Slokas on Lord Ganesh

Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings, who is traditionally worshipped before any major enterprise and is the patron of intellectuals, bankers, scribes, and authors. ... Like a rat and like an elephant, Ganesha is a remover of obstacles.

Shuklaambara Dharam Vishnum

Shashi Varnam Chatur Bhujam

Prasanna Vadanam Dhyaayet

Sarva Vighna Upashaanthaye

Vakratunda Mahakaaya

Suryakoti Samaprabha

Nirvighnam Kuru Mey Deva

Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada

Agajaanana Padmaarkam

Gajaananam Aharnisham

Anekadantham Bhaktaanaam

Ekadantam Upaasmahey

Gajaananam Bhoota Ganaadhi Sevitam

Kapitta Jamboophaala Saara Bhakshitam

Umaasutam Shoka Vinaasha Kaaranam

Namaami Vighneswara Paada Pankajam

Ganaanaam Twam Ganapathi Gam Havaamahe

Kavim Kaveenaam Upamasra Vastamam

Jyeshta Raajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspatha

Aanashrunvanna Oothibhi Seedha Saadanam

GANESH GAYATHRI

Tatpurushaaya Vidmahe

Vakratundaaya Dheemahe

Tanno Danthihi Prachodayaat

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

GANESHA PANCHARATNAM

Mudakaraatha Modakam Sada Vimukti Saadhakam

Kalaadharaavatamsakam Vilasiloka Rakshakam

Anaaya Kaika Naayakam Vinasitebha Daityakam

Nataasubhasu Naashakam Namaami Tham Vinaayakam.

Natetaraati Bheekaram Navoditaarka Bhaasvaram

Namat Suraari Nirjanam Nataadhi Kaapa Duddharam

Suresvaram Nidheesvaram Gajesvaram Ganeshvaram

Mahesvaram Samaasraye Paraatparam Nirantaram.

Samasta Loka Samkaram Nirasta Daitya Kunjaram

Daredarodaram Varam Vare Bhavaktra Maksharam

Krupaakaram Kshamaakaram Mudaakaram Yasaskaram

Manaskaram Namaskrutaam Namaskaromi Bhaasvaram.

Akimchanaarti Marjanam Chirantanokti Bhaajanam

Puraari Poorva Nandanam Suraari Garva Charvanam

Prapancha Naasha Bheeshanam Dhananjayaadi Bhushanam

Kapola Daana Vaaranam Bhajaey Puraana Vaaranam.

Nitaantikaanta Dantakaanti Mantakaanta Kaatmajam

Achintya Rupa Mantaheena Mantaraaya Krintanam

Hrudantarey Nirantaram Vasantameva Yoginam

Tameka Danta Meva Tam Vichintayaami Santatam.

Mahaaganesa Pancharatnam Aadarena Yonvaham

Prajapati Prabhaatake Hrudi Smaran Ganesvaram

Arogatham Adoshataam Susaahitim Suputrataam

Samaahitaayu Rastabhootim Abhyupaiti Sochiraat.

TWELVE NAMES OF GANESHA

Pranamya Shirasa Devam

Gauriputram Vinaayakam

Bhakataavaasam Smare Nityam

Aayuh Kaamartha Siddhaye

Prathamam Vakratundam Cha

Ekadantam Dviteeyakam

Thriteeyam Krishna Pingaaksham

Gajavaktram Chaturthakam

Lambodaram Panchamaam Cha

Shashtam Vikatameva Cha

Saptamam Vighnaraajendram

Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam

Navamam Phaalachandram Cha

Dasamam Tu Vinaayakam

Ekaadasam Ganapatim

Dvaadasam Tu Gajaananam

Dvaadasaitaani Naamaani

Trisandhyam Yah Pathernnarah

Na Cha Vighna Bhayam Tasya

Sarva Siddhikaram Prabho

SIXTEEN NAMES OF GANESHA

Sumukhascha Ekadanthascha

Kapilo Gajakarnakaha

Lambodarascha Vikato

Vighnaraajo Ganaadhipaa

Dhoomaketur Ganaadhyashah

Phaalachandro Gajaanana

Vakratundo Shoorpakarno

Heyrambho Skandapoorvajaha

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

Principles of Srivaishnavism

Srivaishnavism is a philosophy and a religion based on the Upanisads and the divine hymns of Alwars. This system of philosophy explains the nature of souls, matter and God and the relation between them in a rational manner based on testimony and prescribes two basic paths namely Bhakti and Prapatti to get liberation from the vicious cycle of birth and death and attaining the highest state bliss which is nothing but divine service to Sriman Narayana( in paramapada). Srivaishnavism lays equal emphasis on ethical religious way of life and performance of religious duties. It is this practical aspect that gives distinction to Vaishnava philosophy that is far more important than the philosophy!

