of hearts
55. Mrityunjaya: Conqueror of death
56. Mundakarama: Abode of happiness
57. Muktidaya: Bestower of eternal bliss
58. Mushikvahana: One who has mouse as charioteer
59. Nadapratithishta: One who appreciates and loves music
60. Namasthetu: Vanquisher of all evils and vices and sins
61. Nandana: Lord Shiva?s son
62. Nideeshwaram: Giver of wealth and treasures
63. Omkara: One who has the form of OM
64. Pitambara: One who has yellow-colored body
65. Pramoda: Lord of all abodes
66. Prathameshwara: First among all
67. Purush: The omnipotent personality
68. Rakta: One who has red-colored body
69. Rudrapriya: Beloved of lord Shiva
70. Sarvadevatman: Acceptor of all celestial offerings
71. Sarvasiddanta: Bestower of skills and wisdom
72. Sarvatman: Protector of the universe
73. Shambhavi: The son of Parvati
74. Shashivarnam: One who has a moon like complexion
75. Shoorpakarna: Large-eared Lord
76. Shuban: All auspicious lord
77. Shubhagunakanan: One who is the master of all virtues
78. Shweta: One who is as pure as the white colour
79. Siddhidhata: Bestower of success and accomplishments
80. Siddhipriya: Bestower of wishes and boons
81. Siddhivinayak: Bestower of success
82. Skandapurvaja: Elder brother of Skanda (Lord Kartik)
83. Sumukha: Auspicious face
84. Sureshwaram: Lord of all lords
85. Swaroop: Lover of beauty
86. Tarun: Ageless
87. Uddanda: Nemesis of evils and vices
88. Umaputra: The son of goddess Uma (Parvati)
89. Vakratunda: Curved trunk lord
90. Varaganapati: Bestower of boons
91. Varaprada: Granter of wishes and boons
92. Varadavinayaka: Bestower of Success
93. Veeraganapati: Heroic lord
94. Vidyavaridhi: God of wisdom
95. Vighnahara: Remover of obstacles
96. Vignaharta: Demolisher of obstacles
97. Vighnaraja: Lord of all hindrances
98. Vighnarajendra: Lord of all obstacles
99. Vighnavinashanaya: Destroyer of all obstacles and impediments
100. Vigneshwara: Lord of all obstacles
101. Vikat: Huge and gigantic
102. Vinayaka: Lord of all
103. Vishwamukha: Master of the universe
104. Vishwaraja: King of the world
105. Yagnakaya: Acceptor of all sacred and sacrificial offerings
106. Yashaskaram: Bestower of fame and fortune
107. Yashvasin: Beloved and ever popular lord
108. Yogadhipa: The lord of meditation
Posted by Shanker at 11:36 AM
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Lord Ganesha and the Tulasi Leaves.
A Puranic Tale. Retold with additional information.
9 Jun 07 09:10:27 AM - 123 Views  comments rss:Â
Tags: Hindu Parables for young children. Hindu Religion Hindu Faith.
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We are in the naimisharanya and the sages are assembled there. This time Shounaka and several other sages have also arrived there to hear the Puranas. It is noon. After having their lunch, the rishis are taking their rest, when in the afternoon Souti, the illustrious son of Romaharshana arrives there. Both father and son, belong to the suta class meaning they are raconteurs or ballard singers.
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 [Suta = the offspring of a brahmana mother and a kshatriya father]
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Souti (son of a suta, hence Souti) is requested by Shounaka and the new crop of sages to recite a story from the Puranas so that they can increase their knowledge.
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Being well versed in all the Puranas he begins to recite the Brahmavaivarta Purana which contains all the wisdom that one can find in the other Puranas. It has four parts and our present story is from the second part which is in the 'nature of gods and goddesses and the way in which they should be worshipped'.
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Parashurama is in Kailas and he is in a hurry to meet Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Unfortunately the Lord and his consort are taking rest and their first born Ganesha is guarding the gate to Kailas.Â
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"Satre Nagarum Pillai" (Please move a little)Â "I am in a bit of a hurry;Â let me go in and return quickly so that I can hasten home" so saying Parashurama pushes aside Ganesha.Â
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"I do not know who you are"... "But even if you are the representative of the mightiest of the mighty I am sorry you will have to wait."Â "I am standing guard here on their express orders"
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"Is that so? Since you are only a child I will tell you who I am. I am Parashurama - the destroyer of all the kshatriyas of this world. I am proceeding and stop me if you can."  Such arrogance!!
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There ensued a Dwandha Yudham (wrestling) between Ganesha and Parashurama and unable to withstand the onslaughts of Ganesha with his four hands and the trunk, Parashurama throws the Parashu at his tormentor. Now this axe, is a gift to Parashurama from Lord Shiva himself. So being a weapon from his father, the son could not deflect it completely. Instead of severing Ganesha's head, it broke Ganesha's left tusk.Â
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Ganesha's face is covered with blood and just then Parvathi and Parameshwara, disturbed in their sleep come to enquire what the commotion is all about. Seeing her son in distress, she counsels Parashurama "He can take care of countless warriors like you, but because of his self control he is soft and does not even hurt a fly."
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Parashurama, a true warrior, the world has ever seen, immediately worships, Ganesha with flowers, incense and other offerings but not tulasi (Basil)
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Why? Â Before I proceed further I need to digress here, to show you how the people on earth worship him and the praise they heap on him for the services that he renders to them.
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"Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kurumeydeva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada "
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"O Lord Ganesha of Large Body, Curved Trunk, With the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Make All My Work Free Of Obstacles, Always."
"Mooshika Vahana Modhaga Hasta Shyamala Karna Vilambitha Sutra Vamana Rupa Maheshwara Putra Vigna Vinayaka Pada Namaste"
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"Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the god that protects his devotees from any obstacles ( vighnam ). Hence the name Vighneswara. He is also described as the Supreme Leader ( Vinayaka). Thus he is the master of knowledge and achievement.As Ekadanta, the Lord has limitless powers. As Heramba, he removes obstacles. As Lambodara, He protects all worlds. As Surpa Karna, He shows compassion by giving the highest knowledge. All these names for Lord Vinayaka, who is the Lord of all Lords."
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"Ganesha's Vehicle (Vahana) is the Mouse, symbolic of gnawing its way through everything, thus depicting the God's ability to cut through all obstacles".
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Swami Chinmayananda, describes his Pranavaswaroopam in the following words: The term omkÄrasvarÅ«pa ("Aum is his form") refers to this belief that he is the personification of the primal sound "AUM".
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"(O Lord Ganapati!) You are (the Trinity) Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesa. You are Indra. You are fire and air. You are the sun and the moon. You are Brahman. You are (the three worlds) Bhuloka, Antariksha-loka, and Swargaloka. You are Om. (that is to say, You are all this)."
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"Remover of all obstacles,Pranava Swaroopi,Embodiment of wisdom,Devata of Muladhara Chakra!O Lord Vinayaka,The bestower of happinessWho has Modaka in hand!O Elephant-headed Lord!Salutations unto Thee.Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha."
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In the meantime Narada, has also joined the crowd at naimisharanya and his curisoty is kindled. "Why, One should not offer the Tulasi leaves to Ganapathi as an offering?"
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Souti continues....
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One evening when the clime is pleasant, a most beautiful damsel, with all the 32 Samudrika Lakshanams, presents herself before Ganesha, on the banks of the river Ganges where HE is meditating. Prodding him, with the stem of a lotus flower, she utters: "I am Tulasi. I am the daughter of King Dharmadhvaja and I am also meditating to get a good husband. I am attracted by your strange appearance and I have chosen you as my husband." Â
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"Who Me?" is the immediate retort from Ganesha. "Listen woman, I cannot marry you. I am holding you in an equal position to that of my mother. Besides, I have no intention to get married. I think, it is foolish, to get married, as it brings a lot of unhappiness in one's life."
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Rebuffed, she curses Ganesha. "Whoever you are, since you did not accept me in marriage, I curse you that you will never remain a bachelor in your life."Â
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Ganesha loses his cool, and returns that curse with another curse. "For the affront that you showed me, I curse you that you will marry a Rakshasa, and then become a shrub."
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Whether it is puranic days or the present times, when a woman is outwitted, by a man, God or Mortal she immediately supplicates to him.
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When humbly, Tulasi approaches Ganesha for redemption from the curse, HE blesses her that she will be the most important ingredient in the offerings to Gods by mortals, and would be favoured by Narayana, in due course of time.  "But I will not accept either you,  your flowers or leaves."
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The Purana ends here. My story continues for a couple of more paragraphs.
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Tulsi ( Ocimum Sanctum)
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"Leaves, flowers, fruits, root, branches and the main stem and everything about Tulsi is sacred; even the soil under the Tulsi plant is holy. In Sanskrit Tulsi is known by many names, including Surasah, Ajaka, Parnasa, Manjari, Haripriya (the beloved of Lord Vishnu) and Bhutagni (the dstroyer of demon). Hindu denominations defer in how they regard the Tulsi plants as the Goddess. Generally worshipers of Lord Vishnu revere Tulsi as Lakshmi or Vrinda, devotees of Lord Rama honor Tulsi as Sita , while followers of Lord Krishna vernerate Tulsi as Vrinda, Radha and Rukmani ."
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Commonly called sacred or holy basil, it is a principal herb of Ayurveda, the ancient traditional holistic health system of India.
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"Tulsi has, for thousands of years, remained one of the most cherished of India's sacred healing plants. Furthermore, in addition to being a pillar of the traditional Ayurvedic holistic health system, Tulsi continues to be spiritually honored daily by millions. So, it really can't be much of a surprise to discover that modern science is accumulating evidence in support of many of the traditional health promotion and disease treatment uses of Tulsi."
Â
from the Introduction to Tulsi Mother Medicine of Nature by Dr.Narendra Singh and Dr. Yamuna Hoette. by Dr. Miller, who is a former Director of Research for the Canadian National Department of Health and Welfare.
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In South India, Lord Ganesha, is credited with two wives, Anima and Mahima, the personification of the Ashta Sidhis. In the North, it is Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha or Buddhi (intellect) and Siddhi(achievement).
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The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is very famous among aspiring intellectuals, because here Lord Ganapathi, bestows intellect on whosoever prays to him.
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GANPATI BAPPA MORIYA
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Ekadanthaaya VidhmaheeVaakrathundaaya DheemahiThanno Dhantihih Prachodayaat
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I am personally indebted to those unnamed contributors whose works has made this blog meaningful.
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Rajaputhran.Â
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 Leave a comment Comments (10) Perma link Email this post
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A Puranic Tale. Retold with additional information.
9 Jun 07 09:10:27 AM - 123 Views  comments rss:Â
Tags: Hindu Parables for young children. Hindu Religion Hindu Faith.
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We are in the naimisharanya and the sages are assembled there. This time Shounaka and several other sages have also arrived there to hear the Puranas. It is noon. After having their lunch, the rishis are taking their rest, when in the afternoon Souti, the illustrious son of Romaharshana arrives there. Both father and son, belong to the suta class meaning they are raconteurs or ballard singers.
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 [Suta = the offspring of a brahmana mother and a kshatriya father]
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Souti (son of a suta, hence Souti) is requested by Shounaka and the new crop of sages to recite a story from the Puranas so that they can increase their knowledge.
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Being well versed in all the Puranas he begins to recite the Brahmavaivarta Purana which contains all the wisdom that one can find in the other Puranas. It has four parts and our present story is from the second part which is in the 'nature of gods and goddesses and the way in which they should be worshipped'.
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Parashurama is in Kailas and he is in a hurry to meet Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Unfortunately the Lord and his consort are taking rest and their first born Ganesha is guarding the gate to Kailas.Â
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"Satre Nagarum Pillai" (Please move a little)Â "I am in a bit of a hurry;Â let me go in and return quickly so that I can hasten home" so saying Parashurama pushes aside Ganesha.Â
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"I do not know who you are"... "But even if you are the representative of the mightiest of the mighty I am sorry you will have to wait."Â "I am standing guard here on their express orders"
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"Is that so? Since you are only a child I will tell you who I am. I am Parashurama - the destroyer of all the kshatriyas of this world. I am proceeding and stop me if you can."  Such arrogance!!
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There ensued a Dwandha Yudham (wrestling) between Ganesha and Parashurama and unable to withstand the onslaughts of Ganesha with his four hands and the trunk, Parashurama throws the Parashu at his tormentor. Now this axe, is a gift to Parashurama from Lord Shiva himself. So being a weapon from his father, the son could not deflect it completely. Instead of severing Ganesha's head, it broke Ganesha's left tusk.Â
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Ganesha's face is covered with blood and just then Parvathi and Parameshwara, disturbed in their sleep come to enquire what the commotion is all about. Seeing her son in distress, she counsels Parashurama "He can take care of countless warriors like you, but because of his self control he is soft and does not even hurt a fly."
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Parashurama, a true warrior, the world has ever seen, immediately worships, Ganesha with flowers, incense and other offerings but not tulasi (Basil)
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Why? Â Before I proceed further I need to digress here, to show you how the people on earth worship him and the praise they heap on him for the services that he renders to them.
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"Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kurumeydeva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada "
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"O Lord Ganesha of Large Body, Curved Trunk, With the Brilliance of a Million Suns, Make All My Work Free Of Obstacles, Always."
"Mooshika Vahana Modhaga Hasta Shyamala Karna Vilambitha Sutra Vamana Rupa Maheshwara Putra Vigna Vinayaka Pada Namaste"
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"Ganesha has an elephantine countenance with a curved trunk and big ears, and a huge pot-bellied body of a human being. He is the god that protects his devotees from any obstacles ( vighnam ). Hence the name Vighneswara. He is also described as the Supreme Leader ( Vinayaka). Thus he is the master of knowledge and achievement.As Ekadanta, the Lord has limitless powers. As Heramba, he removes obstacles. As Lambodara, He protects all worlds. As Surpa Karna, He shows compassion by giving the highest knowledge. All these names for Lord Vinayaka, who is the Lord of all Lords."
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"Ganesha's Vehicle (Vahana) is the Mouse, symbolic of gnawing its way through everything, thus depicting the God's ability to cut through all obstacles".
