Loving Gaṇeśa: Hinduism’s Endearing Elephant-Faced God

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Prayers to Lord Gaṇeśa§

Gaṇapati Prārthanāḥ§

गणपतिप्रार्थनाः§

ImageNEELING OR STANDING, SITTING IN PADMĀSANA OR WALKING ALONE, devotees discover in prayer one of the most powerful forms of communication with inner worlds. Through praying with concentrated feeling, or bhāva, we can share our inmost sensibilities with Lord Gaṇapati. Thus we establish a connection with the Deity. One of the finest explanations of prayer from the Hindu perspective was given by the renowned Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh, India.§

“The entire process of spiritual ascent is from start to finish one of earnest practice. There is no other road except abhyāsa (dedicated striving and practice). One may have the best feeling, the best heart, the most sublime bhāva, but unless and until every part of this is put into actual practice, there is no hope. Abhyāsa is the keynote of the life of sādhana. Without it, sādhana will not go towards its fruition of anubhūti, or experience. Thus we have the celestials standing at the door of Mahādeva. They hymn Him, glorify Him and pray unto Him; and this is our next cue. It is the law of prayer that is now given to us as our sole guide upon the path.§

Prayer means, first and foremost, a perfect belief in a higher power. It means the desire and willingness to submit our abhimāna, or ego, at the feet of a higher power. Thus, the acquisition of śraddhā (faith) is now pointed out to us. The submission of our personal ego is next pointed out to us. Herein its natural corollary, the cultivation of the supreme virtue of absolute humility also is indicated. The devas prayed not that they may get power to win over the asuras. There is the attitude of willing self-abnegation, self-effacement, a standing aside so that the fullest manifestation of the divine power may stand in front and take over the stand from them. This indicates the recognition of the nondoership of the individual self and the Supreme doership of the one Doer, the Supreme God. It indicates that the sādhaka, or the seeker, is but a mere instrument; and it is the Lord Himself, the Indweller in the individual, who takes over the sādhana and actually does it. When the seeker begins to feel that even this sādhana is not done by him, but that it is the Divine śākti that works within him and enables the sādhana to be worked out and which achieves the ultimate fulfillment of the Divine Will, then he starts on the real upward march and rapid ascent toward triumphant divinity.§

“Thus the second aspect of prayer unfolds itself before us. We completely allow the Divine to take charge of our personality. The seeker recedes into the background and there is total resignation to the will of the Divine. ‘I am nothing; Thy will be done.’ This is the formula that keeps tune to every beat of his heart, every pulsation in his body. The seeker becomes a transformed being.” (From Lord Shanmukha and His Worship, p. xiii-xv)§

Using Various Kinds of Prayers§

When we go to the temple in distress or when we go in great joy and thankfulness, our prayers may flow spontaneously up from our hearts. Some find it very natural to speak out in words, bringing their gratitude, adoration or troubles into a form that can be offered to Lord Gaṇeśa. Others may just stand, feeling but not knowing what to say in their own minds or hearts. Others may not yet feel at all close to the Mahādeva but still yearn to open the door to religious communion with the Deity. In other words, many people want to learn how to pray.§

We are indeed fortunate if we have been raised to learn the ancient Hindu hymns or the songs and prayers of the sants. These can be spoken in their original Indian languages, or voiced in the translation to other tongues. There are many types of prayer. There are prayers of invocation performed prior to worship or important actions. There are prayers of entreaty, requesting devonic aid in times of decision, trouble or turmoil. There are prayers of praise, giving thanks for God’s grace and the fulfillment of our needs. And, perhaps most importantly, there are prayers specially written for the children, messages that make them aware of their innate intimacy with the Divine. On the following pages we offer a wide variety of prayers to Lord Gaṇeśa composed in recent times in the English language, along with several famous invocations from the Sanskrit tradition.§

