Namaste,
This thread is Dedicated to the Removal of Obstacles the universe itself, Lord Ganesha. Post anything you want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2rFVPCSPE
Namaste,
This thread is Dedicated to the Removal of Obstacles the universe itself, Lord Ganesha. Post anything you want.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2rFVPCSPE
http://www.himalayanacademy.com/reso.../lg_ch-10.html
For Aum japa to be effective, the mantra must be pronounced correctly. The first syllable is A, pronounced as the English word "awe," but prolonged: "aaa." The second syllable is U, as in "roof," pronounced "oo" but prolonged: "ooo." The third syllable is M, pronounced "mm" with the front teeth gently touching and the sound prolonged: "mmmm." Each repetition is sounded for about seven seconds, with two seconds on A, two seconds on U and three seconds on M, with a silence of about two seconds before the next repetition. The three syllables are run together: AAUUMM (silence), AAUUMM (silence), AAUUMM (silence). On the first syllable, A, we feel the solar plexus and chest vibrating. On the second syllable, U, the throat vibrates. The third syllable, M, vibrates the top of the head. Thus, proper chanting of Aum also is a high form of yoga, moving energy from the lower chakras of the body up to the highest chakra, or energy center -- the sahasrara chakra at the crown of the head.
Another traditional way to do this japa is to take a full breath and then chant the AUM three times as you exhale. The first repetition is audible, the second is more quiet and the third is barely audible, as you concentrate within. Then inhale slowly as you visualize the image of our loving Lord Ganesha in your mind. Then repeat the AUM again three times as you exhale. The breathing should not be forced, but natural, slow, gentle and rhythmical. We can use a japa mala with 108 beads and pass over one bead for each repetition, or do the japa for a prearranged period of time.
Two other Ganesha mantras are commonly used. One is Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah, meaning "Praise to Lord Ganesha." This is the mantra of invocation, adoration and worship. It is repeated at the beginning of pujas and it can be used for japa, to invoke Ganesha's blessings for the auspicious beginning of a task, project, change of life, community undertaking or simply to offer Him our praise. Another special mantra is Aum Gam Ganapataye Namah. This is Lord Ganesha's mula ("root") mantra. It is also known as His bija mantra, for it combines Ganesha's bija ("seed") sound, "gam," with the phrase, "Praise be to Ganapati." This mantra is used for yoga sadhana in which we invoke Ganesha and merge ourself with His supreme knowledge and peace. These two mantras are not harmful if mispronounced, as sometimes happens, though they should be sounded as properly as possible to be most effective. Most importantly, they must be chanted at the same time each day, and this means exactly the same time, for full devonic support.
When the ganas and devas of Lord Ganesha are finally attracted to the home shrine, the room will feel filled with actinodic energy even if it is a closet or a small sacred alcove. The energy will come out of seeming nowhere into the room. This feeling indicates that Ganesha's ganas are present, eager and willing to do whatever they can to maintain shanti, peace, within the home and bind the family together. Nothing bad, hurtful or harmful will ever be performed by them, even if fervently prayed for. Only good and goodness will be their actions. They do not condone revenge. They do not deny anything to anyone who is within dharma's calling. And they do work within the prarabdha karmas of each individual within the family. Theirs is a calculated job in doing what they have to do to maintain family togetherness, even at great distances.
AUM is Lord Ganesha.
I bow to you Elephant Faced Deity who is within me and all things
Namaste SS,
Thanks for starting this thread. I never get tired of how rich the symbolism is behind this elephant-headed God. And even the meanings themselves are layered and multifaceted.
Obeisance to the Lord and Remover of Obstacles
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Here is a story. Hopefully I haven't told it before, but hey I'm an old man.
The temple here once upon a time was in a small rented room ... before there was land bought. The worship had to go on somewhere. But then land was bought and the temple had to be moved, vibration, and all. Some 10 years of accumulated bhakti vibration, some of it quite strong. Not an easy task. You can't just pick up a vibration, and move it ... or can you?