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Swami Chinmayananda, describes his Pranavaswaroopam in the following words: The term omkÄrasvarÅ«pa ("Aum is his form") refers to this belief that he is the personification of the primal sound "AUM".
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"(O Lord Ganapati!) You are (the Trinity) Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesa. You are Indra. You are fire and air. You are the sun and the moon. You are Brahman. You are (the three worlds) Bhuloka, Antariksha-loka, and Swargaloka. You are Om. (that is to say, You are all this)."
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"Remover of all obstacles,Pranava Swaroopi,Embodiment of wisdom,Devata of Muladhara Chakra!O Lord Vinayaka,The bestower of happinessWho has Modaka in hand!O Elephant-headed Lord!Salutations unto Thee.Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha."
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In the meantime Narada, has also joined the crowd at naimisharanya and his curisoty is kindled. "Why, One should not offer the Tulasi leaves to Ganapathi as an offering?"
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Souti continues....
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One evening when the clime is pleasant, a most beautiful damsel, with all the 32 Samudrika Lakshanams, presents herself before Ganesha, on the banks of the river Ganges where HE is meditating. Prodding him, with the stem of a lotus flower, she utters: "I am Tulasi. I am the daughter of King Dharmadhvaja and I am also meditating to get a good husband. I am attracted by your strange appearance and I have chosen you as my husband." Â
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"Who Me?" is the immediate retort from Ganesha. "Listen woman, I cannot marry you. I am holding you in an equal position to that of my mother. Besides, I have no intention to get married. I think, it is foolish, to get married, as it brings a lot of unhappiness in one's life."
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Rebuffed, she curses Ganesha. "Whoever you are, since you did not accept me in marriage, I curse you that you will never remain a bachelor in your life."Â
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Ganesha loses his cool, and returns that curse with another curse. "For the affront that you showed me, I curse you that you will marry a Rakshasa, and then become a shrub."
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Whether it is puranic days or the present times, when a woman is outwitted, by a man, God or Mortal she immediately supplicates to him.
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When humbly, Tulasi approaches Ganesha for redemption from the curse, HE blesses her that she will be the most important ingredient in the offerings to Gods by mortals, and would be favoured by Narayana, in due course of time.  "But I will not accept either you,  your flowers or leaves."
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The Purana ends here. My story continues for a couple of more paragraphs.
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Tulsi ( Ocimum Sanctum)
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"Leaves, flowers, fruits, root, branches and the main stem and everything about Tulsi is sacred; even the soil under the Tulsi plant is holy. In Sanskrit Tulsi is known by many names, including Surasah, Ajaka, Parnasa, Manjari, Haripriya (the beloved of Lord Vishnu) and Bhutagni (the dstroyer of demon). Hindu denominations defer in how they regard the Tulsi plants as the Goddess. Generally worshipers of Lord Vishnu revere Tulsi as Lakshmi or Vrinda, devotees of Lord Rama honor Tulsi as Sita , while followers of Lord Krishna vernerate Tulsi as Vrinda, Radha and Rukmani ."
Â
Commonly called sacred or holy basil, it is a principal herb of Ayurveda, the ancient traditional holistic health system of India.
Â
"Tulsi has, for thousands of years, remained one of the most cherished of India's sacred healing plants. Furthermore, in addition to being a pillar of the traditional Ayurvedic holistic health system, Tulsi continues to be spiritually honored daily by millions. So, it really can't be much of a surprise to discover that modern science is accumulating evidence in support of many of the traditional health promotion and disease treatment uses of Tulsi."
Â
from the Introduction to Tulsi Mother Medicine of Nature by Dr.Narendra Singh and Dr. Yamuna Hoette. by Dr. Miller, who is a former Director of Research for the Canadian National Department of Health and Welfare.
Â
In South India, Lord Ganesha, is credited with two wives, Anima and Mahima, the personification of the Ashta Sidhis. In the North, it is Riddhi and Siddhi, the consorts of Ganesha or Buddhi (intellect) and Siddhi(achievement).
Â
The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is very famous among aspiring intellectuals, because here Lord Ganapathi, bestows intellect on whosoever prays to him.
Â
GANPATI BAPPA MORIYA
Â
Â
Ekadanthaaya VidhmaheeVaakrathundaaya DheemahiThanno Dhantihih Prachodayaat
Â
I am personally indebted to those unnamed contributors whose works has made this blog meaningful.
Â
Rajaputhran.Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
 Leave a comment Comments (10) Perma link Email this post
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Thursday, August 23, 2007
GANESHA, PERHAPS, is the most adorable God in the Hindu pantheon. Ganesha is the Lord who dispels all obstacles, he is worshipped by everyone .
The sages of Hindu lorewere inspired by the symbolic ideals of this elephant-faced god.
The Mandukya Upanishad describes four planes of psychophysical existence - the waking (jagrats), dream (swapna), deep sleep (sushupti), and liberation (moksha) in detail. The third mantra describes the form of `Brahman', which presides over the waking state of the soul as residing in the right eye. Ganesha is also described as the one who makes the outside world known to the soul. This form is called Vaishvanara and Ganesha has seven limbs, four hands, two legs, and 19 faces (the middle one being that of an elephant).
A text called Mahayoga, says that Ganesha, attained his elephant form by meditating in Vaishvanara form. The description of Ganesha in another religious text is particularly interesting. Ganesha, in the form of a child, is depicted as resting on a lotus with a thousand petals, in an ocean of sugarcane juice. Decked in various ornaments, he has a third eye radiating brilliance in all directions. Sama Veda and other sacred texts, sing the glory of Ganesha, symbolising his mastery over all forms of knowledgeThe reference to Ashta Siddhis and the lotus hints in the Tantric texts such as Sharada Tilaka Tanta and Prapancha Sarasangraha. The Ashta Siddhis in female forms are said to be consorts of Ganesha according to the Tantric texts. Though the Tantric texts designate Ganesha to Mooladhara Chakra, sage Mudgala makes him the lord of the highest stage of Kundalini. Sage Valmiki has described Ganesha as "the lord of the intellect and poet of poets".
The belief is that sage Veda Vyasa dictated to Ganesha, the epic- Mahabharata, who used his tusk as a pen. This symbolises a sacrifice of the greatest order.
The 15th Century Jain scholar, Vardhamanasoori, has prescribed a mode to install Ganesha's image in Jain temples. His work, Pratisthavidhi, describes Ganesha as having two, four, six, nine, 18 or 108 arms, with mudras and modakas. Sadhana Mala, a Buddhist work, depicts Ganesha with 12 arms with axe, arrows, sword, and other weapons. Ganesha has always been popular in Southeast Asian countries where Buddhism has held sway. Mahayana Buddhism, popular in Tibet, does not consider Ganesha a deity, but is considered to be a powerful guardian against evil
The sages of Hindu lorewere inspired by the symbolic ideals of this elephant-faced god.
The Mandukya Upanishad describes four planes of psychophysical existence - the waking (jagrats), dream (swapna), deep sleep (sushupti), and liberation (moksha) in detail. The third mantra describes the form of `Brahman', which presides over the waking state of the soul as residing in the right eye. Ganesha is also described as the one who makes the outside world known to the soul. This form is called Vaishvanara and Ganesha has seven limbs, four hands, two legs, and 19 faces (the middle one being that of an elephant).
A text called Mahayoga, says that Ganesha, attained his elephant form by meditating in Vaishvanara form. The description of Ganesha in another religious text is particularly interesting. Ganesha, in the form of a child, is depicted as resting on a lotus with a thousand petals, in an ocean of sugarcane juice. Decked in various ornaments, he has a third eye radiating brilliance in all directions. Sama Veda and other sacred texts, sing the glory of Ganesha, symbolising his mastery over all forms of knowledgeThe reference to Ashta Siddhis and the lotus hints in the Tantric texts such as Sharada Tilaka Tanta and Prapancha Sarasangraha. The Ashta Siddhis in female forms are said to be consorts of Ganesha according to the Tantric texts. Though the Tantric texts designate Ganesha to Mooladhara Chakra, sage Mudgala makes him the lord of the highest stage of Kundalini. Sage Valmiki has described Ganesha as "the lord of the intellect and poet of poets".
The belief is that sage Veda Vyasa dictated to Ganesha, the epic- Mahabharata, who used his tusk as a pen. This symbolises a sacrifice of the greatest order.
The 15th Century Jain scholar, Vardhamanasoori, has prescribed a mode to install Ganesha's image in Jain temples. His work, Pratisthavidhi, describes Ganesha as having two, four, six, nine, 18 or 108 arms, with mudras and modakas. Sadhana Mala, a Buddhist work, depicts Ganesha with 12 arms with axe, arrows, sword, and other weapons. Ganesha has always been popular in Southeast Asian countries where Buddhism has held sway. Mahayana Buddhism, popular in Tibet, does not consider Ganesha a deity, but is considered to be a powerful guardian against evil
GANESHA WORSHIP
"Now there are various ways people worship Shri Ganesha, but there is a simple way to remember him and sit before his photograph and take vibrations from him. That's the best way you can balance yourself. There are so many worries; there are so many struggles you have. All these can be neutralized by Shri Ganesha. Though innocent, He is extremely clever and when he comes to your help, you are amazed. How he works it out and how he removes all the hurdles and all the worries from you. So this is the most important deity we have, though it’s a very simple deity. This Mooladhara chakra is very very complicated. It is one of the most complicated chakras I think, because it has many waves, it has many compartments. We can say which all the time are vibrating and oscillating. So to steady down these you should try to be absolutely dedicated to Shri Ganesha." (25.09.1999, Italy)
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Mooladhara as the abode of Gauri - Why Gauri produced Shri Ganesha The Qualities of Shri Ganesha The Blessings of Shri Ganesha The Ganesha Principle Mooladhara as the abode of Gauri - Why Gauri produced Shri Ganesha Gauri is the mother of Shri Ganesha and She produced Shri Ganesha because She was having a bath and to protect Her chastity She produced Shri Ganesha. In the same way, Kundalini is the Gauri and we have got Ganesha sitting in the Mooladhara chakra. So we have got Mooladhara as the abode of Gauri, of Kundalini, and the protection of the Kundalini is done by Shri Ganesha. As you know, Shri Ganesha is the deity, which is for our innocence. Only Shri Ganesha could be there in that picture because, as you know, the pelvic plexus looks after all the excretory functions and it is Shri Ganesha only who can really stay there without getting dirtied by the surroundings. He's so pure. He's so innocent. While the Kundalini is the virgin, the virgin mother of Shri Ganesha, people have started talking against Mary by saying there was something wrong, "How could a virgin get a child?" Because we do not understand that it is God and in the area of God anything is possible. They're above all these things and they can create anything, and in any way, Ganesha had to be born out of a virgin because He was so pure. So Kundalini has to be supported by Shri Ganesha. If Shri Ganesha is weak, then Kundalini cannot be supported. Shri Ganesha has to support Her in the awakening part, first of all. When the Kundalini is getting awakened Shri Ganesha stops all the functions that it has to work. All the functions are stopped so that, you must have seen, I sit for nine hours, ten hours sometimes;I don't get up because all functions of Shri Ganesha, everything stops when the Kundalini is rising. She's fully supported and looked after by Shri Ganesha. (08.04.1991, New Zealand) The Qualities of Shri Ganesha – to please his Mother There are so many qualities for Shri Ganesha, one of them is that he is a child and he is very humble. He is very playful and very interesting. Despite his size, he is very light weight because he can sit on a small little mouse. He doesn't try to show off. His Vahana (Vehicle) is very simple, the smallest creature, a mouse. With this mouse he expresses his own power that he doesn't need any other vehicle. His vehicle is his simplicity; he penetrates and affects the lives of people through very simple sweet methods. In Sahaja Yoga we have to realize how to impress others. In Sahaja Yoga nobody will be impressed if you have a very great car or if you have a wealthy expression of your life. What impresses people is the simple expression of your love through certain gestures, presents, and behaviours. I have seen people who are very sweet, who express themselves in a very innocent, simple, child like manner that goes into the heart of the people and then other Sahaja Yogis describe to me how they express their appreciation of others. It is very sweet, extremely loving and delicate; all that is like how a child plays around, how he amuses you and tries to do things for you, because they are not wise enough. They misinterpret. They want to say Mother this, that. It is not good. They try to show off themselves by saying that we have understood Mother very well. It’s not easy to understand. The only thing is, try and understand yourself. I am like a mirror for you. When you look into the mirror, you cannot understand the mirror, but you can understand yourself. This is a very simple thing, that's what is the quality of Shri Ganesha, that he knows what this Mother will like. He does everything that is good for him because by that he is pleasing his Mother. His complete dedication is to the Mother. He is not bothered with other Dieties. He fought with all of them. He goes to them through the understanding of Mother and respects them through the understanding of the Mother. But some people still cannot do that. They still stick on to a Diety they have been worshipping. Some sort of an ideology they have been having. They are not fully in connection with me. He is in connection with his Mother. To Him She is everything. She is the source of knowledge, joy and truth. He doesn't have to look to anybody else. It looks very egoistical to say these things in modern times. The other quality of Shri Ganesha is that he always tries to please his Mother. He doesn't want to do anything that will make her unhappy. One has to learn the respect of the Mother of Shri Ganesha. In that I find people are little over-smart. If I say something, immediately they will correct me. This smartness is not very helpful. (21.07.1993, Germany) The Blessings of Shri GaneshaWisdom The first blessing of Shri Ganesha, which is, I think the highest, is wisdom. That we learn what is good and what is bad for us, what is constructive and destructive, what should we do to achieve our self-realization. Those people who have got wisdom are very lucky people. But wisdom comes from no source but your own understanding of life. When a person starts thinking: "Why am I doing such and such a thing? What is the effect of my doing it? What is the result of my behaviour? Is it good or bad for me?" Then wisdom comes. Even if some people know that something is bad for them, still they do not have the power to control themselves. The reason is that the power of wisdom is not there. A person is wise who does not only know what is right and wrong, but also knows very well that his own powers are - not to do something wrong. He just does not do it. Wisdom is a complete power within ourselves by which we try nothing. It just spontaneously works through us and we do things which are proper and right. One may say: "Mother, what is the source of this Wisdom?" The source is Shri Ganesha, who is the giver of Wisdom. Once Shri Ganesha is insulted and he disappears behind the clouds of ignorance, then people start doing things which are unwise. (21.07.1993, Germany) Innocence Another power that Shri Ganesha has is that he generates innocence within you. We respect our innocence and our chastity; we respect a life style which is decent. In every scripture it is written that we should dress up in a way that is decent and decorous and our body should not in any way express an indecent feeling or behaviour on our part. This is the reason why in Sahaja Yoga we have to be very particular how we dress up. Our dress should be decent, dignified and in no way show vulgarity. Innocence is the most important thing a human being should have and it is the complete decoration of a human being one should look after one’s own chastity and morality. In some countries they think that chastity is meant only for women and not for men. It is meant for both. Like men trying to force women to be chaste and they themselves are not chaste, the women will not be chaste. They may try to be out of fear, but if they get a chance they will take to a life style which is wrong. They feel if men can do it, why not us. So the whole society has to take a very decent, decorous and dignified lifestyle. It's not only in dress but in day to day life, otherwise a kind of insecurity starts working among men and women and too much of a complicated life style starts. (21.07.1993, Germany) The Ganesha Principle We have to be wise and see what is destroying us and our inner being. For Sahaja Yogis it is very important. Because if there is a cloth or Sari which is blown off by the wind, even if you can hold it on one corner, then the whole thing can be saved. And this is what has to happen actually to the world when Sahaja Yogis will hold the Sari or Universe with their Wisdom and firm faith in Sahaja Yoga. Otherwise they can be blown off also. If they are not rightly placed or grounded, if they are not fixed to their own enlightened faith of Sahaja Yoga, they can be blown off with this wind which is there to torture and destroy the whole world. The responsibility of Sahaja Yoga is very important that their Ganesha principle should be alright. If it is not alright then the whole of Sahaja Yoga movement can collapse. Both ladies and gents should try to put their Shri Ganesha in a very respectable position in their life style. That should be the highest and the most important thing, everyday we should remember that we are very much blessed by Shri Ganesha to get our self realization. (21.07.1993, Germany)
This month we are showing a painting by a yogini from Montreal named Louise Ruelland. It is a sweet autumn painting called 'Amitié' which means Friendship in English. To see another painting by Louise (which depicts the great Canadian season known as winter) check the archives of the Sahaja Path issue from December 2004.
