Ganesh worship

This chapter will introduce some aspects of the Ganesh cult. In a first part of the exoteric cult, is the popular and daily worship presented. In a second part some hints about esoteric cults are provided.

 

Ordinary worship; the Puja

Below is a detailed description of the Ganesh puja.

 

Achamanam

Water slurp

Aum sumukhaya svaha

Aum ekadantata svaha

Aum gajakarnakaya svaha

Movements

Rinse, slurp

3 times

then rinse again

 

Aum ! Hail to the God whose face always shines!
Aum ! Hail to the god who only has a tusk!
Aum ! Hail to the god with huge elephant ears!

 

Hold the spoon with your left hand, pour a tablespoon of water from the cup in the right palm into your left hand to rinse them, let the excess water fall to the ground or a tray. Take another spoon of water in your right hand, say «Aum Sumukhaya Svaha» and slurp the water. Repeat for the second and third line, then rinse the right hand again as described above.

 

 

Vighneshvara Prarthana

Invitation of Ganesha

Aum shulambara dharam vishnum

Shashivarnam chatur bhujam prasanna vadanam dhyayet sarva vighno pashantaye

Movements

Namaskaram (prayer)

Drive over the temples

 

Aum. O Lord, dressed in glorious white, pervading the whole universe, radiant as the ivory rays of the full moon with four mighty shoulders and a charming, happy face. We meditate on you, Lord, that all obstacles can be suppressed.

 

Greet Lord Ganesh on the altar by holding your hands in the Anjali Mudra, the praying pose. Then, during the recitation of the above verse, cross your arms in front of your face and lightly tap on the temples with your finger, three times the left hand knocks the right temple and vice versa. This is a traditional type of worship of Lord Ganesha. The place to knock is the bony protruding part in front of it. At the last words, bring your hands back from singing to the Anjali Mudra.

 

 

Sankalpam

Dedication of the Puja and Memorandum

Aum adya purvokta evam guna sakala visheshena vishihtayam asyam shubhatithau

Aum Maha ganeshvara-uddishya

Maha ganeshvara priyartham

Maha ganeshvara prasada siddhyartham yathâ shakti (name time) dhyana vahanadi Ganesha pujam karishye

Aum apa upasprishya

Movements

Keep rice and flowers in the closed right hand on the chest.

Throw rice and flowers.

Rinse your hands.

Five times of the day
Name the right time

ushah kala (morning twilight)

pratah kala (morning)

madhyahnakala (afternoon)

sayankala (evening)

urdhvayamakala (night)

 

Now, at this especially happy moment, time, and place, on this happy day, now, in order for us to realize the fullness of your grace, we will do our utmost to implement this Ganesha Puja (insert time of day). Aum. By touching pure water we become pure.

 

While reciting the above letter of intent, take a pinch of rice and hold it in your closed right palm at chest level. Depending on when you do the Puja, add the time of day where it is indicated. As you sing the last word, karishye, gently toss the rice on the base of the picture. Then, with your left hand, place a spoonful of water in your right palm, then return the spoon to the cup and ritually rinse both hands with the water by wiping your palms together a couple of times, as you «Aum apa upa sprishya» recite. Once you have sung the Sankalpam, the Puja must not be interrupted or abandoned until you have recited the final mantras.

 

 

Dhyanam

Meditation

dhyayami avahayami ratna simhasanam samarpa yami

Movements

Offer the rice

3 times

 

We meditate on Lord Ganesh. In all splendor, we have prepared for you a jeweled, lion-footed throne to sit on, Lord Ganesh.

 

Bring the deity a pinch of rice as you sing each line of the meditation and invocation mentioned above. Visualize God Ganesha sitting on a golden throne in front of you smiling, full of blessings, waiting to be honored as a guest in the home of his followers.

 

 

Arghyam

Bathing of the feet and hands of God Ganesh

padayoh padyam

padyam samarpa yami

hastayoh arghyam

arghyam samarpa yami

Movements

Offer water

twice

in a holy water bowl

 

We humbly bathe each of your white lotus feet and gently wash each of your precious hands, Lord Ganesha.

 

With your right hand, offer a spoon of pure water by holding it up in front of the deity and then pouring it into the holy bowl of water. This is how all the water offerings are made during the Puja. As you sing the first line, visualize yourself bathing Ganesha's feet. Offer a second spoonful of pure water as you intone the next line and visualize yourself as you wash his hands.