The ceremony is called a Balasthapanam. A priest was hired, and an auspicious date (two dates) was set. The first thing was to move the accumulated energy out of the murthi, and into kumbams (water pots) . Not just for the Ganesha, but also for any other murthis, which in this case was a Palaniswami, and a Lingam. So the strings are attached, a fire is done, the rites are performed by a hired well versed priest from India. (This guy could chant Sanskrit without repitition for 100 hours straight.)
So finally its ready for the big move. Its a procession of 3 or 4 cars. I know the guy who has the responsibility of carrying the murthi. Later he tells me that it (the murthi) had no weight, felt like styrofoam. Such are the mysteries of Ganapati. In the meantime, the priest (carrying the kumbam with Ganesha in it) did appear to be straining the whole way.)
Just to conclude, the next day after the shrines were also moved, the reverse rite ocurred of putting the energy back into the murthi. And that seemed to have worked out just fine.
Later when the new temple was built, a larger murthi had to be bought, and once again, this time at a Mahakumbabhishekam, the energy was transferred from murthi to murthi.
Aum Namasivaya
Namaste SS,
Thanks for starting this thread. I never get tired of how rich the symbolism is behind this elephant-headed God. And even the meanings themselves are layered and multifaceted.
Obeisance to the Lord and Remover of Obstacles
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Namaste,
That was beautiful sharing the Attributes of Lord Ganesha. May he ever manifest himself in our lives. May He be our breath.
Namaste EM,
Wow it seems like you are quite a part of your hindu community. I wish I could have experience those times. Perhaps I have I just dont know it
Bhagavān Srī Sathya Sai Baba on:
Ganesha From: Divine Discourses of Bhagavān Srī Sathya Sai Baba
Place: Prasanthi Nilayam
Ganesha Sharanam, Sharanam Ganesha (4x)
Saisha Sharanam, Sharanam Saisha (4x)
Ganesha, Lord of the Gana's, we seek Your help and protection.
Lord Sai, You are our refuge and shelter
Ganesha: Lord of the Gana's. He is de first son of Shiva and Parvati. The Lord of wisdom and He removes all obstacles.
Gana's: Shiva's army of demi-gods, led by Ganesha. They are symbols of the senses, who have to serve their master (God, the higher consciousness).
Sharanam: protection, help, refuge; place of shelter, shrine.
Saisha, Saishvara: Lord Sai
Vinayaka or Ganesh or Ganapathi or Vighneswara all indicate the Elephant-God, who is popular among young and old, and who is worshipped as the very first deity, before regularly beginning any ceremony or samskar, any yaga of yajna, any vow or fast or pilgrimage. He is the Lord of the ganas or divine forces, inside and outside the human body; He is the Lord, who masters and overwhelms vighna or obstacle, however imminent or eminent. This is the natural effect of the fact that Ganapathi is the God of Intelligence, vidya or buddhi.
Another name for Vinayaka is 'Vighneswara'. Easwara is one who is endowed with every conceivable form of wealth: riches, knowledge, health, bliss, beauty, etc. Vighneswara is the promoter of all these forms of wealth and removes all obstacles to their enjoyment. He confers all these forms of wealth on those who worship him. Vinayaka is described as "Prathama Vandana" (the first deity who should be worshiped). As everyone in the world desires wealth and prosperity, everyone offers the first place for worship to Vighneswara.
Ganapathi is a God revered in Tantric lore, and also, by various Vedic mantras. The elephant is proverbially the most intelligent among the mammals and it is vegetarian, indicating its sathwic nature. Ganapathi has the head of the elephant, for, it indicates the Intelligence through which obstacles in the path of achievement, secular as well as spiritual can be overcome. There is a popular verse, used on most occasions when Ganapathi is invoked. It mentions various attributes of this God: Suklambaradharam(wearing white vesture) is the first. This is the symbol of purity, for, ambara means also the sky (space, ether), the akasa of the heart. Ganapathi is pure, having universal love and compassion. Vishnu is the second attribute, ascribed to Him.
