Ganesha

O, Elephant Faced One!
You are so near
and we are far from You.
You are in and we are out;
You are at home, while I’m a stranger.
Yet, You have destroyed my egoity.
I shall sing Your Praise forever
and lay my garland of songs at Your feet.”
[Saint Nambiandiyadigal]

“He is worshiped with red flowers.
Unfailing, merciful, the origin of the worlds,
He appears at the beginning of creation, alone, beyond Nature, beyond the Cosmic Person.
He who meditates on His form
becomes great among the yogis”
[Ganapati Upanishad]
In sculpture the position of Lord Ganesh’s trunk has a symbolic meaning.  If the trunk turns to the Ganesh’s left, that is the direction for success in the world.  It is a position associated with grihastas, or householders.  To his right, the trunk represents moksha, good for renouncing the world.  When one chooses a Ganesh sculpture that is proper for their own spiritual path the trunk position is one thing that is good to keep in mind.

“In heaven Lord Ganesh will establish the predominance of gods, on earth that of people, in the nether world that of serpents and anti-gods”
[~A Hymn from Sri Bhagavat-Tathva~]
“Shiva asked his two sons, Kartikeya and Ganesh to circle the world and return.  Kartikeya hurried off on his peacock but Ganesh simply walked around Shiva and Parvati.  He explained that for him, his parents constituted the world.  Shiva granted him a boon, saying that before undertaking any important task people would pray to Ganesh.”
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♥The birth story of Ganesha♥

One day Goddess Parvati was at home on Mt.Kailash preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed, she told Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and let no one pass. Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes. But, when Shiva came home and naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let him pass, being loyal first to Shiva. Parvati was angry at this slight, but even more than this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was to Shiva. So, taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own loyal son.The next time Parvati wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at the door. In due course, Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy telling him he couldn’t enter his own house! Furious, Shiva ordered his army to destroy the boy, but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself,This surprised Shiva. Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight him, and in his divine fury severed Ganesha’s head, killing him instantly. When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan. She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that Ganesha be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.Shiva, having cooled down by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to Parvati’s conditions. He sent Brahma out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature he crosses that is laying with its head facing North. Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Breathing new life into him, he declared Ganesha to be his own son as well, and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the ganas (classes of beings), Ganapati
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At first glance, this story just seems like a nice tale that we might tell our children, or a myth without any real substance. But, it’s true mystical meaning is veiled. It is explained thus:
Parvati is a form of Devi, the Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the human body She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves, ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing.
Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperment. Nandi is so devoted to Shiva that his every thought is directed to Him, and he is able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini shakti’s) abode. One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants.
After Nandi permitted Shiva to enter, Parvati took the turmeric paste from Her own body, and with it created Ganesha.. Yellow is the color associated with the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who guards this chakra. Devi needed to create Ganesha, who represents the earthbound awareness, as a shield to protect the divine secret from unripe minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from things of the world, and toward the Divine, as Nandi had, that the great secret is revealed.
Shiva is the Lord and Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the ego-bound Jiva. When the Lord comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him! Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the head of our ego! So powerful is this ego however, that at first the Guru’s instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way.
Devi threatened to destroy the whole Creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary physical vehicle, the body, and begins to merge into the Supreme. The physical world is here represented by Devi. This impermanent and changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs; the unchanging Absolute is Shiva, to which belongs the Soul. When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this world, which is a manifestation of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Ganesha.
Shiva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing his head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big”, or universal ego. This doesn’t mean that we become more egoistic. On the contrary, we no longer identify with the limited individual self, but rather with the large universal Self. In this way, our life is renewed, becoming one that can truly benefit Creation. It is however only a functional ego, like the one Krishna and Buddha kept. It is like a thin string tying the liberated Consciousness to our world, solely for our benefit.
Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas, which is a general term denoting all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings. These various beings all contribute to the government of the Creation; everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes, to the elemental qualities like fire and water, to functioning of the body’s organs and processes. If we don’t honor the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavors to succeed.
Such is the greatness of Sri Ganesha! Jai Ganesha!
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Prayers of Shri Ganesha
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"Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Sama Prabha
Nirvighnam kuru mey Deva
Sarva kaaryeshu Sarvadaa"
Meaning
O Lord Ganesha who has a large body, curved trunk and brightness of a million suns, please remove all obstacles in my work always.
Ganesh Mula/Bija Mantras
Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah
Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam ganapataye vara varada sarva janamme vashamanaya svaha
Ganesh Gayatri Mantra
"Aum Ekadantaya Vidmahe
Vakratundaya Dheemahi
Tanno Danti Prachodayat."
"Aum sri kaala svaroopaaya Vidmahe
Kaalaatheethaaya Dheemahi
Thanno kaala yoga shodasa ganapathi prachodayath"

Ganesh Siddhi Mantras for Jaap
Ganesha Mantras are full of energy and power of Lord Ganesha and these mantras when chanted with genuine devotion removes obstacles and troubles in life and blesses with success and prosperity. Ganesh Mantras are also referred to as Siddhi Mantras and can remove depression, confusion, jealousy and fear from our minds.
Ganesh Siddhi Mantras are very powerful Mantras which can be used in Jaap to attain success, knowledge and fulfillment of wishes. This mantras are repeated in multiples of 108 and chanted using a Rudraksha Japa Mala with utmost devotion concentrating on the meaning of the mantra and visualizing the Elephant God.
Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah
Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah
Aum Vakratundaya Hum
Aum Kshipra Prasadaya Namah
Aum shrim hrim klim glaum gam ganapataye vara varada sarva janamme vashamanaya svaha
Aum Ekadantaya namah
Aum sumukhaya Namah
Aum kapilaya Namah
Aum gajakarnikaya namah
Aum lambodaraya namah
Aum Vikataya Namah
Aum Vigna Nashanaya Namah
Aum Vinayakaya Namah
Aum Ganadhyakshaya Namah
Aum Bhalachandraya Namah