 

 

Achamanam

Water sacrifice

Aum bhur-bhuvah svah

achamaniyam samarpa yami

 

Aum! In the presence of the three worlds, O Lord Ganesha, we humbly offer you fresh, pure water to slurp.

 

Bring Ganesha a spoonful of pure water. This time, visualize how he accepts it in his hand and slurp it.

 

 

Abhishekam

Bathing the Lord with pure water

snapayami imam me gange yamune sarasvati shutudri stomagm (stomang) sachata parushnya asiknya marudvridhe vitastayar-jikiye shrinuhya sushomaya gangasnanam samarpa yami

Movements

Ring the bell

Hold a flower and spill out substances.

Put the bell down

 

We are bathing you now, beloved Lord, calling forth all the holy rivers in the Holy Land, the fast-flowing Ganges, the twin stream Yamuna, the Saraswati flowing in a hundred streams. These we praise, O Ganesha, together with the river Shutudru, turning and rushing, the Parushnu, whose waters run dark, the rivers Jukuye and Sushoma. We now have bathed you in the holy waters of the Ganges, Lord Ganesh.

 

While ringing the bell and reciting this auspicious, purifying hymn, immerse a flower in the sacred Turtha water and gently sprinkle the deity with it. Do this three or more time. Hold the flower in your right hand in the Mrigi-Mudra, the stem between your third and fourth fingers. If the altar design allows it, you can pour water over the Murti instead of sprinkling it during the song.

 

 

Alankaram

Decorate and pray for prosperity

gandhadvaram duradharsham nitya pushtham karishinim ishvaring sarva bhutananam tamiho pahvaye shriyam divya parimala vibhuti kunkuma chandanam samar payami

Movements

Decorate the deity with flowers, garlands, clothing and gems

(repeat adjacent while decorating)(

Use vibhuti, sandalwood, paste and saffron

 

May this fragrance be the means to boldly and permanently open the doors of wealth and abundance, to flood in unending supply. O lord of all living creatures, as if lost in the darkness craves light, I ask for you, God Ganesha. Now we anoint you with divine and highly pure white vibhuti, extremely fragrant sandalwood paste and red ointments, red saffron.

 

During this song you will decorate the Murti or the picture and decorate it with the traditional Puja sanctuaries. The first four lines of the verse can be repeated again and again until the decoration is complete. The last two lines are recited only once during the application of Vibhuti (holy ash), Chandana (sandalwood paste) and Kunkuma (red saffron powder).

 

 

Mangalakshatan

Offering of rice and flowers

tapudari mangalakshtam samarpayami pojarthe nana vidhapatra pushpani samar payami

Movements

Bring rice

then flowers or more rice

 

Now we are offering this auspicious unbroken rice. And for the fulfillment of our devotion, we offer fresh, blooming flowers for your joy, our incomparable Lord

 

A pinch of rice is offered with the first line. A handful of flowers, a single flower or a pinch of rice is offered on the second line.

 

 

Dhüpam

Presentation of incense

Aum vanaspatyud bhavaih divyaih nana gandha samanvitaih aghreya dhupadi panam dhupo-yam prati grihyatam dhupa maghra payami dhupa nantara machama niyam samarpa yami mangala khsatan samar payam

Movements

Ring the bell

Bring incense in three circles,

then transmit AUM with light.

Ring the bell loudly

Offer water

Offer rice

 

The best frankincense with magical qualities, complete and varied fragrances for your enjoyment, Lord Ganesh, we set up a flame and bring this to you in this, our home. This fine incense is duly presented for your enjoyment. And in the right one Order, we offer you again cool, sweet water to slurp on it, and auspicious unbroken rice.

 

During the above-mentioned song, you make three circles, with glowing incense in your right hand, while you ring the bell, held with your left hand, before the deity. With some practice, you'll complete the third circle as you sing the fifth line, dhupa maghra payami. At this point, the incense is lifted higher and the bell is rung louder. As you put down the incense, the next two lines are recited. Water is offered with the first line and a pinch of rice with the second line.

 

 

Dipam

Presentation of light

uddipyasva jata vedopaghnan nirritim mama pashugumshcha (pashungshcha) mahyamavaha jivanan cha diso dasha ma no higumsij jatavedo (hingsij jatavedo) gamashvam purushan jagat abibhradagna agahi shri yama paripataya divya mangala dipam sandarsha yami dipa nantara machamaniyam samar payami mangala kshatan samar payami

Movements

Ring the bell, hand over light in three circles, then follow Aum.