Vishnu means that He is present everywhere, at all times. Sasivarnam is the third adjective used. Of the complexion of ash, or Vibhuti, that is to say, glowing with spiritual splendor, with the majesty of spiritual attainments, achievements and potentialities. These are also called Vibhutis, for, in the Gītā, we find Krishna saying, 'wherever you see Power, Glory, Majesty (Vibhuti), know that it is Mine'! [see: BG : 10-41] Ganesha is bathed in His Divine Glory; that is the significance of the attribute Sasivarnam.
Chathurbhuja (four-handed) is the next fourth denotation. This means that apart from the two visible hands, He has two invisible hands, that are available for the two divine uses of:
1. Blessing the devotee and
2. Guarding him from danger.
The last fifth of the descriptive word is Prasannavadanam (of bright countenance). The countenance depicts the inner calm, happiness and balance, inner grace and mercy, the consciousness of strength and sovereignty.
What is the esoteric meaning of Ganesha's elephant head? The elephant is noted for its acute intelligence. Ganesha's elephant head symbolizes sharpness of intellect and the highest power of discrimination. Because of the purity of his intellect, Vinayaka is also called the giver of buddhi (intellect). He responds to the prayers of devotees and hence is known as Siddhi Vinayaka (the Vinayaka who grants what is sought).
In a forest, when an elephant moves through the jungle, it clears the way for others to follow. Likewise, by invoking Ganesha, the path is cleared for our undertakings. The elephant's foot is so large that when it moves it can stamp out the footprints of any other animal. Here, again, the symbolic meaning is that all obstacles in the way will be removed when Ganesha is accorded the place of honor. The journey of life is made smoother and happier by the grace of Ganesha.
Vighneswara is also regarded as one endowed with the wisdom of the elephant. The elephant is noted for its supreme intelligence. it is also known for its absolute loyalty to its master. The direct proof of this is Sai Githa (Bhagavan's elephant). Ordinarily hundreds of cars will be passing on the road. Sai Githa will take no notice of them. But when Swami's car happens to pass that way, she will instinctively notice it, She will rush to the road raising her familiar cry. What love for Swami! It will be no exaggeration if faith is equated with the elephant.
http://vahini.org/Discourses/d10-ganesha.html
Continued...
When an elephant moves among the bushes, its path turns into a regular passage for all animals. It is thus a pacesetter for all animals.
The mouse is Ganesha's vehicle. The mouse is a clever and lively creature. As a symbol it means that we should be clever and diligent in our actions. The mouse also symbolizes the darkness of the night. The mouse can see well in the dark. As Vinayaka's vehicle the mouse signifies an object that leads man from darkness to light. The Vinayaka principle thus means that which removes all the bad qualities, bad practices and bad thoughts in men and inculcates good qualities, good conduct and good thoughts.
Without intelligent discrimination, no skill or strength can be profitably used. One must know how fire, for example, or the electric current has to be used and how far one can deal with it as an instrument for our needs. The senses of man are also like fire; they have to be kept under constant vigilance and control.
No worship can succeed unless the heart is pure and the senses are mastered. Ganesha is the God who helps overcome obstacles; but, He will create obstacles when good endeavor is obstructed by bad influences; He will clear the path for the sincere sadhaka. He is Prasannavadanam (of bright countenance), of beneficial looks, when you pray to Him for good ends; but, He will not be that when you seek His help for nefarious stratagems! He is Pranava-Swarupa, the Om personified; so He is auspiciousness itself.
Vinayaka is a leader for all deities. Faith in Vinayaka should be developed as the exemplar for all deities and He should be worshiped as the embodiment of Divinity.
Ganesh Gayatri Om Eka Dantaya Vidmahe
Vakra Thundaya Dhemahi
Thannoh Dhantih Prachodhayath
Om Shanti ... Shanti ... Shanti
Realizing that Elephant-faced One,
with one tusk is God;
Meditate on the One Who has a curved trunk;
May He enlighten our intellect.
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