Ganesha in India and Beyond

Ganesha and Mahabharata

Brahma told Veda Vyasa, ‘Now that you have compiled the Vedas, you must compose the Mahabharata.’

‘As you wish, Lord,’ said Vyasa, ‘but I need a competent scribe.’

‘Who better than Ganesha? He is bright, has elephantine memory, and got excellent handwriting, too. I will send him across to you.’

Ganesha appeared before Vyasa and said, ‘I agree to be your scribe, but on one condition. You must never pause while dictating.’

‘I accept that,’ said Vyasa, ‘but I, too, have a condition. You will write only after you fully understand my shlokas.’

It is believed that after several simple, easy-to-understand shlokas, Vyasa purposely crafted a complex shloka with multi-layered meanings and connotations to figure out which even Ganesha took a while. This pattern is noted by scholars of Mahabharata in every chapter.

Peter Brook’s nine-hour long theatrical production (1986) of the Mahabharata which toured the world, and the subsequent film (1989) make use of this legend.

The story tells us a few things about Vyasa, the Kavi, and Ganesha, his scribe. A poet may only create such text which is worthy of being recorded by an intellectual like Ganesha; and the scribe’s job is not merely mechanical, he is a partner in the literary enterprise. Now, computer software has the power to convert speech to text and text to audio files; but these are mechanical tools, and would take long to acquire the intellectual capability of Ganesha or even ordinary human scribes.

There is yet another legend about Ganesha’s broken tusk. One day, an inspired Vyasa created his shlokas in a frenzy, and dictated at great speed which was matched by Ganesha scribbling furiously when the scribe’s lekhani (writing instrument) broke. Not to renege on his solemn assurance of writing without a pause, Ganesha broke off one of his tusks and used it as his lekhani. The legend is possibly a metaphor for the many sacrifices that writers make and their suffering including physical pain.

Ganesha in Odisha

Jagannatha in Gajanana Besha

Every year on Snana Yatra (Jyeshtha Purnima), Jagannatha-Balabhadra-Subhadra – the Srimandira trinity – meet their devotees in Gajanana or Haati (Elephant) Besha which is a testimony to the strong presence of the Ganapatya Sect in ancient Odisha.

Ganesha Cave, Udayagiri

Not far from Bhubaneswar is Udayagiri with natural and carved caves of Kharavela’s period. Kharavela, the powerful king of Kalinga during the 1^st BCE patronised Jainism but was supportive of other religions, too, a testimony to which is the Ganesha Gumpha (cave) with Ganesha’s idol sculpted on the wall. This may be the oldest Ganesha sculpture in India.

Maha Vinayaka Temple, Chandikhole

At Chandikhole, Jajpur is Maha Vinayaka temple, possibly the oldest Ganesha temple in Odisha, and unique for the installation and worship in the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) of five deities - Ganesh, Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga.

A legend tells why. Rati prayed so devotedly for the release of her husband Kamadev from Shiva’s curse that when she made her offering at the end of her long penance five hands from heaven materialised to receive it. Confused, she prayed to Brahma who clarified that the five great deities - Ganesh, Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, and Durga – were pleased with her prayer, and her offering would be accepted by all of them.

Both the temple and the story are, possibly, an adoption of Adi Shankaracharya’s panchayatana  which recommended worship of all the five major Hindu deities instead of quarrelling over the greatness of one’s favourite god or goddess.

Ganapati Bappa Morya

During the ten-day Ganesh Puja celebrations in Maharashtra, and in several parts of Madhya Pradesh, the air reverberates with the prayerful, joyful, and zesty chanting of Ganapati Bappa Morya.

What is the meaning of Ganapati Bappa Morya? Being unfamiliar with Marathi, for long I thought it simply meant: O Ganapati, my or our Revered Father. But Marathi word for my is majha and our is aamcha!

A Marathi friend suggested that Morya means ‘Hail’ or ‘Raja’ or ‘Lord’. Another friend, also a Marathi, mentioned that Morya refers to a pre-eminent Ganesha devotee who is remembered through a delectable legend.

Lord Ganesha once appeared before his favourite devotee and said ‘I am very pleased with your steadfast prayer. Ask for a boon.’

‘O Lord, I do not ask for wealth or for any material gain. Just keep me always near you,’ prayed his devotee.

