Ganesh Pooja Book - English

8/4/2019 Ganesh Pooja Book - English

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A Childrens guide

to perform Lord Ganesha Pooja

Prepared byHindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Samskrita Bharati, USA

Shri MadhavraoSadahivrao Golwalkar

Guruji

(1906 - 1973)

For more inormationabout Guruji visit:

www.golwalkarguruji.org

For more inormatonabout HSS visit:

www.hssus.org


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PREFACE

Te booklet is especially prepared or the Hindu

children o America. It was rst printed in year

2006, on the occasion o Shri Gurujis birth

centenary. Aer getting a tremendous response

rom saamuhik ganesha pooja utsav participants,

swayamsevaks, and sevikas, we are happy to

provide you with a 2nd edition o this booklet.

Some changes are made based on the eedback

received.

Publisher:

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh121 Hawthorne CtRockaway, NJ 07866

http://www.hssus.org

Dear Parents

We are happy to publish this booklet on the pooja-

vidhi o Lord Ganesha. Our only intentions are to

provide Hindu children o America with the primaryinormation o Lord Ganesha and let them know

the simple way o perorming pooja. Although the

contents o this booklet are veried rom the scholars,

there may be inadequacies or dierences rom the

regional pooja-vidhi. In this regards, your eedback

will surely be helpul to improve the contents when

it is printed next time. In case you want to participate

and contribute to this and other such several activitiestaken up by HSS, please eel ree to contact us at

[email protected].


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Lord Ganesha

Hindus accept the existence o several gods, goddesses, and

dities in the orms o animals and planets. Hindus also believe that

all these gods/goddesses are not separate entities but dierent orms(modes) o the same supreme reality (Supreme-God or Paramaatman).

Supreme God maniests himsel in dierent orms or aspects or specic

purposes. Hindus have ree will to choose any orm o the supreme God

(Ishta Devata) to worship and pray. Whichever orm they may choose

to pray or worship, ultimately it leads to the supreme God.

Lord Ganesha is also one o the many orms o the God. He is

also the rst child o Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is known

by various names such as Vinayaka (knowledgeable), Vighneshwara

(remover o obstacles), Gajanana (elephant aced) or Ganapati (a leader).Lord Ganesha has all leadership qualities. HE is a very unique orm

o the Supreme God. HIS unique orm also carries symbolic meaning.

Scholars interpret it in various ways. Following is the most commonly

believed symbolic meaning.

Symbolic Meaning:

Ganesha has elephants head, which is big. It symbolizes sharp

intelligence and big thinking. An elephants lie is ull o radiance, which

comes rom dignity and sel-esteem. Also the elephant shares his ood

by scattering some around himsel. It indicates the sense o generosity.

Ganesha has large ears, but small mouth. It indicates that

one should talk less and listen more, but retain only the positive and

constructive things. Large ears are also a symbol o acute and superior

hearing. Ganeshas small eyes indicate sharp vision and concentration.Small eyes are also a symbol o oresight.

runk is the symbol o high strength, eciency and adaptability.

It can move the biggest obstacles and yet innitely gentle in handling

delicate objects.

Ganesha has one ull and other hal tusk. Te partial tusk

symbolizes intelligence and the ull tusk symbolizes aith. Both are

needed to progress in lie. However, the intelligence oen alls short

in providing answers to lies burning questions. When it alls short,aith in God and ourselves can lead us in lie successully. Full tusk also

symbolizes that one should retain good and throw away bad things.

Ganeshas our hands have our things - Ankush (Elephant drivers

iron rod or axe) It indicates us to cut o all bonds o attachment and

restrain desires and passions. Paash (cord or rope) symbol o restrain

and punishment. Modak is dry and hard rom outside and sweet rom

inside and nourishing. Tis represents that hard work (saadhana) brings

joy, satisaction and nourishment to our souls. Aashirwaad means that

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Ganaesha blesses and protects us on our spiritual path to the Supreme.

Ganesha has large stomach. HE peaceully digests all good and

bad things without loosing control. Ganeshas small legs indicate that

one should not move hastily. One must not rush into anything. Each

step must be slow, deliberate and well thought o.

Mouse-vehicle o Ganesha symbolizes desire. Desire, i not in

control, can causes havoc. Ganesha rides on the mouse. One shouldride the desire and keep it under control and do not allow it to take you

or a ride.

Durva, meaning grass, is placed on the head o Ganesh. Te

grass is something that we constantly walk on or trample on, paying

little heed to it, while in act it contributes so much to our survival by

giving us oxygen. But we give importance to durva by placing them on

his head. Tis tells us no matter how much you are looked down upon

or insignicant to others or not given the importance you deserve, you

are important to Him. Red fower indicates red color. Red color standsor total change or revolution.

Lord Ganesha possesses all leadership qualities. Te best pooja

oered to Lord Ganesha is to inculcate those qualities in us.

