Saluting and invoking Sri Ganesh

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It is at about that time that a sort of discipline gradually established itself: first I would clean and tidy up inside the shrine; then I would collect fresh flowers; then I would clean around the shrine and the Shivalingam, the pathways and the entrance gate area, after which I would do whatever watering or clearing, pruning and weeding the garden required on that day. Once all that was done, I would change clothes and put on my pujari longi and move in and prepare Sri Ganesh with scented oils and tilakam dots on all the centers and on his four hands and two feet and then arrange the rudraksha beads and the fresh flowers and light the oil lamps and sing the mantras that came to me that particular day… I would later see to whatever work was needed or attend to people if requested. But every noon without fail, before leaving, I would sit alone in front of Sri Ganesh and let his presence “speak”, define and communicate itself. In this fashion, one aspect or another would come to the fore and, sometimes, very unexpected movements of consciousness would present themselves. Obviously my own aspiration and orientation would play a role in filtering and also in evolving a new perception of the reality of Sri Ganesh. Thus Sri Ganesh’s growing importance in the preparing and safeguarding the grounds for the new creation may perhaps appear “unorthodox”, in the sense that as far as I know he has never been addressed as such until now. But he has undoubtedly been addressed as the Master of Yoga through many centuries and what does that mean today? It certainly implies a function in the work of ushering in the new being… Of course, my own personal condition varying from moment to moment, my receptivity would not be equal and there would be glimpses of different intensity and clarity accordingly. However, through the days and weeks and months and years, it is possible to distribute the many rendered hymns in broad veins of inspiration. There are those hymns dedicated to Sri Ganesh, the Teacher; others relate to Ganesh’s relationship to the Shakti, while others have to do with his relationship to the Two in One, or the Two who are One or, as is traditionally suggested, to Shiva and Parvati, or to Ishwara and Ishwari; many obviously have to do with his roles and functions as caretaker of the Riches and guide to lasting prosperity. But his roles and functions cannot be easily circumscribed as it is also clear that Sri Ganesh, the Lord of Obstacles, is the one who may clear the path ahead and, as such, is the Guardian of the Path. He is most representative of the whole of creation through the forces of Nature and therefore he stands defined in the light of the most ancient lore and knowledge. Being so close and intimate with the Shakti, the Mother Herself, Devi, he must thus be Her instrument in Her continuous work for

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