By memorizing prayers, we make them immediately available to put into use wherever we are. In the temple with God Gaṇeśa before us or by ourselves with the Lord in our mind, we can repeat them with a strong, concentrated feeling which will carry our thoughts into the inner world of the Gods. As our worship matures into an open relationship with the Deity, these prayers will come automatically to mind as our way of talking with the Lord. They are especially useful during and after Gaṇeśa pūjā, when the Lord is present and listening and we are in close touch with Him. Of course, prayer can be used at any time to make us aware of our being in the mind of Lord Gaṇeśa. As we come to know God Gaṇeśa better, our communication with Him will take on more the spirit of talking with one’s intimates, parents or close friends, and our own spontaneous words may mix freely with formal prayers.§

Prayers of Invocation§

Invocations are chants and prayers by which we invoke the presence of the Deity. The God is being called. The God and the devotee are being brought together, in touch. Prayers of invocation often sing out the greatness of the Deity, His known attributes and qualities. Vedic ṛishis and holy sages of olden times were masters of invocation. They could immediately call up the devatā through the strength of their mantras. In the pūjā and japa chapters of this book there are many chants that also serve as powerful invocations. “Aum Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ” is an invocation in itself. We begin this section on prayers with a famous śloka to Lord Gaṇeśa from the root scripture of all denominations of Sanātana Dharma, the Vedas. It has been chanted by billions of Hindus down through the ages, uttering five attributes of Gaṇeśa and invoking His all-powerful protection.§

Oṁ śuklāmbaradharaṁ viṣṇum
Śaśivarṇaṁ caturbhujam
Prasanna-vadanaṁ dhyāyet
Sarvavighnopaśāntaye
§

Aum, attired in white and all-pervading,
O moon-hued, four-shouldered One
with smiling face so pleasing,
upon You we meditate
for removing all obstacles.
§

Śrī Adi Sankara prayed in his Gaṇeśa Bhujaṅgam the following invocation. It is particularly suitable for recitation before japa and deep meditation on the highest wisdom of Lord Gaṇeśa, the incomparable Lord:§

To You whom the wise exclaim
as the single-syllabled, Supreme sound,
stainless and peerless,
bliss, formless, unconditioned—
the Indweller in the core of
sacred tradition—to that
Primeval One I bow in adoration.
§

Prayers of Supplication§

Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings or entreaties presented to the Deity in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord’s holy feet. Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best. We do not demand of the Lord; for He, like a parent, provides not as we desire, but as we truly need. Prayers of supplication may come forth in the natural language of our hearts.§

Leaving a problem at His holy feet means we let it be there and do not carry it home with us. Nor do we worry or wonder about how it will be handled, when it will be taken care of, or if it will be taken care of at all. In full, unquenchable faith we leave the matter there, at the feet of the God, and walk away from the temple or shrine feeling that release has started and solution will be forthcoming. We must have this kind of faith for religion to work within us. To carry home with us the same problems, fears and worries would be to take back the offering we have given the Deity to dissolve. This is like the rich and famous who buy with gifts and do not give at all, slyly expecting more than something in exchange, gaining pāpa rather than puṇya and not knowing the difference. The course of events will later show how He works for our ultimate spiritual welfare. The following are prayers we may use as circumstance dictates.§

MOMENTS OF DECISION§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ—Great Lord of Wisdom, here I stand with so many decisions to make, with so many ways to turn. I beg for your grace. Fill me with righteous judgment and clear discrimination as I lay all confusion at your holy feet and immerse myself solely in you. Aum, Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

RELEASE FROM WORLDLINESS§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ—Lord Vināyaka, you are the Destroyer of all sin. I need you; help me. How long I’ve spent thinking only of worldly pursuits, caring not for the children of the future. How often I forget your eternal presence. I beg for your noose to hold me close and your goad to spur me on. Give me faith in God, Gods and satgurus. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

TIMES OF NEED§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ—Gaṇapati, Lord of Gaṇas. I, too, am a deva under your command. I know I can never ever separate myself from the intricate mind of the supreme intelligence. O Lord who destroys the obstacles of His devotees, grant me protection, guidance and help in this hour of need. (Devotee states his need or trouble.) Aum, Gaṇeśa śaraṇam. Grant me your grace, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