This song composed by Narasimha Mehta (a Gujarati poet of 15th century) summarises practical Vaishnava values in an unique way :

He is a true Vaishnava who knows and feels another’s calamities as his own.

Ever ready to serve, he never boasts.

Keeping his thought, word and deed pure.

Blessed is the mother of such a person.

He treats women as he would treat his own mother

He keeps his mind calm and does not stain his lips with falsehood;

Nor does he touch another’s wealth.

No bonds of attachment can hold him.

Ever in tune with Rama-nama (name of God), within his body is present all places of piligrimage.

Free from greed and deceit, passion and anger,

This is a true Vaishnava

We can find the echo of such statements emphasizing the religious and ethical values in almost all the world religions. However, the distinctive feature of Vaishnava dharma lies in the fact that a Vaishnava believes in Vishnu, the Supreme Being who pervades the entire universe as enunciated in the Isavasya Upanisad - isa vasyam idam sarvam yatkincha jagatyam jagat. Hence, a Vaishnava should therefore love all beings and treat them as equal and hate none. He should live with the peace of mind and lead a humble pious life dedicating himself to the service of God and his devotees. Such a way of life will bring him not only happiness in this world but an everlasting bliss in the other world.

One of the essential requirements for a Vaishnava in order to lead a religious life is to have a well qualified Acharya or Guru. Even the most meritorious person and a sinner of the worst kind needs the guidance of an Acharya or preceptor. The inner meaning of the philosophical truths cannot be attained by just self study of Vedanta.. A special feature of Vaishnaivism is the emphasis on daily worship of the entire lineage of Acharyas starting from Narayana, the first Acharya (preceptor) to the present Acharya.

For one to be fully qualified as a Vaishnava, one has to undergo the five-fold sacrament, namely pancha-samskara.

The distinctions of caste, creed, learning and social status have no bearing on being a Vaishnava. Garuda purana explicitly states that a person who has the eight-fold bhakti in Vishnu should be honored, even if he is a mleccha or person who does not conform to Hindu ideals.

A devout Vaishnava performs certain prescribed daily duties meticulously with true devotion. These duties are :

1) abhigamana or morning prayers,

2) upadana or collection of materials for worship,

3) ijya or formal worship of God, 4) svadhyaya - recitation and study of scriptures,

5) yoga or contemplation on God.

There are certain easier religious practices such as the nine-fold bhakti mentioned in srimad-bhagavatam :

1) listening to the glory of Vishnu (sravana),

2) singing the glory of God (kirtana)

3) constantly remembering His greatness, (smarana)

4) service to God (padasevana),

5) offering worship to God’s image (archana),

6) prostrating before God(vandana),

7) developing feeling of subbordination to God (dasya),

8) developing friendly disposition to God (sakhya) and

9) surrendering oneself to God.

These practices do not require preparatory and purificatory activities except deep love for God.

A vaishnava has to fully realize that he (sesa) is absolutely dependent on God (sesin) and that his intrinsic duty is to serve God at all times (sarvakala) and all ways (sarvavastha). He should realize that he is a mere tool in the hands of God and do all actions not for his selfish purpose but with a spirit of providing pleasure to God. This is nishkama karma or self-less action and this is the height of renouncement of ego (ahankara) and the notion of mine (mamakara). A service done in this spirit removes one’s sins by earning the grace of God. Though any act can be taken as kainkarya or service to God, there are certain services mostly related to temple activities ranging from the simplest act of bringing flowers to the great task of construction of a temple to Sri-Hari. Some examples of kainkarya are : lighting lamps, waving fan to the diety, preparing and offering food to God, bringing water for worship, recitation of hymns and slokas, cleaning the floors of the temple etc. A true kainkarya is done not for monetary or social gain but as a source of divine pleasure to Sri-Hari.

