Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the
words and theory of Advaita Vedanta.
This month we will investigate one of the most-used larger prayers,
which masquerades as 'hymn' to some extent, and which offers deeper meanings
beyond blessing of actions. It is chanted at every puja, before every endeavour
of business or study or such; it is the Great Prayer of Sri Ganesha. The basic
translation in verse form is provided
HERE if you would like to take a copy.
ïI g[ezawvRzI;R>/ Shri
GaneshaatharvashiirshaH
Now we go into the hymn 'proper'. Straight translation is sometimes
a little tricky, therefore expansion of translation is given in parentheses to
help set the scene, as it were. Remember, this is essentially a prayer and is
therefore to be read with an inclination of surrender and supplication. Though
there is a whole hymn, it is sometimes found that only the first twelve verses
are chanted for short pujas. These will be given here today. Next week, the
remaining five verses will be here. (All are chanted on that
vid clip given previously.)
ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये ॥१॥
Om
Namas-Te Gannapataye ||1||
Om, Salutations to You, O Ganapati,
त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं कर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं धर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं हर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मासि ।
त्वं साक्षादात्माऽसि नित्यम् ॥२॥
Tvam-Eva
Pratyakssam Tattvam-Asi |
Tvam-Eva Kevalam Kartaa-si |
Tvam-Eva Kevalam Dhartaa-si |
Tvam-Eva Kevalam Hartaa-si |
Tvam-Eva Sarvam Khalv-Idam Brahma-Aasi |
Tvam Saakshaad-Aatmaa-si Nityam ||2||
You indeed are the visible Truth Absolute (Conscious
Essence underlying everything),
You indeed are the only Creator (Karta) (by Whose
Power the Universe is Created),
You indeed are the only Supporter (Dharta) (by Whose
Power the Universe is Sustained),
You indeed are the only Destroyer (Harta) (by Whose
Power the Universe is finally Dissolved in its Conscious Essence),
You indeed are All This (The Universe); You verily
are the Brahman (giving Consciousness to All),
You are the visible Atman,
the Eternal (underlying Reality),
ऋतं वच्मि । सत्यं वच्मि ॥३॥
Rtam
Vachmi | Satyam Vachmi ||3||
I declare the Rtam (Divine Law);
I declare the Satyam (Absolute Reality) (that there is an
Absolute Consciousness underlying everything, which I see as Ganapati),
अव त्वं माम् ।
अव वक्तारम् ।
अव श्रोतारम् ।
अव दातारम् ।
अव धातारम् ।
अवानूचानमव शिष्यम् ।
Ava Tvam
Maam |
Ava
Vaktaaram |
Ava
Shrotaaram |
Ava
Daataaram |
Ava
Dhaataaram |
Ava-Anuucaanam-Ava
Shishyam |
(Now) Protect me (Protect the Truth I declared),
Protect the Speaker (Protect the Teacher who declares
this Truth),
Protect the Listener (Protect the Student who listens
to this Truth),
Protect the Giver (Protect the Giver of knowledge who
transmits this Truth),
Protect the Sustainer (Protect the Sustainer who retains
this Truth in Memory),
Protect the Disciple (Protect the Disciple
who repeats this Truth following the Teacher),
अव पुरस्तात् ।
अव दक्षिणात्तात् ।
अव पश्चात्तात् ।
अवोत्तरात्तात् ।
अव चोर्ध्वात्तात् ।
अवाधरात्तात् ।
सर्वतो मां पाहि पाहि समन्तात् ॥४॥
Ava
Purastaat |
Ava
Dakshinnaattaat |
Ava
Pashcaattaat |
Avo-ttaraattaat |
Ava Chordhvaattaat |
Ava-Adharaattaat
|
Sarvato
Maam Paahi Paahi Samantaat ||4||
Protect this Truth from the East,
Protect this Truth from the South,
Protect this Truth from the West,
Protect this Truth from the North,
Protect this Truth from the Top,
Protect this Truth from the Bottom,
(Now) Please Protect me (Protect this Truth I declared)
from all Sides,
त्वं वाङ्मयस्त्वं चिन्मयः ।