‘So be it, whenever my name is uttered, your name would follow mine,’ granted the Lord.

The devotee was Sant Morya Gosavi who worshipped Ganesha at Morgaon (a likely derivation from Mayurgaon), and later at Chinchwad, and is believed to have initiated the Ashta Vinayaka yatra, a pilgrimage to the eight famous Vinayaka temples in Maharashtra. The Sant took sanjeevan samadhi and there is a temple now at the site of the samadhi.

The legend is a metaphor for the inseparability between God and his devotees.

Mayureshwar Ganesha

There is another myth relating to the Vinayaka temple at Morgaon. Mayureshwar Ganesha was born to Shiva and Parvati, his parents gave him a spear and a mayura vahan (probably borrowed from Kartikeya, his elder brother!) and Ganesha accomplished the divine mandate of killing Sindhu, a fearsome demon, after which he decided to reside in Morgaon. That is why the Ashta Vinayaka yatra begins and ends at the Morgaon temple, believe his devotees.

Of the numerous Ganesh bhajans, the ones composed by Morya Gosavi (Prarambhe Vinati karo Ganapati… aaradhya Moreshwara), Sant Ramdas (Sukhkarta Dukhharta Mangalmurti), Sant Tukaram (Namila Ganapati) are still very popular.

Ganesha in Vietnam

A few years ago, we were in Danang, Vietnam for trade negotiations with the ASEAN, and after the meeting we asked the hotel concierge for guidance about places worth visiting in the town.

As recommended, we visited the museum, and were pleasantly surprised to find on display sculptures of several Hindu deities – Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ardhanarishwara, and Ganesha, too.  

The Cham rulers of Vietnam of the early Christian era adopted Sanskrit names, and the sculptural artefacts bear testimony to the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism brought here from India.

Here is the image of Ganesha at the Danang museum:

 

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Danang is in central Vietnam about 800 kms from Hanoi. It is 556 kms from Angkor Vat, Cambodia where is situated the ‘largest religious structure in the world’ spread over an area of 402 acres, as per the Guinness World Records. Originally, it was a Hindu temple dedicated to Maha Vishnu, and later became a Buddhist monument.

Ganesha, along with India’s trade and commerce, religion and culture, travelled to south east Asia. Ganesha sculpture is found in Cambodia (with a human head), Japan (Kangiten- Ganesha imagined as Ardhanarishawara), Thailand, China, and Indonesia.

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 Adi Shankaracharya: Advaita Vedanta

Ekatma Dham

On 21^st September, 2023 Adi Shankaracharya’s 108 ft idol was consecrated on Mandhata hills at Omkareshwar, as part of a 2400-crores project of the Government of Madhya Pradesh to establish Ekatma Dham, under which a museum and a Study-cum-Research Centre to disseminate Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta philosophy will also be established.

Advaita Vedanta

Advaita Vedanta is a school of Hindu philosophy that teaches the non-duality of the ultimate reality, Brahman, and the true self, Atman. It holds that the world of multiplicity is an illusion (maya) caused by ignorance (avidya) of the true nature of Brahman, which is pure existence, consciousness, and bliss (sat-chit-ananda). By removing this ignorance through knowledge (jnana), one can realize the identity of Atman and Brahman and attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

Mahavakyas (Great Aphorisms)

Advaita Vedanta was not a new system of philosophy; its core doctrine had already been propounded in the Mahavakyas. The four principal Mahavakyas, or "Great Sayings", from the Upanishads are:

1. Prajñānam Brahma: 'Consciousness is Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad - Rig Veda).  

2. Tat Tvam Asi: 'That Thou Art.' (Chandogya Upanishad - Sama-Veda).  

3. Ahaṁ Brahma Asmi: 'I am Brahman.'   (Brhadaranyaka Upanishad - Yajur Veda).  

4. Ayaṁ Ᾱtmā Brahma: 'This Self is Brahman. (Mandukya Upanishad - Atharva Veda).  

Shankara’s Texts on Advaita Vedanta

Shankaracharya’s Vivekachudamani with 581 verses is a lengthy text expected to be studied by a serious student of Advaita Vedanta; but for an elementary understanding of the philosophy only three of his stotras with a total of thirty-seven shlokas may suffice – Nirvana Shatakam (6), Dasha Shloki (10), and Brahmajnanavalimala (21).