To see the full painting, click here N
Notes: - All excerpts are taken directly from the Founder of Sahaja Yoga, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. (08.04.1991 - Auckland, New Zealand – Gauri Puja talk, 21.07.1993 - Berlin, Germany – Shri Ganesha Puja, 25.09.1999 - Cabella, Italy – Shri Ganesha Puja)- This month's artwork represents Ganesha Dancing. To see the full images, click here N
"Sahaja Path" is published by Sahaja Yoga Canada Mission: Informing those interested about the benefits of Sahaja Yoga through subject matter conveying the essence of this form of meditation and inviting you to join us in Canadian Sahaja Events. Sahaja Path is a newsletter to help new individuals in their respective journey in Sahaja Yoga in cooperation with the various sessions offered across Canada. We encourage your suggestions for future issues, as this newsletter is to help you, the readers, to better understand Sahaja Yoga to ascend in your own path. Please feel free to contribute any form of artistic expression to present in this newsletter keeping in mind that all contributions may not necessarily be presented. Subscribers: 655
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Meditations on Muladhara Chakra
by Kalkinath
Muladhara can be translated as "root-support". This in itself tells us something about the nature of this chakra. It is the "root" as in the root of a tree. Where did this root come from? Who planted it, and in what does it grow?
GENERAL SYMBOLISM OF THE CHAKRA
The following is a list of the symbols which make up the chakra - they are often given, but rarely explained.
4 Petals
8 Arrows
Yellow Square - Tattva of Earth
Presiding Deities: Red Dakini,
Animal: King of Elephants
Triangle, enclosing Lingam & Coiled Kundalini
Bija Mantra: LAM
The following verses from the "Sat-Cakra-Nirupana Tantra" give a great deal more insight into the nature of the chakra.
THE VERSES
1.
Now we come to the Adhara Lotus. It is attached to the mouth of the Susumna, and is placed below the genitals and above the anus. It has four petals of crimson hue. It’s head hangs downwards. On its petals are the four letters from Va to Sa, of the shining colour of gold.
2.
In this is the square region of Prthivi, surrounded by eight shining spears. It is of a shining yellow colour and beautiful like lightning, as is also the Bija of Dhara which is within.
3.
Ornamented with four arms and mounted on the King of Elephants, He carries on His lap the child Creator, resplendent like the young Sun, who has four lustrous arms, and the wealth of whose lotus-face is fourfold.
4.
Here dwells the Devi Dakini by name; her four arms shine with beauty, and her eyes are brilliant red. She is resplendent like the lustre of many Suns rising at one and the same time. She is the carrier of the revelation of the ever-pure Intelligence.
5.
Near the mouth of the Nadi called Vajra, and in the pericarp there constantly shines the beautifully luminous and soft, lightning-like triangle which is Kamarupa, and known as Traipura. There is always and everywhere the Vayu called Kandarpa, who is of a deeper red than the Bandhujiva flower, and is the Lord of Beings and resplendent like ten million suns.
6.
Inside it is Svayambhu in His Linga-form, beautiful like molten gold, with His head downwards. He is revealed by Knowledge and Meditation; and is of the shape and colour of a new leaf. As the cool rays of the lightning and of the full moon charm, so does His beauty. The Deva who resides happily here as in Kasi is in forms like a whirlpool.
7.
Over it shines the sleeping Kundalini, fine as the fibre of the lotus-stalk. She is the world-bewilderer, gently covering the mouth of Brahma-dvara by Her own. Like the spiral of the conch-shell, Her shining snake-like form goes three and a half times round Siva, and Her lustre is as that of a strong flash of young strong lightning. Her sweet murmur is like the indistinct hum of swarms of love-mad bees. She produces melodious poetry and Bhanda and all other compositions in prose or verse in sequence or otherwise in Samskrta, Prakrta and other languages. It is She who maintains all the beings of the world by means of inspiration and expiration, and shines in the cavity of the root Lotus like a chain of brilliant lights.
8.
Within it reigns dominant Para, the Sri-Paramesvari, the Awakener of eternal knowledge. She is the Omnipotent Kala who is wonderfully skilful to create, and is subtler than the subtlest. She is the receptacle of that continuous stream of ambrosia which flows from the Eternal Bliss. By Her radiance it is that the whole of this Universe and this Cauldron is illumined.
9.
By meditating thus on Her who shines within the Mula-Cakra, with the lustre of ten million Suns, a man becomes Lord of Speech and King among men, and an Adept in all kinds of learning. He becomes ever free from all diseases, and his inmost Spirit becomes full of great gladness. Pure of disposition by his deep and musical words, he serves the foremost of the Devas.
SUMMARY
The Muladhara is a Lotus of four red petals. In the pericarp is the square dhara-mandala surrounded by 8 spears and within it and in the lower part is the Dhara-Bija (Lam) who has four arms and is seated upon the Elephant-King, Airavata. He is of yellow colour, and holds the thunderbolt (Vajra) in his hands. Inside the bindu of the Dhara-Bija is the Child-Brahma, who is red in colour and has four hands with which he holds the staff, the gourd, the rudraksa rosary, and makes the gesture which dispells fear. He has four faces. Alternatively, Ganesha may be understood as Lord of the Senses.
In the pericarp there is a Red Lotus on which is the presiding Divinity of the Chakra, Sakti Dakini. In the pericarp is also the lightning-like triangle inside which are Kama-Vayu and Kama-Bija, both of which are red. Above this is the Svayambhu-Linga, and above and around this Linga is Sakti-Kundalini coiled three and a half times.
The Muladhara reflects the principle of Solidity.
BODY ALCHEMY
As we have seen, the symbolism of the Muladhara Chakra alone is extremely complex - I have only touched on some of the basic elements of it.
What I would like now to do is present some ideas for working with the Muladhara Chakra magically.
Firstly, there is the matter of Paying Attention to the Body.
Relaxation Exercises, breathing techniques, calm meditation, simple yoga asanas, T’ai Chi - all are useful for stilling the mind, loosing oneself from external distractions and learning to be aware of our immediate physical presence from one moment to the next.
Secondly, there is the matter of Earthly Wisdom
Ganesha can be understood as the ‘Guardian of the Threshold’ of the Chakra. As such, he can be invoked as the Guru of the Biogram.
Pete Carroll, in an early edition of Liber Null, described the Biogram as:
"....the instruction manual for the human body. Few people
trouble to consult it. It says simply that my body and everyone else's
body needs freedom from danger, food, shelter, warmth, sex and
transcendance. Transcendance, the urge to union with something greater
is variously satisfied by seeking love in a partner or in humanitarian
action or by seeking truth and knowledge in mysticism, magic, science
or the arts.
Our whole culture is shot through with logograms which, by exageration
and perversion, nullify the biogram.
In order to liberate himself the magician must first feel his way back
to the biogram for it is that which is more wise and trustworthy than
all the sages. There is more wisdom in one's body than the average
library."
Thirdly, there is the matter of the Senses
Learning to make effective use of one’s senses is a primary requisite for magical development. The Muladhara Chakra is concerned with Earth - with our immediate physical surroundings. Just as paying attention to body sensations is important, so too is paying attention to our external environment through smell, touch, taste, hearing, sight.
Fourth, there is the matter of the Shakti of the Chakra.
Meditate upon the Red Dakini who is the Shakti of the Muladhara. Visualise her as separate to yourself. Place her within your heart. Seek union with her in whatsoever manner you choose.
The Red Dakini is the Queen, or in another sense, the ‘doorkeeper’ of this chakra - the presiding deity of this region or zone. By meditating on her, as part of Yoga practice, one acquires Knowledge of the chakra.
"Meditate on her, the red, the red-eyed Dakini in the Muladhara, who strikes terror into the hearts of the unillumined, who holds in her two right hands the Spear and Skull-staff, and in her two left hands the sword and a drinking-cup filled with wine. She is fierce in temper and shows her fierce teeth. She crushes the whole host of enemies. She is plump of body and fond of rice pudding. It is thus that she be meditated upon by those who desire immortality."
Fifth, there is the matter of the 3 principles:
To recap, these are Iccha - Will; Jnana - Knowledge; Kriya - Action.
These three are not abstract concepts but shaktis themselves, and in turn, each has their own subsidiary shaktis.
Learn to integrate the action of these shaktis within your own life.
Sixth, there is the matter of Kama - desire.
Work on mastering your desires. This is probably a lifetimes’ work in itself.
Kama is one of the Universal Principles, or Visvadevas. In the Artharva Deva, Lust or Kama is given as the supreme divinity - the impeller of creation. "Lust was born first. Neither gods nor Ancestors nor men can equal him."
Lust is said to be self-born or unborn, springing from the heart of Bramha or from the Primeval Waters. Kama is the presiding deity of the mind. He is pictured as a proud adolescent, riding a parrot. He has two or eight arms. He holds a bow made of sugar-cane, the bowstring being a line of bees; his five arrows are made of five fragrant flowers which inspire lust. On his red banner is the dolphin and he is attended by heavenly dancers, the Asparas (Essences) and celestial musicians, the gandharvas (Fragrances).
Kama is worshipped by Yogis, for he alone, when pleased, can free the mind from desire. It is not pleasure, but desire - attachment that fetters. As the Gopala-uttara-tapini-Upanisad has it: "The sage partakes of sensual pleasures as they occur, with a detached mind, and does not become addicted to desire."
Seventh, there is the Matter of Shiva.
Meditate upon Shiva in his aspect of the Great Yogi or Ascetic - self-contained and untouched by the play of the world.
Eighth, there is the matter of Kundalini-Shakti
Kundalini-Shakti is everywhere. It is not so much a matter of awakening something which lies ‘dormant’, but of becoming aware of her presence in every aspect of creation. Take enjoyment in simple pleasures.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Maha Vallabha Ganapathi Mantras
Šuklãm Baradharam VishnumŠaši Varnam Chaturbhujam Prasanna Vadanam DhyãyetSarva Vighnopa Šãntaye
Dhyãnam
Vande Mahã Ganapatim Madanãri SoonumVãmoru Samstha Vanithã BhujaVeshtitãngam Valleeša Poorvaja MabheeshtadamÚritãnãmVãneepati Pramukha DevaGanãrchiãngrhim Leelabajam Dãdimam Veena ŠãliGunjãkshaSooktrakam Dadhaduchishtha Nãmãyam Ganeša :Pãtumechaka :
WORSHIP OF MAHA VALLABHA GANAPATI
OM GAM GANAPATAYAE NAMAHA
With this prayer, may all your works be attended with victory and success.Lord Ganeša is the most fascinating, widely known aspect of God. Ganeša is the "Son of God," or that which you call Christ in another story. He is the ocean of wisdom (vidya vaaridhi). He blesses us with illumined intellect (buddhi). He is the bestower of supernatural powers (siddhi). He is the embodiment of all sacred blessings (mangala murthi). He is ill-pervading spirit, all-powerful and radiant like millions of suns. Children worship Ganeša for success in their education. People pray to Lord Ganeša for the blessings of creative intelligence, success in their business and in their lives.
In all world religious, the Trinity is represented through A-U-M. AH-OO-MM, or OM. It is the beginning, middle and end of all languages. That OM is Ganeša. He is the son of Shiva, one among the Hindu Trinity of Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, or the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
Ganeša Mantrãs
Ganeša mantras are siddhi mantras. Each mantra contains certain specific powers of Lord Ganeša. When chanted with the proper pranayama (rhythmic breathing) and sincere devotion, they will yield good results.
In general, Ganeša mantras will ward off all evil and bless the devotee with abundance, prudence and success. Evil spirits date not enter the home or the mind of the devotee where Ganeša mantras are recited. Some such mantras are given below for the spiritual benefit of the readers.
One more point to remember is that one should bathe or wash the limbs before sitting for repetition of the mantra. Also, one should do three or more pranayama before beginning the mantra. The minimum repetition of the mantra should be one full rosary or 108 times. When this is done at a rigid hour and place regularly for 48 days, it becomes an “upaasana" which means intense meditation which will yield siddhi or spiritual powers.
