Om Gam Ganapathaye Namaha: Today is a NEW day.

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Sri Maha Ganapathaye Namaha!

Sri Saraswathye Namaha!

Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Saraswathi,

Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha!

 

To develop faith and to progress forward in one's worldly and spiritual

endeavors, it helps to revisit the discourses of Sri Swamiji on Ganapati. As

Sri Swamiji says, Ganapati upasana is simply the cleansing of the physical,

mental, and subtle bodies of negativity and wrong-thinking which create

obstacles, frustrations, and difficulties. He begins the discourse with

'Sumukha' Ganapati - one who has pleasant face - the pleasant face in a person

denotes unwavering mind (even-minded-ness) and unwavering dedication. Despite

all suggestions to the contrary, one must develop self-confidence to pursue

forward until one has achieved one's goals. This is the Ganapati tattva. To

not allow negativity to enter into one's mind is challenging in practice, and so

it is recommended that one should pray to Ganapati, so that His energy can

destroy any negativity which may creep in during one's sadhana. By ourselves,

we consider ourselves to be 'only human' and we

sometimes lack strength to move forward and adopt a self-defeating attitude,

....but by taking refuge in Ganapati, we are protected by his " ginormous " trunk

which swats away obstacles like flies. So, it is suggested that one pray to

Ganapti daily, just after waking up, with the mental posture/attitude that

" Today is a new day, my faith is renewed, my energy is renewed, and just as the

sun rises, I will rise, and face my duties and complete them, task after

task... "

 

 

May Sri Ganapati (/Sri Swamiji) remove everyone's obstacles in whatever field of

activity they find themselves in.

 

Enjoy reading... Jaya Guru Datta! Jaya Guru Datta! Jaya Guru Datta!

 

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Pujya Sri Swamiji's discourses based on Ganesha Purana, 1 September 2008

 

Lord Ganapati is the chieftain of various beings and all groups in this

universe. It is precisely this reason why the devout persons revere Lord

Ganapati praying for success of their tasks. Another typical aspect of Ganapati

worship is that it is a inseparable part of all the rituals: Shubha Karmas such

as marriages, house warming, ground breaking ceremony and Ashubha Karmas such as

rites the deceased and similar rituals and sacraments.

Lord Ganapati is fondly remembered through twelve names starting with Sumukhaya

Namaha. Sumukha literally means a charming face. However, philosophically it

denotes a pleasant facet of every personality permitting each individual. Thus,

Ganapati Puja or Smarana encourages the worshipper to start with a pleasant

face, which is an implication of the unwavering mind.

Ganapati is widely adored not only in India sub-continent but also in many other

countries. However, the adulation differs from region to region, person to

person and time to time. The methodology of reverence ranges from Mantra

(chanting the holy name), Tantra (elaborate rites), Dhyana (meditation), Homa

(worship through fire) etc.

Ganapati is said to be the embodiment of Pranava (Om). The syllable Om as

written in Devanagari script used for Sanskrit language, resembles the physical

attribute of Ganapati. Whereas, being the deity of wisdom, Ganapati is

personification of Para Vidya (knowledge pertaining and leading to Para Brahma).

Among the Shat Chakras (mystical energy centers in human body), Muladhara is

said to be the abode of Lord Ganapati. Even here, it is not just symbolic to

conclude that Ganapati worship is initiation to the journey to the self. It is

to be properly understood that the path to self-realisation is fraught with

myriad obstacles in the form of allurement and frequent delusions. Hence, to

successfully traverse the path to Yoga Siddhi (flight of Kundalini Shakti to

Sahasrara through Sushumna Nadi), the effort has to be initiated at Muladhara.

Mula Aadhara, as the name denotes, is the basic foundation of Kundalini Yoga

Abhyasa. This Chakra is governed by the

energy of Ganapati.

 

In fact, Ganapati being the primordial energy, is instrumental in bestowal of

Yoga, Dhyana, Wisdom. The composition and anatomy of human body is symbolized by

the phenomenon of Ganapati. The 32 manifestations of Ganapati correspond to the

32 elements/functions of the human body. Therefore, Ganapati Upasana is nothing

but a vivid process to cleanse the soul, body and mind.