I had shared my blog Adi Shankaracharya: Towering Philosopher-Poet on 17^th September, 2023. If you have not read it, here is the link:

https://pkdash-author.blogspot.com/2023/09/adi-shankaracharya-towering-philosopher.html

In my blog, I had given a brief introduction to Adi Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta with a few quotations from his Nirvana Shatakam and Dasha Shloki both of which provide a crisp but clear summary of Advaita. Both are exquisite compositions, eloquent, lyrical, and among the most poetic of Shankara’s works.

(Adi Shankara (788-820), founder of Advaita Vedanta, with disciples, by Raja Ravi Varma (1904), Image Source: Wiki Commons)

Brahmajnanavalimala[i]

Brahmajnanavalimala is another such composition. In twenty-one verses, Shankaracharya gives a memorable and lovable song on an abstract theme – Brahman jnana (Knowledge of the Supreme Truth or Reality).

What is Brahmajnanavalimala? Sandhi vichhed gives us Brahman+jnana+avali+mala.

Meaning: Brahman – the Supreme, Ultimate Truth and Reality, jnana -Knowledge, avali - a range, series (as in Aravali, Granthavali, Haravali, Ratnavali, etc.), mala – garland. The song is a bunch of twenty-one garlands, each fragrant with the divine presence of Sat-Chit-Ananda.

How may it be appreciated? As recommended by Shankara in the opening verse, you may simply listen, and mindfully listen to this beautiful song. That suffices for you to comprehend the Absolute Knowledge and attain moksha.

Even if you are unfamiliar with Sanskrit, you would get the overall sense of what the Philosopher-Poet hoped to convey, and marvel at its brevity, great clarity, and lyricism. This song communicates at different levels – to the lay but curious person, to the serious student, and to the erudite scholar, too.

Swami Brahmananda of Central Chinmaya Mission Trust has chanted this stotra so beautifully that you would be mesmerized by it, and may be driven to listen to it again and again. Here is the link for the audio:

https://youtu.be/77qayI4_YB4?si=0GED7NNuDo43ukCI

Translation of Selected Verses

Of the twenty-one verses, my translation of four selected verses is given below. For those who may be interested, the full translation is at the end of the document.[ii]

Verse 2

I am unattached, unbound, unconfined;

I am Sat-Chit-Ananda;

I, alone, am inexhaustible, undiminishing, eternal.

 

Each of the subsequent verses reiterate, expand, and explicate this core pronouncement: Brahman is eternal, omnipresent, Resident-within and Witness (Sakshi) of all creation. It is the Supreme Reality, Consciousness, and Pure Bliss.

For those who may be interested, a detailed reading of this verse is provided in the end notes.

Verse 19

Just as

The same clay is present in

The pitcher and the mud-wall,

Brahman resides

In everything in the world.

This is what Vedanta proclaims.

Verse 20

Brahman is the Supreme Truth, the Absolute Reality,

The world is illusory,

The jiva (Self) is none other than Brahman;

This is the essence of all scriptures,

Proclaims Vedanta.

Verse 21

I AM

The inner light,

The outer light,

The light glowing within,

Brighter than the brightest,

The light of all lights,

The light of the Atman,

I AM Shiva.

Shlokardhena: In half-a-Shloka

Shankaracharya is believed to have once conveyed the essence of Vedanta in half-a-Shloka:

Shlokardhena pravakshyami yaduktam granthakotivih

Brahman satya jagat mithya jiva Brahmaivanaparah

Meaning: Here is the essence of all the scriptures: Brahman is the Supreme Reality, the world is illusory, jiva (the Self) is none other than Brahman.

This half-a-Shloka is a quote from Brahmajnanavalimala (Verse 20).

Adi Guru was pithy when needed, and expansive when he chose to explain at greater length. That is why he wrote extensive Bhasyas (Commentaries) on Bhagavat Geeta, Brahma Sutra, and ten major Upanishads. He composed Vakya Vritti, an exhaustive exposition in fifty-three verses, to explain the meaning and significance of one of the four mahavakyas: Tat Tvam Asi (That Thou Art). Fifty-three verses, i.e., 106 lines to explain those three words: Tat Tvam Asi!