त्वमानन्दमयस्त्वं ब्रह्ममयः ।
त्वं सच्चिदानन्दाऽद्वितीयोऽसि ।
त्वं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि ।
त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोऽसि ॥५॥
Tvam
Vaangmayas-Tvam ChinmayaH |
Tvam-Aanandamayas-Tvam
BrahmamayaH |
Tvam Saccidaanandaa'dvitiiyo'si |
Tvam
Pratyakssam Brahma-Asi |
Tvam Jnyaanamayo Vijnyaanamayo'si ||5||
You are of the nature of Speech, and You are of
the nature of Consciousness (Chinmaya) (which is the source of all
words)
You are of the nature of Bliss, and You are of
the nature of Brahman (Brahmamaya) (which is the source of all Bliss)
You are Sacchidananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss), and You
are the One without a second
You are the visible Brahman (manifested as the
Universe)
You are of the nature of Spiritual Knowledge
(Self-Manifesting within the Core of our Being as Bliss-Consciousness),
and
You are Vigyana (Giving the Spiritual Vision of the whole World
from the standpoint of the Greater Consciousness),
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जायते ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति ।
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति ।
Sarvam
Jagad-Idam Tvatto Jaayate |
Sarvam
Jagad-Idam Tvattas-Tisstthati |
Sarvam
Jagad-Idam Tvayi Layameshyati |
Sarvam
Jagad-Idam Tvayi Pratyeti |
The Entire Universe has Manifested (Born)
from You (Therefore, O Ganapati, help
us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
The Entire Universe is Sustained by
Your Power (Therefore, O Ganapati,
help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
The Entire
Universe will Dissolve in You (Therefore, O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of
our Hearts),
The Entire Universe will thus
finally Return to You (Therefore,
O Ganapati, help us realize Your essence within the Core of our Hearts),
त्वं भूमिरापोऽनलोऽनिलो नभः ।
त्वं चत्वारि वाक्पदानि ।
Tvam Bhuumir-Aapo-nalo-nilo NabhaH |
Tvam
Chatvaari Vaak-Padaani |
You have manifested as Bhumi (Earth),
You have manifested as Apas (Water),
You have manifested as Anala (Fire),
You have manifested as Anila (Wind),
and You have manifested as Nabha (Sky
or Space),
You are the Four Types of Speech (Para -
primal sound of the Universe, Pashyanti - 'inner' voice, Madhyama - mental
voice and Vaikhari - actual speech),
त्वं गुणत्रयातीतः ।
त्वं अवस्थात्रयातीतः ।
त्वं देहत्रयातीतः ।
त्वं कालत्रयातीतः ।
Tvam
Gunna-Traya-AtiitaH |
Tvam
Avasthaa-Traya-AtiitaH |
Tvam
Deha-Traya-AtiitaH |
Tvam
Kaala-Traya-AtiitaH |
You are beyond the Three Qualities (Sattva,
Rajas and Tamas)
You are beyond the Three States (Waking,
Dreaming and Deep Sleep)
You are beyond the Three Bodies (Gross
Body, Subtle Body and Causal Body)
You are beyond the Three Times (Past,
Present and Future)
त्वं मूलाधारस्थितोऽसि नित्यम् ।
त्वं शक्तित्रयात्मकः ।
त्वां योगिनो ध्यायन्ति नित्यम् ।
Tvam Muulaadhaara-Sthito-si Nityam |
Tvam Shakti-Traya-atmakaH |
Tvaam
Yogino Dhyaayanti Nityam |
You always abide in the Muladhara (the base chakra),
You are the source of the Three
Shaktis (Iccha Shakti, Kriya Shakti and Gyana Shakti - Will Power, Power
of Action and the Power of Knowledge)
The Yogis always meditate on You (to realize
Your Conscious Essence, which is the aim of Human Life),
त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं
रुद्रस्त्वमिन्द्रस्त्वमग्निस्त्वं
वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चन्द्रमास्त्वं
ब्रह्म भूर्भुवस्सुवरोम् ॥६॥
Tvam
Brahmaa Tvam Vishnnus-Tvam
Rudras-Tvam-Indras-Tvam-Agnis-Tvam
Vaayus-Tvam
Suuryas-Tvam Candramaas-Tvam
Brahma
Bhuur-Bhuvas-Suvar-Om ||6||
You are Brahma, You are Vishnu, You are
...