Ring loud.

Bring water.

Sacrifice rice.

 

In fire is spiritual knowledge, our refuge. Because of this, no harm can be done to us. In our house, cows are honored and esteemed, which enliven the nations in all directions. Let us not forget the right knowledge, culture and religious rites, O incomparable Lord! May not any living soul in this world be forgotten this way! Bread abound purity and peace before and around us as this sacred flame illuminates everything with clarity. We have shown you this divine flame, Lord Ganesha and this deservedly in the right order. So that all of you can receive your grace, we offer you again cool, sweet water to slurp, and auspicious unbroken rice.

 

Offer Ganesha the Oil Light and ring the bell as you sing this Vedic hymn. As with the incense, circle it three times, then draw the Aum with the flame. When singing the line beginning with divya, raise the flame and ring the bell louder, then stop ringing. With the last two lines you offer first water, then a pinch of rice or a flower.

 

 

Naivedyam

Providing food

satyam tvartena (on morning)

ritam tva satyena (on evening)

pari shinchami

Aum amrita mastu amrito pastarana masi svaha

Movements

Ring the bell, then stop it

Bring water

Bring water

 

Aum. We add truth to truth. Aum. May this sweet and spicy food be turned into nectar, O Ganesha.

 

As you recite the first part of the mantra, you will discover the food offer. Then ring the bell, take a tablespoon of water and circle it clockwise over the food. During the second part (Aum amritamastu...), offer, without the ringing of the bell, a tablespoon of water.

 

 

Asamarpanam

Offering the pranic essence of the food

Aum pranaya svaha

Aum apanaya svaha

Aum vyanaya svaha

Aum udanaya svaha

Aum samanaya svaha

Aum brahmane svaha

Movements

Woo with a flower over the food while singing each line

 

Aum, the ascending life force, the prana, which sustains the inhalation and exhalation, we bring to you, O Ganesha.

Aum, the descending life force, Apana Prana, which controls the functions of elimination, we bring you, O Ganesha.

Aum, the expanding life force, the vyana that circulates through all the limbs, we bring to you, O Ganesha.

Aum, the transiting vital force, the Udana, which sustains the language and ascends to a higher consciousness, we bring to you, O Ganesha.

Aum, the adaptive life force, the Samana that sustains digestion, we bring to you, O Ganesha.

Aum. The Divine all-pervading energy, Brahma-Prana, which sustains all life, we bring to you, O Ganesha.

 

In the above, as you hold the bell in your hand, but do not ring, gently blow the aroma and vital essences of the food or fruit toward the deity. To do this, wipe with a flower between your fingers, stick upwards, with your right hand over the food (one wave for each prana offered). The palm points down as she moves over the food, then she turns upwards, as the wipes approach the Deity, bringing the scent and pranas into their nose and mouth. As you complete the last line, gently throw the flower to the feet of the deity, releasing them at the end of the wipe with all the love in your heart.

 

 

Ask the Lord to accept our food delivery

Aum avahi tabhyah sarva bhyah devata bhyo namah nana vidha mahanai vedyam nivedayami yatha shaktya samarpita mahanai vedyam kripaya svikuru

Movements

Ringing the bell loudly.

Take rice or Flower on.

Throw rice and flower, then stop ringing.

 

Aum! Greetings to all available gods and Devas! Since we offer you our best, Lord Ganesha, in all sincerity and love, must be counted the essence of those modest plates of food among the best meals you have ever received. To the best of our ability to worship you, we offer the sacred essence of this food and humbly ask that you receive it.

 

Ring the bell loudly as you recite the song above. Pick up a flower or pinch of rice and hold it at chest level in the fingertips of the right hand. As the last word is spoken, release the rice or the flower gently at the feet of the deity. Then lay down the bell and raise both hands in the pious prayer that Ganesha takes the meal over the head. While raising your hands, close your eyes and keep a clear visualization that Ganesha will accept and attend the meal. Lower your hands after a short while and intone Aum softly.

 

 

Hundred and eight names of Lord Ganesha

Now, if time is available, you may chant the one hundred and eight names of Lord Ganesh (OM «name» ya namaha, for the most part).