Ganesha Chaturthi:

Chaturthi means a 4th day o the month according to the Hindu

calendar. It is the day o Lord Ganesha. Especially, 4th day o the month

Bhaadrapada (August-September) is celebrated as a Ganesha Festival. It

is the most popular estival o Hindus. Tey install clay gures (moorti)o Lord Ganesha in their houses and perorm pooja everyday in the

morning and evening. Te estival is so popular among the masses that

its preparations start happening months in advance. His statues are also

installed in the street corners and extravagant arrangements are made

or decoration. Prayers are perormed on the daily basis. Te artists

who make Ganesha statues compete with each other to make bigger

Pooja

Pooja is the Hindu ritual o worshiping God in a systematicmanner as described in the Vedic scriptures. An image or symbol o the

deity is kept and worshiped by chanting the mantras and verses. Tevarious names o the deity and the mantras are recited. Various oeringslike ruits, fowers, sweets, milk are oered. It is a way o expressingones aith in God, a way o seeking salvation and a way o seeking Hisblessings. It also gives you discipline, satisaction and peace o mind.

Worship o God in any orm and in any way one likes isgood as it reduces the negative side o ones Karma and improves thepositive eects. Beore doing any auspicious work, Lord Ganesha is tobe worshiped. Beore doing any pooja, Lord Ganeshas pooja is to be

perormed rst. Gather ollowing items to do pooja.g Lord Ganeshas moorti (or a big ramed photo)

g Plantain lea (i available or a plate) and rice or installing Lords

prateema.

g One plate (preerably a metallic one) and some rice (2-3 cups)

g Ghantaa (bell)

g two coconuts or bananas

g Betel leaves, supaari (betel nuts)

g haldi, kumkum, akshata, fowers, garlands

g panchaamrita (honey, milk, ghee, curds, sugar - all in one cup)g 2 small lamps with ghee and a cotton wick

g Agarbatti (and no camphor) and a match-box

g 2 small cups and a spoon, preerably metallic

g Some money or dakshina (Oering) to Lord Ganesha

g Sweets and other items or naivedya

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and more elegant statues. Tese statues are then carried on decorated

foats to be immersed in the sea. Tis immersion is accompanied bydrumbeats, devotional songs and dancing.


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Te teacher is the embodiment o the trinity Lord Brahma,Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. o that Guru who is none

other than the God Himsel, I salute.

Chant sahana vavatu

OM sahanaa vavatu | sahanau bhunaktu

Saha veeryam karavaavahai ||

ejaswi-naa-vadheetamastu maa vidvishaavahai |OM shaantiH shaantiH shaantiH ||

` shnavvtushnaE un , sh vIykrvavhE.tejiSvnavxItmStumaivdiv;avhE,

` zaiNt> zaiNt> zaiNt>.OM. May we protect each other. May we eat together, may we study

together, and may we achieve together. May there not be any animosityamongst us. May there be peace, peace and peace.

3) Make a resolve to perorm the pooja.mama upaatta durita kshaya dwaaraa shree-parameshwara preetiartham sarva abhiisha siddhi artham dhyaana aavaahana aadi

ShoDasha upachaaraiH shree-mahaagaNapati poojaam kariShye|

mm %pa irt]y ara Iprmer ITywsvaRI is(wXyanavahnaid ;aefzaepcarE> Imhag[pit pUja< kir:ye,

o orsake all my problems and to earn the Supreme Lords love, andor the ulllment o al l my wishes, I shall worship Lord Ganesha by

several means.

4) Meditate upon Lord Ganesha.shukla-ambara-dharaM viShNuM shashi-varNaM chatur-bhujam|

prasanna-vadanaM dhyaayet sarva-vighnopa-shaantaye ||

zuaMbrxr< iv:[u< zizv[ctuuRjm!,svdn< Xyayet!svRivaepzaNtye.

Beore doing pooja, keep the surroundings clean and nice. Beyoursel clean, neat and tidy and ollow the instructions.

1) Sit comortably, old your hands in namaste. Close your eyes, takea deep breath and chant OM (` ` `) slowly three times. Sound thebell or ve seconds.

2) Chant the ollowing prayers:

Pray Lord Ganesha

vakratuNDa mahaakaaya soorya koi samaprabha |

nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva kaaryeShu sarvadaa ||

vtu{f mhakay sUyRkaeiqsm,inivR< k me dev svRkayeR;usvRda.

O, God Ganesha, you are as bright as ten million Suns. Ipray to you please remove all obstacles rom my path.

Pray Goddess Saraswatisaraswati namastubhyam varade kaamaroopiNi |

poojaarambham karishyaami siddhir bhavatu me sadaa ||

srSvit nmStu_y< vrde kamipi[,pUjarM< kir:yaim isiRvtume sda.

Goddess Saraswati, my salutations to you. I am startingthe pooja, please bless me with success.

Pray Guru (our teacher)

gurur brahmaa gurur viShNuH gurur devo maheshwaraH |

guruH saakshaat parabrahma tasmai shri gurave namaH ||

gua guivR:[u> gudeRvae mher>,guSsa]at!pr tSmE Igurve nm>.