The warning given is that one should use those powers only for healing the sick and other such selfless actions for the benefit of mankind. These powers should not be misused. Misuse of power may bring the curse of the deity.
1.
OM GAM GANAPATAYAE NAMAHA
This is a mantra from Ganapati Upanishad. One may always use it before beginning a journey, a new course in school, new career or job, or before entering into business so that impediments are removed and your endeavor may be crowned with success.
2.
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE GAJÃNANÃYA NAMAHA
This is a devotional mantra personifying the all-pervading consciousness of Ganesha. This mantra is very efficacious to have the darshan of Ganesha or to feel his immediate presence as a person.
3.
OM ŠRI GANEŠÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra is usually taught to all children for their good education. It increases their memory power and they become successful in their examinations. Of course, people of any age may use this mantra when taking courses in a school or university and for success in attaining their degree.
4.
OM GAM GANAPATAYE VAKRATUNDÃYA HUM
This is a very powerful mantra as discussed in the Ganesha Puraana. When something is not working properly, individually or universally, nationally or internationally, or when the minds of the people get curved and negative, the attention of Ganesha may be drawn by this mantra to straighten their ways.
The HUM symbolizes "Delay no more, my Lord, in straightening the paths of the curve-minded ones." This mantra is used many times in the Ganesha Puraana to curb the atrocities of cruel demons.
In addition, this mantra could also be used for healing any spinal deficiency such a curvature of the spine or curved limbs. Dedicate 1008 repetitions of this holy word to straighten and heal such deficiencies.
5.
OM KSHIPRA PRASÃDÃYA NAMAHA
That kshipra means instantaneous, If some danger or something is coming your way and you don't knew how to get rid of that trouble, with true devotion, practice this mantra for quick blessing.
6.
OM ŠREEM HREEM KLEEM GLAUM GAMGANAPATAYE VARA VARADA SARVAJANAME VAŠAMANÃYA SWÃHÃ
There are several bija (seed) mantras in this mantra. Among other things, it means "Shower Your blessings, I offer my ego as an oblation."
7.
OM SUMUKHÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra has a lot of meaning, but to make it simple, it mews you will be always very beautiful in soul, in spirit, in face, everything. By meditating on that mantra, very pleasing manners and a beauty comes on you. Along with that comes peace which constantly dances in your eyes, and the words which you speak am all filled with that power of love.
8.
OM AEKADANTÃYA NAMAHA
Aekadanta refers to one tusk in the elephant face, which means God broke the duality and made you to have a one-pointed mind. Whoever has that oneness of mind and single-minded devotion will achieve everything.
9.
OM KAPILÃYA NAMAHA
Kapila means; that you are able to give color therapy. You are able to create colors around yourself and around others, bathe them in that color and heal them.
As per the mantra you create, so will you create the colors. Another meaning is "wish cow," the "Cow of plenty." It means that whatever you wish, that comes true. There is a wish-cow inside you. Whatever you wish, especially for healing others, comes true immediately.
10.
OM GAJAKARNAKÃYA NAMAHA
The cars; of Ganesha, the elephant, are constantly fanning, which means people may talk a lot, but you are not receiving inside anything other than that which is important.
It also means that you can sit anywhere and tune this cosmic television (the body) with seven channels (chakras) and all 72,000 nadis, to any loka and be able to hear ancestors, angels, the voice of God, or the voice of prophets. That kind of inner car you will develop through this mantra.
11.
OM LAMBODARÃYA NAMAHA
Which means you feel that you are this universe. It means that all the universes are within you Like an entire tree is in the seed, the whole universe is in the sound of creation which is OM and that OM consciousness in you makes you feel that you are the universe.
Therefore, if you say, realizing the oneness with the universe, “shanti” to the world everyday, then the grace of God will come and there will be world peace, universal peace It is the universes within OM and OM within you.
12.
OM VIKATÃYA NAMAHA
Means realizing this world as a dream or a drama. When you are in that high consciousness, this whole world looks like a dream. All of us have taken a role, We have to play our role in life as wife or husband or kids or citizens as per the role which we taken.
When an actor bitten by a sponge cobra which is brought on the stage falls, the entire audience cries, but that boy who has fallen knows that it was not a real cobra and that he is not dead.
Life is a drama - definitely life in this material world, this physical world of ego is a drama. But inside, like the boy on the stage who is very happy knowing that he didn't die by the bite of the sponge cobra, like that, the truth never dies in us; it is immortal. So everything else you consider as drama. That consciousness comes to you by knowing this mantra.
13.
OM VIGHNA NAŠANÃYA NAMAHA
Invokes the Lord to remove every impediment in your life and in your works. By constantly knowing this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in you also is released.
14.
OM VINÃYAKÃYA NAMAHA
Vinayakaya is the name of Ganesha in the golden age, So by realizing this mantra, your life. will have a golden age. In your office, in your work, you'll be the boss. Vinayaka means, something under control.
Vinayaka means the Lord of problems.
15.
OM DHOOMAKETÃVAE NAMAHA
Halley's Comet is called Dhumraketu in the Vedas. Whenever Halley’s Comet appears, on the whole planet earth and in other places also, there will be fear and terror.
The guiding, Masters and those who have the wisdom to face it will all withdraw to the higher worlds. Important people die during that time, and bloodshed and various other problems come.
To overcome that, it's important for us to remember this mantra for world peace.
16.
OM GANÃDHYAKSHÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra is so important. Suppose you have a group, a country, neighbors, or any kind of group therapy, group healing or a whole country needing healing, then you have to bring that entire group to your mind’s arena and say this mantra. A group healing takes place by this Mantra.
17.
OM BHALACHANDRÃYA NAMAHA
In Sanskrit, bhala means the forehead center. Chandra means the crescent moon. Bhalachandra means that chakra from where the nectar drips. That is the secret of all healing.
It is to feel yourself as Shiva. Identifying yourself with the Truth and feeling constantly that you are carrying the crescent moon, the symbol of growth and nectar and peace.
18.
OM GAJÃNANÃYA NAMAHA
This means to have upon your trunk an elephant head. It means the ego is cut off and in its place, OM is kept, This means to have a head filled with infinite consciousness.
Šuklãm Baradharam VishnumŠaši Varnam Chaturbhujam Prasanna Vadanam DhyãyetSarva Vighnopa Šãntaye
Dhyãnam
Vande Mahã Ganapatim Madanãri SoonumVãmoru Samstha Vanithã BhujaVeshtitãngam Valleeša Poorvaja MabheeshtadamÚritãnãmVãneepati Pramukha DevaGanãrchiãngrhim Leelabajam Dãdimam Veena ŠãliGunjãkshaSooktrakam Dadhaduchishtha Nãmãyam Ganeša :Pãtumechaka :
WORSHIP OF MAHA VALLABHA GANAPATI
OM GAM GANAPATAYAE NAMAHA
With this prayer, may all your works be attended with victory and success.Lord Ganeša is the most fascinating, widely known aspect of God. Ganeša is the "Son of God," or that which you call Christ in another story. He is the ocean of wisdom (vidya vaaridhi). He blesses us with illumined intellect (buddhi). He is the bestower of supernatural powers (siddhi). He is the embodiment of all sacred blessings (mangala murthi). He is ill-pervading spirit, all-powerful and radiant like millions of suns. Children worship Ganeša for success in their education. People pray to Lord Ganeša for the blessings of creative intelligence, success in their business and in their lives.
In all world religious, the Trinity is represented through A-U-M. AH-OO-MM, or OM. It is the beginning, middle and end of all languages. That OM is Ganeša. He is the son of Shiva, one among the Hindu Trinity of Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva, or the Father, the Son, and the Spirit.
Ganeša Mantrãs
Ganeša mantras are siddhi mantras. Each mantra contains certain specific powers of Lord Ganeša. When chanted with the proper pranayama (rhythmic breathing) and sincere devotion, they will yield good results.
In general, Ganeša mantras will ward off all evil and bless the devotee with abundance, prudence and success. Evil spirits date not enter the home or the mind of the devotee where Ganeša mantras are recited. Some such mantras are given below for the spiritual benefit of the readers.
One more point to remember is that one should bathe or wash the limbs before sitting for repetition of the mantra. Also, one should do three or more pranayama before beginning the mantra. The minimum repetition of the mantra should be one full rosary or 108 times. When this is done at a rigid hour and place regularly for 48 days, it becomes an “upaasana" which means intense meditation which will yield siddhi or spiritual powers.
The warning given is that one should use those powers only for healing the sick and other such selfless actions for the benefit of mankind. These powers should not be misused. Misuse of power may bring the curse of the deity.
1.
OM GAM GANAPATAYAE NAMAHA
This is a mantra from Ganapati Upanishad. One may always use it before beginning a journey, a new course in school, new career or job, or before entering into business so that impediments are removed and your endeavor may be crowned with success.
2.
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE GAJÃNANÃYA NAMAHA
This is a devotional mantra personifying the all-pervading consciousness of Ganesha. This mantra is very efficacious to have the darshan of Ganesha or to feel his immediate presence as a person.
3.
OM ŠRI GANEŠÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra is usually taught to all children for their good education. It increases their memory power and they become successful in their examinations. Of course, people of any age may use this mantra when taking courses in a school or university and for success in attaining their degree.
4.
OM GAM GANAPATAYE VAKRATUNDÃYA HUM
This is a very powerful mantra as discussed in the Ganesha Puraana. When something is not working properly, individually or universally, nationally or internationally, or when the minds of the people get curved and negative, the attention of Ganesha may be drawn by this mantra to straighten their ways.
The HUM symbolizes "Delay no more, my Lord, in straightening the paths of the curve-minded ones." This mantra is used many times in the Ganesha Puraana to curb the atrocities of cruel demons.
In addition, this mantra could also be used for healing any spinal deficiency such a curvature of the spine or curved limbs. Dedicate 1008 repetitions of this holy word to straighten and heal such deficiencies.
5.
OM KSHIPRA PRASÃDÃYA NAMAHA
That kshipra means instantaneous, If some danger or something is coming your way and you don't knew how to get rid of that trouble, with true devotion, practice this mantra for quick blessing.
6.
OM ŠREEM HREEM KLEEM GLAUM GAMGANAPATAYE VARA VARADA SARVAJANAME VAŠAMANÃYA SWÃHÃ
There are several bija (seed) mantras in this mantra. Among other things, it means "Shower Your blessings, I offer my ego as an oblation."
7.
OM SUMUKHÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra has a lot of meaning, but to make it simple, it mews you will be always very beautiful in soul, in spirit, in face, everything. By meditating on that mantra, very pleasing manners and a beauty comes on you. Along with that comes peace which constantly dances in your eyes, and the words which you speak am all filled with that power of love.
8.
OM AEKADANTÃYA NAMAHA
Aekadanta refers to one tusk in the elephant face, which means God broke the duality and made you to have a one-pointed mind. Whoever has that oneness of mind and single-minded devotion will achieve everything.
9.
OM KAPILÃYA NAMAHA
Kapila means; that you are able to give color therapy. You are able to create colors around yourself and around others, bathe them in that color and heal them.
As per the mantra you create, so will you create the colors. Another meaning is "wish cow," the "Cow of plenty." It means that whatever you wish, that comes true. There is a wish-cow inside you. Whatever you wish, especially for healing others, comes true immediately.
10.
OM GAJAKARNAKÃYA NAMAHA
The cars; of Ganesha, the elephant, are constantly fanning, which means people may talk a lot, but you are not receiving inside anything other than that which is important.
It also means that you can sit anywhere and tune this cosmic television (the body) with seven channels (chakras) and all 72,000 nadis, to any loka and be able to hear ancestors, angels, the voice of God, or the voice of prophets. That kind of inner car you will develop through this mantra.
11.
OM LAMBODARÃYA NAMAHA
Which means you feel that you are this universe. It means that all the universes are within you Like an entire tree is in the seed, the whole universe is in the sound of creation which is OM and that OM consciousness in you makes you feel that you are the universe.
Therefore, if you say, realizing the oneness with the universe, “shanti” to the world everyday, then the grace of God will come and there will be world peace, universal peace It is the universes within OM and OM within you.
12.
OM VIKATÃYA NAMAHA
Means realizing this world as a dream or a drama. When you are in that high consciousness, this whole world looks like a dream. All of us have taken a role, We have to play our role in life as wife or husband or kids or citizens as per the role which we taken.
When an actor bitten by a sponge cobra which is brought on the stage falls, the entire audience cries, but that boy who has fallen knows that it was not a real cobra and that he is not dead.
Life is a drama - definitely life in this material world, this physical world of ego is a drama. But inside, like the boy on the stage who is very happy knowing that he didn't die by the bite of the sponge cobra, like that, the truth never dies in us; it is immortal. So everything else you consider as drama. That consciousness comes to you by knowing this mantra.
13.
OM VIGHNA NAŠANÃYA NAMAHA
Invokes the Lord to remove every impediment in your life and in your works. By constantly knowing this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in you also is released.
14.
OM VINÃYAKÃYA NAMAHA
Vinayakaya is the name of Ganesha in the golden age, So by realizing this mantra, your life. will have a golden age. In your office, in your work, you'll be the boss. Vinayaka means, something under control.
Vinayaka means the Lord of problems.
15.
OM DHOOMAKETÃVAE NAMAHA
Halley's Comet is called Dhumraketu in the Vedas. Whenever Halley’s Comet appears, on the whole planet earth and in other places also, there will be fear and terror.
The guiding, Masters and those who have the wisdom to face it will all withdraw to the higher worlds. Important people die during that time, and bloodshed and various other problems come.
To overcome that, it's important for us to remember this mantra for world peace.
16.
OM GANÃDHYAKSHÃYA NAMAHA
This mantra is so important. Suppose you have a group, a country, neighbors, or any kind of group therapy, group healing or a whole country needing healing, then you have to bring that entire group to your mind’s arena and say this mantra. A group healing takes place by this Mantra.
17.
OM BHALACHANDRÃYA NAMAHA
In Sanskrit, bhala means the forehead center. Chandra means the crescent moon. Bhalachandra means that chakra from where the nectar drips. That is the secret of all healing.
It is to feel yourself as Shiva. Identifying yourself with the Truth and feeling constantly that you are carrying the crescent moon, the symbol of growth and nectar and peace.
