OM SHRI GANESHAY NAMAH
Sukhkarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi||
Nurvi Purvi Prem Krupa Jayachi||
Sarvangi Sundar Uti Shendurachi||
Kanti Jhalke Mal Mukataphalaanchi||
Jaidev Jaidev Jai Mangal Murti||
Darshan Maatre Man: Kaamna Phurti||
Ratnakhachit Phara Tujh Gaurikumra||
Chandanaachi Uti Kumkumkeshara||
Hirejadit Mukut Shobhato Bara||
Runjhunati Nupure Charani Ghagriya||
Jaidev Jaidev Jai Mangal Murti||
Lambodar Pitaambar Phanivarvandana||
Saral Sond Vakratunda Trinayana||
Das Ramacha Vat Pahe Sadana||
Sankati Pavave Nirvani Rakshave Survarvandana||
Jaidev Jaidev Jai Mangal Murti||
Click this link or title to watch Ganesh Aarti sung by shri Amitabh Bachchan at Siddhivinayak temple, Mumbai:
Ganesha also known as Ganapati, Vighnaharta, Vinayaka, Pillaiyar and Binayak, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia), Bangladesh and Nepal. Hindu denominations worship him regardless of affiliations. Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains and Buddhists.
Attired in an orange dhoti, an elephant-headed man sits on a large lotus. His body is red in colour and he wears various golden necklaces and bracelets and a snake around his neck. On the three points of her crown, budding lotuses have been fixed. He holds in his two right hands the rosary (lower hand) and a cup filled with three modakas (round yellow sweets), a fourth modaka held by the curving trunk is just about to be tasted. In his two left hands, he holds a lotus above and an axe below, with its handle leaning against his shoulder on the right side.
Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rites and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions. Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.
Although he is known by many attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify. Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honoured at the start of rites and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions. Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct iconography.
Click this link or title to watch 108 names of Lord Ganesha:
The Wisdom of Ganesh:
Shiva & Parvati used to play with two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya. The Gods had given them a marvelous fruit. Each boy wanted to get it for him alone. Their parents explained them that the nectar of the Supreme Knowledge and of Immortality was hidden in that fruit. To get the fruit, both had to compete. The winner should run three times around the world and come back first.
Shiva & Parvati used to play with two sons, Ganesh and Kartikeya. The Gods had given them a marvelous fruit. Each boy wanted to get it for him alone. Their parents explained them that the nectar of the Supreme Knowledge and of Immortality was hidden in that fruit. To get the fruit, both had to compete. The winner should run three times around the world and come back first.
Kartikeya left at once. Riding his peacock, he flew in the sky, stopping at every sacred place on his way, praying and worshipping the gods.
Ganesh was fully aware of his stout body; it slackened off him badly. The rat, his vehicle, was rather slow and would not be able to beat Kartikeya.
But his wisdom suggested him the right solution. He turned round his parents,
Ganesh was fully aware of his stout body; it slackened off him badly. The rat, his vehicle, was rather slow and would not be able to beat Kartikeya.
But his wisdom suggested him the right solution. He turned round his parents,
Shiva and Parvati, showing a deep devotion. When they asked him why he did not start his journey around the world, he replied : "My parents Shiva and Shakti are the Whole Universe. In Them is located the World. He do not need to go further". Of course, he won the contest, and the fruit.
This legend emphasizes the importance of cleverness; Ganesh is a strong symbol of this quality which is always the best against force, speed or physical strength.
According to the legends, lord Ganesha wanted to get married with the girl who would be more beautiful than his mother, Parvati. But no girl could be found who was more beautiful than Parvati, so he did not marry with any girl and remained bachelor. (Some says that no girl wanted to marry Ganesha as he had elephant head).
In this scenario, his mother made Ganesha to get married with a banana tree. We can see in West Bengal during the Durga Puja, Ganesha is associated with plantain (banana) tree, the “Kala Bo”. The Kala Bo is draped with a red-bordered white sari and vermilion is smeared on its leaves. The new sari indicates her role as a new bride; people see it as symbolizing the wife of Ganesha. In Bengal, Durga is the mother of Ganesha, Sarsavati and Laxmi.
Another pattern of legends says that Ganesh is the owner of Buddhi or Riddhi and Siddhi; these qualities are sometimes personified as goddesses, said to be Ganesha's wives. Ganesh had two sons Shubh and Labh from these wives.
