Today I decided to begin listening to and chanting these mantras before the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita. As I did so I remembered a morning twenty-eight years ago in Gurudev Siddha Peeth when I first heard these mantras being chanted before
Shri Guru Gita. I had arrived early for the recitation, and in the dim light I noticed Gurumayi seated in her chair radiating stillness, her red robes so beautiful in the dark. I sat down, relishing the
Ganesh Atharvarshirsha mantras, full of wonder. After hearing them again today and holding this experience, I feel a lovely stillness and a connection to purity of heart.
Thornbury, Australia
This morning when my partner unexpectedly started playing Ganapati Atharvashirsha, my heart suddenly leapt for joy, and as it went on, I could not stop smiling. I have always loved hearing recitations by the Brahmin priests, and today this one took me to an unknown land filled with happiness and peacefulness.
Massachusetts, United States
With great gratitude I listened to Ganapati Atharvashirsha, recited by Vedamurti Shri Vivek Godbole and Vedamurti Shri Chintamani Natu. It felt to me like they were reciting for all of us.
Many years ago I had the great honor of seeing Vedamurti Shri Vivek Godbole in Gurudev Siddha Peeth in India. I was deeply touched by his lightness, humor, and great love, and the warmth that he radiated. For hours he recited sacred texts for Gurumayi, by heart and with so much shakti and care!
As I listened to the recitation today, the sacred sounds of Ganapati Atharvashirsha wrapped around my soul like a golden cloth of silk and I felt my soul expand in blissful security.
Unterlangenegg, Switzerland
The breathtaking image of Lord Ganesha in the indigo-blue evening sky filled my entire being with soothing hope, peace, and divine contentment. The golden star shining ever so brightly was a sweet reminder of the Blue Pearl waiting to flash in my meditation. It was truly inspiring!
Happy Birthday, Lord Ganesha!
St. Laurent, Canada
As I listened to the recording of the Brahmin priests chanting the
Ganapati Atharvashirsha mantra, I experienced a profound silence within me. The power and vibration of their voices as they pronounced each syllable filled the atmosphere. I felt connected to Lord Ganesh in my heart.
Since I start my practice every day by chanting this mantra, I am determined to learn the proper pronunciation with the support of this recording. I feel this will further deepen my connection to Lord Ganesh—the sweet and benevolent deity, beloved by young and old.
Hosur, India
I am so grateful for the sublime gift of the recording of the
Ganapati Atharvashirsha on the Siddha Yoga path website!
This morning I played it at home before reciting
Shri Guru Gita. I felt the sacred atmosphere of Gurudev Siddha Peeth flooding my room. My whole being—body, mind, heart, and soul—was transported to the peaceful, vibrant realm of Guru Chowk after meditation. I was right there, sitting quietly on a warm blanket on the marble floor, wrapped in a warm shawl in the soft light of the
brahma-muhurta hours.
I intend to participate in the
Ganapati Atharvashirsha every day!
Plougonvelin, France
While listening to the powerful
Ganapati Atharvashirsha, I looked carefully at the beautiful design above it. Lord Ganesh appears there almost as the essence of the universe, the stars his ornaments. Among the stars, one shines far brighter than the others. I thought, “This must be Rohini!”
In astronomy this star, called Aldebaran, is the brightest star in the zodiac constellation Taurus and the fourteenth brightest star in the night sky. From Vedic astrology, I’ve learned that it’s known as the Rohini
nakshatra. Vedic astrology identifies 27
nakshatras, or constellations, with Lord Ganesh connected to every one of them! So there are 27 forms of Ganesh for the 27
nakshatras.
The form of Lord Ganesh assigned to the Rohini
nakshatra is called Vighna Ganapati—the “remover of obstacles.” In this form, he is said to be extra powerful in obliterating obstacles. A Vedic astrologer once told me that worshiping the form of Lord Ganesh particular to our astrological chart is a sure-fire way to invoke his grace and thereby change our karma.
What does all this teach me? My own understanding is that one can see Lord Ganesh in the whole cosmos—as the cosmos itself. For me, this is the meaning of the
Ganapati Atharvashirsha, which proclaims that Lord Ganesh is indeed everything, in every time.
California, United States
When I opened the Siddha Yoga path website this morning, I came across this much-awaited hymn and my heart leapt with joy! I had been waiting for the
Ganapati Atharvashirsha to be shared on the website and I played it aloud so my eight-year-old son and I could hear it right then. I also immediately shared it with all of my family members.
It was so wonderful getting back in touch with the pristine, auspicious, and purifying sound of the mantras, just like I’ve heard them in Gurudev Siddha Peeth before the recitation of
Shri Guru Gita. The blue, starry, outlined image of Lord Ganesh as one with the celestial universe connected me to the experience I had last night when I was looking at the crescent moon surrounded by a faint dash of clouds; the moon was visible just for a short while as if only to give us
darshan on Ganesh Chaturthi.
Mumbai, India
What a wonderful day today! My whole family, including my parents, got ready for Ganesh Chaturthi Puja. Before we began our puja, I visited the Siddha Yoga path website, and received surprises and great gifts for our puja to Lord Ganesh.
Ganapati Atharvashirsha is one of my favorite hymns. I have been fond of it ever since my first visit to Gurudev Siddha Peeth. Whenever I heard this hymn after morning meditation there, I experienced an ocean of bliss—and I experienced the same bliss, peacefulness, and serenity while reciting it at home today.
My family and I all recited Ganapati Atharvashirsha this morning as well in the evening today. Having all the words visible meant that we could recite it without any pronunciation mistakes. I am so happy for the great gifts I received today. All my family members enjoyed the entire day as we happily glorified Lord Ganesh.
Pune, India