(In the past, we have dealt with four incarnations of Ganapati and ensuing moral

and philosophy of each story. Now, we proceed to the other stories of Ganapati

as detailed in Ganesha Purana.)

 

These stories enlighten us about the benefits of Ganapati Upasana and the

patterns of benediction by Ganapati upon seekers, which in turn increase our

concentration and dedication.

 

Praatas Smaraami Gananaatha Manaatha Bandhum

Sindhoora Pura Parishobhita Ganda Yugman

Uddanda Vighna Parikhandana Chanda Danda -

Maakhandalaadi Suranaayaka Brunda Vandyam

I, prayerfully meditate upon Ganapati, who is a helpful patron to the

distressed.

The Lord, who is smeared on the cheeks with Sindhoora (a type of Vermillion in

orange colour), is proficient in annihilating the impediments and revered by all

the celestial groups led by Aakhandala (Indra).

BHALLAALA GANAPATI

Traditionally, the term Ganapati evokes an instant appeal among the masses. It

has an emotional attachment to all the sections of the society, especially, the

children, since time immemorial. Throughout the country, festivities connected

with Ganapati are exuberantly celebrated by youth, adolescents and children with

great fervour every year.

Pandals erected on streets to perform Ganapati Navaratri Puja (starting on

Vinayaka Chaturthi and culminating on Ananta Chaturdashi) by people are marked

by Bhajans, Pujas, processions, dance and other services. It is customary for

children to follow the tradition scrupulously set by elders even without

realizing its significance. However, the acts and deeds connected with these

festivities will result in staunch devotion and ultimate goal of

self-realisation. The story of such one such child, Bhallaala, is the subject

today.

Once upon a time, a wealthy merchant by name Kalyana lived in the region of

Sindhu, in western Maharashtra. Indumati was his wife. They were blessed by a

cute son, named Bhallaala, who was very fascinated towards Lord Ganapati since

infancy. Prompted by devotion and affection, he used to worship Ganapati and

formed devotee playgroups of children to enact drama and plays connected to the

stories of Ganapati. This enthusiastic groups wandered forests, villages during

playtime. But, Ganapati was the nucleus of their activities. One day, in course

of, their play, Bhallaala discovered a Sindhoora coloured stone (Shona Shila) in

a forest. They determined this stone to be a symbol of Ganapati, installed it on

a stone pedestal and commenced worship. In no time, the entire premises in the

forest was bedecked with flowers, mango leaves, shrubs transforming the tranquil

atmosphere into a festive environment. Bhallaala spared no effort to please his

favorite deity.

Durva grass, flora and fruits found in the woods were offered to Ganapati

chanting the divine names.

 

Namo Namas Suravara Pujitaanghraye

Namo Namo Nirupama Mangalaatmane

Namo Namo Vipula Padaika Siddhaye

Namo Namah Kari Kalabhaananaaya Te

 

Bhajan - Vishwapala Veda Vedya Vighna Natha

Gradually, their worship developed into full-fledged dance session, singing the

holy names and Bhajans of Ganapati. However, due to these devotional activities,

they were hardly punctual in their routine household chores and studies to the

chagrin of their parents. Blaming Bhallaala for their children’s abnormal

behavior, local residents chided Bhallaala’s parents, Kalyana and Indumati, to

correct their son. They further complained that their children are wasting their

precious time loitering in the forests at the behest of Bhallaala. In spite of

best efforts, they could not control their children from meeting Bhallaala. They

further threatened to refer this matter to the King if Bhallaala was not reigned

by his parents immediately.

Kalyana was furious to hear the complaints about his son. Though he was a

learned man, he could not control his anger. He picked a stick and set on trail

to locate Bhallaala in the forests. At that time, Bhallaala along with his

companions was deeply immersed in Ganapati Puja, blissfully oblivious to the

charged condition of his father. His father was further infuriated by the

children’s negligent behavior and started to destroy the Pandal uprooting the

pillars. He even threw out the Puja materials. But Bhallaala was still in deep

transcendental state.

