Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji based on Ganesha Purana – September 1, 2008 – Vijayawada
Lord Ganapati is the chieftain of various beings and all groups in this universe. It is precisely this reason why the devout persons revere Lord Ganapati praying for success of their tasks. Another typical aspect of Ganapati worship is that it is a inseparable part of all the rituals: Shubha Karmas such as marriages, house warming, ground breaking ceremony and Ashubha Karmas such as rites the deceased and similar rituals and sacraments.
Lord Ganapati is fondly remembered through twelve names starting with Sumukhaya Namaha. Sumukha literally means a charming face. However, philosophically it denotes a pleasant facet of every personality permitting each individual. Thus, Ganapati Puja or Smarana encourages the worshipper to start with a pleasant face, which is an implication of the unwavering mind.
Ganapati is widely adored not only in India sub-continent but also in many other countries. However, the adulation differs from region to region, person to person and time to time. The methodology of reverence ranges from Mantra (chanting the holy name), Tantra (elaborate rites), Dhyana (meditation), Homa (worship through fire) etc.
Ganapati is said to be the embodiment of Pranava (Om). The syllable Om as written in Devanagari script used for Sanskrit language, resembles the physical attribute of Ganapati. Whereas, being the deity of wisdom, Ganapati is personification of Para Vidya (knowledge pertaining and leading to Para Brahma). Among the Shat Chakras (mystical energy centers in human body), Muladhara is said to be the abode of Lord Ganapati. Even here, it is not just symbolic to conclude that Ganapati worship is initiation to the journey to the self. It is to be properly understood that the path to self-realisation is fraught with myriad obstacles in the form of allurement and frequent delusions. Hence, to successfully traverse the path to Yoga Siddhi (flight of Kundalini Shakti to Sahasrara through Sushumna Nadi), the effort has to be initiated at Muladhara. Mula Aadhara, as the name denotes, is the basic foundation of Kundalini Yoga Abhyasa. This Chakra is governed by the energy of Ganapati.
In fact, Ganapati being the primordial energy, is instrumental in bestowal of Yoga, Dhyana, Wisdom. The composition and anatomy of human body is symbolized by the phenomenon of Ganapati. The 32 manifestations of Ganapati correspond to the 32 elements/functions of the human body. Therefore, Ganapati Upasana is nothing but a vivid process to cleanse the soul, body and mind.
(In the past, we have dealt with four incarnations of Ganapati and ensuing moral and philosophy of each story. Now, we proceed to the other stories of Ganapati as detailed in Ganesha Purana.)
These stories enlighten us about the benefits of Ganapati Upasana and the patterns of benediction by Ganapati upon seekers, which in turn increase our concentration and dedication.
Praatas Smaraami Gananaatha Manaatha Bandhum
Sindhoora Pura Parishobhita Ganda Yugman
Uddanda Vighna Parikhandana Chanda Danda –
Maakhandalaadi Suranaayaka Brunda Vandyam
I, prayerfully meditate upon Ganapati, who is a helpful patron to the distressed.
The Lord, who is smeared on the cheeks with Sindhoora (a type of Vermillion in orange colour), is proficient in annihilating the impediments and revered by all the celestial groups led by Aakhandala (Indra).
BHALLAALA GANAPATI
Traditionally, the term Ganapati evokes an instant appeal among the masses. It has an emotional attachment to all the sections of the society, especially, the children, since time immemorial. Throughout the country, festivities connected with Ganapati are exuberantly celebrated by youth, adolescents and children with great fervour every year.
Pandals erected on streets to perform Ganapati Navaratri Puja (starting on Vinayaka Chaturthi and culminating on Ananta Chaturdashi) by people are marked by Bhajans, Pujas, processions, dance and other services. It is customary for children to follow the tradition scrupulously set by elders even without realizing its significance. However, the acts and deeds connected with these festivities will result in staunch devotion and ultimate goal of self-realisation. The story of such one such child, Bhallaala, is the subject today.
Once upon a time, a wealthy merchant by name Kalyana lived in the region of Sindhu, in western Maharashtra. Indumati was his wife. They were blessed by a cute son, named Bhallaala, who was very fascinated towards Lord Ganapati since infancy. Prompted by devotion and affection, he used to worship Ganapati and formed devotee playgroups of children to enact drama and plays connected to the stories of Ganapati. This enthusiastic groups wandered forests, villages during playtime. But, Ganapati was the nucleus of their activities. One day, in course of, their play, Bhallaala discovered a Sindhoora coloured stone (Shona Shila) in a forest. They determined this stone to be a symbol of Ganapati, installed it on a stone pedestal and commenced worship. In no time, the entire premises in the forest was bedecked with flowers, mango leaves, shrubs transforming the tranquil atmosphere into a festive environment. Bhallaala spared no effort to please his favorite deity. Durva grass, flora and fruits found in the woods were offered to Ganapati chanting the divine names.
