Ganesh Jayanti will be celebrated on January 25. Ganesh Jayanti literally “Ganesha’s birthday”, also known as Magha shukla chaturthi, Tilkund chaturthi, and Varad chaturthi, is a Hindu festival. This occasion celebrates the birth day of Ganesha, the lord of wisdom. Today we are celebrating Ganesh Jayanti, the birthday of Vighneshwara. Who is He? What is His greatness? What has He taught to the world? We celebrate the jayanti but do not make any effort to understand the tattva (principle) behind it.
Unity in a family is the basis of unity in society
The vehicles of Shiva, Parvati, Ganesha, Subramanya and the objects worn on their bodies all get on harmoniously though they are in their original nature antagonistic to each other. Take the examples of the lion, the vehicle of Parvati, living in peace with the elephant, the form of Ganesha, and the bull, the vehicle of Shiva, the peacock, the vehicle of Subramanya, bearing no enmity towards the snake, the garland of Shiva. Unity in a family is the basis of unity in society. Though there are lots of common features among mankind, people are not able to visualise their unity, but promote only their differences.
The cause for the lack of peace in the world is the absence of harmony in thought, word and deed in each individual, which is reflected in the lack of unity among different individuals. Spiritual values have been given up, resulting in the turmoil that we see today. Ganapathi taught that one should respect one’s parents and thereby win their grace and secure bliss. The form of Ganapathi cannot, by any human standards, be termed as handsome. He has a small head, big stomach and uncouth form. But still we are captivated by His form and like to see Him more and more and worship Him. Beauty does not lie in the akaara, the external form but can be experienced even in vikaara (apparent uncouthness). Ganesha sacrificed his own tusk and used it as a pen to write down the Mahabharatha to the dictation of Vyaasa, for the benefit of humanity.
Man worships God only for selfish purposes. No one is prepared to sacrifice anything for getting Divine Bliss, while men are prepared to go to any length for worldly pleasures. Your mind and heart should be rendered pure to worship Divinity. You should see unity in diversity.
Ganesa Namaskara Stotram
Translated by P.R.Ramachander
(This great prayer tells the eight names of Lord Ganesha followed by salutation to each name.)
1. Ganesam, Ekadantham cha Herambham, Vighna Nayakam,
Lambodharam, soorpakarnam Gaja Vakthram, Guhagrajam
Ganesa, Lord with one tusk, Lord close to Shiva, Lord of obstacles,
Lord with a big paunch, Lord with winnow-like ears, Lord with elephant head, elder brother of Subrahmanya.
2. Ashtakhartham cha puthrasya srunu mathara hara priye,
Stotraanaam sara bhootham cha sarva vighna haram param.
This darling child of Shiva! Please hear these eight great names of your son,
Which are the essence of all prayers and destroys all obstacles.
3. Jnanartha vachako gascha nascha nirvana vachaka,
Thayor eesam para brahma ganesam pranamamyaham.
This word of wisdom starting from “Ga’ and ending with “na” liberates you,
And so I salute the Lord Ganesa who is indeed the divine Parabrahma,
4. Yeka sabdha pradhanartho Danthascha bala vachaka,
Balam pradhaanam sarvasmaad Ekadantham namamyaham,
In the strong word mentioning “Dantha”, the word “Eka” is important,
And because strength is very important, I salute the Ekadantha.
5. Dheenartha vachako hesacha rambha palaka vachaka,
Palakam dheena lokaanaam Herambham pranamamyaham.
The word staring with “He” and ending with “Rambha” is the protective word to the depressed,
And would protect all depressed ones and I salute that Herambha.
6. Vipathi vachako Vighno nayaka khandanarthaka,
Vipath khandana karam tham prana may Vighna Nayakam.
The word starting with “Vighna” and ending with Nayaka” is the destroyer of danger,
And I salute that Vighna Nayaka who cuts off all dangers.
7. Vishnu dathaischa naivedyair yasya lambham purodaram,
Pithra dathaischa vividham vandhe Lambodharam cha tham.
Due to the offering of Lord Vishnu he has a big paunch,
And he also has been given various things by his father and I salute that Lambodhara.
8. Soorpakarai cha yath karnou, vighna varana karakou,
Sampadhou jnana roopou cha soorpa karnou Namayaham.
Using the winnow-like ears of his, he removes all obstacles,
And grants wealth and wisdom, and I salute that Lord Soorpa Karna.
9. Vishnu prasadam munina datham yan moordhni pushpakam,
Thad Gajendra mukham kantham Gajavakthram namayaham.
Due to the offering of Vishnu given to him by sages, his forehead is wish fulfilling,
And that Lord has the face of king of elephants and I salute that Lord Gajavakthra.
10. Guhyagre cha jathoyam aavirbhootho Haralaye,
Vandhe Guhagrajam devam, sarva deva agra poojitham.
