Wrapping things up

This is the last day of our Ganesh project. So how did we do?

* Did you enjoy working with the Ganesh mantra?

* Which mantra did you use? the long or short form?

* Did you use and enjoy the slide show as a meditational tool?

* Were the goals you set in the beginning achieved?

* Did you make progress?

* How would you rate this months project? successful? unsuccessful? a toss up?

* What, if anything, did you learn about yourself during the course of these last 30 days?

* What was your favorite part of this project?

* Your least favorite part?

* Is there anything you would like to suggest to make our future projects more interesting, informative, interactive, etc?

* Any other comments?

Coming to a close

Our Ganesh project will be complete on March 9th, so it's time to begin to think about how the project worked for you. In the next 3 days, I will be working to get a few more posts up, and if there is anything specific about Ganesh, and/or the Ganesh mantra that you would like to see or read about, let me know and I will do my best to find it and post it.

Ganesh Mantra for Removing Obstacles

Aum Vighna Nasanaya Namah
(Om Vig-nah Nah-sha-nah-yah Na-ma-ha)

This mantra invokes the Lord Ganesha to remove every impediment in your life and in your works. By constant meditation on this mantra, all obstacles and blocked energy in your physical and astral bodies are released.

And here is the "seed sound" for those moments when you cannot collect your thoughts and totally forget the mantra. It can also be used by those of you who prefer something short and sweet. It's just one syllable and sounds exactly how it looks.

Gum

Adopted by the Elephant God

If you are willing, and if you are wanting, the Lord Ganesha lifts you out of the fog of the materialistic conscious mind, establishing a connection and a relationship with you. This is a personal relationship with the Deity. There is nobody in between - just you and the God, Lord Ganesha....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, and can be found in its entirety here: Adopted by the Elephant God

The Symbolism of Ganesh Art

I found this really interesting, and a meditation in and of itself. Definitely food for thought. To view a larger (readable) version of the image, click on the picture.

108 names of ganesh

Chanting the 108 names of Lord Ganesha is part of the traditional daily worship called a Puja. It is called the Vighnesvarashtottara Satanamavalih or "garland of Ganesa's 108 names". The names are attributes of the Diety, each one delineating an aspect of His infinite and indescribable nature.

Each name is preceded by the mantra Aum (Om) and followed by namah (Namaha) meaning "obeisance, praise, adoration," or "homage" to.


1.
Aum Akhuratha NamahOne With Mouse As His Charioteer

Lord Ganesha, with a huge body, has a small mouse as his charioteer. The hugeness matters little when the study of life principles is considered. The soul may be the greatest or the smallest. This represents life in its totality and Lord Ganesha is suggestive of these cosmic aspects.

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The 108 Names of Ganesh

About the Swastika Symbol

The swastika has been regarded as the symbol for good luck, protection and auspiciousness for over five thousand years in India. It is derived from 'SU-VASTI' and means "The essence of all goodness". For Hindus the swastika is a lucky cross associated with the good fortunes given by Lord Ganesha. It also represents the sun and the cycle of life.

This ancient benign symbol is used today by housewives to guard thresholds and doors, by priests to sanctify ceremonies and offerings and by businessmen to bless the opening pages of account books each New Year's day. No ceremony or sacrifice is considered complete without it, for it is believed to have the power to ward off misfortune and negative forces....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Sigils Symbols and Signs, and can be found in its entirety here: The Swastika

Singing to Ganesh

For those of you who can read and play music, here is a song to Ganesh. If you click on the image it will enlarge and you can then print it.

found inLoving Ganesa
by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

Ganesh and Science

Tradition describes the entire universe as being contained in Lord Ganesha’s big belly. Thus we look upon Him as the overlord who holds sway over the material universe, the sum of cosmic mass. One of His potencies is gravity.

Gravity is a mysterious force to the scientist even today. It is the galactic glue that draws and holds larger mass together and gives order to the macrocosm. It is an instantaneous force, so that when one celestial body moves in a remote corner of a galaxy, all other masses through out the galaxy adjust simultaneously, even though it would take light, at its incredible speed, millions of years to travel the distance....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Ganesh and Science

Prayers to Ganesh

Prayers of supplication are requests, pleadings, or entreaties presented to the Diety in the spirit of personal surrender and loving devotion. Something specific is being asked for, a specific problem is being laid at the Lord's Holy Feet.

Such supplications to the one-tusked Lord are given unconditionally, with full trust that He will do what is best for us, though not necessarily what we might think is best...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Praying To Ganesh

Ganesh Prayers

Moments of Decision

Aum Sri Ganeshaya Namaha

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 confusion at Your holy feet and immerse myself solely in You....

 ... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Prayers To Ganesh

When Prayers Don't Work

What does it mean when an obstacle is encountered despite our sincere supplication of Lord Ganesha?