18.
OM GAJÃNANÃYA NAMAHA
This means to have upon your trunk an elephant head. It means the ego is cut off and in its place, OM is kept, This means to have a head filled with infinite consciousness.
Loving Ganesha
Chapter 11: Prayers to Lord Ganesha
GanapatiPrarthanah
Prayers toLord Ganesha
NEELING OR STANDING, SITTING IN PADMASANA OR walking alone, devotees discover in prayer One of the most powerful forms of communication with inner worlds. Through praying with concentrated feeling, or bhava, we can share our inmost sensibilities with Lord Ganapati. Thus we establish a connection with the Deity. One of the finest explanations of prayer from the Hindu perspective was given by the renowned Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh (North India).
"The entire process of spiritual ascent is from start to finish one of earnest practice. There is no other road except abhyasa (dedicated striving and practice). One may have the best feeling, the best heart, the most sublime bhava, but unless and until every part of this is put into actual practice, there is no hope. Abhyasa is the keynote of the life of sadhana. Without it, sadhana will not go towards its fruition of anubhuti, or experience. Thus, we have the celestials standing at the door of Mahadeva. They hymn Him, glorify Him and pray unto Him; and this is our next cue. It is the law of prayer that is now given to us as our sole guide upon the path. Prayer means, first and foremost, a perfect belief in a higher power. It means the desire and willingness to submit our abhimana, or ego, at the feet of a higher power. Thus, the acquisition of shraddha (faith) is now pointed out to us. The submission of our personal ego, or abhimana, is next pointed out to us. Herein its natural corollary, the cultivation of the supreme virtue of absolute humility, also is indicated. The devas prayed not that they may get power to win over the asuras. There is the attitude of willing self-abnegation, self-effacement, a standing aside so that the fullest manifestation of the divine power may stand in front and take over the stand from them. This indicates the recognition of the nondoership of the individual self and the Supreme doership of the one Doer, the Supreme God. It indicates that the sadhaka, or the seeker, is but a mere instrument; and it is the Lord Himself, the Indweller in the individual, who takes over the sadhana and actually does it. When the seeker begins to feel that even this sadhana is not done by him, but that it is the Divine shakti that works within him and enables the sadhana to be worked out and which achieves the ultimate fulfillment of the Divine Will, then he starts on the real upward march and rapid ascent toward triumphant divinity.
"Thus the second aspect of prayer unfolds itself before us. We completely allow the Divine to take charge of our personality. The seeker recedes into the background and there is total resignation to the will of the Divine. 'I am nothing; Thy will be done.' This is the formula that keeps tune to every beat of his heart, every pulsation in his body. The seeker becomes a transformed being" (Lord Shanmukha and His Worship, p. xiii-xv).
When we go to the temple in distress or when we go in great joy and thankfulness, our prayers may flow spontaneously up from our hearts. Some find it very natural to speak out in words, bringing their gratitude, adoration or troubles into a form that can be offered to Lord Ganesha. Others may just stand, feeling but not knowing what to say in their own minds or hearts. Others may not yet feel at all close to the Mahadeva but still yearn to open the door to religious communion with the Deity. In other words, many people want to learn how to pray.
We are indeed fortunate if we have been raised to learn the ancient Hindu hymns or the songs and prayers of the sants. These can be spoken in their original Indian languages, or voiced in the translation to other tongues. There are many types of prayer. There are prayers of invocation performed prior to worship or important actions. There are prayers of entreaty, requesting devonic aid in times of decision, trouble or turmoil. There are prayers of praise, giving thanks for God's grace and the fulfillment of our needs. And, perhaps most importantly, there are prayers specially written for the children, messages that make them aware of their innate intimacy with the Divine. On the following pages we offer a wide variety of prayers to Lord Ganesha composed in recent times in the English language, along with several famous invocations from the Sanskrit tradition.
By memorizing prayers, we make them immediately available to put into use wherever we are. In the temple with God Ganesha before us or by ourselves with the Lord in our mind, we can repeat them with a strong, concentrated feeling which will carry our thoughts into the inner world of the Gods. As our worship matures into an open relationship with the Deity, these prayers will come automatically to mind as our way of talking with the Lord. They are especially useful during and after Ganesha puja, when the Lord is present and listening and we are in close touch with Him. Of course, prayer can be used at any time to make us aware of our being in the mind of Lord Ganesha. As we come to know God Ganesha better, our communication with Him will take on more the spirit of talking with one's intimates, parents or close friends, and our own spontaneous words may mix freely with formal prayers.
Invocations are chants and prayers by which we "invoke" the presence of the Deity. The God is being called. The God and the devotee are being brought together, in touch. Prayers of invocation often sing out the greatness of the Deity, His known attributes and qualities. Vedic rishis and holy sages of olden times were masters of invocation. They could immediately call up the devata through the strength of their mantras. In the puja and japa chapters of this book there are many chants that also serve as powerful invocations. "Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah" is an invocation in itself. We begin this section on prayers with a famous shloka to Lord Ganesha from the root scripture of all denominations of Sanatana Dharma, the Vedas. It has been chanted by billions of Hindus down through the ages, uttering five attributes of Ganesha and invoking His all-powerful protection.
Aum shuklambaradharam vishnum
Shashivarnam chaturbhujam
Prasanna vadanam dhyayet
Sarva vighnopa shantaye
Aum, attired in white and all-pervading,O moon-hued, four-shouldered Onewith smiling face so pleasing,upon You we meditatefor removing all obstacles.
Shri Adi Sankara prayed in his Ganesha Bhujangam the following invocation. It is particularly suitable for recitation before japa and deep meditation on the highest wisdom of Lord Ganesha, the incomparable Lord:
To You whom the wise exclaimas the single-syllabled, Supreme sound,stainless and peerless,bliss, formless, unconditioned --the Indweller in the core ofsacred tradition -- to thatPrimeval One I bow in adoration.
Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings or entreaties presented to the Deity in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord's Holy Feet. Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best. We do not demand of the Lord; for He, like a parent, provides not as we desire, but as we truly need. Prayers of supplication may come forth in the natural language of our hearts.
Leaving a problem at His holy feet means we let it be there and do not carry it home with us. Nor do we worry or wonder about how it will be handled, when it will be taken care of, or if it will be taken care of at all. In full unquenchable faith we leave the matter there, at the feet of the God, and walk away from the temple or shrine, feeling that release has started and solution will be forthcoming. We must have this kind of faith for religion to work within us. To carry home with us the same problems, fears and worries would be to take back the offering we have given the Deity to dissolve. This is like the rich and famous who buy with gifts and do not give at all, slyly expecting more than something in exchange, gaining papa rather than punya and not knowing the difference. The course of events will later show how He works for our ultimate spiritual welfare.
MOMENTS OF DECISION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Great Lord of Wisdom, here I stand with so many decisions to make, with so many ways to turn. I beg for Your grace. Fill me with righteous judgment and clear discrimination as I lay all confusion at Your holy feet and immerse myself solely in You. Aum, Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM WORLDLINESS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Lord Vinayaka, You are the Destroyer of all sin. I need you; help me. How long I've spent thinking only of worldly pursuits, caring not for the children of the future. How often I forget Your eternal presence. I beg for Your noose to hold me close and Your goad to spur me on. Give me faith in God, Gods and satgurus. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
TIMES OF NEED
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Ganapati, Lord of Ganas. I, too, am a deva under Your command. I know I can never ever separate myself from the intricate mind of the supreme intelligence. O Lord who destroys the obstacles of His devotees, grant me protection, guidance and help in this hour of need. (Devotee states his need or trouble.) Aum, Ganesha sharanam. Grant me Your grace, sharanam Ganesha.
FAMILY WELFARE
O Lord Ganesha, holder of the noose and goad, sweets, fruits and sugarcane, please provide for the welfare of my family. Guide prosperity and abundance to our door. But while we wait and mostly see only our wants and needs, please help us feel within our home Your goodness and Divinity, which no calamity can conceal. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND ANGER
Omnipresent Lambodara, pure and peaceful doer of all good. Take away my fear and anger. Let me see Thee everywhere and at all times. Show me the truth that there is no intrinsic evil. Remove all barriers in my mind to understanding, true trust and love. Guide me to a harmonious life and righteous success in the fulfillment of my dharma. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM EGOITY
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O keeper of the gate to the life of Sanatana Dharma, open that gate for me to feel Your intricate mind moving all things toward the world of the Gods. Open the gate for me to a life of continuous worship. Let me enter a new world where my ego is not my God. Open the gate; let me through to Your blissful world of trust, love and harmony.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
In prayers of praise, adoration and thankfulness we do not ask for anything, but simply offer our feelings of love and recognition to Lord Ganesha when our heart is full of His grace. The more we worship and come to understand Him, the more we realize the greatness of His work in our life and see His presence all around us. It is from this perspective that the great bhaktas of the past sang many of their songs to God. Such prayers confirm our relationship with Lord Ganesha and draw us ever closer to His mind.
JOYOUS PRAISE
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Thank You, Umaganesha, for the wonderful fulfillment You have brought into my life. I show gratitude by giving abundant dana to the temple where You received and answered my prayers. Your shakti is the blossoming origin of love. Praise to You who are the source of all sweetness. I take refuge in grateful surrender at Your holy feet. Aum, jai Ganesha!
OFFERING GIFTS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O my grand andgracious Lord Ganesha. Here I am, with only You in my mind. My body's life is Your warmth. Your fire is my comfort. Now, with puja flames we offer that fire back to You. These fruits and flowers are Yours to enjoy. My very mind, too, is Yours to direct. O peaceful One, praise to You. Take these offerings and take, too, a place in my humble life, in Your heart. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
APPRECIATION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Peerless One,industrious indweller in all, we see You in the full warmth of the Sun, in the full life of Earth and the orderliness of all the turning planets. O Lord and lover of intellect, You are the intricate knowledge blossoming in the mind of the people. O Lord who rules the mind of each and all who worship You, because of You, chaos never was nor will it ever be.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Here is a prayer that has been used for centuries wherever Ganapati is the principal Deity of the home.
TRADITIONAL SALUTATION
Praise be to elephant-faced Ganesha, the Incomprehensible One with a sharp tusk, three eyes and capacious belly, King of all beings, the Eternal One of blood-red hue, Whose forehead is illuminated by the new moon, Son of Siva-Shakti, Remover of all difficulties. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Teaching children prayers to recite at regular times during the day is a wonderful practice through which we fulfill our duty of passing our religion on to coming generations. Parents are encouraged to sit and say these prayers with the children until they enter the spirit of talking with Lord Ganesha themselves.
MORNING PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You make the flowers grow, You keep the Earth going around the Sun. All day You keep things going right. You are Lord of the devas. I am one of Your devas, too. Help me to think of the needs of others, and to be kind to everyone I meet. Help me to think of You first before beginning something new and to always do what is right and kind. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
NOON PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You have kept my heart beating. You have guarded me from wrongdoing. Make my love for my family and friends grow stronger each day. Make me careful and wise. Help me to respect and heed the remindings of our kulaguru, to be respectful to my parents and remember above all the wisdom of the Vedas. Ganesha, that is a lot for me to do. Please help me succeed. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
BEDTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, nightime is here and the moon is in the sky above, reminding me of Your crescent tusk. Remain with me, Ganesha, through the night, in my deepest sleep, in my inner experiences, as You have remained with me during my daytime, outer encounters. Let me never forget You, even in my dreams. May we as a family be guided by Your loving wisdom, even there. Ganesha saranam, sharanam Ganesha.
MEALTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, all is within You. God Siva has given You dominion over the material universe. Let me remember to always share my food with others. May the prasada You have given me today make all my pranas and subtle currents flow in perfect harmony, making my body healthy and strong so that I may serve You well. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
We close this section with a prayer to Lord Vighnaraja, Ruler of Obstacles, for guidance and inspiration. This is something we all need to persevere through life's offerings of its many challenges to the supreme goal of moksha.
FOR GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION
O Lord and ruler of many ganas, O Peaceful One who loves pomp and ceremony, patron of the arts and perserver of the best of ancient cultures, the one worshiped by all sages, use Your mighty trunk to hold us close to Your majestic mind, our purest state. Respond to our entreaties for clarity and direction, for this we supplicate. Protect us from beguiling ways and sternly direct us in the ways of our forefathers' traditions, forging for us new patterns to bring forth the old in the world of today. Keep us resolute to live the Sanatana Dharma. We prostrate at Your holy feet. Please grant us Your grace. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Shri Ganesha Upanishad
Excerpts from Ganapatyatharshirsham,Translated from Sankrit by Dr. Vasant Lad
Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.
I surrender to you, Lord Ganesha. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions.
You are full of perfect knowledge of truth and awareness. You are full of bliss and pure consciousness. You are truth, consciousness and bliss. You are the absolute awareness. You are full of supreme wisdom and knowledge.
You are the earth, water, fire, air and the space. You are the root foundation of speech. You are beyond the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. You are beyond the physical, mental and causal bodies. You are beyond the three aspects of time: past, present and future. You are eternally established in the muladhara chakra. You have three shaktis: action, knowledge and will.
Salutation to the Ganapati whose seed mantra is Aum Gam. We know Ekadanta, the One-tusked God, the unique God. We meditate upon Vakratunda, the curved-trunk God. May that unique elephant God illumine our consciousness and direct us along the right track.
One should meditate upon Lord Ganesha having one tusk and four arms; holding the noose and goad with two of them; with the other two indicating varada, the giving of boons and blessings, and abhaya mudra, the fear removing gesture; having a mouse as the emblem on his ensign; possessing a big, beautiful belly and large, lovely ears which look like winnowing baskets; having a red cloth and His whole body covered with red sandalwood paste. He should be worshiped with red flowers. He manifests Himself as the universe and is beyond prakriti, matter, and Purusha, the manifest God. One who worships Ganesha in this way forever is the best of yogis.
Prostrations to Vratapati, the Lord of Plenty. Prostrations to Ganapati, the Lord of various groups of Gods. Prostrations to Pramathapati, the Lord of Siva's hosts. Prostrations to Lambodara, the full-bellied God with a single tusk, destroyer of obstacles, the Son of Siva, the Bestower of all Blessings.