Namo Namas Suravara Pujitaanghraye
Namo Namo Nirupama Mangalaatmane
Namo Namo Vipula Padaika Siddhaye
Namo Namah Kari Kalabhaananaaya Te
Bhajan – Vishwapala Veda Vedya Vighna Natha
Gradually, their worship developed into full-fledged dance session, singing the holy names and Bhajans of Ganapati. However, due to these devotional activities, they were hardly punctual in their routine household chores and studies to the chagrin of their parents. Blaming Bhallaala for their children’s abnormal behavior, local residents chided Bhallaala’s parents, Kalyana and Indumati, to correct their son. They further complained that their children are wasting their precious time loitering in the forests at the behest of Bhallaala. In spite of best efforts, they could not control their children from meeting Bhallaala. They further threatened to refer this matter to the King if Bhallaala was not reigned by his parents immediately.
Kalyana was furious to hear the complaints about his son. Though he was a learned man, he could not control his anger. He picked a stick and set on trail to locate Bhallaala in the forests. At that time, Bhallaala along with his companions was deeply immersed in Ganapati Puja, blissfully oblivious to the charged condition of his father. His father was further infuriated by the children’s negligent behavior and started to destroy the Pandal uprooting the pillars. He even threw out the Puja materials. But Bhallaala was still in deep transcendental state.
Sookti
Balam Bhavaddhyaana Krutou Disheti
Yathaa Balam Praarthaya Deva Devam
Maa Praarthayainam Kila Kinchidanyat
Samasta Shaktyaagama Keelakam Yat
In difficulties, we tend to pray to God seeking solace, relief, punishment to the evil….. so on. However, ideal sentences of prayer should seek the grace of almighty to sustain meditation and alignment with his cosmic energy. One need not seek any other recourse. Incessant contemplation on the supreme cosmic energy results in energisation of the body, mind and soul. Thus, mediation is the key to acquire cosmic energy to withstand the vagaries of life. Bhallaala inherited the Samskara from his previous birth. Therefore, he kept himself indulged in penance.
However, his father thought that this meditation was farcical and did not hesitate to beat the boy black and blue. Still the boy could not come out of his elevated consciousness. Unable to bear this, Kalyana picked up the revered Ganapati idol and hurled it away. In this course, Bhallaala came to his worldly senses to witness the ghastly act of his father and was deeply hurt. But his father was least bothered about the sentimental attachment with the Ganapati idol to his son and tethered him to a tree. He taunted Bhallaala to get his prove his devotion by getting Ganapati to free his bondage.
Bhallaala was not perturbed with his physical battering, but was deeply concerned about the treatment meted to his favorite god, Ganapati. Thus he prayed:
Tyajet Swabhaktaannacha Santyajethaah
Vedeshu Shastreshu Katham Prasiddhihi?
O! Ganapati, you are said to be the remover of all the obstacles for devotees. How come you are insensitive to the impediments posed to your own Puja? You are praised in Vedas that you stand steadfast by your devotees in adversity. Is it untrue?
Bhallaala was unable to control his grief, which morphed into rage. Involuntarily, he cursed all those who are responsible for this blunder – “The perpetrators of this heinous crime of destruction of the Puja altar may become blind, deaf, dumb and also suffer from starvation. This sentence shall become reality, if my devotion to Lord Ganapati is truthful.”
The words of great souls are immensely powerful. As an outcome of the curse uttered by the boy, all those responsible for the dastardly act suffered a lot.
This again could not pacify the injured psyche of the kid. He thought, “These people may tie my body, but nevertheless, my intellect is free. No one can contain my devotion. But, without my Ganapati, life is futile for me. I will give up my life”, he decided. Even then, his mind was attuned to Lord Ganapati.
Bhajan – Maha Ganapatim Chintayami
Having tested the guts and determination of the young devotee, Lord Ganapati appeared in the form of an old pundit. All of a sudden, the wild creepers bound around the boy to the tree crumbled. With the soothing touch of the divinity, all the wounds of Bhallaala were healed and he was resplendent with divine energy. It became apparent to Bhallaala that his Ganapati has come in a disguise as saviour. He was so delighted that a number of hymns emanated from him.
Tvameva Maataasi Pitaasi Bandhuhu
Tvameva Kartaasi Charaacharsya
Nirmaasi Dushtaamscha Khalaamscha Saadhoon
Yonou Viyonou Viniyokshyasepi
“O! Lord, you are the genesis for this world comprising of both movable and immovable forms of existence.
The beings are consigned to next births on the basis of their previous acts, good and bad. This universe, these oceans, those mighty mountains are your aspects only. How better am I placed to extol your virtues? But for your astounding grace, it would have been impossible to get a sight of your divine form. Indeed, I am blessed.”
Lord Ganapati affectionately hugged the boy and averred.
Tvannaama Purvam Mannaama Bhavishyati
Jane Shubham Bhallaala Vinayaketi Nagare Supratishthitam
My boy, I am pleased with your single pointed dedication and resolve. I will dwell at this place to bless future generations. As a mark of your devotion, I will be worshipped as Bhallaala Vinayaka in this Kshetra. All those sinners will also be liberated by worshipping me.”
This Bhallaala Ganapati is famous in Maharashtra and other states of India. There are scores of devotees, who are ardent followers of this Bhallaala Ganapati Pantheon. This temple stands as testimony to the fact that devotion originating from simplicity or humility is very dear to the God.
Jaya Guru Datta
Courtesy: Avadhoota Dattapeetham