श्री गणेश
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः · Jai Ganesh
The remover of obstacles, the lord of beginnings, and the deity of wisdom, invoked first in every prayer, every venture, and every sacred act.
Lord Ganesha is the beloved son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the elder brother of Kartikeya. He is known by 108 names, Ganapati (lord of the ganas), Vinayaka (supreme leader), Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles), Lambodara (large-bellied one), each revealing a different facet of his boundless grace.
Uniquely among all deities, Ganesha is worshipped first before any other god, at the start of every prayer, every ritual, every new endeavour. This is because he is the lord of beginnings, the master of all transitions, the guardian of every threshold. No journey can succeed, no prayer can be complete, without first seeking Ganesha's blessing.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
O curved-tusked, mighty-bodied, radiant as a crore of suns, grant me freedom from obstacles in all my works, alwaysHis large elephant head contains all wisdom; his wide eyes observe the entire cosmos; his round belly holds all of creation within it. The mouse at his feet, his vehicle, represents the conquered ego, the desires that are mastered and made to serve rather than to lead astray.
Parvati created Ganesha from the sandalwood paste of her own body and breathed life into him, he was born of the divine feminine alone, a son of pure Shakti.
When Shiva, unaware of Ganesha, beheaded him to enter Parvati's chambers, Parvati's grief moved Shiva to replace his head with that of the first being found, a mighty elephant.
Shiva declared Ganesha the chief of all ganas, the divine attendants, and proclaimed he must be worshipped first before all other deities in any ceremony.
When challenged to race around the world, Ganesha simply circled his parents Shiva and Parvati, "You are my world.", a demonstration of supreme wisdom over mere speed.
Ganesha served as the divine scribe for Vyasa, writing the entire Mahabharata, 100,000 verses, without stopping, breaking his own tusk as a pen when his quill broke.
Perfect wisdom, discrimination, and the power of memory, the elephant never forgets
He hears all, devotees' prayers, wisdom from the scriptures, and the unspoken needs of the heart
One-pointed focus and concentration, the ability to see the essential truth behind all appearances
Adaptability and efficiency, the trunk can uproot a tree or pick up a needle; mastery in all endeavours
Ganesha broke his own tusk to use as a pen, sacrifice of comfort in service of a higher purpose
He holds the entire cosmos within himself, infinite capacity, all experiences contained and digested
The sweet modak in his hand represents the sweetness of spiritual liberation, the reward of sadhana
The mouse, desire and ego, tamed and made the servant of wisdom rather than its master
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
The supreme mantra for invoking Ganesha's blessings, removing obstacles, and ensuring success in all undertakings
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada
The most common Ganesha prayer, recited before every auspicious act, seeking freedom from all obstacles always
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Danti Prachodayat
The Gayatri of Ganesha, awakening the divine energy of wisdom and illuminating the intellect
Every prayer and every ceremony at Shri Ram Mandir begins with the worship of Lord Ganesha. Vinayaka Chaturthi is celebrated with great joy and devotion. Lord Ganesha is always the first deity invoked, before him, nothing else can begin. Come and seek his blessings.