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“Lord Ganesh in this image is depicted in a state of calmness, peace and harmony. The various elements in the image symbolize qualities that need to be pursued for the attainment of the state.”
Please click on link below to listen to the Mantra
As one of the most important deities in India, Lord Ganesha is worshiped before the beginning of any important task.
Known as Vighneshwara, the lord of obstacles, he is both Vighnakarta, the creator of obstacles and Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. He is worshiped first in all rituals in almost all streams of Hinduism and symbolizes the beginning.
In Ganapati Upanishad, it is said:
Avirbhutancha sristyadau prakriteh purushaat param
Lord Ganesha appears even before the creation of prakriti (nature) and purusha(consciousness).
In Ganapathi Athravashirsha, it is said:
Tvam muladhara sthitosi nityam – Ganapathi Atharvashirsha
Lord Ganesha! You always dwell in muladhara chakra (of our psychic body).
Muladhara is the first chakra where our spiritual evolution starts by awakening the Kundalini.
As the ruler and gatekeeper of Muladhara Chakra, Lord Ganesha is the interface between material and spiritual worlds, giving material benefits on Earth and liberation from the cycle of rebirth beyond this realm.
It is with this in mind that Vakratunda Mahakaya, one of the most popular Ganesha mantras is recited at almost every occasion:
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नम् कुरु मे देव सर्व कार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Salutations to the supreme Lord Ganesh,
whose curved trunk (vakra-tunda) and massive body (maha-kaayaa) shines like a million suns (surya-koti)
and showers his blessings on everyone (sama-prabhaa).
Oh my lord of lords Ganesh (kurume-deva),
kindly remove all obstacles (nir-vighnam), always (sarva-) and forever (sarvadaa-)
from all my activities and endeavors (sarva-kaaryeshu).
