Last week I gave you a bit of background on my connection with the deity Lord Ganesha. As I researched more deeply I found that Ganesha is not only worshipped as one who removes obstacles, he also has the powerful ability to inspire the importance of one’s spiritual life. Many see the union of Ganesha’s body and elephant head as a representation of how the spirit should live in harmony with nature. His large elephant head is also an embodiment of wisdom and understanding. Ganesha has four hands – one with an axe to cut off attachments, one with a rope to pull a person towards the highest goal, one to reward with sweets those who live a life of spiritual discipline, and one held with the palm out to give blessings and protect those on the road to spirituality.
All of these elements resonate deeply within me, especially during the recent pandemic when they proved to be a great source of strength and serenity. Through the recommendation of Vishal during this dark time I started listening to and reciting a number of mantras. For those of you not familiar, a mantra is a sacred utterance, a sound, a syllable, word or group of words in believed to provide spiritual succor. You may have heard of the sound OM which is the sound of the universe and the sound of creation. It’s also related to higher consciousness.
One of my favorite mantras that provides great relief is called Om Gan Ganapataye Namo Namah . This mantra phrase is be repeated 108 times for maximum potency. It extols the powers of Lord Ganesha and asks for his help in restoring balance, calming the mind, easing negativity and reducing anxiety.
Another of my favorite mantras is the very powerful Gayatri Mantra which calls out to the one Supreme Creator represented by the sound OM
Om Bhur Bhuvah Swaha
Taat Savitur Varanyam
Bhargo devasya dheemi
Dhio yonah prachodayat
Translation:
You who are the source of all power,
Whose rays illuminate the world,
Illuminate also my heart and my mind
So that they too can do your work!.
It is quite beautiful as you can hear here: