The remover of Obstacles

The Remover of Obstacles:

yat-pāda-pallava-yugaṁ vinidhāya kumbha-

dvandve praṇāma-samaye sa gaṇādhirājaḥ

vighnān vihantum alam asya jagat-trayasya

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

"I worship the primaeval Lord, Govinda. Gaṇeśa always holds His lotus feet upon the pair of tumuli protruding from his elephant head in order to obtain power for his function of destroying all obstacles on the path of progress in the three worlds." (Bs. 5.50)

The Vaishnava mystics of India are acutely aware of the various factors of existence and relate to each one in a personal way. This feature of personalism is the crest jewel of Yogic simplicity and mysticism. This post introduces one such personality, so crucial for success.

That principle which paves the way forward, like a great elephant trampling over the brambles and bushes, thick and difficult to traverse, is called Ganesh. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Created by mother Parvati to guard her bathing house, he initially stood as the primal obstacle to the discovery of the true nature of illusion and later became that person responsible for revealing it.

He is known as the husband of material prosperity and spiritual success(Riddhi devi and Siddhi devi) and for this reason, all Yogis take refuge in him.

In India Ganesh is commonly worshipped and revered by all Sanatana-Dharma practitioners before all spiritual and material endeavours for auspiciousness and success. His stories and tales are told during Ganesh Chaturthi or the appearance day of Ganesh. These practices help the practitioner unlock the Muladhara chakra wherein the Kundalini-shakti resides, allowing for access to higher states of consciousness and victory over fear and instability. The earth element is thus purified and made strong and yet flexible. Enhancing the practitioners capacity to hold the total reality as it is without egoic clinging and craving. 

Ganesh is thus a key personality in yoga, especially in the beginning stages of Sadhana, and at the commencement of any ritual or practice. There many lengthy and short Sadhanas of Ganesha which can be practised, however, a simple practice is often more effective. 

According to the Ganesh Atarvashirsha Upanishad, his bija mantra is 'Gam', and full mantra is 'Gam Ganapathaye Namah'. Recite this mantra at the commencement of your practice and any time you require safe and smooth passage towards your goal. A fierce or powerful bija of Ganesh is 'Gum' which has a more forceful effect. I encourage everyone to memorize and implement these mantras in their daily practice. 

A longer prayer from the Narada pancharatra which can be recited daily runs thus(I have not found a decent enough translation of this prayer so only the Sanskrit will be provided.)

bho gaṇeśa suraśreṣṭha lambodara parātpara।
heramba maṅgalārambha gajabhakta trilocana॥
muktida śubhada śrīda śrīdharasmaraṇe rata।
paramānanda parama pārvatīnandana svayam॥
sarvatra pūjya sarveśa jagatpūjya mahāmate।
jagadguro jagannātha jagadīśa namo’stute।
yatpūjā sarvapurato yaḥ stutaḥ savayogibhiḥ।
yaḥ pūjitaḥ sureraindraśca munīndraistaṃ namāmyaham॥
paramārādhanenaiva kṛṣṇasya paramātmanaḥ।
puṇyakena vratenaiva yaṃ prāpa pārvatī satī॥
taṃ namāmi suraśreṣṭhaṃ sarvaśreṣṭham garīṣṭhakam।
jñāniśreṣṭhaṃ varīṣṭhañca yaṃ namāmi gaṇeśvaram॥
ityevamuktvā devarśistatraivāntardadhe vibhuḥ।
nāradaḥ prayayau śīghramīśvarābhyantaraṃ mudā॥

In today's western Vaishnava communities like ISKCON, Ganesh is sadly neglected as being a lesser demi-god and irrelevant to Krsna bhakti, despite the instructions of the founder Acharya, Srila Prabhupada who stated in the 'Nectar of Devotion';

“One should begin the worship of the demigod Gaṇapati, who drives away all impediments in the execution of devotional service. In the Brahma-saḿhitā it is stated that Gaṇapati worships the lotus feet of Lord Nṛsiḿhadeva and in that way has become auspicious for the devotees in clearing out all impediments. Therefore, all devotees should worship Gaṇapati.”

I hope this short post about the importance of Ganesh serves as an offering to that great, single tusked, elephant-headed, charming, and delightful servant of Sri Krsna. May all obstacles towards our material and spiritual endeavours be swiftly removed. May the light of the Self be ever meditated upon by those sweet and gifted spiritualists, eager to taste the ambrosia of pure love for Sri Krsna, life as it is.


#Jainitai