 

***

Resources

1.      Sankara: The Missionary, Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Mumbai

2.      https://www.shankaracharya.org

3.      https://www.kamakoti.org

4.      Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker – Pavan K. Varma, Tranquebar Press, 2018

5.      The Hindu Way: An Introduction to Hinduism – Shashi Tharoor

6.      Bing AI

7. https://www.sankara.iitk.ac.in

8. https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_general/parApUjA.html

9. https://www.shastras.com/adi-sankara/brahma-jnanavali-mala/

10.  Aggarwal, Ashwini Kumar. Brahma Jnanavali Mala of Adi Shankaracharya: Essence and Sanskrit Grammar

11. You Tube has many excellent renditions of Adi Shankara’s hymns and verses of which my favourites are those by Uma Mohan (Nirvana Shatakam), Swami Brahmanada (Brahmajnanavali)

***

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[i] Brahmajnanavalimala (Sanskrit Text)

ब्रह्मज्ञानावलीमाला

सकृच्छ्रवणमात्रेण ब्रह्मज्ञानं यतो भवेत् ।

ब्रह्मज्ञानावलीमाला सर्वेषां मोक्षसिद्धये ॥ १॥

असङ्गोऽहमसङ्गोऽहमसङ्गोऽहं पुनः पुनः ।

सच्चिदानन्दरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ २॥

नित्यशुद्धविमुक्तोऽहं निराकारोऽहमव्ययः ।

भूमानन्दस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ३॥

नित्योऽहं निरवद्योऽहं निराकारोऽहमुच्यते ।

परमानन्दरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ४॥

शुद्धचैतन्यरूपोऽहमात्मारामोऽहमेव च ।

अखण्डानन्दरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ५॥

प्रत्यक्चैतन्यरूपोऽहं शान्तोऽहं प्रकृतेः परः ।

शाश्वतानन्दरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ६॥

तत्त्वातीतः परात्माहं मध्यातीतः परः शिवः ।

मायातीतः परंज्योतिरहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ७॥

नानारूपव्यतीतोऽहं चिदाकारोऽहमच्युतः ।

सुखरूपस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ८॥

मायातत्कार्यदेहादि मम नास्त्येव सर्वदा ।

स्वप्रकाशैकरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ९॥

गुणत्रयव्यतीतोऽहं ब्रह्मादीनां च साक्ष्यहम् ।

अनन्तानन्तरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १०॥

अन्तर्यामिस्वरूपोऽहं कूटस्थः सर्वगोऽस्म्यहम् ।

परमात्मस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ ११॥

निष्कलोऽहं निष्क्रियोऽहं सर्वात्माद्यः सनातनः ।

अपरोक्षस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १२॥

द्वन्द्वादिसाक्षिरूपोऽहमचलोऽहं सनातनः ।

सर्वसाक्षिस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १३॥

प्रज्ञानघन एवाहं विज्ञानघन एव च ।

अकर्ताहमभोक्ताहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १४॥

निराधारस्वरूपोऽहं सर्वाधारोऽहमेव च ।

आप्तकामस्वरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १५॥

तापत्रयविनिर्मुक्तो देहत्रयविलक्षणः ।

अवस्थात्रयसाक्ष्यस्मि चाहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ १६॥

दृग्दृश्यौ द्वौ पदार्थौ स्तः परस्परविलक्षणौ ।

दृग्ब्रह्म दृश्यं मायेति सर्ववेदान्तडिण्डिमः ॥ १७॥

अहं साक्षीति यो विद्याद्विविच्यैवं पुनः पुनः ।

स एव मुक्तः सो विद्वानिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः ॥ १८॥

घटकुड्यादिकं सर्वं मृत्तिकामात्रमेव च ।

तद्वद्ब्रह्म जगत्सर्वमिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः ॥ १९॥

ब्रह्म सत्यं जगन्मिथ्या जीवो ब्रह्मैव नापरः ।

अनेन वेद्यं सच्छास्त्रमिति वेदान्तडिण्डिमः ॥ २०॥

अन्तर्ज्योतिर्बहिर्ज्योतिः प्रत्यग्ज्योतिः परात्परः ।

ज्योतिर्ज्योतिः स्वयंज्योतिरात्मज्योतिः शिवोऽस्म्यहम् ॥ २१॥

 

इति श्रीमत्परमहंसपरिव्राजकाचार्यस्य

श्रीगोविन्दभगवत्पूज्यपादशिष्यस्य

श्रीमच्छङ्करभगवतः कृतौ

ब्रह्मज्ञानावलीमाला सम्पूर्णा ॥

***

 

[ii] Brahmajnanavalimala: Translation by Prasanna Dash

Verse 1

Listen mindfully, O seeker,

For Brahmajnanavalimala enables you

To comprehend the Supreme Truth,

The Absolute Reality,

To attain mukti –

Deliverance from the bondage of life.

Verse 2

I am unattached, unbound, unconfined;

I am Sat-Chit-Ananda;

I, alone, am inexhaustible, undiminishing, eternal.

Verse 3

I am eternal, pure, unsullied,

Unbound, unconfined, limitless,

I am formless,

I am bliss in existence,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 4

I am eternal,

I am free from blemish,

Formless, unwavering am I,

I am the ultimate bliss,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 5

Pure awareness am I,

Revelling in my own self,

Indivisible, endless bliss am I,

Inexhaustible, ever-full, complete am I, alone.

Verse 6

I am the indwelling consciousness,

Calm and unperturbed,

Beyond the creation,

I am eternal bliss,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 7

I am the Supreme Soul,

Beyond all constituents and categories,

I am the Eternal One,

Beyond those in the middle,

I am the Supreme Effulgence,

Beyond the darkness of illusion,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 8

I am pure consciousness,

Different from the legion diverse forms,

I am unwavering,

I am sheer joy and bliss,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 9

Never am I subject

To the unreal, transient world of maya,

I am illumined by my own light,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 10

I am beyond the three gunas –

Satva, rajas, and tamas,

I am the Witness

To the birth of

Brahma and all others,

I am infinite, and beyond infinite,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 11

I am the Omniscient within,

Omnipresent everywhere,

I am the Supreme Soul,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

 

Verse 12

I am undivided, without parts, the Whole,

I am actionless,

I am eternal,

At the beginning of creation,

Verily, I am the Supreme Energy,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 13

I am the eternal witness

To the vagaries and flux of the world,

I am Witness to everything, always,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 14

I am the ultimate awareness and consciousness,

I am not the doer,

I am not the enjoyer,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 15

I am the base

Holding everything,

But I need no support,

I am the Supreme Soul,

Beyond the craving for fulfilment of desires,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 16

I am free from the three afflictions –

Adhidaivik, adhibhoutik, and adhyatmik,

I am beyond the three bodies –

Gross, subtle, and causal,

I am the witness of the three states –

Jagrata, Svapna, and sushupti,

I, alone, am inexhaustible, ever-full, complete.

Verse 17

The seer and the seen

Are different from each other,

The seer is the Supreme Soul - Brahman,

The seen is the mutable, illusory world of maya,

Thus proclaims Vedanta.

Verse 18

‘I am the Witness,’

Whosoever realises this truth,

After deep contemplation,

Once and for all,

Becomes wise, and

Attains liberation,

Thus proclaims Vedanta.

Verse 19

Just as

The same clay is present in

The pitcher and the mud-wall,

Brahman resides

In everything in the world.

This is what Vedanta proclaims.

Verse 20

Brahman is the Supreme Truth, the Absolute Reality,

The world is illusory,

The jiva (Self) is none other than Brahman;

This is the essence of all scriptures,

Proclaims Vedanta.

Verse 21

I AM

The inner light,

The outer light,

The light glowing within,

Brighter than the brightest,

The light of all lights,

The light of the Atman,

I AM Shiva.

***

Verse-2: A Detailed Reading

असङ्गोऽहमसङ्गोऽहमसङ्गोऽहं पुनः पुनः । 

सच्चिदानन्दरूपोऽहमहमेवाहमव्ययः ॥ २ ॥

asaṅgo'hamasaṅgo'hamasaṅgo'haṃ punaḥ punaḥ । saccidānandarūpo'hamahamevāhamavyayaḥ ॥ 2 ॥ 

I am unattached, unbound, unconfined;

I am Sat-Chit-Ananda;

I am inexhaustible, undiminishing, eternal.