... Rudra, You are Indra, You are Agni (God
of Fire), You are ...
... Vayu (God
of Wind), You are Surya (The Sun
God), You are Chandrama (The Moon God), You are
...
... Brahman (Absolute Consciousness), You pervade
the Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvar Lokas; You are the Om Itself
(Parabrahman).
गणादिं पूर्वमुच्चार्य वर्णादींस्तदनन्तरम् ।
अनुस्वारः परतरः ।
अर्धेन्दुलसितम् ।
तारेण ऋद्धम् ।
एतत्तव मनुस्वरूपम् ॥७॥
Ganna-adim Puurvam-Uccaarya
Varnna-adiims-Tad-Anantaram |
Anusvaarah
ParataraH |
Ardhendu-Lasitam
|
Taarenna
Rddham |
Etat-Tava
Manu-Svaruupam ||7||
(The Mantra Swarupa of Ganapati is
as follows) The first syllable of the
word Gana (i.e. "G") is to be pronounced
first; then the first varna (i.e. "A")
should immediately follow (thus making "Ga"),
The Anuswara should follow next (thus making
"Gam"),
Then it should be made to shine with
the Half-Moon (i.e. the Nasal Sound of Chandrabindu, thus making
"Gang"),
This should be Augmented by Tara (a Note
signifying Om) (thus making "Om Gang"),
This is Your Mantra Swarupa (O Ganapati),
गकारः पूर्वरूपम् ।
अकारो मध्यरूपम् ।
अनुस्वारश्चान्त्यरूपम् ।
बिन्दुरुत्तररूपम् ।
नादस्संधानम् ।
सग्ंहिता संधिः ॥८॥
Ga-kaaraH Puurva-Ruupam |
A-kaaro
Madhya-Ruupam |
Anusvaarash-Cha-Antya-Ruupam
|
Bindur-Uttara-Ruupam
|
Naadas-Samdhaanam
|
Samhitaa
SamdhiH ||8||
(In Your Mantra Swarupa) G-kara is
the first form, ...
... A-kara is the middle form, ...
... And Anuswara is the last form (thus
forming "Gam"),
Bindu is the form on the top (giving the nasal sound
of Chandra-Bindu, thus forming "Gang"),
This is joined with Nada,
All the forms combine together (and when it finally ends
with Nada, it gives the mantra a transcendental form),
सैषा गणेशविद्या ।
गणक ऋषिः ।
निचृद्गायत्रीच्छन्दः ।
गणपतिर्देवता ।
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥९॥
Saishaa Gannesha-Vidyaa |
Gannaka
RshiH |
NichRd-gaayatrii-chcchandaH
|
Gannapatir-Devataa
|
Om Gam
Gannapataye NamaH ||9||
This is the Ganesha Vidya (A path leading to the
Knowledge of the Self through the worship of Ganesha through His Mantra
Swarupa),
The Rishi who realized this Vidya is Ganaka Rishi,
The Chhanda (Metre) is Nicrdgayatri,
The Devata (God) worshipped is Ganapati,
Om Gang Ganapataye Namah (My Reverential Salutations to
Ganapati), (I seek Your Blessings to practice this
Vidya)
एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि ।
तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात् ॥१०॥
Eka-Dantaaya
Vidmahe Vakra-Tunnddaaya Dhiimahi |
Tan-No
DantiH Prachodayaat ||10||
(NB this shloka is also the Gayatri
of Ganapati and is often chanted as a single mantra by itself;)
(Let our mind go) to the Ekadanta (the One with a Single
Tusk) to know (His Conscious Form deeply); (And
