‘Ganesha Habba’ (Ganesha festival)ย is round the corner. I remember the days when my father used to tell me to tie the ‘Thorana’ (made by stringing of Mango leaves) to the chair which would temporarily become Ganesha’s ‘Asana’. The wooden chair would be washed and decorated, as I told, by tying the ‘Thorana’, ‘Baale kambha’ (plaintain leaves) and flowers. There would be a serial set around the arms of the chair. The lord would grace the Asana on the day of the festival. ‘Garike’ (Grass), which is very dear to Ganesha, Modaka (dish), another favourite of the lord, fruits, and other pooja items would be kept in front of the lord. After the recitation of the hymns and the ‘Mahamangalarathi’ (waving the Sacred light in front of the lord), my father would distribute the prasada to all of us. After the ‘Dhoopa-deepa-naivedya’, I would then be made to sing a few songs and stotras.
Of all the stotras on Ganesha, I particularly love the Ganesha Pancharathna composed by Adi Shankaracharya. My mother taught this when I was still a toddler. I have sung this on numerous occasions, but the first time I sung it in public was at the Shringeri Shankar Mutt in Shankarpuram. I won the first prize after singing it in a competition held by the Mutt. I liked it more when I heard the musical genius MS sing this stotra.
Mudakaraatha Modakam Sada Vimukti Saadhakam
Kalaadharaavatamsakam Vilasiloka Rakshakam
Anaaya Kaika Naayakam Vinasitebha Daityakam
Nataasubhasu Naashakam Namaami Tham Vinaayakam
Meaning: I prostrate before Lord Vinaayaka who joyously holds modaka in His hand, who bestows salvation, who wears the moon as a crown in His head, who is the sole leader of those who lose themselves in the world. The leader of the leaderless who destroyed the elephant demon called Gajaasura and who quickly destroys the sins of those who bow down to Him, I worship such a Lord Ganesh.
Natetaraati Bheekaram Navoditaarka Bhaasvaram
Namat Suraari Nirjanam Nataadhi Kaapa Duddharam
Suresvaram Nidheesvaram Gajesvaram Ganeshvaram
Mahesvaram Samaasraye Paraatparam Nirantaram
Meaning: I meditate eternally on Him, the Lord of the Ganas, who is frightening to those not devoted, who shines like the morning sun, to whom all the Gods and demons bow, who removes the great distress of His devotees and who is the best among the best.
Samasta Loka Samkaram Nirasta Daitya Kunjaram
Daredarodaram Varam Vare Bhavaktra Maksharam
Krupaakaram Kshamaakaram Mudaakaram Yasaskaram
Manaskaram Namaskrutaam Namaskaromi Bhaasvaram
Meaning: I bow down with my whole mind to the shining Ganapati who brings happiness to all the worlds, who destroyed the demon Gajasura, who has a big belly, beautiful elephant face, who is immortal, who gives mercy, forgiveness and happiness to those who bow to Him and who bestows fame and a well disposed mind.
Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam
Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam
Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam
Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam
Meaning: I worship the ancient elephant God who destroys the pains of the poor, who is the abode of Aum, who is the first son of Lord Shiva (Shiva who is the destroyer of triple cities), who destroys the pride of the enemies of the Gods, who is frightening to look at during the time of world’s destruction, who is fierce like an elephant in rut and who wears Dhananjaya and other serpents as his ornaments.
Nitaantikaanta Dantakaanti Mantakaanta Kaatmajam
Achintya Rupa Mantaheena Mantaraaya Krintanam
Hrudantarey Nirantaram Vasantameva Yoginam
Tameka Danta Meva Tam Vichintayaami Santatam
Meaning: I constantly reflect upon that single tusked God only, whose lustrous tusk is very beautiful, who is the son of Lord Shiva, (Shiva, the God of destruction), whose form is immortal and unknowable, who tears asunder all obstacles, and who dwells forever in the hearts of the Yogis.
Mahaaganesa Pancharatnam Aadarena Yonvaham
Prajapati Prabhaatake Hrudi Smaran Ganesvaram
Arogatham Adoshataam Susaahitim Suputrataam
Samaahitaayu Rastabhootim Abhyupaiti Sochiraat
Meaning: He who recites this every morning with devotion, these five gems about Lord Ganapati and who remembers in his heart the great Ganesha, will soon be endowed with a healthy life free of blemishes, will attain learning, noble sons, a long life that is calm and pleasant and will be endowed with spiritual and material prosperity.
Wish you all a very happy Gowri-Ganesha festival (which is on August 26 and 27). May god bless us all.
August 23, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Great post,RK. I have heard the Ganesha Pancharathnam several times and I think MS’s rendering of it is the most soulful. Thanks so much for also writing the meaning. I knew the general meaning but the word to word was very helpful.Happy Gowri Ganesha to you also in advance. Will again wish you on the weekend:))
August 24, 2006 at 5:52 am
Ganapathi bappa moriya..
Very gud info here,RK..thanks..
Here in Hyd too..it’s a great festival….
Happy Ganesh Chaturdhi(wat we call here)…in advance..
take care
August 24, 2006 at 6:07 am
How can you put these type of cartoons that makes fun of Hindu Gods..because people like you doesn’t have guts to put the cartoons of other religion..since Hindus can tolerate anything and everything in this country…one is free to write or express anything on Hindus!