He who chants this Ganapati Upanishad will verily get established in Brahman, the pure awareness. He will never encounter any obstacles. He will be happy everywhere. He will be free from the five great sins and lesser ones. By reciting this in the evening, the day's sins are destroyed.
By reciting this in the early morning, one becomes free from the sins committed at night in dreams. Reciting this morning and evening, one becomes totally free from all sins. He becomes totally free from all obstacles. He achieves the four divine ends of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha: virtue, wealth, pleasure and liberation. Aum Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram
A Renowned Five-Jeweled Hymn byShri Adi Sankara (798-820), with aFree-Flowing Translation by J. Sethuraman
I bow to Vinayaka, who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand, who is the ever-present means of moksha, who has the moon as an ear ornament, who protects all the worlds, who is the single leader for those who have been left leaderless (i.e. are lost without anybody to help them), who destroyed the elephant demon and who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him.
I seek refuge of the great Lord (Vinayaka), who is higher than the highest, who is everlasting, who is ferocious to others than those that bow to Him, who is resplendent as the newly rising sun, worshiped by both demons and Gods, the savior of those that bow to Him from all their miseries, the lord of all the Gods, the lord of all wealth, the elephant God, and Ganeshvara, the lord of the ganas.
I bow to the resplendent one who bestows peace to all the worlds, who conquered the elephant demon, who has not a small belly, the excellent one who has a beautiful elephant face, who is eternal, who is kind, who is forgiving, who gives happiness, who bestows fame and who satisfies every wish of those that bow to Him.
I worship the ancient elephant God who shares the misery of the poor, the fit receptacle of all the ancient prayers, the first son of the enemy of the three cities (Siva), the shatterer of the pride of the demons, the fierce destroyer of the worlds, decorated by fire and other elements, and whose elephant cheeks are flowing with must (the rut that flows from the cheeks of male elephants.)
I constantly think of Him alone, the single-tusked one, with a lovingly brilliant tusk, the son of the destroyer of the sacrifice (Siva), with a form that cannot be comprehended, with no end, who tears asunder all doubts, and who is verily like spring to the yogis who hold Him in their hearts all the time.
One who repeats every day the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram with reverence, in the mornings (evenings) while holding Ganeshvara in his heart, he, very quickly, will be joined by good health, blemishlessness, good fellowship, good children, long life and the eight vibhutis (powers, or ashtavibhuti, anima, mahima, lagima, garima, etc.)
The completion of the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram.
Ganesha Invocation
An Invocation to Lord GanapatiRig Veda 2.23.1
Aum gananAm tva ganapating(traditionally chanted ganapati gm) havamahekavinkavInam upamashravastamamjyeshtharajam brahmanam brahmanaspataanah shrinvan nUtibhih sida sadanam
May we worship Ganapati,
the Protector of Noble People,
the Best Poet,
the Most Honorable,
the Greatest Ruler and
the Treasure of all Knowledge.
O Ganapati! Please listen to us
and take Your seat in our heart.
Food-Blessing Chant
A Prayer of Gratitude to the Source of Sustenance.Lines 1-4 are from Shri Adi Sankara's Annapurnashtakam.Lines 5-6 are the Isha Upanishad invocation.Lines 7-8 are a traditional Saivite closing.
Aum annapurne sadapurne shankaraprana vallabhe;
Jnanavairagya siddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha pArvati.
MatA cha pArvatI devI pita devo maheshvarah
bandhavah shiva bhaktashcha svadesho bhuvanatrayam.
Aum purnamadah purnamidam purnAtpurnam udachyate,
PUrnasya purnamAdaya purname vava shishyate.
Aum shantih shantih shantih. Aum shivarpanamastu.
Aum, beloved Shakti of Siva, Fullness everlasting and fully manifest as this food; O, Mother of the universe, nourish us with this gift of food so that we may attain knowledge, dispassion and spiritual perfection. Goddess Parvati is my mother. God Maheshvara is my father. All devotees of Siva are my family. All three worlds are my home. Aum, Siva is Fullness. Creation is fullness. From Siva's Fullness flows this world's fullness. This fullness issues from that Fullness, yet that Fullness remains full. Aum, peace, peace, peace. Aum, this I offer unto Siva.
Prayer When Offering Incense
dashangam guggulopetamsugandham sumanoharamaghreyah-sarvadevanamdhupo-yam pratigrihyatam
O Lord! here is offered the incense
made of sweet-smelling herbs.
This is meant for the devas.
Please accept it.
Peace Invocation
A Prayer for Peace and Clarityintoned to begin and end teaching sessions,meetings and other group activities.Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1
Aum saha nAvavatu,saha nau bhunaktu,saha vIryam karavavahai,
tejasvinAv adhItamastu,ma vidvishAvahai,
Aum shantih, shantih, shantih.
Aum, may He protect us. May He be pleased with us.May we work together with vigor. May our studiesillumine us. May we have no contention or hostilitybetween us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.
Chapter 11: Prayers to Lord Ganesha
GanapatiPrarthanah
Prayers toLord Ganesha
NEELING OR STANDING, SITTING IN PADMASANA OR walking alone, devotees discover in prayer One of the most powerful forms of communication with inner worlds. Through praying with concentrated feeling, or bhava, we can share our inmost sensibilities with Lord Ganapati. Thus we establish a connection with the Deity. One of the finest explanations of prayer from the Hindu perspective was given by the renowned Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh (North India).
"The entire process of spiritual ascent is from start to finish one of earnest practice. There is no other road except abhyasa (dedicated striving and practice). One may have the best feeling, the best heart, the most sublime bhava, but unless and until every part of this is put into actual practice, there is no hope. Abhyasa is the keynote of the life of sadhana. Without it, sadhana will not go towards its fruition of anubhuti, or experience. Thus, we have the celestials standing at the door of Mahadeva. They hymn Him, glorify Him and pray unto Him; and this is our next cue. It is the law of prayer that is now given to us as our sole guide upon the path. Prayer means, first and foremost, a perfect belief in a higher power. It means the desire and willingness to submit our abhimana, or ego, at the feet of a higher power. Thus, the acquisition of shraddha (faith) is now pointed out to us. The submission of our personal ego, or abhimana, is next pointed out to us. Herein its natural corollary, the cultivation of the supreme virtue of absolute humility, also is indicated. The devas prayed not that they may get power to win over the asuras. There is the attitude of willing self-abnegation, self-effacement, a standing aside so that the fullest manifestation of the divine power may stand in front and take over the stand from them. This indicates the recognition of the nondoership of the individual self and the Supreme doership of the one Doer, the Supreme God. It indicates that the sadhaka, or the seeker, is but a mere instrument; and it is the Lord Himself, the Indweller in the individual, who takes over the sadhana and actually does it. When the seeker begins to feel that even this sadhana is not done by him, but that it is the Divine shakti that works within him and enables the sadhana to be worked out and which achieves the ultimate fulfillment of the Divine Will, then he starts on the real upward march and rapid ascent toward triumphant divinity.
"Thus the second aspect of prayer unfolds itself before us. We completely allow the Divine to take charge of our personality. The seeker recedes into the background and there is total resignation to the will of the Divine. 'I am nothing; Thy will be done.' This is the formula that keeps tune to every beat of his heart, every pulsation in his body. The seeker becomes a transformed being" (Lord Shanmukha and His Worship, p. xiii-xv).
When we go to the temple in distress or when we go in great joy and thankfulness, our prayers may flow spontaneously up from our hearts. Some find it very natural to speak out in words, bringing their gratitude, adoration or troubles into a form that can be offered to Lord Ganesha. Others may just stand, feeling but not knowing what to say in their own minds or hearts. Others may not yet feel at all close to the Mahadeva but still yearn to open the door to religious communion with the Deity. In other words, many people want to learn how to pray.
We are indeed fortunate if we have been raised to learn the ancient Hindu hymns or the songs and prayers of the sants. These can be spoken in their original Indian languages, or voiced in the translation to other tongues. There are many types of prayer. There are prayers of invocation performed prior to worship or important actions. There are prayers of entreaty, requesting devonic aid in times of decision, trouble or turmoil. There are prayers of praise, giving thanks for God's grace and the fulfillment of our needs. And, perhaps most importantly, there are prayers specially written for the children, messages that make them aware of their innate intimacy with the Divine. On the following pages we offer a wide variety of prayers to Lord Ganesha composed in recent times in the English language, along with several famous invocations from the Sanskrit tradition.
By memorizing prayers, we make them immediately available to put into use wherever we are. In the temple with God Ganesha before us or by ourselves with the Lord in our mind, we can repeat them with a strong, concentrated feeling which will carry our thoughts into the inner world of the Gods. As our worship matures into an open relationship with the Deity, these prayers will come automatically to mind as our way of talking with the Lord. They are especially useful during and after Ganesha puja, when the Lord is present and listening and we are in close touch with Him. Of course, prayer can be used at any time to make us aware of our being in the mind of Lord Ganesha. As we come to know God Ganesha better, our communication with Him will take on more the spirit of talking with one's intimates, parents or close friends, and our own spontaneous words may mix freely with formal prayers.
Invocations are chants and prayers by which we "invoke" the presence of the Deity. The God is being called. The God and the devotee are being brought together, in touch. Prayers of invocation often sing out the greatness of the Deity, His known attributes and qualities. Vedic rishis and holy sages of olden times were masters of invocation. They could immediately call up the devata through the strength of their mantras. In the puja and japa chapters of this book there are many chants that also serve as powerful invocations. "Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah" is an invocation in itself. We begin this section on prayers with a famous shloka to Lord Ganesha from the root scripture of all denominations of Sanatana Dharma, the Vedas. It has been chanted by billions of Hindus down through the ages, uttering five attributes of Ganesha and invoking His all-powerful protection.
Aum shuklambaradharam vishnum
Shashivarnam chaturbhujam
Prasanna vadanam dhyayet
Sarva vighnopa shantaye
Aum, attired in white and all-pervading,O moon-hued, four-shouldered Onewith smiling face so pleasing,upon You we meditatefor removing all obstacles.
Shri Adi Sankara prayed in his Ganesha Bhujangam the following invocation. It is particularly suitable for recitation before japa and deep meditation on the highest wisdom of Lord Ganesha, the incomparable Lord:
To You whom the wise exclaimas the single-syllabled, Supreme sound,stainless and peerless,bliss, formless, unconditioned --the Indweller in the core ofsacred tradition -- to thatPrimeval One I bow in adoration.
Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings or entreaties presented to the Deity in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord's Holy Feet. Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best. We do not demand of the Lord; for He, like a parent, provides not as we desire, but as we truly need. Prayers of supplication may come forth in the natural language of our hearts.
Leaving a problem at His holy feet means we let it be there and do not carry it home with us. Nor do we worry or wonder about how it will be handled, when it will be taken care of, or if it will be taken care of at all. In full unquenchable faith we leave the matter there, at the feet of the God, and walk away from the temple or shrine, feeling that release has started and solution will be forthcoming. We must have this kind of faith for religion to work within us. To carry home with us the same problems, fears and worries would be to take back the offering we have given the Deity to dissolve. This is like the rich and famous who buy with gifts and do not give at all, slyly expecting more than something in exchange, gaining papa rather than punya and not knowing the difference. The course of events will later show how He works for our ultimate spiritual welfare.
MOMENTS OF DECISION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Great Lord of Wisdom, here I stand with so many decisions to make, with so many ways to turn. I beg for Your grace. Fill me with righteous judgment and clear discrimination as I lay all confusion at Your holy feet and immerse myself solely in You. Aum, Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM WORLDLINESS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Lord Vinayaka, You are the Destroyer of all sin. I need you; help me. How long I've spent thinking only of worldly pursuits, caring not for the children of the future. How often I forget Your eternal presence. I beg for Your noose to hold me close and Your goad to spur me on. Give me faith in God, Gods and satgurus. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
TIMES OF NEED
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Ganapati, Lord of Ganas. I, too, am a deva under Your command. I know I can never ever separate myself from the intricate mind of the supreme intelligence. O Lord who destroys the obstacles of His devotees, grant me protection, guidance and help in this hour of need. (Devotee states his need or trouble.) Aum, Ganesha sharanam. Grant me Your grace, sharanam Ganesha.
FAMILY WELFARE
O Lord Ganesha, holder of the noose and goad, sweets, fruits and sugarcane, please provide for the welfare of my family. Guide prosperity and abundance to our door. But while we wait and mostly see only our wants and needs, please help us feel within our home Your goodness and Divinity, which no calamity can conceal. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND ANGER
Omnipresent Lambodara, pure and peaceful doer of all good. Take away my fear and anger. Let me see Thee everywhere and at all times. Show me the truth that there is no intrinsic evil. Remove all barriers in my mind to understanding, true trust and love. Guide me to a harmonious life and righteous success in the fulfillment of my dharma. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM EGOITY
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O keeper of the gate to the life of Sanatana Dharma, open that gate for me to feel Your intricate mind moving all things toward the world of the Gods. Open the gate for me to a life of continuous worship. Let me enter a new world where my ego is not my God. Open the gate; let me through to Your blissful world of trust, love and harmony.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
In prayers of praise, adoration and thankfulness we do not ask for anything, but simply offer our feelings of love and recognition to Lord Ganesha when our heart is full of His grace. The more we worship and come to understand Him, the more we realize the greatness of His work in our life and see His presence all around us. It is from this perspective that the great bhaktas of the past sang many of their songs to God. Such prayers confirm our relationship with Lord Ganesha and draw us ever closer to His mind.
JOYOUS PRAISE
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Thank You, Umaganesha, for the wonderful fulfillment You have brought into my life. I show gratitude by giving abundant dana to the temple where You received and answered my prayers. Your shakti is the blossoming origin of love. Praise to You who are the source of all sweetness. I take refuge in grateful surrender at Your holy feet. Aum, jai Ganesha!
OFFERING GIFTS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O my grand andgracious Lord Ganesha. Here I am, with only You in my mind. My body's life is Your warmth. Your fire is my comfort. Now, with puja flames we offer that fire back to You. These fruits and flowers are Yours to enjoy. My very mind, too, is Yours to direct. O peaceful One, praise to You. Take these offerings and take, too, a place in my humble life, in Your heart. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
APPRECIATION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Peerless One,industrious indweller in all, we see You in the full warmth of the Sun, in the full life of Earth and the orderliness of all the turning planets. O Lord and lover of intellect, You are the intricate knowledge blossoming in the mind of the people. O Lord who rules the mind of each and all who worship You, because of You, chaos never was nor will it ever be.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Here is a prayer that has been used for centuries wherever Ganapati is the principal Deity of the home.