FAMILY WELFARE§

O Lord Gaṇeśa, holder of the noose and goad, sweets, fruits and sugarcane, please provide for the welfare of my family. Guide prosperity and abundance to our door. But while we wait and mostly see only our wants and needs, please help us feel within our home your goodness and Divinity, which no calamity can conceal. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

FREEDOM FROM FEAR AND ANGER§

Omnipresent Lambodara, pure and peaceful doer of all good. Take away my fear and anger. Let me see you everywhere and at all times. Show me the truth that there is no intrinsic evil. Remove all barriers in my mind to understanding, true trust and love. Guide me to a harmonious life and righteous success in the fulfillment of my dharma. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

RELEASE FROM EGOITY§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ! O keeper of the gate to the life of Sanātana Dharma, open that gate for me to feel your intricate mind moving all things toward the world of the Gods. Open the gate for me to live in continuous worship. Let me enter a new world where my ego is not my God. Open the gate; let me through to your blissful world of trust, love and harmony. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

Praise, Adoration and Thankfulness§

In prayers of praise, adoration and thankfulness we do not ask for anything, but simply offer our feelings of love and recognition to Lord Gaṇeśa when our heart is full of His grace. The more we worship and come to understand Him, the more we realize the greatness of His work in our life and see His presence all around us. It is from this perspective that the great bhaktas of the past sang many of their songs to God. Such prayers confirm our relationship with Lord Gaṇeśa and draw us ever closer to His mind.§

JOYOUS PRAISE§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ! Thank you, Umagaṇeśa, for the wonderful fulfillment you have brought into my life. I show gratitude by giving abundant dāna to the temple where you received and answered my prayers. Your śakti is the blossoming origin of love. Praise to you who are the source of all sweetness. I take refuge in grateful surrender at your holy feet. Aum, jai Gaṇeśa!§

OFFERING GIFTS§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ! O my grand and gracious Lord Gaṇeśa. Here I am, with only you in my mind. My body’s life is your warmth. Your fire is my comfort. Now, with pūjā flames we offer that fire back to you. These fruits and flowers are yours to enjoy. My very mind, too, is yours to direct. O peaceful One, praise to you. Take these offerings and take, too, a place in my humble life, in your heart. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

APPRECIATION§

Aum, Śrī Gaṇeśāya Namaḥ! Peerless One, industrious indweller in all, we see you in the full warmth of the Sun, in the full life of Earth and the orderliness of all the turning planets. O Lord and lover of intellect, you are the intricate knowledge blossoming in the mind of the people. O Lord who rules the mind of each and all who worship you, because of you, chaos never was nor will it ever be. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

Here is a prayer that has been used for centuries wherever Gaṇapati is the principal Deity of the home.§

TRADITIONAL SALUTATION§

Praise be to elephant-faced Gaṇeśa, the Incomprehensible One with a sharp tusk, three eyes and capacious belly, King of all beings, the Eternal One of blood-red hue, whose forehead is illuminated by the new moon, Son of Śiva-Śakti, Remover of all difficulties. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

Daily Prayers for Children§

Teaching children prayers to recite at regular times during the day is a wonderful practice through which we fulfill our duty of passing our religion on to coming generations. Parents are encouraged to sit and say these prayers with the children until they enter the spirit of talking with Lord Gaṇeśa themselves.§

MORNING PRAYER§

Aum, Lord Gaṇeśa, you make the flowers grow, you keep the Earth going around the Sun. All day you keep things going right. You are Lord of the devas. I am one of your devas, too. Help me to think of the needs of others, and to be kind to everyone I meet. Help me to think of you first before beginning something new and to always do what is right and kind. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

NOON PRAYER§

Aum, Lord Gaṇeśa, you have kept my heart beating. You have guarded me from wrongdoing. Make my love for my family and friends grow stronger each day. Make me careful and wise. Help me to respect and heed the remindings of our kulaguru, to be respectful to my parents and remember above all the wisdom of the Vedas. Gaṇeśa, that is a lot for me to do. Please help me succeed. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

