Message from Amma
Invoking Sri Ganesha's Blessings on Sri Ganesha Chaturti
Sri Ganesha Chaturti 2005
Behind Amma, one can see all the special Sri Ganesha murtis
lovingly prepared and decorated by the Bangalore devotees
Jai Karunamayi!
Recently, during the Guru Purnima Meditation Retreat, Amma was discussing some of the significance behind worshipping Sri Ganesha. Amma also gave some guidance on how to worship Sri Ganesha on Sri Ganesha Chaturti, which is coming up soon on August 27th. This entire year has been dedicated to Sri Ganesha, and Sri Ganesha Chaturti is the most important day of the year for worshipping Sri Ganesha, so one can imagine how powerful this day will be this year. By following the practices recommended by our beloved Amma, we can receive tremendous blessings from Sri Ganesha and also help remove the problems of the entire world at the subtle level. For any questions about these practices, feel free to contact sanskrit@karunamayi.org, and a devotee familiar with the practices will be happy to assist.
Amma's Guidance for Sri Ganesha Chaturti
In the current time, the world is undergoing many difficulties, and so many people have numerous problems. This is a very good time for worshipping Sri Ganesha and chanting the mantra "Om gam ganapataye namaha," for the sake of destroying negative karma and removing the problems of all the people around the world. This mantra purifies the air, the sky, and the entire cosmos.
One can see the auspicious green grass blades
on either side of the two beautifully decorated Sri Ganesha murtis
When Sri Ganesha is worshipped with faith and devotion, He removes the obstacles from our path and grants us so many spiritual boons. Worshipping Sri Ganesha in different types of materials gives slightly different blessings. For example, worshipping a silver Ganesha grants us long life. Worshipping a green jade (marakata) Ganesha fulfills our noble wishes and grants us a rich inner life, a divine intellect, wisdom and even moksha. When we worship a jade Ganesha, He takes care of our financial debts. Worshipping a crystal (sphatika) Ganesha is wonderful for enhancing harmony between the wife and husband. All disharmony is removed and one progresses smoothly on the path of peace, devotion, and good spiritual development.
It is very excellent for students especially to worship Sri Ganesha along with Sri Saraswati Devi, for they will receive all the blessings needed for a good education: patience, humility, good concentration, good memory, and divine intelligence.
Sri Ganesha resides in the muladhara chakra, and He is none other than the sacred kundalini energy. He is the one guarding the entrance to the sushumna nadi. By always remembering and worshipping Him at the start of any puja or sacred practice, we are granted entrance into the world of true spirituality. He Himself is Adi Para Sakti, Divine Mother in the form of the original supreme cosmic energy. Even Lord Siva and Mother Gauri worship Sri Ganesha, so powerful are His blessings.
If we chant "Om gam ganapataye namaha" every day, no karma can touch us. If we chant this sacred mantra 27, 54, or 108 times each day, we can destroy all our negativity. In September especially, it would be very good to chant this mantra 108 times each day, for universal welfare.
On August 27th, a special Sri Ganesha Puja can be performed to invoke His divine blessings in your life (please click the link for puja details). The panchabhutas--the five sacred elements of earth, water, fire, air and space--love this puja very much. It is said in the Vedas that "Paropakarartham idam sariram"--the real purpose for this body is to help others. By worshipping Sri Ganesha on this holy day, our bodies become like pure channels for the grace of Lord Ganesha to enter into and bless the entire world.
Swamiji performs abhishekam to Sri Ganesha
during Sri Ganesha Chaturti 2005
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May All Beings Be Happy
Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi
May the Whole World Be in Peace