Sookti

 

Balam Bhavaddhyaana Krutou Disheti

Yathaa Balam Praarthaya Deva Devam

Maa Praarthayainam Kila Kinchidanyat

Samasta Shaktyaagama Keelakam Yat

In difficulties, we tend to pray to God seeking solace, relief, punishment to

the evil….. so on. However, ideal sentences of prayer should seek the grace of

almighty to sustain meditation and alignment with his cosmic energy. One need

not seek any other recourse. Incessant contemplation on the supreme cosmic

energy results in energisation of the body, mind and soul. Thus, mediation is

the key to acquire cosmic energy to withstand the vagaries of life. Bhallaala

inherited the Samskara from his previous birth. Therefore, he kept himself

indulged in penance.

However, his father thought that this meditation was farcical and did not

hesitate to beat the boy black and blue. Still the boy could not come out of his

elevated consciousness. Unable to bear this, Kalyana picked up the revered

Ganapati idol and hurled it away. In this course, Bhallaala came to his worldly

senses to witness the ghastly act of his father and was deeply hurt. But his

father was least bothered about the sentimental attachment with the Ganapati

idol to his son and tethered him to a tree. He taunted Bhallaala to get his

prove his devotion by getting Ganapati to free his bondage.

 

Bhallaala was not perturbed with his physical battering, but was deeply

concerned about the treatment meted to his favorite god, Ganapati. Thus he

prayed:

 

Tyajet Swabhaktaannacha Santyajethaah

Vedeshu Shastreshu Katham Prasiddhihi?

 

O! Ganapati, you are said to be the remover of all the obstacles for devotees.

How come you are insensitive to the impediments posed to your own Puja? You are

praised in Vedas that you stand steadfast by your devotees in adversity. Is it

untrue?

Bhallaala was unable to control his grief, which morphed into rage.

Involuntarily, he cursed all those who are responsible for this blunder - “The

perpetrators of this heinous crime of destruction of the Puja altar may become

blind, deaf, dumb and also suffer from starvation. This sentence shall become

reality, if my devotion to Lord Ganapati is truthful.â€

The words of great souls are immensely powerful. As an outcome of the curse

uttered by the boy, all those responsible for the dastardly act suffered a lot.

This again could not pacify the injured psyche of the kid. He thought, “These

people may tie my body, but nevertheless, my intellect is free. No one can

contain my devotion. But, without my Ganapati, life is futile for me. I will

give up my lifeâ€, he decided. Even then, his mind was attuned to Lord

Ganapati.

 

Bhajan – Maha Ganapatim Chintayami

 

Having tested the guts and determination of the young devotee, Lord Ganapati

appeared in the form of an old pundit. All of a sudden, the wild creepers bound

around the boy to the tree crumbled. With the soothing touch of the divinity,

all the wounds of Bhallaala were healed and he was resplendent with divine

energy. It became apparent to Bhallaala that his Ganapati has come in a disguise

as saviour. He was so delighted that a number of hymns emanated from him.

 

Tvameva Maataasi Pitaasi Bandhuhu

Tvameva Kartaasi Charaacharsya

Nirmaasi Dushtaamscha Khalaamscha Saadhoon

Yonou Viyonou Viniyokshyasepi

“O! Lord, you are the genesis for this world comprising of both movable and

immovable forms of existence.

The beings are consigned to next births on the basis of their previous acts,

good and bad. This universe, these oceans, those mighty mountains are your

aspects only. How better am I placed to extol your virtues? But for your

astounding grace, it would have been impossible to get a sight of your divine

form. Indeed, I am blessed.â€

Lord Ganapati affectionately hugged the boy and averred

 

Tvannaama Purvam Mannaama Bhavishyati

Jane Shubham Bhallaala Vinayaketi Nagare Supratishthitam

 

My boy, I am pleased with your single pointed dedication and resolve. I will

dwell at this place to bless future generations. As a mark of your devotion, I

will be worshipped as Bhallaala Vinayaka in this Kshetra. All those sinners will

also be liberated by worshipping me.â€

This Bhallaala Ganapati is famous in Maharashtra and other states of India.

There are scores of devotees, who are ardent followers of this Bhallaala

Ganapati Pantheon. This temple stands as testimony to the fact that devotion

originating from simplicity or humility is very dear to the God.

Jaya Guru Datta

 

 

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Gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim!?

Sarva Kartha, Sarva Dhartha, Sarva Hartha, Mangalam!

Satchidananda, Satchidananda, Satchidananda Mangalam!