He was born before Subrahmanya in the place of Lord Shiva,
My salutations to the God Guhyagraja, who is worshipped before all Gods.
Phala sruthi
The effect of chanting the prayer
Yethan namashtakam Durge nana Shakthi yutham param,
Yethan namashtakam stotram nanartha sahitham shubham
These eight names, Oh Goddess Durga have several type of powers,
This prayer of eight names leads to different types of auspicious wealth
Trisandhyam ya paden nithyam sa sukhi sarvadhaa jayi,
Thatho vighnaa palaayanthe vainatheya adhyadhoragha.
If this read at dawn noon and dusk he would be happy and be always a winner,
All the obstacles would be driven out and would become free of diseases.
Ganeswara prasadena maha jnani bhaved druvam,
Puthrarthi labhathe puthram, bharyarthi kusalam sriyam
By the grace of Ganesa he would definitely become greatly wise man,
He who seeks sons will get a son and he who seeks a wife would get an efficient wife.
Maha jada kaveendrascha vidhyaavaamsa bhaved druvam,
Puthra thwam pasya vedhe thadhaa kopam cha na kuru.
The great fool will become a great poet and would definitely become intelligent man,
He would see his sons, learn Vedas and would not get the displeasure of the God.
When Vinayaka was writing the Mahabharata to the dictation of Sage Vyasa, the latter laid down the condition that Vinayaka should go on writing non—stop whatever Vyasa said. But Vinayaka also stipulated a condition that Vyasa should never stop his dictation but should go on without a break. While he was writing, Vinayaka’s pen broke and he did not hesitate to break one of his tusks to use it as a pen. That is why he is called eka danta or one with a single tusk. This is a shining example of the spirit of sacrifice that Vinayaka exhibited for the welfare of humanity. That is why the Vedas proclaim that it is only by sacrifice one can attain immortality.
Food Offerings to Ganesha
Even the offering that is made to Ganesha has great significance because it is prepared with gram flour and jaggery or pepper and enclosed in an outer covering made from rice flour paste and then cooked in steam without using oil. This is supposed to be a healthy and delicious food item according to the Ayurvedic system. Modern doctors also recognise the importance of such steam-cooked idlis (rice cakes) which they recommend as post—operative diet for patients as it is easily digestible. Jaggery too has the property of controlling gas formation and this food item gives relief from eye troubles and prevents gastric disorders.
In the ancient traditional mode of observing these festivals, great emphasis was laid on good health as the prerequisite for spiritual pursuits with a healthy mind. For achieving the four goals of human life, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (Righteousness, Wealth, Desire and Liberation), one should have basically a healthy body. If you want to earn wealth by righteous means and cherish desires which lead to liberation, you should have sound health.
In connection with the Ganesha festival, prasadam is offered to the deity in the form of Kudumulu and Undrallu. What are the kinds of edibles that should be offered to the deity? The preparations should not involve the use of oil or fire. They have to be cooked by the use of steam. Using rice flour and some pulses and til, one kind of offering is made for Ganesha. In this preparation no oil or fire is used. The significance of this offering is: during the month of Bhadrapada, the farmers bring home the harvest of til seeds. Til seeds have medicinal properties for curing lung and eye diseases. When the til seeds and pulses are cooked by steam, the preparation becomes easily digestible. In offering such food to the deity two purposes are served. The offerings are tasty and wholesome (giving pleasure and promoting good health). These were the reasons for the observance of various festivals by our ancients.
Yama’s Advice to Yamdoots about Ganesha Ashtottaram
(Normally Hindu gods are worshipped by chanting their 108 names. These names mostly describe the qualities of the God. Some names point out their various relationships and stories. This is a rare Ashtotharam where Yama the God of death tells his assistants not to go near the person who chants these 108 names. This is sourced from a dilapidated Malayalam text.)
Yama Uvacha:-
(Yama Said:-)
Ganesa, Herambha, Gajananethi,
Mahodhara, swanubhava Prakashin,
Varishta, Sidhi Priya budhi nadha,
Vadathamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Ganesha, Beloved son of Parvathi, killer of Gajasura,
Big bellied lord, he who shines on his own,
He who is to be respected,
The lord of intelligence and dear to Sidhi,
Aneka Vighnanthaka, Vakra Thunda,
Samgnavasimscha, chathurbhujethi,
Kaveesa, devathanthaka, Nasa Karin,
Vadathamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
He who removes lots of obstacles,
He who has a broken tusk,
He who lives in symbols,
He who has four hands,
The Lord of all poets ,
And the killer of enemies of Devas.
Mahesa soono, Gaja daithya shathro,
Varenya soono, Vikata, Trinethra,
Paresa, Pruthvi dhara, Ekadantha,
Vadathamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Son of Lord Shiva, He who is cruel to his enemies,
He who has three eyes, God of the divine,
He who carries the world, Lord with one tusk,
Pramodha, modhethi naranthakare,
Shadoormihanthar, gaja karna dunde,
Dwandwari sindho, Sthira bhava Karin,
Vadathamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lord of Joy, He who is delightful,
He who is enemy of killers of men,
Killer of thirst, hunger, old age, sorrow, birth and death.
