SREE MAHA GANAPATHI-MY TANJORE PAINTING

May Lord Ganesha -The destroyer of obstacles

shower His blessings and grace on all our ventures...

With Ganesha Chathurthi round the corner,

I am sharing some Slokas on Lord Ganesha

 along with their meanings....

SLOKAS ON LORD GANESH

Shuklaambara Dharam Vishnum
Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam
Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet
Sarva Vighna Upashaanthaye

Meaning: We meditate on Lord Ganesha - who is clad in white (representing purity), who is all pervading (present everywhere), whose complexion is gray like that of ash (glowing with spiritual splendor), who has four arms, who has bright countenance (depicting inner calm and happiness) and who can destroy all obstacles (in our spiritual and worldly path).

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Vakratunda Mahakaaya
Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva
Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

Meaning:The Lord with the curved trunk and a mighty body, who has the luster of a million suns, I pray to thee Oh Lord, to remove the obstacles from all the actions I intend to perform.

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Agajaanana Padmaarkam
Gajaananam Aharnisham
Anekadantham Bhaktaanaam
Ekadantam Upaasmahey

Meaning:I worship day and night that elephant faced Lord Ganesha who is like sun to the lotus face of Mother Parvati. Giver of many boons, the single tusked Ganesh, I salute Thee to give e a boon.

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Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadhi Sevitam
Kapitta Jamboophaala Saara Bhakshitam
Umaasutam Shoka Vinaasha Kaaranam
Namaami Vighneswara Paada Pankajam

Meaning: The Lord with the elephant face, served by all the Ganas, One who takes as His food, the essence of Kapitta and Jamboophala (these are two favorite fruits of Ganesh), son of Uma (Mother Parvati), destroyer of misery of the devotees, controller of obstacles, we worship Your Lotus Feet.

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Ganaanaam Twam Ganapathi Gam Havaamahe
Kavim Kaveenaam Upamasra Vastamam
Jyeshta Raajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspatha
Aanashrunvanna Oothibhi Seedha Saadanam

Meaning: We invite You, the Lord of spiritual faith (of Lord Shiva). You are the wisest among the wise, the best to be given as a standard of comparison. You are the senior Lord, Lord of the Vedic manthras, listening to our prayers. Please visit our home with prosperous things and be seated here.

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GANESH GAYATHRI

Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe
Vakratundaaya Dheemahe
Tanno Danthihi Prachodayaat

Meaning: We meditate on that super power, we invoke the single tusked boon giver, Ganesh.

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GANESHA PANCHARATNAM

1. Mudakaraatha Modakam Sada Vimukti Saadhakam
   Kalaadharaavatamsakam Vilasiloka Rakshakam
   Anaaya Kaika Naayakam Vinasitebha Daityakam
   Nataasubhasu Naashakam Namaami Tham Vinaayakam.
   Meaning: I prostrate before Lord Vinaayaka who joyously holds modaka in His hand, who bestows salvation, who wears the moon as a crown in His head, who is the sole leader of those who lose themselves in the world. The leader of the leaderless who destroyed the elephant demon called Gajaasura and who quickly destroys the sins of those who bow down to Him, I worship such a Lord Ganesh.
2. Natetaraati Bheekaram Navoditaarka Bhaasvaram
   Namat Suraari Nirjanam Nataadhi Kaapa Duddharam
   Suresvaram Nidheesvaram Gajesvaram Ganeshvaram
   Mahesvaram Samaasraye Paraatparam Nirantaram.
   Meaning: I meditate eternally on Him, the Lord of the Ganas, who is frightening to those not devoted, who shines like the morning sun, to whom all the Gods and demons bow, who removes the great distress of His devotees and who is the best among the best.
3. Samasta Loka Samkaram Nirasta Daitya Kunjaram
   Daredarodaram Varam Vare Bhavaktra Maksharam
   Krupaakaram Kshamaakaram Mudaakaram Yasaskaram
   Manaskaram Namaskrutaam Namaskaromi Bhaasvaram.
   Meaning: I bow down with my whole mind to the shining Ganapati who brings happiness to all the worlds, who destroyed the demon Gajasura, who has a big belly, beautiful elephant face, who is immortal, who gives mercy, forgiveness and happiness to those who bow to Him and who bestows fame and a well disposed mind.
4. Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam
   Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam
   Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam
   Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam.
   