 

This translation may suffice for the common reader, but a learner needs to contemplate and meditate for this shloka to reveal its deeper meaning and significance. Shankara’s disciples believe that the Brahmajnanavalimala stotra or any of its shlokas may be used a tool for meditation by a seeker.

At its simplest, this verse makes the core pronouncement: Brahman is the Supreme Reality, Consciousness, and Pure Bliss. It is unattached, free, unbound, limitless, inexhaustible, ever-full, and always complete.

A detailed reading, attempted below, tells us much more than that.

अ-सङ्गः अहम् असङ्गः अहम् असङ्गः अहम् पुनः पुनः । 

सत्-चित्-आनन्द-रूपः अहम् अहम् एव अहम् अव्ययः ॥  

अ-सङ्गः – not together, not attached, unattached, detached, a name for the Supreme Soul

अहम् – I

पुनः पुनः – Again and again, repeatedly, once and for all

सत्- Truth, Supreme Reality

चित्- Pure Consciousness, Awareness

आनन्द – Bliss, Joy

सत्-चित्-आनन्द – Each of the three words is a synonym for the Supreme Soul; together, the reference is to the three defining aspects of Brahma

रूपः – Literally, it means ‘Form’; but in the following shlokas the Supreme Soul would declare its formlessness or nirakara Swaroopa, and that it is different from the legions of forms of the phenomenal world (nanaroopovyatitoham).

अहम् एव अहम् – Verily, I am myself. Brahman is constrained to mention this since there is none or nothing else like it. It is advitiya Swaroopa, there is no other, no second!

अव्ययः – Inexhaustible, undiminishing, eternal (purnamadah purnamidam); a synonym for Brahman

Asangoham Asangoham Asangoham

Why is Asangoham repeated thrice? Repetition, of course, is a favourite method to reiterate and highlight the importance of something stated. For a solemn oath, tri-vara Satya (swearing thrice), is made. AUM, the sacred syllable comprises of A-U-M, symbolising the trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. The sacred Gayatri mantra begins with AUM, and the next three words - Bhuh, Bhuvah, Svah – are a string of three mystic words referring to the three Lokas. In Shanti mantras ‘Shanti’ is repeated thrice to seek protection from tapa-traya, the three afflictions that torment us: from adhi-daivik or supernatural, adhibhoutik or those emanating from the phenomenal world, and adhyatmik or those rising from within our own body, mind, or soul.

In this song, the mystic number of three and associated concepts are invoked repeatedly (tapa-traya, deha-traya, Avastha-traya, etc.). The central theme is about Sat-Chit-Ananda, each of these separately in itself, and as a trinity, signify the Supreme Truth or Reality, the eternal, abiding principle of life.

After asserting that it is ‘unattached,’ why does Brahman repeats it again and again? Such is the overwhelming power of maya or samsara and the darkness of avidya (ignorance, delusion) that the seeker has to reiterate this essential truth and never lose sight of the Supreme Reality. Maybe, that is why a true devotee offers prayers thrice a day at tri-sandhya (three-cusp prayer).

 

Om Ganeshaya Namah

Shree Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad*

Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad is one of the cardinal texts of the Ganapatya Sect. This thoughtfully structured hymn contains the core belief of the sect, and provides guidance for the contemplation and worship of Ganapati through appropriate mantra and symbols.

It has the following parts:

·     Shanti Path

·     Upanishad

·     Swaroopa Mantra

·     Ganesha Mantra

·     Ganesha Gayatri

·     Ganesha Roopa

·     Ashta Naama Ganapati

·     Phalashruti

Highlights of this hymn:

·     Ganapati is the Supreme Deity, the Creator-Preserver-Destroyer (Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva) of the world.

·     Ganapati is nirguna nirakara Brahman and is resident in all as atman, the core life principle.

·     Ganesha Mantra contains the Bija Mantra:

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

·     Ganesha Gayatri is a mantra, and a quiz!

·     Ganapati, as detailed in Ganesha Roopa, may also be visualised as saguna.

Ganesha Gayatri

॥ गणेश गायत्री ॥

एकदंताय विद्महे । वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि ॥

तन्नो दंतिः प्रचोदयात् ॥ ८॥

As a basic mantra, it means:

May we visualise and internalise the One with a single tusk. May we meditate upon the One with a crooked mouth.

