Ganesh Chaturthi

Om sri ganehaya namah
Om sri ganehaya namah
Om sri ganehaya namah

Greetings my friends. It is almost time for the celebration of Lord Ganesha's Birthday. Called Ganesh Chaturlhi, this is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. It falls on the 4th day of the waxing Moon or (bright fortnight) in Bhadrapada It is observed throughout India as well as by many devoted Hindus in all parts of the world. The celebration begins on September 10th this year and lasts until the September 21st. Gatherings will be held throughout the world, especially in Bombay.

I personally consider Lord Ganesh as the deity that I honor for the passage into the universe and to the knowledge and wisdom that is needed for me to study and practice Vedic Astrology. He is the deity of Astrology in this time. My work is only accomplished by his power to remove the obstacles from my path to the wonders of the Universe and my studies to be considered a jyotishi. All of my friends and clients who enter my home view Lord Ganesh on our altar which is near the entry way of our home. He welcomes everyone into the living room where I give my readings. I pass Lord Ganesh many times a day and it is where I stop to meditate and pray. Through the help of my family and friends we keep candles burning and incense filling the air with sweet smells, giving thanks for his help in removing the obstacles to our unity with God and his Universe.

Ganesh Chaturthi is, as I mentioned earlier, a popular and also very colorful festival. It is a wholesome occasion for ritual worship and prayers. Much celebration and hospitality are felt all around and in the air. Much cheer and goodwill are shared with friends, family, and strangers as well. There are many homemade sweets, spicy snacks and many delicious preparations!

One of the sweet dishes prepared during this festival is called Modak. It is said that it is a favorite of Lord Ganesh. Modak is a ritual sweet dish, specially prepared on the days of Ganesh Chaturthi. Throughout the celebration these sweet dishes are made d in offering to Lord Ganesh and then distributed as `prasad' to family and friends. The recipe for preparing Modak can be found at the end of this article.

On the fourth day of the waxing moon, Lord Ganesha receives special worship in the Hindu calender. Each lunar month is divided into two parts: the bright half or waxing Moon, and the dark half or the waning Moon. The bright half is a time for new undertakings where as the dark half is a time of decline and the possibilities of chaos and failure are greatest. So any new projects should be avoided through that period. The fourth day is one of part dark and part light.

The dark half is called "dangerous fourth." It is a time when it is particularly bad to begin any new undertakings. It is also a time not to gaze directly at the Moon (This is out of respect for Lord Ganesh as it is said that he once got angry at the moon on this day for laughing at him). If we worship Ganesha on this day, he will hopefully help us to avert difficulties and to avoid any obstacles.
The bright half is called "Ganesha's fourth." This is the time that reflects Ganesha's positive side and his powers to grant success. This is the best time to start new undertakings. It is also wise to recognize Ganesha and give him thanks and offerings.

Next for those of you less familiar with Lord Ganesh I would like to include some information about him and my feelings about him.

Lord Ganesh was and still is a guardian. He guarded his mother's doorway from unwanted guests and this is the reason he was killed and brought back to life. His duty was to protect the purity of the inner shrine. He had to keep out those that wish to defile it. He is the one to be worshiped first for he will then allow us to access God and the other deities in the Universe. Whatever blessings flow from them to us only can happen through Lord Ganesha's power.

If we can approach the entrance to the Universe and give thanks to Lord Ganesh, remembering to show sincerity, then Lord Ganesh will allow entry. But if we are insincere or neglect Lord Ganesh in haste to reach these things, thinking there are more important things than the deities and the inner sacred world, then Lord Ganesh will place many obstacles in our path. Thus rendering worship fruitless and our progress drying up and dying.