Along with service to God, a true Vaishnava should serve Godly people or Bhagavatas. In fact service to His devotees is MORE IMPORTANT

Vedas : Vedas present an approach to universe and also relationship of man vis a vis universe.Vedic approach is that our planet is part of our universe and systems of universe have an influence on the life in our planet. Meditation and other activities emphasized in vedas is essentially to attract beneficial cosmic radiation's to our planet , which inturn help to form an environment conductive to healthy development of body and mind of human.

Vedic approach centres around " God or Parabrahman" who is responsible for creation, progress and destruction of the universe.Further he regulates every action of the universe.With the advent of cosmic and space research, this vedic approach is gaining recognition.Frank.J.Tipler, Prof. of Mathematical physics , in his book "The physics of immortality" discusses various theories of cosmology (omega point theory) and points out that the present observations are based on visible universe which is only a small fraction of the total universe.By defining the universe as the totality of all that exists (including the invisible portion of the universe), he points out the existence of a person / force/ source that is omnipresent (unlimited power) omnicent (knowing everything)and omnipresent (present everywhere).In this way he supports the vedic concept of God.

Vedic approach that time is cyclic in character , also finds scientific support.Vedic concept is that one " Chaturyuga " - comprising of " Kaliyuga " , " Dwaparayuga " , "Tretayuga " and "Satyayuga " -is the basic cycle on which wheel of time moves.( This is approximately 4.32 million human years ) . 1008 cycles of chaturyuga constitutes "One day " at the ultimate source of creation.This is referred to as " Kalpa " .The creation begins at the beginning of a Kalpa ( called Laya ) and there will be complete destruction at the end of "Kalpa" ( called Pralaya ).Creation and destruction are continuous process , not only in our planet but also in the entire universe.

Srivaishnavism :

Vedas are starting point of all Indian philosophies . Ramanuja has also based " Srivaishnavism" on vedic principles. Srivaishnavism is as old as veda itself ." Alwars" , Supreme devotees of Lord Vishnu , are foremost amongst the Srivaishnava teachers .They are overwhelmed by the desire for incessant communion with the lord.They remain immersed in singing the divine glories of the Lord.The songs composed and sung by them are known as "Divya Prabhandam " .There are in all 4000 songs all in Tamil. These songs bring out " Saranagathi " ( or surrender ) approach to god realization. These songs bring out the essence of Vedas and hence are also referred to as "Tamil Vedas".There are 12 Alwars who spread Vishnu Bhakti Cult and surrender.Ramanuja gave a scientific explanation of Srivaishnavism and hence has become synonymous with Vishishtadvaita.

God is the absolute reality , endowed with all auspicious and excellent attributes which are unsurpassable.He is the inner ruler of matter ( a non-sensuous thing or Achit ) as well as Souls or Atman ( a sensuous thing or Chit ).In the state of cosmic dissolution (Pralaya) which occurs at the end of a kalpa (cycles of four yugas), the matter and soul exist in a subtle state in Him possessing none of the qualities which make them objects of experience or cognizing subjects.From this subtle state , creation evolves by the will of God. Subtle matter ( Achit) develop into gross form and will be of 24 types such as "Prakriti " , etc.Mixture of the various types of Achit is our world and body of living things.Souls (Chit) expand their consciousness ,entering into connection with bodies appropriate to their past Karmas (Actions) and continue the cycle of births and deaths , known as "Sansara". Out of compassion for the souls , God also teaches vedas - a treatise discussing nature of souls, prakriti or nature, God or Paramatman, causes of samsara and ways to get out of samsara etc- through Brahma and a lineage of sages Srivaishnavism explains saranagathi approach to cross samsara.

Three realities :

Srivaishnavism recognizes three realities - namely Chit ( Sensuous objects) , Achit ( Non Sensuous objects ) and Eshwara ( God) .This is referred to as "Tatwa Thraya" . Achit is of 24 types , such as Prakriti , etc . Achit has no capacity to show itself .It is dependent on Chit for this purpose .Both Chit and Achit are subordinate to Eshwara. Saranagathi is the main process for "Moksha "- that is redeeming of Samsara.

Thus , according to Srivaishnavism , every individual in this world is an inseparable combination of Soul (Chit) , Prakriti ( Achit) and Eshwara ( Antaryami ). Every soul gets a body ( evolved out of prakriti ) in accordance with his Karmas. the soul and body are inseparable and interdependent in an individual. Eshwara ( Antaryami) resides in the body but does not take part in the worldly activities of the body .However , His help is available for the soul to cross the Samsara.