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Shri Ganesh Chalisa - Stanzas Praising Lord Ganesh

Jai Ganapati Sadguna Sadan,
Kavivar Badan Kripaal,
Vighna Haran Mangal Karan,
Jai Jai Girijaalaal

Jai Jai Jai Ganapati Ganaraaju,
Mangal Bharana Karana Shubha Kaajuu,
Jai Gajbadan Sadan Sukhdaata,
Vishva Vinaayaka Buddhi Vidhaataa

VakraTunda Shuchi Shunda Suhaavana,
Tilaka Tripunda bhaal Man Bhaavan,
Raajata Mani Muktana ura maala,
Swarna Mukuta Shira Nayana Vishaalaa

Pustak Paani Kuthaar Trishuulam,
Modaka Bhoga Sugandhit Phuulam,
Sundara Piitaambar Tana Saajit,
Charana Paadukaa Muni Man Raajit

Dhani Shiva Suvan Shadaanana Bhraataa,
Gaurii Lalan Vishva-Vikhyaata,
Riddhi Siddhi Tav Chanvar Sudhaare,
Mooshaka Vaahan Sohat Dvaare

Kahaun Janma Shubh Kathaa Tumhari,
Ati Shuchi Paavan Mangalkaarii,
Ek Samay Giriraaj Kumaarii,
Putra Hetu Tapa Kiinhaa Bhaarii

Bhayo Yagya Jaba Poorana Anupaa,
Taba Pahunchyo Tuma Dhari Dvija Rupaa,
Atithi Jaani Kay Gaurii Sukhaarii,
Bahu Vidhi Sevaa Karii Tumhaarii

Ati Prasanna Hvai Tum Vara Diinhaa,
Maatu Putra Hit Jo Tap Kiinhaa,
Milhii Putra Tuhi, Buddhi Vishaala,
Binaa Garbha Dhaarana Yahi Kaalaa

Gananaayaka Guna Gyaan Nidhaanaa,
Puujita Pratham Roop Bhagavaanaa,
Asa Kehi Antardhyaana Roop Hvai,
Palanaa Par Baalak Svaroop Hvai

BaniShishuRudanJabahiTum Thaanaa,
Lakhi Mukh Sukh Nahin Gauri Samaanaa,
Sakal Magan Sukha Mangal Gaavahin,
Nabha Te Suran Suman Varshaavahin

Shambhu Umaa Bahudaan Lutaavahin,
Sura Munijana Suta Dekhan Aavahin,
Lakhi Ati Aanand Mangal Saajaa,
Dekhan Bhii Aaye Shani Raajaa

Nija Avaguna Gani Shani Man Maahiin,
Baalak Dekhan Chaahat Naahiin,
Girijaa Kachhu Man Bheda Badhaayo,
Utsava Mora Na Shani Tuhi Bhaayo

Kahana Lage Shani Man Sakuchaai,
Kaa Karihau Shishu Mohi Dikhayii,
Nahin Vishvaasa Umaa Ura Bhayauu,
Shani Son Baalak Dekhan Kahyau

Padatahin Shani Drigakona Prakaashaa,
Baalak Sira Udi Gayo Aakaashaa,
Girajaa Girii Vikala Hvai Dharanii,
So Dukha Dashaa Gayo Nahin Varanii

Haahaakaara Machyo Kailaashaa,
Shani Kiinhon Lakhi Suta Ko Naashaa,
Turat Garuda Chadhi Vishnu Sidhaaye,
Kaati Chakra So GajaShira Laaye

Baalak Ke Dhada Uupar Dhaarayo,
Praana Mantra Padhi Shankar Daarayo,
Naama’Ganesha’ShambhuTabaKiinhe,
Pratham Poojya Buddhi Nidhi Vara Diinhe

Buddhi Pariikshaa Jab Shiva Kiinhaa,
Prithvii Kar Pradakshinaa Liinhaa,
Chale Shadaanana Bharami Bhulaai,
Rache Baithii Tum Buddhi Upaai

Charana Maatu-Pitu Ke Dhara Liinhen,
Tinake Saat Pradakshina Kiinhen
Dhani Ganesha Kahi Shiva Hiye Harashyo,
Nabha Te Suran Suman Bahu Barse

Tumharii Mahima Buddhi Badaai,
Shesha Sahasa Mukha Sake Na Gaai,
Main Mati Heen Maliina Dukhaarii,
Karahun Kaun Vidhi Vinaya Tumhaarii

Bhajata ‘Raamsundara’ Prabhudaasaa,
Jaga Prayaaga Kakraa Durvaasaa,
Ab Prabhu Dayaa Deena Par Keejai,
Apnii Bhakti Shakti Kuchha Deejai

ll Dohaa ll

Shrii Ganesha Yeh Chaalisaa, Paatha Karre Dhara Dhyaan l
Nita Nav Mangala Graha Base, Lahe Jagat Sanmaana ll
Sambandh Apna Sahasra Dash, Rishi panchamii dinesha l
Poorana Chaalisaa Bhayo, Mangala Moorti Ganesha ll