   
   Meaning: I worship the ancient elephant God who destroys the pains of the poor, who is the abode of Aum, who is the first son of Lord Shiva (Shiva who is the destroyer of triple cities), who destroys the pride of the enemies of the Gods, who is frightening to look at during the time of world's destruction, who is fierce like an elephant in rut and who wears Dhananjaya and other serpents as his ornaments.
5. Nitaantikaanta Dantakaanti Mantakaanta Kaatmajam
   Achintya Rupa Mantaheena Mantaraaya Krintanam
   Hrudantarey Nirantaram Vasantameva Yoginam
   Tameka Danta Meva Tam Vichintayaami Santatam.
   Meaning: I constantly reflect upon that single tusked God only, whose lustrous tusk is very beautiful, who is the son of Lord Shiva, (Shiva, the God of destruction), whose form is immortal and unknowable, who tears asunder all obstacles, and who dwells forever in the hearts of the Yogis.
6. Mahaaganesa Pancharatnam Aadarena Yonvaham
   Prajapati Prabhaatake Hrudi Smaran Ganesvaram
   Arogatham Adoshataam Susaahitim Suputrataam
   Samaahitaayu Rastabhootim Abhyupaiti Sochiraat.
   Meaning: He who recites this every morning with devotion, these five gems about Lord Ganapati and who remembers in his heart the great Ganesha, will soon be endowed with a healthy life free of all blemishes, will attain learning, noble sons, a long life that is calm and pleasant and will be endowed with spiritual and material prosperity.

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TWELVE NAMES OF GANESHA

1. Pranamya Shirasa Devam
   Gauriputram Vinaayakam
   Bhakataavaasam Smare Nityam
   Aayuh Kaamartha Siddhaye
   Meaning:Every day, I bow down to that Lord, the son of Gowri, the Lord one who lives in the heart of the devotees, blessing them always with good health and prosperity.
2. Prathamam Vakratundam Cha
   Ekadantam Dviteeyakam
   Thriteeyam Krishna Pingaaksham
   Gajavaktram Chaturthakam
   Meaning: Starting from here the twelve names of Ganesha are mentioned and he is worshipped in those different forms. The first as the Lord with the curved trunk; second, as the one with only one tusk, third, as the one with black (red/brown) eyes, fourth, as the one with giant structure.
3. Lambodaram Panchamaam Cha
   Shashtam Vikatameva Cha
   Saptamam Vighnaraajendram
   Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam
   Meaning: Fifth, as the one with a big (long) stomach, six, as the one with a huge body Seven, as the remover of obstacles, eight, as the one with smoke gray color
4. Navamam Phaalachandram Cha
   Dasamam Tu Vinaayakam
   Ekaadasam Ganapatim
   Dvaadasam Tu Gajaananam
   Meaning: Ninth, as the one with moon on the front of His head, tenth, as the foremost leader, eleventh, as the leader of the ganas, twelfth as the one with elephant face.
5. Dvaadasaitaani Naamaani
   Trisandhyam Yah Pathernnarah
   Na Cha Vighna Bhayam Tasya
   Sarva Siddhikaram Prabho
   Meaning: Any person, who remembers these twelve names of Ganesha, three times in a day, will have all their obstacles and fear removed and will attain success. (This group of verses is said to be sage Narada's offering to Lord Ganesh.)

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SIXTEEN NAMES OF GANESHA

1. Sumukhascha Ekadanthascha
   Kapilo Gajakarnakaha
   Lambodarascha Vikato
   Vighnaraajo Ganaadhipaa
   Meaning: The various names and associated forms of God Ganesha are enumerated and need to be meditated upon here - the one with an auspicious face, the single tusked Lord, the one who is of red color, the one with the ears of an elephant, the one with a big stomach, the one with a jovial disposition, the controller of obstacles, the Lord of the Ganas.
2. Dhoomaketur Ganaadhyashah
   Phaalachandro Gajaanana
   Vakratundo Shoorpakarno
   Heyrambho Skandapoorvajaha
   Meaning:The one of smoke gray color, the leader of the ganas, the one who has moon in the front of his forehead, the elephant faced one, the one with a curved trunk (or broken tusk), the one with big (basket like) ears, the one who is heroic like a buffalo, the elder brother of Skanda (Skanda is another name for Lord Subrahmanya)
3. Shodashaitaani Namaani
   Yah Pateth Srunuyaadapi
   Vidyaarambhe Vivahe Cha
   Praveshey Nirgamey Tatah
   Sangraamey Sarva Kaaryeshu
   Vighnas Tasya Na Jaayathe
   
   Abheepsitaartha Siddhyartham
   Poojitoya Surairapi
   Sarva Vighna Chhido Tasmai
   Sree Ganaadhipataye Namaha
   Meaning:Whoever the one who recites and listens to these sixteen names at the beginning of studies, at the time of marriage, while entering or departing a place, or at the battle field, all their obstacles will be removed. Even the Gods worship Lord Ganesha to receive the fulfillment of their actions. Oh Lord Ganesh, the One who has this power of destroying all the obstacles in the way of the devotees, I prostrate before you.

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