Lord Ganesha should be praised at the beginning of all important rites of passage and rituals, as done in Hinduism, through songs of devotion to him which breaks the silence as the dawn of a new day begins. Now if Ganesha is not worshiped, he may withdraw his support and cause our undertakings to fail. When Lord Ganesh is properly adored, he emerges as the giver of all gifts and the remover of all obstacles; whether they are material or spiritual. I have found that in making Lord Ganesha a vital part of my daily life, as have so many thousand of others, I have realized my path and its experiences. Once this is done Lord Ganesh shows himself to us all. To some he appears as the elephant god. To others he may manifest as the Remover of Obstacles. And to still others, the God of Creativity. This type of inner connection can make our daily experiences come alive and the brighter side of lives comes fourth. It is only then that a relationship begins to grow. A very personal, loving relationship between us and Lord Ganesh.

Psychic protection, physical protection, emotional and mental protection are all granted by this deity. He is the way in which the fulfillment of a positive progression of our lives can be obtained. By the chanting of mantras and singing of music (kertan), the lighting of candles and giving flowers, the burning of incense, and of course bring food to Lord Ganesh and then sharing with all we can experience the gifts of this elephant headed god.

Some prayers or mantra that I have found to be very helpful for me are listed below.

To Remove Obstacles

After bathing and before breakfast sit calmly facing the Sun and chant:

Om sri ganehaya namah
Om sri ganehaya namah
Om sri ganehaya namah

Translation:

Oh Ancient One of strength and might
Come and aid me in this plight.
Push through all that's in my way,
Let them fall and crumble away,
So my path is clear and free.
As I will it, so mote it be!

A Traditional Prayer

"May Ganesha, in the advancing night as he dances His tumultuous dance with his tusks raised up And making a whistling sound
And spraying forth light and nourishment to the stars,Protect you."

"May Ganesha, who throws up his trunk
In play around which fly a constant swarm of beesLike a triumph pillar covered with letters
Erected to announce the destruction of obstacles,
Protect you."

"We honor Ganesha who disperses clouds of obstacles As he fans away with his flapping ears
The clouds of bees that fly from his trunks."

Another Prayer to Remove Obstacles

"Maker of happiness, remover of miseries,
Whose grace extends love to us
And does not leave a trace of obstacle remaining."

A Prayers of Supplication (requests and pleadings)
They are presented to Ganesha in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for. Or a specific problem is being laid at Ganesh's feet. They must be given to him unconditionally and we must have faith that he will do what is right for us. He does not provide what we desire, but what is truely need for our progression forawrd
Leaving your problem at Ganesha's feet means you let it be there and do not carry it home with you! Do not worry or wonder about how it will be handled.

"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 confessionsAt your holy feet and
Immerse myself solely in you, Ganesha."

A Prayer to Ganesha

"I surrender to you, Lord Ganesha,
You are the speaker, you are the listener.
You are the giver, you are the sustainer.
I am your devotee,
Protect me from the front and back.
Protect me from the north and the south,
Protect me 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.
Bless me Lord Ganesha with your help."

I hope that is writing has given you the scope of my home devotion to Lord Ganesh and that You will in your own way take a moment to reflect on the deity Lord Ganesh for he can surely change you life for the good.
Om
Namaste
Robert

p.s. here is the recipe for the wonderful Modak. Enjoy with love.

Ingredients
100 gms. almonds
100 gms. pistachios
200 gms. sugar
1kg. powdered sugar
1 kg. khoya
4 drops of rose essence.
Method
Put the khoya in a big and deep metal plate.
Add the powdered sugar and drops of essence of rose.
Mix together and knead together to make a soft dough.
Without blanching the almonds and pistachios, chop them into small bits.
Rub them and husk them.
Mix 200 gms. sugar in the chopped bits.
Lightly grease the palms, take out a small lump from the prepared dough of khoya, roll it in between the palms and shape into a ball.
Make a hollow in the middle of the ball and place about a teaspoonful of the almond-pistachios mixture.
Carefully pull up the sides and gather them at the top, giving it a conical shape.
When ready the modak should resemble a fresh fig, thus make all the modaks.