Dundi with elephant ears, he who destroys sea of miseries,
And the Lord who creates constant devotion.
Vinayaka, Jnana vighatha shathro,
Parasrathmaja, Vishnu Puthra,
Anaadhi poojya, Aaghooka, Sarva poojya,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Vinayaka, who destroys,
Road blocks on the way to Jnana,
Son of sage Parasara, son of Lord Vishnu,
Lord who has been worshipped from ancient times,
And the worshipful Lord who rides on a mouse.
Vidhyejya lambodara dhoomra varne,
Myura palethi mayura vahin,
Surasura sevitha pada padma,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lord who should be worshipped by learned,
God with a broad paunch, one with white colour,
God who brings up Peacock and who rides peacock,
And God whose feet is worshipped by Asuras and Devas.
Varin mahaaghudwaja soorpa karna,
Shiaja simastha anatha vaha,
Dithouja vigneswara sesha nabhe,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Giver of boons , The one with a mouse flag,
God with winnow like ears,
Son of Lord Shiva, God who rides on lion,
Lord who caries a snake, Son of Dithi (Parvathi),
God of obstacles and the one who ties his belly with a snake,
Anorananeeyo mahatho maheeyo,
raverja yogesaja, jyeshta raja,
Nidheesa manthresacha sesha puthra ,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lord who is in the atoms of atom,
Great one, greater than the greatest,
Lord born out of Sun, Son of Lord Shiva,
Elder king, Lord of all wealth,
Lord of all chants and son of Adhisesha.
Varapradha radhidhescha soono,
Parathpara Jnadha, thara vakthra,
Guhagraja Brahmapa parswa puthra,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lord who blesses, Son of Aditi,
Divine of divines, One who grants wisdom,
God with a star neck, elder brother of Guha,
Brahma, one with a jointed head to the trunk,
Sindhoscha shathro parasu prapaane,
Sameesa pushpa Priya, vigna haarin,
Dhoorvabharair architha deva deva,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Enemy of Sindhu, wielder of axe,
Lord who likes the flower of Sami,
Remover of obstacles and,
God of Gods who is worshipped by Dhurva Grass,
Dhiya pradhathascha sami priyethi,
Su sidhi dhathascha sushanthi datha,
Ameyamayamitha vikramethi,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those,
And do not even go near those who chant
Giver of intelligence, lover of sages,
Giver of good occult powers,
Giver of great peace,
Impenetrable illusion and Lord of great valour.
Dwidha chathurthi Priya, kasyappajja,
Dhana pradha, jnana pradha, Prakasa,
Chinthamani chitha vihara Karin,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lover of Chaturthi day and wife Chathurthi,
Lord born out of sage Kasyapa,
Giver of wealth, the one who illuminates path of knowledge,
Granter of all wishes and One who roams in the mind.
Yamasya shathro, abhimana shathro,
Vidherjahanthaka, kapilasya soono,
Videha swananda ayoga yoga,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Enemy of death, enemy of pride,
Lord born of the body-less state,
Son of Lord Shiva, Lord without body,
Lord who enjoys within himself,
And God who was disjointed.
Ganasya shathro, kamalasys shathro,
Samastha bhavajnascha phala chandra,
Anadhi madhyantha maya pracharin,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Enemy of bad Ganas, Enemy of lotus flower (Moon),
Lord who knows the actions of all organs,
God with the Moon on forehead,
And Lord who does not have beginning, middle or end.
Vibho, jagadroopa, Ganesa bhooman,
Pushte pathe Aaghuga gathedhi bhodha,
Karthascha pathaschathu samharethi,
Vadanthamevam thyajatha Prabheetha.
Hey messengers, leave out all those
And do not even go near those who chant
Lord who has the form of the universe,
Ganesha, greatest on Earth,
Lord of growth, rider of the mouse,
Teacher of wisdom, Creator,
Lord who looks after and also destroys.
Idhamashtothara satham naamnaam thasya padanthi ye,
Srunwanthi vaa theshu beetha, kuru dhwam maa pravesanam.
Please be afraid of those great ones,
Who reads or hears these 108 names,
And never ever go near them.
Bhukthi mukthi pradhamdunder vardhana dhanya pravardhanam,
Brahma bhooya karam stotram japantham nithya madharath.
Please do not go near those who daily chant the prayer,
Capable of giving freedom and salvation of Ganesha,
Capable of giving growth of riches and grains,
And capable of bringing the presence of Lord Brahma.
Yathra kathra Ganesaya china yukthani vai bhata,
Dhaamaani thathra sambheetha , kurudhwam maa pravesanam.
Soldiers, wherever you see houses with the sign of Ganesha,
You should become afraid there and never enter that place.