BEDTIME PRAYER§

Aum, Lord Gaṇeśa, nightime is here and the moon is in the sky above, reminding me of your crescent tusk. Remain with me, Gaṇeśa, through the night, in my deepest sleep, in my inner experiences, as you have remained with me during my daytime, outer encounters. Let me never forget you, even in my dreams. May we as a family be guided by your loving wisdom, even there. Gaṇeśa saraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

MEALTIME PRAYER§

Aum, Lord Gaṇeśa, all is within you. God Śiva has given you dominion over the material universe. Let me remember to always share my food with others. May the prasāda you have given me today make all my prāṇas and subtle currents flow in perfect harmony, making my body healthy and strong so that I may serve you well. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

We close this section with a prayer to Lord Vighnarāja, Ruler of Obstacles, for guidance and inspiration. This is something we all need to persevere through life’s offerings of its many challenges to the supreme goal of moksha.§

FOR GUIDANCE AND INSPIRATION§

O Lord and ruler of many gaṇas, O Peaceful One who loves pomp and ceremony, patron of the arts and perserver of the best of ancient cultures, the one worshiped by all sages, use your mighty trunk to hold us close to your majestic mind, our purest state. Respond to our entreaties for clarity and direction, for this we supplicate. Protect us from beguiling ways and sternly direct us in the ways of our forefathers’ traditions, forging for us new patterns to bring forth the old in the world of today. Keep us resolute to live the Sanātana Dharma. We prostrate at your holy feet. Please grant us your grace. Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

Śrī Gaṇeśa Upanishad§

Excerpts from Gaṇapatyatharśīrsham,
Translated from Sankṛit by Dr. Vasant Lad
§

Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.§

I surrender to you, Lord Gaṇeśa. You are the speaker. You are the listener. You are the giver. You are the sustainer. I am your disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions.§

You are full of perfect knowledge of truth and awareness. You are full of bliss and pure consciousness. You are truth, consciousness and bliss. You are the absolute awareness. You are full of supreme wisdom and knowledge.§

You are the earth, water, fire, air and the space. You are the root foundation of speech. You are beyond the three guṇas: sattva, rajas and tamas. You are beyond the physical, mental and causal bodies. You are beyond the three aspects of time: past, present and future. You are eternally established in the mūlādhāra chakra. You have three śaktis: action, knowledge and will.§

Salutation to the Gaṇapati whose seed mantra is Aum Gaṁ. We know Ekadanta, the One-tusked God, the unique God. We meditate upon Vakratuṇḍa, the curved-trunk God. May that unique elephant God illumine our consciousness and direct us along the right track.§

One should meditate upon Lord Gaṇeśa having one tusk and four arms; holding the noose and goad with two of them; with the other two indicating varada, the giving of boons and blessings, and abhaya mudrā, the fear removing gesture; having a mouse as the emblem on his ensign; possessing a big, beautiful belly and large, lovely ears which look like winnowing baskets; having a red cloth and His whole body covered with red sandalwood paste. He should be worshiped with red flowers. He manifests Himself as the universe and is beyond prakṛiti, matter, and Purusha, the manifest God. One who worships Gaṇeśa in this way forever is the best of yogīs.§

Prostrations to Vrātapati, the Lord of Plenty. Prostrations to Gaṇapati, the Lord of various groups of Gods. Prostrations to Pramathapati, the Lord of Śiva’s hosts. Prostrations to Lambodara, the full-bellied God with a single tusk, destroyer of obstacles, the Son of Śiva, the Bestower of all Blessings.§

He who chants this Gaṇapati Upanishad will verily get established in Brahman, the pure awareness. He will never encounter any obstacles. He will be happy everywhere. He will be free from the five great sins and lesser ones. By reciting this in the evening, the day’s sins are destroyed.§

By reciting this in the early morning, one becomes free from the sins committed at night in dreams. Reciting this morning and evening, one becomes totally free from all sins. He becomes totally free from all obstacles. He achieves the four divine ends of life: dharma, artha, kāma and moksha: virtue, wealth, pleasure and liberation. Aum Gaṇeśa śaraṇam, śaraṇam Gaṇeśa.§