 

 

 

Mantra pushpam

Blessing and worship with flowers

yopam pushpam veda pushpavan prajavan pashuman bhavati ya evam veda yopamayatanam veda ayatananavan bhavati

Aum Shrî Maha ganeshvaraya namah mantra pushpanjalin samarpayami

Movements

Holding a double handful of flowers or rice in the namaskaram (prayer posture)

Throw flowers over the Murti (figure)

 

The one who understands the beauty of the blossoming powers of the Supreme Being is blessed with a beautiful flowering life, offspring and cattle. The moon is certainly the flower of these forces. Those who recognize the qualities of the moon, which are nothing other than the blossoming divine powers, are blessed with a blossoming, beautiful life of perfection, offspring and cattle. He who recognizes this principle and recognizes the source from which all these powers have come, becomes self the abode of these divine powers.

 

While singing the above-mentioned mantra, hold a presentation of flowers in front of you in the Anjali Mudra, hands laid loosely around the flowers at chest height. If no flowers are available, uncooked unbroken rice can be offered, held in the closed right hand, palm down, assisted by the open left hand. Recite the verses with adoration. As you intone the last word, Samarpayâami, throw the flowers in the air above the altar, send a shower of flowers or rice over the god with the feeling of total letting go, of giving in loving devotion.

 

 

Arati

Worship with blazing

Aum gananam tva ganatatigm (ganapating) havamahe kavin kavina mupa mashra vastamam jyestharajam brahmanam brahmanaspata a nah shrinvan nutib dhih sida sadanam

Aum avahi tabhyah sarva bhyo devata bhyo namah divya mangaladi paratyikyam sandar shayami achamaniyam samar payami manga lakshatan samar payami

Movements

Ring the bell

draw circle there and Aum.

Ring the bell loudly.

Keep ringing loudly.

Offer water.

Bring rice

 

May we pray to Lord Ganapati: the master and protector of the noble, righteous people, the wisest of the wise, the eminent of the illustrious, the greatest ruler, and the protector of the knowledge of all competent people. O Lord Ganapati, please hear our prayers and protect us with your powers. We have prepared the best places in ourselves for you. Please come and decorate these.

 

Worship for all the gods we have invited for this puja. For this, I offer this divine light from the Camphor Arati Flame. I offer holy water to sip on it, and auspicious unbroken grains of rice to be blessed.

 

With the above song, hold the lit camphor burner (or oil lamp) in your right hand and the bell in your left hand. When you ring the bell and recite the Aratu mantra, slowly make three circles clockwise with the flame in front of Ganesha. Stop at the top of the third circle, lower the lamp slightly and draw the symbol AUM in Sanskrit or in your native language. Then gently lift the flame over the Aum you have placed in the Akashic Aether and ring the bell louder so that all three worlds hear it. Continue to ring loudly as you sing the above-mentioned four-line greeting to the devas (avahi tabhyah). Put down the bell and the lamp and then, with the flame still burning, bring a tablespoon of water with «achamaniyam», then a pinch of rice with «manga lakshatan».

 

 

Rakshadharanam

Prayer to Indra

indra-stomena pancha dashena madhy amidam vatena sagarena raksha raksha dharayami

Movements

Set down the lamp,

circle around it three times with a flower

 

O Indra, Lord of material and spiritual prosperity! Please protect the space between heaven and earth, as well as the spirit between the body and the soul with the help of fifteen noble powers and virtues (five pranas, five jnan driyas and five karma driyas). The space is filled with air and moisture, while the mind is filled with prana and devotion and love for you. I carry this of your protection and blessings.

 

As you recite this mantra, with a flower in your right hand, the stalk up, make three circles above the burning flame. With the last words, gently throw the flower towards the deity and place your hands in the Namaskara (prayer posture) while you are in front of the altar.

 

Now lead the flame to the other gifts. Bring these in front of each person at chest level. These in turn take on «the flame» by passing the fingers of both hands through them and lightly touching the eyes. The gods and devas can see us through the sacred flame and send their blessings. If there are special persons, such as guru, parents or teachers, bring the flame to them first. Then continue clockwise, offering it to everyone else. In some cases, the Pujari can stand beside the altar while the followers themselves come forward to receive the blessings of the Arati flame. If no one is present at the Puja, take the flame for yourself, but not you. Last but not least, «presen» the flame to the deity on the altar, then erase it with a right-hand puff or blow it out with a flower. If the flame is camphor it is recommended to let it burn out by itself.