TRADITIONAL SALUTATION
Praise be to elephant-faced Ganesha, the Incomprehensible One with a sharp tusk, three eyes and capacious belly, King of all beings, the Eternal One of blood-red hue, Whose forehead is illuminated by the new moon, Son of Siva-Shakti, Remover of all difficulties. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Teaching children prayers to recite at regular times during the day is a wonderful practice through which we fulfill our duty of passing our religion on to coming generations. Parents are encouraged to sit and say these prayers with the children until they enter the spirit of talking with Lord Ganesha themselves.
MORNING PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You make the flowers grow, You keep the Earth going around the Sun. All day You keep things going right. You are Lord of the devas. I am one of Your devas, too. Help me to think of the needs of others, and to be kind to everyone I meet. Help me to think of You first before beginning something new and to always do what is right and kind. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
NOON PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You have kept my heart beating. You have guarded me from wrongdoing. Make my love for my family and friends grow stronger each day. Make me careful and wise. Help me to respect and heed the remindings of our kulaguru, to be respectful to my parents and remember above all the wisdom of the Vedas. Ganesha, that is a lot for me to do. Please help me succeed. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
BEDTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, nightime is here and the moon is in the sky above, reminding me of Your crescent tusk. Remain with me, Ganesha, through the night, in my deepest sleep, in my inner experiences, as You have remained with me during my daytime, outer encounters. Let me never forget You, even in my dreams. May we as a family be guided by Your loving wisdom, even there. Ganesha saranam, sharanam Ganesha.
MEALTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, all is within You. God Siva has given You dominion over the material universe. Let me remember to always share my food with others. May the prasada You have given me today make all my pranas and subtle currents flow in perfect harmony, making my body healthy and strong so that I may serve You well. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
We close this section with a prayer to Lord Vighnaraja, Ruler of Obstacles, for guidance and inspiration. This is something we all need to persevere through life's offerings of its many challenges to the supreme goal of moksha.
FOR GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION
O Lord and ruler of many ganas, O Peaceful One who loves pomp and ceremony, patron of the arts and perserver of the best of ancient cultures, the one worshiped by all sages, use Your mighty trunk to hold us close to Your majestic mind, our purest state. Respond to our entreaties for clarity and direction, for this we supplicate. Protect us from beguiling ways and sternly direct us in the ways of our forefathers' traditions, forging for us new patterns to bring forth the old in the world of today. Keep us resolute to live the Sanatana Dharma. We prostrate at Your holy feet. Please grant us Your grace. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Shri Ganesha Upanishad
Excerpts from Ganapatyatharshirsham,Translated from Sankrit by Dr. Vasant Lad
Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.
I surrender to you, Lord Ganesha. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions.
You are full of perfect knowledge of truth and awareness. You are full of bliss and pure consciousness. You are truth, consciousness and bliss. You are the absolute awareness. You are full of supreme wisdom and knowledge.
You are the earth, water, fire, air and the space. You are the root foundation of speech. You are beyond the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. You are beyond the physical, mental and causal bodies. You are beyond the three aspects of time: past, present and future. You are eternally established in the muladhara chakra. You have three shaktis: action, knowledge and will.
Salutation to the Ganapati whose seed mantra is Aum Gam. We know Ekadanta, the One-tusked God, the unique God. We meditate upon Vakratunda, the curved-trunk God. May that unique elephant God illumine our consciousness and direct us along the right track.
One should meditate upon Lord Ganesha having one tusk and four arms; holding the noose and goad with two of them; with the other two indicating varada, the giving of boons and blessings, and abhaya mudra, the fear removing gesture; having a mouse as the emblem on his ensign; possessing a big, beautiful belly and large, lovely ears which look like winnowing baskets; having a red cloth and His whole body covered with red sandalwood paste. He should be worshiped with red flowers. He manifests Himself as the universe and is beyond prakriti, matter, and Purusha, the manifest God. One who worships Ganesha in this way forever is the best of yogis.
Prostrations to Vratapati, the Lord of Plenty. Prostrations to Ganapati, the Lord of various groups of Gods. Prostrations to Pramathapati, the Lord of Siva's hosts. Prostrations to Lambodara, the full-bellied God with a single tusk, destroyer of obstacles, the Son of Siva, the Bestower of all Blessings.
He who chants this Ganapati Upanishad will verily get established in Brahman, the pure awareness. He will never encounter any obstacles. He will be happy everywhere. He will be free from the five great sins and lesser ones. By reciting this in the evening, the day's sins are destroyed.
By reciting this in the early morning, one becomes free from the sins committed at night in dreams. Reciting this morning and evening, one becomes totally free from all sins. He becomes totally free from all obstacles. He achieves the four divine ends of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha: virtue, wealth, pleasure and liberation. Aum Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram
A Renowned Five-Jeweled Hymn byShri Adi Sankara (798-820), with aFree-Flowing Translation by J. Sethuraman
I bow to Vinayaka, who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand, who is the ever-present means of moksha, who has the moon as an ear ornament, who protects all the worlds, who is the single leader for those who have been left leaderless (i.e. are lost without anybody to help them), who destroyed the elephant demon and who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him.
I seek refuge of the great Lord (Vinayaka), who is higher than the highest, who is everlasting, who is ferocious to others than those that bow to Him, who is resplendent as the newly rising sun, worshiped by both demons and Gods, the savior of those that bow to Him from all their miseries, the lord of all the Gods, the lord of all wealth, the elephant God, and Ganeshvara, the lord of the ganas.
I bow to the resplendent one who bestows peace to all the worlds, who conquered the elephant demon, who has not a small belly, the excellent one who has a beautiful elephant face, who is eternal, who is kind, who is forgiving, who gives happiness, who bestows fame and who satisfies every wish of those that bow to Him.
I worship the ancient elephant God who shares the misery of the poor, the fit receptacle of all the ancient prayers, the first son of the enemy of the three cities (Siva), the shatterer of the pride of the demons, the fierce destroyer of the worlds, decorated by fire and other elements, and whose elephant cheeks are flowing with must (the rut that flows from the cheeks of male elephants.)
I constantly think of Him alone, the single-tusked one, with a lovingly brilliant tusk, the son of the destroyer of the sacrifice (Siva), with a form that cannot be comprehended, with no end, who tears asunder all doubts, and who is verily like spring to the yogis who hold Him in their hearts all the time.
One who repeats every day the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram with reverence, in the mornings (evenings) while holding Ganeshvara in his heart, he, very quickly, will be joined by good health, blemishlessness, good fellowship, good children, long life and the eight vibhutis (powers, or ashtavibhuti, anima, mahima, lagima, garima, etc.)
The completion of the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram.
Ganesha Invocation
An Invocation to Lord GanapatiRig Veda 2.23.1
Aum gananAm tva ganapating(traditionally chanted ganapati gm) havamahekavinkavInam upamashravastamamjyeshtharajam brahmanam brahmanaspataanah shrinvan nUtibhih sida sadanam
May we worship Ganapati,
the Protector of Noble People,
the Best Poet,
the Most Honorable,
the Greatest Ruler and
the Treasure of all Knowledge.
O Ganapati! Please listen to us
and take Your seat in our heart.
Food-Blessing Chant
A Prayer of Gratitude to the Source of Sustenance.Lines 1-4 are from Shri Adi Sankara's Annapurnashtakam.Lines 5-6 are the Isha Upanishad invocation.Lines 7-8 are a traditional Saivite closing.
Aum annapurne sadapurne shankaraprana vallabhe;
Jnanavairagya siddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha pArvati.
MatA cha pArvatI devI pita devo maheshvarah
bandhavah shiva bhaktashcha svadesho bhuvanatrayam.
Aum purnamadah purnamidam purnAtpurnam udachyate,
PUrnasya purnamAdaya purname vava shishyate.
Aum shantih shantih shantih. Aum shivarpanamastu.
Aum, beloved Shakti of Siva, Fullness everlasting and fully manifest as this food; O, Mother of the universe, nourish us with this gift of food so that we may attain knowledge, dispassion and spiritual perfection. Goddess Parvati is my mother. God Maheshvara is my father. All devotees of Siva are my family. All three worlds are my home. Aum, Siva is Fullness. Creation is fullness. From Siva's Fullness flows this world's fullness. This fullness issues from that Fullness, yet that Fullness remains full. Aum, peace, peace, peace. Aum, this I offer unto Siva.
Prayer When Offering Incense
dashangam guggulopetamsugandham sumanoharamaghreyah-sarvadevanamdhupo-yam pratigrihyatam
O Lord! here is offered the incense
made of sweet-smelling herbs.
This is meant for the devas.
Please accept it.
Peace Invocation
A Prayer for Peace and Clarityintoned to begin and end teaching sessions,meetings and other group activities.Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1
Aum saha nAvavatu,saha nau bhunaktu,saha vIryam karavavahai,
tejasvinAv adhItamastu,ma vidvishAvahai,
Aum shantih, shantih, shantih.
Aum, may He protect us. May He be pleased with us.May we work together with vigor. May our studiesillumine us. May we have no contention or hostilitybetween us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.
LORD GANESHA CHALISA
NEELING OR STANDING, SITTING IN PADMASANA OR walking alone, devotees discover in prayer One of the most powerful forms of communication with inner worlds. Through praying with concentrated feeling, or bhava, we can share our inmost sensibilities with Lord Ganapati. Thus we establish a connection with the Deity. One of the finest explanations of prayer from the Hindu perspective was given by the renowned Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh (North India).
"The entire process of spiritual ascent is from start to finish one of earnest practice. There is no other road except abhyasa (dedicated striving and practice). One may have the best feeling, the best heart, the most sublime bhava, but unless and until every part of this is put into actual practice, there is no hope. Abhyasa is the keynote of the life of sadhana. Without it, sadhana will not go towards its fruition of anubhuti, or experience. Thus, we have the celestials standing at the door of Mahadeva. They hymn Him, glorify Him and pray unto Him; and this is our next cue. It is the law of prayer that is now given to us as our sole guide upon the path. Prayer means, first and foremost, a perfect belief in a higher power. It means the desire and willingness to submit our abhimana, or ego, at the feet of a higher power. Thus, the acquisition of shraddha (faith) is now pointed out to us. The submission of our personal ego, or abhimana, is next pointed out to us. Herein its natural corollary, the cultivation of the supreme virtue of absolute humility, also is indicated. The devas prayed not that they may get power to win over the asuras. There is the attitude of willing self-abnegation, self-effacement, a standing aside so that the fullest manifestation of the divine power may stand in front and take over the stand from them. This indicates the recognition of the nondoership of the individual self and the Supreme doership of the one Doer, the Supreme God. It indicates that the sadhaka, or the seeker, is but a mere instrument; and it is the Lord Himself, the Indweller in the individual, who takes over the sadhana and actually does it. When the seeker begins to feel that even this sadhana is not done by him, but that it is the Divine shakti that works within him and enables the sadhana to be worked out and which achieves the ultimate fulfillment of the Divine Will, then he starts on the real upward march and rapid ascent toward triumphant divinity.
"Thus the second aspect of prayer unfolds itself before us. We completely allow the Divine to take charge of our personality. The seeker recedes into the background and there is total resignation to the will of the Divine. 'I am nothing; Thy will be done.' This is the formula that keeps tune to every beat of his heart, every pulsation in his body. The seeker becomes a transformed being" (Lord Shanmukha and His Worship, p. xiii-xv).
When we go to the temple in distress or when we go in great joy and thankfulness, our prayers may flow spontaneously up from our hearts. Some find it very natural to speak out in words, bringing their gratitude, adoration or troubles into a form that can be offered to Lord Ganesha. Others may just stand, feeling but not knowing what to say in their own minds or hearts. Others may not yet feel at all close to the Mahadeva but still yearn to open the door to religious communion with the Deity. In other words, many people want to learn how to pray.
We are indeed fortunate if we have been raised to learn the ancient Hindu hymns or the songs and prayers of the sants. These can be spoken in their original Indian languages, or voiced in the translation to other tongues. There are many types of prayer. There are prayers of invocation performed prior to worship or important actions. There are prayers of entreaty, requesting devonic aid in times of decision, trouble or turmoil. There are prayers of praise, giving thanks for God's grace and the fulfillment of our needs. And, perhaps most importantly, there are prayers specially written for the children, messages that make them aware of their innate intimacy with the Divine. On the following pages we offer a wide variety of prayers to Lord Ganesha composed in recent times in the English language, along with several famous invocations from the Sanskrit tradition.
By memorizing prayers, we make them immediately available to put into use wherever we are. In the temple with God Ganesha before us or by ourselves with the Lord in our mind, we can repeat them with a strong, concentrated feeling which will carry our thoughts into the inner world of the Gods. As our worship matures into an open relationship with the Deity, these prayers will come automatically to mind as our way of talking with the Lord. They are especially useful during and after Ganesha puja, when the Lord is present and listening and we are in close touch with Him. Of course, prayer can be used at any time to make us aware of our being in the mind of Lord Ganesha. As we come to know God Ganesha better, our communication with Him will take on more the spirit of talking with one's intimates, parents or close friends, and our own spontaneous words may mix freely with formal prayers.
Invocations are chants and prayers by which we "invoke" the presence of the Deity. The God is being called. The God and the devotee are being brought together, in touch. Prayers of invocation often sing out the greatness of the Deity, His known attributes and qualities. Vedic rishis and holy sages of olden times were masters of invocation. They could immediately call up the devata through the strength of their mantras. In the puja and japa chapters of this book there are many chants that also serve as powerful invocations. "Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah" is an invocation in itself. We begin this section on prayers with a famous shloka to Lord Ganesha from the root scripture of all denominations of Sanatana Dharma, the Vedas. It has been chanted by billions of Hindus down through the ages, uttering five attributes of Ganesha and invoking His all-powerful protection.