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Mahā Gaṇeśa Pañcharatna Stotram§

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नस्तोत्रम् ।।§

The Five-Jeweled Hymn to the Great Ganesha by
Śrī Adi Sankara, with Translation by J. Sethuraman
§

मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं
कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् ।
अनायकैकनायकं विनािशतेभदैत्यकं
नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥१॥
§

mudākarāttamodakaṁ sadā vimuktisādhakaṁ
kalādharāvataṁsakaṁ vilāsilokarakṣakam |
anāyakaikanāyakaṁ vināśitebhadaityakaṁ
natāśubhāśunāśakaṁ namāmi taṁ vināyakam ||1||
§

नमामि तं विनायकम् I bow to the Remover of Obstacles,
मुदा करात्तमोदकम् who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand,
सदाविमुक्तिसाधकम् who is the ever-present means of liberation,
कलाधरावतंसकम् who has the moon as an ornament,
विलासिलोकरक्षकम् who protects all the world with His manifestions,
अनायकैकनायकम् who is the single leader for those who are leaderless,
विनाशितेभदैत्यकम् who destroyed the elephant demon and
नताशुभाशुनाशकम् who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him.
§

नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं
नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् ।
सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं
महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥२॥
§

natetarātibhīkaraṁ navoditārkabhāsvaraṁ
namatsurārinirjaraṁ natādhikāpaduddharam |
sureśvaraṁ nidhīśvaraṁ gajeśvaraṁ gaṇeśvaraṁ
maheśvaraṁ tamāśraye parātparaṁ nirantaram ||2||
§

महेश्वरं तमाश्रये I seek the refuge of the great Lord Gaṇeśa,
परात्परं who is higher than the highest,
निरन्तरम् who is everlasting,
नतॆतरातिभीकरम् who causes fear in others than those that bow to Him,
नवेदितार्कभास्वरं who is resplendent as the newly rising sun,
नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरम् worshiped by both demons and Gods.
नताधिकापदुद्धरम् For those that bow to Him He is the savior from misery,
सुरेश्वरम् the lord of all the Gods, निधीश्वरम् the lord of all wealth,
गजेश्वरम् the elephant God, गणेश्वरम् Gaṇeśvara, the lord of the multitudes.
§

समस्तलोकशङ्करं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं
दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् ।
कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं
मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥३॥
§

samastalokaśaṅkaraṁ nirastadaityakuñjaraṁ
daretarodaraṁ varaṁ varebhavaktramakṣaram |
kṛpākaraṁ kṣamākaraṁ mudākaraṁ yaśaskaraṁ
manaskaraṁ namaskṛtāṁ namaskaromi bhāsvaram ||3||
§

नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् I bow to the resplendent one
समस्तलोकशङ्करम् who is beneficent to all the worlds,
निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं who conquered the elephant demon,
दरेतरोदरम् whose belly is not small,
वरम् the excellent one
वरॆभवक्त्रम् who has a beautiful elephant face,
अक्षरम् who is eternal, कृपाकरम् who is kind, क्षमाकरं who is forgiving,
मुदाकरम् who gives happiness, यशस्करम् who bestows fame,
मनस्करं who creates intelligence
नमस्कृतां in those who pay reverence to Him,
भास्वरम् the resplendent one.
§

अकिञ्चनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं
पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् ।
प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनञ्जयादिभूषणं
कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥४॥
§

akiñcanārtimārjanaṁ cirantanoktibhājanaṁ
purāripūrvanandanaṁ surārigarvacarvaṇam |
prapañcanāśabhīṣaṇaṁ dhanañjayādibhūṣaṇaṁ
kapoladānavāraṇaṁ bhaje purāṇavāraṇam ||4||
§

भजॆ पुराणवारणम् I worship the ancient elephant God
अकिञ्चनार्तिमार्जम् who wipes out the misery of the poor,
चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनम् the recipient of ancient words of praise,
पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनम् the first son of the enemy of the three cities (Śiva),
सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् the shatterer of the pride of the demons,
प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणम् terrifying as the destroyer of worlds,
धनञ्जयादिभूषणम् decorated by fire and other elements,
कपॊलदानवारणम् whose elephant cheeks are flowing with must (the rut that flows from the cheeks of male elephants.)
§

