To Tom, Manoj, All about inviting Ganesh (was Dayamrita/Amma 108)

[Guest guest]

Tom wrote (and manoj replied):

 

Ammachi, "Tom" <tomgull wrote:

> It was at this meeting someone asked if the Ganesh bhajan should

> be first, or the guru bhajan, and Dayamrita said "guru bhajan".

 

(Manoj): Amma herself starts with a ganesh bhajan first, but Br. Dayamrita

says to start with a guru bhajan. interesting. It is clear that he

practises 'Guru is verily God, so Guru first'.

 

 

 

Dear Tom, Manoj and all ~ originally I wasn't going to add anything to this

discussion, but when I re-read the above, it kind of struck me that Amma

starts with a ganesh bhajan first.

 

I remember the first time I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a

puja/homa. It was several years ago, and my first ever experience at

participating

in a homa. I had never seen a fire ceremony, and it was incredible. Swami

Satyananda Saraswati and Shree Maa where doing the puja. Swami periodically

injected comments so people like me, who didn't have a clue what was happening,

would at least have some basic information.

 

At one point, just at the beginning, he said, puja always begins with

inviting the Deities to come and witness our worship, and Ganesh is always the

first Deity to be invited because he is the Lord of Wisdom ... there were a

couple of other reasons that Swamiji gave, but I don't remember them. So, if

anyone is interested, I will ask what they are.

 

Ganesh is also the first Deity to be invited during the recitation of any

(Hindu) spiritual scripture. The invitation, however, is somewhat brief, not

like doing a whole bhajan or a mantra. But my guess would be that Amma uses the

bhajan for this purpose because she has stated that, in this Kali Yuga,

bhakti (and she includes the singing of bhajans in this) is the best way for

most

people to worship.

 

In the Chandi Path, which was the basis of the ceremony I witnessed, It very

simply says:

ete gandhapushpe om gam ganapataye namah

With these scented flowers Om we bow to the Lord of Wisdom, Lord of the

Multitudes.

(Ganapati is one of the names for Ganesh).

 

And then all the other Gods and Goddesses are invited in turn. I have seen

this same invitation to Ganesha and then to the other Gods and Goddesses in

every sacred scripture

I have read (and many of these scriptures may also be used as the basis for

a puja).

 

This is just information. There may be some who don't follow this tradition,

but it was very interesting to me to read that Amma, in her own way, brings

Ganesh to the hall first.

 

Jai Ma , Jai Sri Ganesha ~ Linda

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Ammachi, nierika wrote:

> At one point, just at the beginning, he said, puja always begins

with

> inviting the Deities to come and witness our worship, and Ganesh

is always the

> first Deity to be invited because he is the Lord of Wisdom ...

there were a

> couple of other reasons that Swamiji gave, but I don't remember

them. So, if

> anyone is interested, I will ask what they are.

> Jai Ma , Jai Sri Ganesha ~ Linda

 

Yes please do ask; it will be fun to hear his insights.

 

As the Lord of Wisdom, there are delightful stories, I will post

this later.

 

The other main reason Ganesh is invoked first is because he is

considered the Lord who destroys obstacles on the path of our goals

and objectives. (Vighneshwara).

 

LS supports this too.

Naamavali name# 78(or 79?) / stotra verse # 31:

MahaGanesa nirbhinna vighna yantra praharshita.

 

In India, Lakshmi-Ganesh combination is considered very sacred and

auspicious to worship.

 

Laskhmi is the Goddess of Wealth, but the true etymology of the

meaning means Goddess that helps us clairify our Goals and

Objectives (Lakshya - Goal or target)

 

and Ganesh is the God of destruction of obstacles to goals.

 

So by being able to invoke the grace to clarify our goals and

destroy the obstacles on the path, Laskhmi-Ganesh is one complete

package to success in material and spiritual life!

 

Jai Ma!