It may mean that the time, the means, or the goal itself is not right for our karma and dharma. The architect presents his finished plans to the engineer. They are rejected for one technical reason or another. The executive presents a completed leter to the president. It is rejected as not being explicit enough in the third paragraph. The architect and the executive were equally sincere in presenting their work. The engineer and the president were performing their duty as well.

Lord Ganesha loves us. He is a loving God who guides, governs, and controls with speed and accuracy when the plan is perfect, deliberates long and rejects often when the plan needs revision.

Take the plan back into your mind. Search your own superconsciousness for the greater ideas, and revise your efforts with confidence. Seek for the right timing and proceed with confidence when you know the timing to be right.

"When the will rises and commands, even the Gods are willing to obey," or to give immediate cooperation, to guide, and enhance our efforts. We must work our minds in close cooperation with the mind of Lord Ganesha, and then success is certain. Thus, this God is called Bhaktavighnavinasana, He who destroys the obstacles of the devotees.

What is Grace?

"What about the grace of the Diety?" seekers ask. Grace is received from the God when you are consistent in your worship, consistent in your discipline, consistent in your bhakti, your devotion.

With such a foundation in your life, a great shakti, a force or power, will come from Lord Ganesha. This is grace. It is uplifting. It comes unexpectedly. When grace comes, your mind may change and your heart may melt. Your sight will become clear and penetrating. You may say. "I have been graced to see everything differently." New doors will begin to open for you, and as you go through them, your life will become more full, more wonderful. And the grace of it is that it would not have ordinarily happened to you....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: What Is Grace?

Fun with Ganesh

The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things

Click on the image to enlarge it. You can then print it the image and enjoy a few moments of "connecting" with Ganesha.

And if you enjoyed that little exercise, here are three images you can enlarge, copy, print, and color. I find coloring to be great way to focus and meditate, while at the same time allowing the child in me to play....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: The Lord Who Is Hidden In All Things, and a bunch more images to color can be found here: Coloring Ganesh

Shri Ganesha Upanishad

Aum! Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one. Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy and auspicious. With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek the divine grace and accept the noble order of all our life.

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 disciple. Protect me from the front and back. Protect me from the north and the south, from above and below. Protect me from all directions....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Shri Ganesha Upanishad

A small poem

Victory to Ganesha,
who when dancing
makes a shower of stars
fall like a rain of flowers from the sky
by the movement of his trunk.

~Somadeva

...... This post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found here: A Small Poem

Other Ganesh Mantras

1. Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah. It means " praise to Lord Ganesha". This is the mantra of invocation, adoration and worship. It is repeated at the beginning of religious ceremonies and matra recitation to invoke Ganesha's blessings for the auspicious beginning of a task, project, change of life, community undertaking or simply to offer Him praise. This mantra is usually taught to children for their good education. It increases their memory power, and they become successful in their examinations. Of course, people of any age may use this mantra when taking courses in a school or university, and for success in attaining their degree.

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Other Ganesh Mantras

Hymn to Ganesha

Maha Ganesa Pancharatna Stotram

A Renowned Five-Jeweled Hymn by
Sri Adi Sankara (798-820)
Free-Flowing Translation by J. Sethuraman

I bow to Vinayaka
Who, with glee, holds a half-eaten modaka in His hand,
Who is the ever-present means of moksha
Who has the moon as an ear ornament,
Who protects all the worlds,
Who is the single leader for those who are lost without anybody to help them,
Who destroyed the elephant demon and
Who swiftly removes the blemishes of those who bow to Him....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: A Hymn To Ganesha

Recipe for Modaka

The following recipe will make approximately 20 lime-sized modakas, a treat for the children, and a traditional offering in the temple. It takes about two hours to make them.

Ingredients and Utensils:
1 lb rice flour
2 cups jaggery (or 2 cups brown sugar with 4 tbsp dark molasses added)
2 cups raw sesame seeds
2 grated coconuts (optional)
2 cups melted ghee (melted butter will also work)
1 tsp salt
Banana leaf or waxed paper
A flour sifter or fine sieve
An iddli or vegetable steamer

Directions:

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Recipe For Modaka

Make a Papier Mache Ganesh

A simple method for a paper mache Ganesh
By Sri Sateesh N. Apte M.D.

The materials needed are:

- Paper mache
- Latex or other water-based paint in a variety of colors
- Gold-leaf or metallic gold paint
- Paint brushes
- Sand paper
- Putty or joint compound
- Miscellaneous ornaments and cloth for dressing the image
- Replicas of the various implements he will be holding

Instructions:

- Mix paper mache to a firm but homogeneously wet consistency....

...... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Prosperity Project at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Making A Papier Mache Ganesh