August 24, 2006 at 6:29 am
tp and gangadhar: happy ganesha chaturthi to both of you too. glad you liked the post.
NRIforIndia: To put things straight, this drawing shows Ganesha being interviewed by the media, just as he is entering this world, which is all set to celebrate his birthday. And I just put a computer mouse alongwith his “mooshika” vaahana, which as you might know, is also a ‘mouse’.
I still cannot find what you found offensive in this drawing. god bless us all.
August 24, 2006 at 9:36 am
RK don’t worry, I don’t think anyone who couldn’t understand the cartoon would be able to understand an explanation of it ๐
August 24, 2006 at 9:42 am
Fantastic post RK. nimmaneyavarigella Ganesha chaturthiya haardika shubhaashayagaLu!
Don’t worry, I don’t think anyone who couldn’t understand the cartoon would be able to understand an explanation of it ๐ It is just too cooool! Whenever NRIForIndia visits India next time would need a lot of self-restraint while walking in a market and seeing Ganesha’s playing cricket, etc.
I think among all Gods, Ganesha is the closest friend to all and that’s why we can take such liberties ๐
August 24, 2006 at 10:30 am
HI…Wishinh u n ur family a very happy gowri-ganesha ๐
August 24, 2006 at 10:30 am
Ganeshana habbada Hardika ShubhashayagaLu..
That cartoon is really fantastic and apt for these days of media galate….
August 24, 2006 at 10:34 am
Super posting Bellur,
Ganesha is the cutest god of all Hindu gods, hes chooo chweet.
Gowri Ganesha habbada Hardhika Shubashayagalu.
August 24, 2006 at 11:52 am
Sanjay,
Glad you liked it. “nimmaneyavarigu saha Gowri Ganesha habbada haardika shubhaashayagaLu!
lol…too good! ๐ ๐ ๐
Diya, Srikanth and Usha,
Thanks and hope you all have a great festive season! Diya, welcome to my blog.
August 24, 2006 at 11:56 am
Bellur, keep it up. You need not answer hypocrates like NRIofIndia becoz we know your depth of knowledge .
August 24, 2006 at 11:56 am
Great picture bellur!!
Keep up the good work. A small attachment of your voice rendering as a grown up would have been nice ๐
cheers.
srimathi
August 24, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Prasanna and Shrimathi: Welcome to my blog. thanks for the wishes. Madam, my voice is nothing but some noise. ๐
August 25, 2006 at 7:28 am
Hi Bellur,
Gowri-Ganesha Habbada Subhashayagalu….
Gowri-Ganeshanu Nammellarigu Siddi, Buddi, Siri-Sampathannu kottu,
Nammellara karyagallali yeshasu needali yendu prartisuttha
Ellarigu subha haraisali yendu koorutha
Nimagellarigu Gowri-Ganesha Habbada subhashayagalannu harasutene.
August 25, 2006 at 8:21 am
Thanks a ton for the meaning… Nanna favourite Shloka… Ganesha habba irali biDali.. yavagalu idannu haaDtha irthini!
August 25, 2006 at 8:44 am
gunashekar,
thanks for your wishes. sakala sanmangalani bhavanthu!
shruthi,
glad i put this post.
in the next get-together, would like to listen you sing this shloka. ๐
August 26, 2006 at 8:36 am
Well..just think for one moment. We are Hindus and we are still not able to build a Ram temple in the birthplace of Ram at Ayodhya. This is shame on all of us including me and you. This is the time to unite all Hindus and make Ram Rajya dream of Gandhiji.
Wish all of you a very happy and joyful Ganesh Chaturthi.
August 27, 2006 at 1:03 am
Hello,
Ganeshana Habba always was & is my favourite time of the year.. “Thorana, Garike” et al brings great memories flooding. Thanks for the posting.
I wish you all humanity a wonderful time during this festive time..
August 28, 2006 at 5:39 am
NRIFor India,
I have always dreamt of the VISHWAMANAVA concept. And I believe there are just two religions in the world: Good and bad.
I am still waiting to know what you found offensive in the cartoon!
Take care.
Krishna,
Thank you for your comments. Had a memorable ganesha habba.
Do visit again. ๐
September 13, 2006 at 8:44 pm
This blog is all about information and information plays a vital role in todays world and especially if it is genuine information.
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July 19, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Namaskar,
The picture given above is highly denigrating, which is showing Ganesha in the wrong light. The deity is worshipped for centuries in a correct manner. When thousands of Maharashtrians and Kananadigas bow down to this deity in respect, you are taking him as a politician facing mikes.
The same treatment cannot be given to Muhammad and Jesus, because you know what happens after that.
May Ganesha give you the right way to think.
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
September 18, 2012 at 9:39 am
Wish you all a very happy Gowri-Ganesha festival
Every year we are well come โThe supreme Mother gowri โ (Supreme god in the form of matha gowri) to this Earth to get her blessing to our life and to the world. Gowr i means – clearing the total disturbance in the life. When we lost the sin, the happiness automatically it will come to our life so that we will perform the festival.
September 6, 2016 at 8:31 am
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