Aum shuklambaradharam vishnum
Shashivarnam chaturbhujam
Prasanna vadanam dhyayet
Sarva vighnopa shantaye
Aum, attired in white and all-pervading,O moon-hued, four-shouldered Onewith smiling face so pleasing,upon You we meditatefor removing all obstacles.
Shri Adi Sankara prayed in his Ganesha Bhujangam the following invocation. It is particularly suitable for recitation before japa and deep meditation on the highest wisdom of Lord Ganesha, the incomparable Lord:
To You whom the wise exclaimas the single-syllabled, Supreme sound,stainless and peerless,bliss, formless, unconditioned --the Indweller in the core ofsacred tradition -- to thatPrimeval One I bow in adoration.
Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings or entreaties presented to the Deity in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord's Holy Feet. Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best. We do not demand of the Lord; for He, like a parent, provides not as we desire, but as we truly need. Prayers of supplication may come forth in the natural language of our hearts.
Leaving a problem at His holy feet means we let it be there and do not carry it home with us. Nor do we worry or wonder about how it will be handled, when it will be taken care of, or if it will be taken care of at all. In full unquenchable faith we leave the matter there, at the feet of the God, and walk away from the temple or shrine, feeling that release has started and solution will be forthcoming. We must have this kind of faith for religion to work within us. To carry home with us the same problems, fears and worries would be to take back the offering we have given the Deity to dissolve. This is like the rich and famous who buy with gifts and do not give at all, slyly expecting more than something in exchange, gaining papa rather than punya and not knowing the difference. The course of events will later show how He works for our ultimate spiritual welfare.
MOMENTS OF DECISION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Great Lord of Wisdom, here I stand with so many decisions to make, with so many ways to turn. I beg for Your grace. Fill me with righteous judgment and clear discrimination as I lay all confusion at Your holy feet and immerse myself solely in You. Aum, Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM WORLDLINESS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Lord Vinayaka, You are the Destroyer of all sin. I need you; help me. How long I've spent thinking only of worldly pursuits, caring not for the children of the future. How often I forget Your eternal presence. I beg for Your noose to hold me close and Your goad to spur me on. Give me faith in God, Gods and satgurus. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
TIMES OF NEED
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah -- Ganapati, Lord of Ganas. I, too, am a deva under Your command. I know I can never ever separate myself from the intricate mind of the supreme intelligence. O Lord who destroys the obstacles of His devotees, grant me protection, guidance and help in this hour of need. (Devotee states his need or trouble.) Aum, Ganesha sharanam. Grant me Your grace, sharanam Ganesha.
FAMILY WELFARE
O Lord Ganesha, holder of the noose and goad, sweets, fruits and sugarcane, please provide for the welfare of my family. Guide prosperity and abundance to our door. But while we wait and mostly see only our wants and needs, please help us feel within our home Your goodness and Divinity, which no calamity can conceal. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND ANGER
Omnipresent Lambodara, pure and peaceful doer of all good. Take away my fear and anger. Let me see Thee everywhere and at all times. Show me the truth that there is no intrinsic evil. Remove all barriers in my mind to understanding, true trust and love. Guide me to a harmonious life and righteous success in the fulfillment of my dharma. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
RELEASE FROM EGOITY
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O keeper of the gate to the life of Sanatana Dharma, open that gate for me to feel Your intricate mind moving all things toward the world of the Gods. Open the gate for me to a life of continuous worship. Let me enter a new world where my ego is not my God. Open the gate; let me through to Your blissful world of trust, love and harmony.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
In prayers of praise, adoration and thankfulness we do not ask for anything, but simply offer our feelings of love and recognition to Lord Ganesha when our heart is full of His grace. The more we worship and come to understand Him, the more we realize the greatness of His work in our life and see His presence all around us. It is from this perspective that the great bhaktas of the past sang many of their songs to God. Such prayers confirm our relationship with Lord Ganesha and draw us ever closer to His mind.
JOYOUS PRAISE
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Thank You, Umaganesha, for the wonderful fulfillment You have brought into my life. I show gratitude by giving abundant dana to the temple where You received and answered my prayers. Your shakti is the blossoming origin of love. Praise to You who are the source of all sweetness. I take refuge in grateful surrender at Your holy feet. Aum, jai Ganesha!
OFFERING GIFTS
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! O my grand andgracious Lord Ganesha. Here I am, with only You in my mind. My body's life is Your warmth. Your fire is my comfort. Now, with puja flames we offer that fire back to You. These fruits and flowers are Yours to enjoy. My very mind, too, is Yours to direct. O peaceful One, praise to You. Take these offerings and take, too, a place in my humble life, in Your heart. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
APPRECIATION
Aum, Shri Ganeshaya namah! Peerless One,industrious indweller in all, we see You in the full warmth of the Sun, in the full life of Earth and the orderliness of all the turning planets. O Lord and lover of intellect, You are the intricate knowledge blossoming in the mind of the people. O Lord who rules the mind of each and all who worship You, because of You, chaos never was nor will it ever be.Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Here is a prayer that has been used for centuries wherever Ganapati is the principal Deity of the home.
TRADITIONAL SALUTATION
Praise be to elephant-faced Ganesha, the Incomprehensible One with a sharp tusk, three eyes and capacious belly, King of all beings, the Eternal One of blood-red hue, Whose forehead is illuminated by the new moon, Son of Siva-Shakti, Remover of all difficulties. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Teaching children prayers to recite at regular times during the day is a wonderful practice through which we fulfill our duty of passing our religion on to coming generations. Parents are encouraged to sit and say these prayers with the children until they enter the spirit of talking with Lord Ganesha themselves.
MORNING PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You make the flowers grow, You keep the Earth going around the Sun. All day You keep things going right. You are Lord of the devas. I am one of Your devas, too. Help me to think of the needs of others, and to be kind to everyone I meet. Help me to think of You first before beginning something new and to always do what is right and kind. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
NOON PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, You have kept my heart beating. You have guarded me from wrongdoing. Make my love for my family and friends grow stronger each day. Make me careful and wise. Help me to respect and heed the remindings of our kulaguru, to be respectful to my parents and remember above all the wisdom of the Vedas. Ganesha, that is a lot for me to do. Please help me succeed. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
BEDTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, nightime is here and the moon is in the sky above, reminding me of Your crescent tusk. Remain with me, Ganesha, through the night, in my deepest sleep, in my inner experiences, as You have remained with me during my daytime, outer encounters. Let me never forget You, even in my dreams. May we as a family be guided by Your loving wisdom, even there. Ganesha saranam, sharanam Ganesha.
MEALTIME PRAYER
Aum, Lord Ganesha, all is within You. God Siva has given You dominion over the material universe. Let me remember to always share my food with others. May the prasada You have given me today make all my pranas and subtle currents flow in perfect harmony, making my body healthy and strong so that I may serve You well. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
We close this section with a prayer to Lord Vighnaraja, Ruler of Obstacles, for guidance and inspiration. This is something we all need to persevere through life's offerings of its many challenges to the supreme goal of moksha.
FOR GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION
O Lord and ruler of many ganas, O Peaceful One who loves pomp and ceremony, patron of the arts and perserver of the best of ancient cultures, the one worshiped by all sages, use Your mighty trunk to hold us close to Your majestic mind, our purest state. Respond to our entreaties for clarity and direction, for this we supplicate. Protect us from beguiling ways and sternly direct us in the ways of our forefathers' traditions, forging for us new patterns to bring forth the old in the world of today. Keep us resolute to live the Sanatana Dharma. We prostrate at Your holy feet. Please grant us Your grace. Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Shri Ganesha Upanishad
Excerpts from Ganapatyatharshirsham,Translated from Sankrit by Dr. Vasant Lad
Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.
I surrender to you, Lord Ganesha. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions.
You are full of perfect knowledge of truth and awareness. You are full of bliss and pure consciousness. You are truth, consciousness and bliss. You are the absolute awareness. You are full of supreme wisdom and knowledge.
You are the earth, water, fire, air and the space. You are the root foundation of speech. You are beyond the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. You are beyond the physical, mental and causal bodies. You are beyond the three aspects of time: past, present and future. You are eternally established in the muladhara chakra. You have three shaktis: action, knowledge and will.
Salutation to the Ganapati whose seed mantra is Aum Gam. We know Ekadanta, the One-tusked God, the unique God. We meditate upon Vakratunda, the curved-trunk God. May that unique elephant God illumine our consciousness and direct us along the right track.
One should meditate upon Lord Ganesha having one tusk and four arms; holding the noose and goad with two of them; with the other two indicating varada, the giving of boons and blessings, and abhaya mudra, the fear removing gesture; having a mouse as the emblem on his ensign; possessing a big, beautiful belly and large, lovely ears which look like winnowing baskets; having a red cloth and His whole body covered with red sandalwood paste. He should be worshiped with red flowers. He manifests Himself as the universe and is beyond prakriti, matter, and Purusha, the manifest God. One who worships Ganesha in this way forever is the best of yogis.
Prostrations to Vratapati, the Lord of Plenty. Prostrations to Ganapati, the Lord of various groups of Gods. Prostrations to Pramathapati, the Lord of Siva's hosts. Prostrations to Lambodara, the full-bellied God with a single tusk, destroyer of obstacles, the Son of Siva, the Bestower of all Blessings.
He who chants this Ganapati Upanishad will verily get established in Brahman, the pure awareness. He will never encounter any obstacles. He will be happy everywhere. He will be free from the five great sins and lesser ones. By reciting this in the evening, the day's sins are destroyed.
By reciting this in the early morning, one becomes free from the sins committed at night in dreams. Reciting this morning and evening, one becomes totally free from all sins. He becomes totally free from all obstacles. He achieves the four divine ends of life: dharma, artha, kama and moksha: virtue, wealth, pleasure and liberation. Aum Ganesha sharanam, sharanam Ganesha.
Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram
A Renowned Five-Jeweled Hymn byShri Adi Sankara (798-820), with aFree-Flowing Translation by J. Sethuraman
I bow to Vinayaka, who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand, who is the ever-present means of moksha, who has the moon as an ear ornament, who protects all the worlds, who is the single leader for those who have been left leaderless (i.e. are lost without anybody to help them), who destroyed the elephant demon and who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him.
I seek refuge of the great Lord (Vinayaka), who is higher than the highest, who is everlasting, who is ferocious to others than those that bow to Him, who is resplendent as the newly rising sun, worshiped by both demons and Gods, the savior of those that bow to Him from all their miseries, the lord of all the Gods, the lord of all wealth, the elephant God, and Ganeshvara, the lord of the ganas.
I bow to the resplendent one who bestows peace to all the worlds, who conquered the elephant demon, who has not a small belly, the excellent one who has a beautiful elephant face, who is eternal, who is kind, who is forgiving, who gives happiness, who bestows fame and who satisfies every wish of those that bow to Him.
I worship the ancient elephant God who shares the misery of the poor, the fit receptacle of all the ancient prayers, the first son of the enemy of the three cities (Siva), the shatterer of the pride of the demons, the fierce destroyer of the worlds, decorated by fire and other elements, and whose elephant cheeks are flowing with must (the rut that flows from the cheeks of male elephants.)
I constantly think of Him alone, the single-tusked one, with a lovingly brilliant tusk, the son of the destroyer of the sacrifice (Siva), with a form that cannot be comprehended, with no end, who tears asunder all doubts, and who is verily like spring to the yogis who hold Him in their hearts all the time.
One who repeats every day the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram with reverence, in the mornings (evenings) while holding Ganeshvara in his heart, he, very quickly, will be joined by good health, blemishlessness, good fellowship, good children, long life and the eight vibhutis (powers, or ashtavibhuti, anima, mahima, lagima, garima, etc.)
The completion of the Maha Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram.
Ganesha Invocation
An Invocation to Lord GanapatiRig Veda 2.23.1
Aum gananAm tva ganapating(traditionally chanted ganapati gm) havamahekavinkavInam upamashravastamamjyeshtharajam brahmanam brahmanaspataanah shrinvan nUtibhih sida sadanam
May we worship Ganapati,
the Protector of Noble People,
the Best Poet,
the Most Honorable,
the Greatest Ruler and
the Treasure of all Knowledge.
O Ganapati! Please listen to us
and take Your seat in our heart.
Food-Blessing Chant
A Prayer of Gratitude to the Source of Sustenance.Lines 1-4 are from Shri Adi Sankara's Annapurnashtakam.Lines 5-6 are the Isha Upanishad invocation.Lines 7-8 are a traditional Saivite closing.
Aum annapurne sadapurne shankaraprana vallabhe;
Jnanavairagya siddhyartham bhiksham dehi cha pArvati.
MatA cha pArvatI devI pita devo maheshvarah
bandhavah shiva bhaktashcha svadesho bhuvanatrayam.
Aum purnamadah purnamidam purnAtpurnam udachyate,
PUrnasya purnamAdaya purname vava shishyate.
Aum shantih shantih shantih. Aum shivarpanamastu.
Aum, beloved Shakti of Siva, Fullness everlasting and fully manifest as this food; O, Mother of the universe, nourish us with this gift of food so that we may attain knowledge, dispassion and spiritual perfection. Goddess Parvati is my mother. God Maheshvara is my father. All devotees of Siva are my family. All three worlds are my home. Aum, Siva is Fullness. Creation is fullness. From Siva's Fullness flows this world's fullness. This fullness issues from that Fullness, yet that Fullness remains full. Aum, peace, peace, peace. Aum, this I offer unto Siva.
Prayer When Offering Incense
dashangam guggulopetamsugandham sumanoharamaghreyah-sarvadevanamdhupo-yam pratigrihyatam
O Lord! here is offered the incense
made of sweet-smelling herbs.
This is meant for the devas.
Please accept it.
Peace Invocation
A Prayer for Peace and Clarityintoned to begin and end teaching sessions,meetings and other group activities.Krishna Yajur Veda, Taittiriya Upanishad 2.1.1
Aum saha nAvavatu,saha nau bhunaktu,saha vIryam karavavahai,
tejasvinAv adhItamastu,ma vidvishAvahai,
Aum shantih, shantih, shantih.
Aum, may He protect us. May He be pleased with us.May we work together with vigor. May our studiesillumine us. May we have no contention or hostilitybetween us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.
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LORD GANESH
OM GUM GANAPATAYE NAMAH