SRI GANAPATI ADHARVA SIRSHAM

                                                             

One of the great and most important sthotras on Sri

 Maha Ganapati is SRI GANAPATHI ADHARVASIRSHA  dedicated  to Lord Ganesha. It is a late Upanishad that celebrates Ganesha as the ultimate Brahman. The scripture attests its own status as an Upanishad in its final line which reads “Sri Ganapathyadharva sirsopanishad.” It is the most widely  recited Sanskrit text among devotees of Ganesha in Maharashtra. The entire text is written over the entrance to the temple hall  in  the  Ashta Vinayaka Ganesha Shrine at Ranjangarh. Ganesha is the god first propitiated before any ceremony or function. He is Vinayaka—one who has no leader. He is the leader or Master himself! He has a pleasant face, one tusk, is of ash color, has wide ears of the elephant, and a large belly! He is the lord of all impediments and obstacles! He is the head of all the ‘ bhutha ganas’ and called ‘ Herambha.’  He is the elder brother of Lord Subrahmanya!

      The great sage Adharvana who had direct vision of Lord Ganesha describes his spiritual elation and experience in  these  stanzas  for the welfare of humanity. As it is customary to get the blessings of the Lord, Sage Adharvana praises Lord Ganesha in the following words:

      Namasthe Ganapathaye….”  Oh Lord Ganesha! The head of all Deva ganas! I offer my humble pranams to you. You are the first born from the great parabrahman. You are the creator, protector, and destroyer of the entire universe. You are the victor. You are the truth and the eternal atma. I speak the truth only! Protect your devotees and those who take refuge in you. Destroy all impediments that arise from the east, west, north and south as well as from above and below. You are the Lord of speech. You are the form of bliss—Satchidananda—You  are verily the Parabrahman! You are the repository of all knowledge or Jnana!”

     Sarvam jagadidam twattho jayate……Adharvana maharshi continues: “ The  entire universe is your creation. It is protected by you and merges into you. You are the personification of the five elements- earth, fire, water, air and akasa or sky!  You are the embodiment of the four kinds of speech!  You  are  ‘Sabdabrahma’ yourself!”

       Twam gunatrayatitaha…….” You are beyond the three gunas—satwa, rajas and tamas; three avasthas—jagrad, swapna and sushupti—wakefulness, dreamy state and deep sleep. You transcend the Time scale—the present, past and the future. You are always seated in the ‘mooladhara chakra’ in my body! You are also the form of the three shaktis—icchashakti, kriya shakti and jnana shakti. All yogis and rishis are engaged in meditating on you.  You are the lord of the three lokas—swarga, marthya ( earth) and Pathala ( nether world). Agni, Vayu, the Sun and the Moon are in your control!”

        Gakarah purva rupam……. After describing the qualities and attributes of Lord Ganesha,  Adharvana maharshi offers us the ‘ Ganesha Vidya’ mantra that reveals his pure form! “The word ‘Gam’ is the mantra. The syllable’ ga’ is the first. The sound ‘a’ is in the middle; the sound’ am’ is the last. When the Pranava or Omkara is added to ‘gam’ and recited as ‘ Om gam’ and meditated upon, Lord Ganesha shall appear to the sadhaka!  This Ganesha mantra in the chandas( prosody) ‘nichrut’ was revealed to the sage Ganaka! One should prostrate to the Lord by repeating “ Om  gam Ganapathi”

        Ekadantaya vidmahe vakra thundaya dhimahi…..Adhrvana  mahashi then gives us the Gayathri mantra for Lord Ganesha. “ I meditate on the Lord with the single tusk and the curved trunk. Let him bless me with jnana and enlighten my mind.”

         Ekadantam chatur hastham……. How to meditate on the form of Lord Ganesha? Adharvana maharshi  describes  his form for our meditation. “ He  has a single tusk, curved trunk, and four shoulders. In one hand he has the Pasa—rope-and in another ‘ ankusa’ the instrument to control. In the other two hands he exhibits the ‘ abhaya’ and ‘ varada’ mudras or postures promising fearlessness and  boons respectively. He has the mouse as his flag! He is red in color, dressed in red and with a large belly and winnow shaped ears. He is smeared with red sandal paste and worshipped with red flowers. He is forever compassionate to his devotees.  Lord  Ganesha  preceded  creation itself! One who meditates on this form of Ganesha is the best of all the yogis!”

         Namo vratapathaye namo Ganapathaye……” Adharvana maharshi concludes the Upanishad with this prayer! “ Oh  Lord Ganesha!  the  Lord of all Devas and pramatha ganas (those serving Lord Siva) my salutations to you. You are Lambodara—with large belly and the single tusk! You destroy all impediments! You are the darling son of Parameswars! You grant boons to all your devotees! My prostrations to you!