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं
अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।
हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां
तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥५॥
§

nitāntakāntadantakāntimantakāntakātmajaṁ
acintyarūpamantahīnamantarāyakṛntanam |
hṛdantare nirantaraṁ vasantameva yogināṁ
tamekadantameva taṁ vicintayāmi santatam ||5||
§

तमॆकदन्तमॆव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् I constantly think of Him alone, the single-tusked one, नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिम् who is beautiful, with His brilliant tusk,
अन्तकान्तकात्मजम् the son of the destroyer of He who puts an end to death (Śiva), अचिन्त्यरूपम् with a form that cannot be comprehended,
अन्तहीनम् with no end, अन्तरायकृन्तनम् who tears asunder all obstacles, and
हृदन्तरॆ निरन्तरं वसन्तमॆव यॊगिनां who in the inner chambers of the hearts of yogīs is like an uninterrupted spring season.
§

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं
प्रजल्पति प्रभातके
हृदि स्मरन् गणेश्वरम् ।
अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां
समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥६॥
§

mahāgaṇeśapañcaratnamādareṇa yo’nvahaṁ
prajalpati prabhātake
hṛdi smaran gaṇeśvaram |
arogatāmadoṣatāṁ susāhitīṁ suputratāṁ
samāhitāyuraṣṭabhūtimabhyupaiti so’cirāt ||6||
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योऽन्वहम् प्रजल्पति One who repeats every day
महागणेशपञ्जरत्नस्तोत्रम् the Mahā Gaṇeśa Pañcharatna Stotram
आदरेण with reverence, प्रभातके हृदि स्मरन् गणेश्वरम् in the mornings while recollecting Gaṇeśvara in his heart, सोऽचिरात् he, very quickly, will be joined by
अरोगतामदोषतां good health, freedom from deficiency,
ससाहितीं सुपुत्रतां समाहितायुरष्टभूतिम् good fellowship, good children, long life and the eight powers (ashṭavibhūti, animā, mahimā, lagimā, garimā, etc.)
§

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नस्तोत्रं संपूर्णम् ॥§

mahāgaṇeśapañcaratnastotraṁ saṁpūrṇam ||§

This completes the Mahā Gaṇeśa Pañcharatna Stotram.§

 §

Gaṇeśa Invocation§

गणोशमन्त्रम्§

An Invocation to Lord Gaṇapati
Ṛig Veda 2.23.1
§

ॐ गणानां त्वा गणपतिगं् हवामहे
कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणामं ब्रह्मणस्पत
आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिःसीदसादनम् ॥
ॐ महागणाधिपतये नमः ॥
§

Oṁ gaṇānāṁ tvā gaṇapatigṁ havāmahe
kaviṁ kavīnāmupamaśravastamam |
jyeṣṭharājaṁ brahmaṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata
ā naḥ śṛṇvannūtibhiḥsīdasādanam ||
Oṁ mahāgaṇādhipataye namaḥ ||
§

Of the multitudes, you are the Lord of Multitudes, we invoke you.
You are the wise sage of wise sages, the uppermost and highest glory.
The foremost king of prayers, you are the Lord of Prayers.
Come to us, listening with favors and help, sit and be present here.
§

 §

Food-Blessing Chant§

भॊजनमन्त्रम्§

A Prayer of Gratitude to the Source of Sustenance.
Lines 1–4 are from Shri Adi Sankara’s Annapūrṇāshṭakam.
Lines 5–6 are the Īśa Upanishad invocation.
Lines 7–8 are a traditional Śaivite closing.
§