then) Meditate on that Vakratunda (the One with a Curved
Trunk) (to get absorbed in His Conscious Form),
May that Danti (One with a Tusk) awaken (our
Consciousness),
एकदन्तं चतुर्हस्तं पाशमङ्कुशधारिणम् ।
रदं च वरदं हस्तैर्बिभ्राणं मूषकध्वजम् ॥
रक्तं लम्बोदरं शूर्पकर्णकं रक्तवाससम् ।
रक्तगन्धानुलिप्ताङ्गं रक्तपुष्पैस्सुपूजितम् ॥
Eka-Dantam
Chatur-Hastam Paasham-Angkusha-Dhaarinnam |
Radam Cha
Vara-Dam Hastair-Bibhraannam Muushaka-Dhvajam ||
Raktam Lambo'daram Shuurpa-Karnnakam
Rakta-Vaasasam |
Rakta-Gandha-Anulipta-Anggam
Rakta-Pushpais-Supuujitam ||
(The visible Form of Ganapati is as
follows) His Face has a single Tusk (Ekadantam); He
has Four Hands (Chatur-Hastam); with two of His Hands, he
is holding Noose (Pasha) and Goad (Ankusha),
With His third Hand He is holding
a Tusk (Rada), and with His fourth Hand He is
showing the gesture of Boon-Giving (Varada Mudra);
His Flag is having the Emblem of a Rat (Mushaka),
His Form is having a Beautiful Reddish Glow (Raktam), with
a Large Belly (Lambodara) and with
Large Ears like Fans (Shurpa Karna); He is wearing Red
Garments (Rakta Vasam),
His Form is anointed with Red
Fragrant Paste (Rakta Gandha), and He
is worshipped with Red Flowers (Rakta Pushpa),
भक्तानुकम्पिनं देवं जगत्कारणमच्युतम् ।
आविर्भूतं च सृष्ट्यादौ प्रकृतेः पुरुषात्परम् ।
एवं ध्यायति यो नित्यं स योगी योगिनां वरः ॥११॥
Bhakta-Anukampinam
Devam Jagat-Kaarannam-Acyutam |
Aavirbhuutam Cha Srshttya'adau Prakrteh
Purushaat-Param |
Evam
Dhyaayati Yo Nityam Sa Yogii Yoginaam VaraH ||11||
The Heart of this Lord throbs with
the Devotees (with empathy, He being the in-dweller) (Bhakta
Anukampinam); And He has descended for the Cause of
the World (Jagat Karanam); He is Imperishable (i.e. Eternal)
(Acyutam) (and takes the Devotees to the Eternal realm),
He manifested during
the beginning of Creation (Sristhi Aadi) within
the manifested Nature (Prakriti), (He manifested) from
the Supreme Purusha (Purusha Param),
He who meditates on Him in this way everyday is
the best Yogi among the Yogis,
नमो व्रातपतये ।
नमो गणपतये ।
नमः प्रमथपतये ।
नमस्तेऽस्तु लम्बोदरायैकदन्ताय
विघ्ननाशिने शिवसुताय वरदमूर्तये नमः ॥१२॥
Namo
Vraata-Pataye |
Namo
Ganna-Pataye |
Namah
Pramatha-Pataye |
Namas-Te'stu Lambo'daraayaika-Dantaaya
Vighna-Naashine
Shiva-Sutaaya Varada-Muurtaye NamaH ||12||
Salutations to the Lord of all Human Beings,
Salutations to the Lord of
all Ganas (Demi-Gods attending to Lord Shiva),
Salutations to the Lord of
all Pramathas (Demons attending to Lord Shiva),
Salutations to You, the One with a Large Belly and
a Single Tusk,
Salutations to the One Who is the Remover of
all Obstacles, Who is the Son of Lord Shiva and is
a personification of Boon-Giving.
[if chanting only to this portion,
then here is appropriate to end with ShantiH, ShantiH, ShantiH.]
