Bhajans

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Lord Ganesha

The Remover of Obstacles

Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity, is one of the most worshipped gods in Hinduism. Known as Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) and Buddhi Vinayaka (lord of wisdom), Ganesha is invoked at the beginning of any new venture or important undertaking.

Divine Attributes

Remover of obstacles
Lord of beginnings
Patron of arts and sciences
Bestower of wisdom
Protector of devotees
Son of Lord Shiva and Parvati

Domain & Festivals

Divine Domain:

Wisdom, Prosperity, New Beginnings

Associated Festivals:

Ganesh ChaturthiSankashti Chaturthi

Sacred Shloka

Vakratunda Mahakaya

Sanskrit:

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

English Translation:

O curved-trunk, mighty-bodied one, with the brilliance of a million suns. Make all my endeavors free of obstacles, O Lord, always.

Meaning:

This powerful shloka is recited before beginning any important work, seeking Ganesha's blessings to remove all obstacles.

Sacred Stories

The Birth of Ganesha

Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from the turmeric paste she used for her bath and breathed life into him. She asked him to guard the entrance while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was stopped by Ganesha, not recognizing him, Shiva in anger severed the boy's head. To console the grieving Parvati, Shiva replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant and brought him back to life, making him the leader of his ganas (attendants).

Ganesha and the Moon

Once, after eating too many modaks (sweet dumplings), Ganesha's belly became so full that he fell from his mouse. The moon laughed at this sight, which angered Ganesha. He cursed the moon to disappear from the sky. When the world became dark, the gods pleaded with Ganesha to reverse the curse. Ganesha modified it so that the moon would wax and wane, sometimes visible and sometimes not. This is why we see different phases of the moon.

Devotional Bhajan

Ganesha Sharanam Sharanam Ganesha

Hindi/Sanskrit:

गणेश शरणं शरणं गणेश गणेश शरणं शरणं गणेश विघ्न हरण मंगल करण गणेश गणेश शरणं शरणं गणेश गजानन हे गणनायक गौरी नंदन सद्गुरु दायक मोदक प्रिय मूषक वाहन मंगल मूर्ति भव भय हरण गणेश शरणं शरणं गणेश

English Translation:

Ganesha, I surrender, I surrender to Ganesha Ganesha, I surrender, I surrender to Ganesha Remover of obstacles, creator of auspiciousness, Ganesha Ganesha, I surrender, I surrender to Ganesha O elephant-faced, leader of ganas Son of Gauri, giver of good teachers Lover of modak, riding on mouse Auspicious form, remover of worldly fears Ganesha, I surrender, I surrender to Ganesha

Meaning:

This beautiful bhajan expresses complete surrender and devotion to Lord Ganesha, acknowledging him as the remover of obstacles and fears.

Sacred Aarti

Sukhkarta Dukhharta

Hindi/Sanskrit:

सुखकर्ता दुःखहर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची नुरवी पुरवी प्रेम कृपा जयाची सर्वांगी सुंदर उती शेंदुराची कंठी झळके माल मुक्ताफळांची जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती रत्नखचित फरा तुज गौरीकुमरा चंदनाची उटी कुंकुमकेशरा हिरे जडित मुकुट शोभतो बरा रुणझुणती नूपुरे चरणी घागरा जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती लंबोदर पीतांबर फणिवरबंधना सरळ सोंड वक्रतुंड त्रिनयना दास रामाचा वाट पाहे सदना संकटी पावावे निर्वाणी रक्षावे सुरवरवंदना जय देव जय देव जय मंगलमूर्ति दर्शनमात्रे मन कामना पुरती

English Translation:

Giver of happiness, remover of sorrows, destroyer of obstacles Fulfill our desires with your love and grace Beautiful in every way, with the glow of vermillion Necklace of pearls shining around your neck Victory to the Lord, victory to the auspicious form Just your sight fulfills all desires of the mind Gem-studded crown adorns you, O son of Gauri Sandal paste and saffron adorn your body Diamond-studded crown looks beautiful Tinkling anklets on your feet make sweet sounds Victory to the Lord, victory to the auspicious form Just your sight fulfills all desires of the mind Big-bellied, wearing yellow clothes, with serpent as sacred thread Straight trunk, curved tusk, three-eyed one Rama's devotee always waits for you In difficulties, may you protect and grant salvation, O one worshipped by gods Victory to the Lord, victory to the auspicious form Just your sight fulfills all desires of the mind

Meaning:

This is the complete and most revered aarti of Lord Ganesha, sung during Ganesh Chaturthi and daily worship. It describes Ganesha's divine form in detail and praises him as the remover of obstacles and fulfiller of wishes.