 

 

Arpanam

Final Consecration and Devotion to the Lord

anaya yatha shakti krita (name the time) pujaya bhagavan sarva devatmakah shri maha ganeshvara supritah suprasanno varado bhavatu

Movements

Rice and water in the hand, offer this before the deity

Five Times of the Day (say the right time)

ushah kala (dawn)

pratah kala (morning)

madhyahna kala (afternoon)

sayan kala (evening)

urdhvayama kala (night)

 

Now, to the best of our ability, we performed this puja (say, time of day) and worshiped you, lovely Lord, the most luminous of all gods. May you like this. May it have been enjoyed by you. Surrounded by your presence, we go into your care, loving Ganesha.

 

Before reciting the verse above, place a pinch of rice in your left hand, then place it in your right palm immediately. Add three tablespoons of water to the rice and close the hand. Hold the rice before you in front of the deity, with your left hand under your right hand, and recite the mantra. As you intone the last words, drop the rice and water into the Tirtha bowl. The sacraments can then be issued in the following order: Vibhuti, Tirtha, Chandana, Kunkuma, Naivedya, and Flowers. If no one participates in the puja, you can participate in the sacraments yourself, but not otherwise. When many followers participate, a second person can help deliver the sacraments, except for the Vibhuti, which is always given by the person who performed the puja.

 

 

Visarjanam

Farewell and apology

Aum avahanam na janami na janami visarjanam pujanchaiva na janami kshamyatam parameshvara mantrahinam kriyahtnam bhaktihinam sureshvara yat pujitam mayadeva paripurnam tadastume anyatha sharanam nasti tvameva sharanam mama tasmat karunyabhavena raksha raksha ganeshvara

Aum Tat Sat Aum

Movements

Hold hands in the Anjali-Mudra

Bow down after the singing is completed.

 

O beloved Lord Ganesha, we really do not know the right meaning to invite you or to communicate with you the way you are. A complete knowledge of the priestly rites has not been taught, so you have to overlook this and forgive any mistakes or omissions. We know little about the mantras or pious behavior, and we are strangers to the true Bhakti. However, you must forgive us and any worship that we have been able to do to it must accept it as right and complete ꟷ because you are the only refuge, our loving Ganesha. With your blissful nature, Lord Ganesha, please protect those who pray for it. AUM TAT SAT AUM.

 

This final apology is recited with the hands in the Namaskaram (prayer posture) with the Anjali Mudra. It is a formal and devotional end to worship. As the last words, «AUM TAT SAT AUM», were spoken, it is common for you and the others who are present to clap your hands gently three times. You can now prostrate yourself. After completing the Puja, it is common to sit in internalized worship and realize our loving Ganesha in ourselves.

 

 

After the Puja a few minutes to meditate is very traditional. This gives a great personal advantage in taking over the cultivated feelings at the level of the soul, the Prana that the Puja has created and that is still in the room. Outward worship is the Kriya way; the internalized worship is the yoga path. Together they form the complete circle that nourishes the faithful in their spiritual life, making them strong and friendly in the movement of the forces of the world in their daily lives. This is the basis for the ultimate goal of all seekers: Moksha, the freedom from rebirth.

 

 

Ganesh is always present in the cult of the five major Hindu deities (Panchayatanapuja): Ganesh, Surya, Durga, Vishnu, and Shiva, but the Ganesh worshipers are primarily dedicated to their favorite god.

 

➳ Vishnu is the master of Akasha, the space.

➳ Surya, the sun, is the master of Vayu, the wind.

➳ Shakti (Durga) is the goddess who controls the energy of fire (Agni).

➳ Ganesh represents the water (Apas), the energy of fulfillment; he is the master of Varuna, the god of water. Therefore, when a Ganesha chathurti festival ends, the clay statues of God Ganesh must be brought to a lake and dipped for dissolution.

➳ Shiva is the master of the earth; it is represented by a Lingam made of stone by Shiva.

 

Ganesh is worshiped every day. The five ritual offerings are:

 

➳ the red Safran,

➳ flowers,

➳ incense,

➳ the light of burning camphor and

➳ food.

 

These offerings represent the five elements space, air, fire, water and earth.

 

Rituals in India vary from one region to another; Their exact codification seems a bit complicated.