We can see at many worship places written: “Om Sri Ganeshav Namah, Riddhi Siddhi Shubh Labh”. It means we invite lord Ganesha along with his family in our worship. If we invite only lord Ganesha in our worship, then he will stay for a short time and leave for his family. When we invite and worship him with his family, he stays with us to bestow his blessings forever. Lord Ganesha is god of wisdom and intellectuals. The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Riddhi (Method or intelligence) yields Shubh (auspiciousness). The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Siddhi (Spiritual power or perfection) yields Labh (Profit).
The Importance of Durva Grass to worship Lord Ganesha in Hinduism:
The Durva grass has long been used in Hindu rituals, especially by those who worship Lord Ganesha. Durva means “which is cut or eaten by animals” in Sanskrit. The Rig Veda and the Atharvana Veda mention the Durva grass. In the Bhavishya Purana, Durva is stated to have appeared from Lord Vishnu’s hands and thighs as he bolstered Mt. Mandara during the Samudra Manthan. Moreover, in the Vamana Purana, Durva surfaced from the tail of Vasuki, the snake used to churn the Ocean during the same Manthana.
Legend has it that, in the Puranas, once while Lord Ganesha was meditating, a celestial singer disturbed him to extend an invitation of marriage. After the god rejected her proposal, she cursed him. This caused a burning sensation on his head for which Ganesha placed Durva on his head. The Durva grass offered relief and resulted in recuperation.
However, the most popular of the fables is that there was once a demon called Analasur who petrified the world and the gods. The gods asked Lord Shiva to protect them from the demon and in return Shiva pointed them to Lord Ganesha. So, they then approached Ganesha who fought a ferocious battle with Analasur and ended up swallowing him to protect the gods.
We can see at many worship places written: “Om Sri Ganeshav Namah, Riddhi Siddhi Shubh Labh”. It means we invite lord Ganesha along with his family in our worship. If we invite only lord Ganesha in our worship, then he will stay for a short time and leave for his family. When we invite and worship him with his family, he stays with us to bestow his blessings forever. Lord Ganesha is god of wisdom and intellectuals. The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Riddhi (Method or intelligence) yields Shubh (auspiciousness). The combination of Ganesha (wisdom) and Siddhi (Spiritual power or perfection) yields Labh (Profit).
The Importance of Durva Grass to worship Lord Ganesha in Hinduism:
The Durva grass has long been used in Hindu rituals, especially by those who worship Lord Ganesha. Durva means “which is cut or eaten by animals” in Sanskrit. The Rig Veda and the Atharvana Veda mention the Durva grass. In the Bhavishya Purana, Durva is stated to have appeared from Lord Vishnu’s hands and thighs as he bolstered Mt. Mandara during the Samudra Manthan. Moreover, in the Vamana Purana, Durva surfaced from the tail of Vasuki, the snake used to churn the Ocean during the same Manthana.
Legend has it that, in the Puranas, once while Lord Ganesha was meditating, a celestial singer disturbed him to extend an invitation of marriage. After the god rejected her proposal, she cursed him. This caused a burning sensation on his head for which Ganesha placed Durva on his head. The Durva grass offered relief and resulted in recuperation.
However, the most popular of the fables is that there was once a demon called Analasur who petrified the world and the gods. The gods asked Lord Shiva to protect them from the demon and in return Shiva pointed them to Lord Ganesha. So, they then approached Ganesha who fought a ferocious battle with Analasur and ended up swallowing him to protect the gods.
This built-up a lot of heat in his body and caused him duress. The Lord Indra then gave him the moon to wear on his forehead, and Lord Vishnu gave him a lotus flower, but none could cool him down. The Lord Vishnu made it rain on Ganesha, but to no yield. Finally, 88,000 sages conducted Archana for the Lord with 21 blades of the Durva grass which cured his stomach.
It is for this reason that Lord Ganesha is worshipped with 21 blades of the grass on Ganesh Chaturthi each year. Durva is also known to attract the Ganapati Principle the most. The use of odd numbers (minimum of 21) of the grass further promotes the entry of the divine energy into the idol. Durva is tied together, dipped in water for freshness, and then offer to the deity’s feet first and then the rest of the body. This is said to attract Ganesha the best as the principle of a deity is strongest though the feet of an idol.
OM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA
Mahesh Bhatt
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