ॐ अ̱न्न॑पूर्णे स̱दापूर्णे श̱ङ्करप्राण॑वल्लभे ।§

ज्ञानवै̱राग्य॑सि̱द्ध्यर्थं॑ भि̱क्षां दे॒हि च पा॑र्वति ॥§

माता॑ च पा॑र्वती॒ देवी॑ पि̱ता दे̱वो महे॑श्वरः ।§

बान्ध॑वाः शि॑वभ̱क्ताश्च॑ स्व̱देशो॒ भुवन॑त्रयम् ।।§

ॐ पूर्ण॒मद॒ः पूर्ण॒मिदं॒ पूर्णा॒त्पूर्ण॒मुद॒च्यते ।§

पूर्ण̱स्य पूर्ण॒मादा॒य पूर्ण॒मेवावशि॒ष्यते ।।§

ॐ शान्तिः॒ शान्तिः॒ शान्तिः॑ ॐ शि॒वार्प॑णम॒स्तु ।।§

Oṁ a̱nna̍pūrṇe sa̱dāpūrṇe śa̱ṅkaraprāṇa̍vallabhe |
jñānavai̱rāgya̍-si̱ddhyarthaṁ̍ bhi̱kṣāṃ de̱hi ca pā̍rvati. ||
mātā̍ ca pā̍rvatī̱ devī̍ pi̱tā de̱vo mahe̍śvaraḥ |
bāndha̍vāḥ śi̍vabha̱ktāśca̍ sva̱deśo̱ bhuvana̍trayam ||
Oṁ pūrṇa̱mada̱ḥ pūrṇa̱mida̱ṁ pūrṇā̱tpūrṇa̱muda̱cyate |
pūrṇa̱sya pūrṇa̱mādā̱ya pūrṇa̱mevāvaśi̱ṣyate ||
Oṁ śānti̱ḥ śānti̱ḥ śānti̍ḥ || Oṁ śi̱vārpa̍ṇama̱stu ||
§

Aum, Mother (Annapurna) who is fullness of food and plenty, Fullness everlasting beloved Śakti of Siva; Mother of the universe, nourish us with this gift of food so that we may attain wisdom, dispassion and spiritual perfection. Goddess Pārvatī is my mother. God Maheśvara is my father. All devotees of Śiva are my family. All three worlds are my home. Aum, Śiva is Fullness. Creation is fullness. From Śiva’s Fullness flows this world’s fullness. This fullness issues from that Fullness, yet that Fullness remains full. Aum, peace, peace, peace. Aum, this I offer unto Śiva.§

 §

Shanti Mantra§

A prayer for peace, clarity and blessing to begin and end meetings, based on the spirit of sangam, great rivers or great minds flowing together in selfless, superconscious wisdom.§

ॐ स॒ह ना॑ववतु ।§

स॒ह नाैै॑ भुनक्तु ।§

स॒ह वी॒र्यं॑ करवावहै ।§

ते॒ज॒स्विना॒वधी॑तमस्तु॒ ।§

मा वि॑द्विषा॒वहै᳚ ।§

ॐ शान्ति॒ः शान्ति॒ः शान्तिः॑ ।।§

Oṁ sa̱ha nā̍vavatu |
sa̱ha nau॑ bhunaktu |
sa̱ha vī̱ryaṁ karavāvahai |
te̱ja̱svinā̱vadhī̍tamastu̱ |
mā vi॑dviṣā॒vahai |
Oṁ śānti̱ḥ śānti̱ḥ śānti̍ḥ ||
§

Aum, may we be protected.
May we rejoice.
May we work together with vigor.
May our studies illumine us.
May we have no contention or hostility
between us. Aum, peace, peace, peace.
§

 §

A Mantra for Offering Incense§

धूपमन्त्रम्§

दशाङ्गं गुग्गुलोपेतं सुगन्धं सुमनोहरम्§

आघ्रेयः सर्वदेवानां धूपोऽयं प्रतिगृह्यताम्§

daśāṅgaṁ guggulopetaṁ sugandhaṁ sumanoharam
āghreyaḥ sarvadevānāṁ dhūpo’yam pratigṛhyatām
§

I offer to you this incense of the finest resins and perfumes, incomparable in sweetness and aroma, bewitching to the mind, which is to be inhaled and enjoyed by you and all the devas and Gods. Please accept it.§

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