May the One with the tusk inspire, motivate, and guide us.

Some have read this mantra as a quiz – a Q & A between two groups of shishyas. One group asks, ‘We have thought of the One with a single tusk. Who may he be, can you solve the riddle? The other group asks, ‘Does he also have a twisted trunk?’ Both groups agree that they are contemplating the same deity, and they together sing the last line: May the One with the tusk inspire, motivate, and guide us.

Ganesha Roopa

Ganesha Roopa mentions the following details of the iconography -

Ganapati has one tusk, four hands, holds pasha (a rope to restrain and bind), ankusha (goad to spur a slumbering elephant to its destination). His hand mudras signify fearlessness and generosity for grant of boons. He has a flag with the mouse as the insignia. His body is of red hue, he has a huge belly, ears like winnows, his attire is blood red, and his body is smeared with fragrant red-sandalwood paste. He is best worshipped with red flowers. He is compassionate to his devotees, and steadfast and unwavering for the sustenance of the world. He appeared at the beginning of creation. He is the Param Purusha. The most wise and pious of the yogis always meditate on Him.

Ganapati Atharvashirsha

 A quick translation of a few selected shlokas is given below:

त्वं वाङ्मयस्त्वं चिन्मयः ॥

त्वमानंदमयस्त्वं ब्रह्ममयः ॥

त्वं सच्चिदानंदाद्वितीयोऽसि ॥

त्वं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि ॥

त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोऽसि ॥ ४॥

You are the master of language,

You are the efflorescence of consciousness,

You are the abundance of Supreme Bliss,

You are the repository of Brahman,

You are the one and only Truth-Consciousness-Bliss,

Verily, You are the Brahman.

You are essence of Knowledge and Wisdom.

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जायते ॥

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति ॥

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति ॥

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति ॥

त्वं भूमिरापोऽनलोऽनिलो नभः ॥

त्वं चत्वारि वाक्पदानि ॥ ५॥

From You is born the entire world,

Upon You subsists the entire world,

After the deluge, the entire world seeks repose in You,

The entire world reaches out to You,

You are the Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Sky,

You are the four levels of speech.

त्वं गुणत्रयातीतः त्वमवस्थात्रयातीतः ॥

त्वं देहत्रयातीतः ॥ त्वं कालत्रयातीतः ॥

त्वं मूलाधारस्थितोऽसि नित्यम् ॥

त्वं शक्तित्रयात्मकः ॥

त्वां योगिनो ध्यायंति नित्यं ॥

त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं रुद्रस्त्वं

इन्द्रस्त्वं अग्निस्त्वं वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चंद्रमास्त्वं

ब्रह्मभूर्भुवःस्वरोम् ॥ ६॥

You are beyond the three gunas (sattva,rajas,tamas),

You are beyond the three states (jagrata, svapna, susupti),

You are beyond the three forms of bodies (corporal, astral, causal),

You are beyond the three kalas (present, past, future),

You are eternally resident as the prime base,

You are the source of the three powers (motivation, action, wisdom),

Yogis always meditate upon You.

You are Brahma, You are Vishnu, You are Rudra,

You are Indra, You are Agni, You are Vayu,

You are Surya, You are Chandrama,

You are Brahman,

You are the Bhu-loka (Earth),

You are the Bhuvah (Loka above Bhu),

You are the Svah (Loka above Bhuvah),  

You are the primal sound AUM.

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The full text is available at sanskritdocuments.org, and English translation is available at shlokam.org and other sites.

Renditions by Suresh Wadkar, Anuradha Paudwal and other singers are available at You Tube.

 

Ganesha sculpture- a photo of ASI monument number - N-KA-B112

Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebid, Karnataka (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

May Lord Ganesh shower his blessings on us.

Ganesh Chaturthi, 19^th September, 2023.

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 * Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad is one of the minor Upanishadas, and is believed to be of later origin (possibly during 16th to 17th century AD).

Atharvashirsha Chanting at Pune

On 20th Spetember, 2023 thirty-six thousand women devotees chanted Atharvashirsha at the famous Dagdu Seth Ganapati Pandal. This was the 36th edition of the annual ritual chanting. Devotees from Russia and Thailand also participated. (Source: Dainik Bhaskar, 21st Sep, 2023)

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