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I meditate upon Lord Ganesha who is wearing white clothes, brightcolored and has our arms. Pleasant aced Lord Ganesha removes all

obstacles.

gajaananam bhootagaNaadi sevitam

kapittha jamboo phalasaara bhakshitam |

umaasutam shoka vinaasha kaaraNam

namaami vighneshwara paada pankajam ||

gjann< Utg[aidseivt< kipTw-jMbU-)lsar-i]tm!,%masut< zaekivnazkar[< nmaim iver padpjm!.

I pray to the lotus eet o elephant headed Lord Ganapati, who isserved by one and all, who likes ruits, who is son o Goddess Paarvati

and who removes root cause o all miseries.

shrii-mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH| dhyaayaami||

Imhag[aixptye nm>, Xyayaim,5) Invite the Lord to come to you to receive your worship.

atra aagachcha jagadwandya suraraaja architeshwara |

anaathanaatha sarvajna gourii garbha samudbhava ||

Shrii-mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH| Aavaahayaami||

AagCD jgN* surrajaicRter,Anawnaw svR} gaErIgRsmuv.

Imhag[aixptye nm>, Aavahyaim.I invite you to come here, O Lord Ganesha, saluted by the world, the

one worshipped by the king o Gods, lord o al l, the all-knower, son oGoddess Gowri.

6) Oer seat to Lord Ganesha.

mouktikaiH puShya raagaishca naanaa ratna viraajitam |

ratna simhaasanam caaru priityartham pratiguhyataam ||

Shrii-mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH| aasanam samarpayaami||

maeikE> pu:yragE nana-r-ivraijtm!,ris, Aasn< smpRyaim,I oer to you, Lord Ganesha, to please you and seat you, all gems-

studded throne. Please accept it.

7) Oer Lord Ganesha water, milk and honey.

mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH |

paadayOH paadyam samarpayaami|

mhag[aixptye nm>,padyae> pa*< smpRyaim,

I oer water to wash the eet o Lord Ganesha, the leader o all troops.

gowrI-putraaya namaH | hastayoH arghyam samarpayaami |

gaErIpuay nm>, hStyae> AysmpRyaim,I oer water to wash the hands o Lord Ganesha, the son o Goddess

Gowri.

anaatha-naathaaya namaH | aacamaniiyam samarpayaami |

Anawnaway nm>, muoe AacmnIy< smpRyaim,I oer drinking water to Lord Ganesha, who is the Lord o all.

gajavaktraaya namaH | madhuparkam samarpayaami |

gjvay nm>, mxupksmpRyaim,I oer the traditional mixture o milk and honey to the elephant

headed Lord Ganesha.

8) Oer panchamritam (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar) toLord Ganesha. Take milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar in smallcups. Use separate cups or mix them all in a cup. Dip a ower inthe cup and worship with that ower.

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snaanam panchaamritaiH deva grihaaNa gaNa naayaka|

anaatha naatha sarvajna giirvaaNa paripoojita ||

Shrii-mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH|

panchaamrita snaanam samarpayaami||

an< pam&tE> dev g&ha[ g[nayk,

Anawnaw sv} gIvaR[pirpUijt.Imhag[aixptye nm>, pam&t-an< smpRyaim.Oh gaNa naayaka, Lord, God, all-knowledgeable! please accept

panchaamirta snaanam.

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH| kshiireNa snaapayaami ||

mhag[ptye nm>, ]Ire[ apyaim.I wash him with milk

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH, dadhnaa snaapayaami |

mhag[ptye nm>, da apyaim,I wash him with curd

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH, aajyena snaapayaami |

mhag[ptye nm>, AaJyen apyaim,I wash him with ghee

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH, madhunaa snaapayaami |

mhag[ptye nm> mxuna apyaim,I wash him with honey

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH, sharkarayaa snaapayaami |

mhag[ptye nm>, zkRrya apyaim,I wash him with sugar

9) Finally oer clean water to Lord Ganesha to nish his bath.

gangaadi sarva tiirthebhyaH aahritaiH amalaiH jalaiH |

snaanam kurushva bhagavan umaa putra namostute ||

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH|

shuddhodaka snaanam samarpayaami |

gaid-svRtIweR_y> AaitErmlEjRlE>,an< k:v gvn!%mapu nmaeStute.mhag[ptye nm>, zuaedkan< smpRyaim,

Salutations to you, O God, the son o umaa putra! Please take bath withthis resh, clean water rom all the tiirthaas like ganga. I oer clean water

bath to Lord Ganesha.

10) Now oer dress-pair to Lord Ganesha.

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH| vastra yugmam samarpayaami|

mhag[ptye nm>, vyuGm< smpRyaim,I oer dress pair to Lord Ganesha.11) Worship the Lord Ganesha with a bit o turmeric, kumkum,

sandle paste and akshata.

candanaagaru karpooram kastoorii kumkumaanvitam |

vilepanam sura shresha priityartham prati grihyataam ||

cNdnag kpURr< kStUrI kmaiNvtm!,ivlepn< sure ITywitg&tam!.

I oer sandal wood paste (chandana), incense sticks (agaru), camphor(karpooram), kumkuma or applying, to Lord Ganesha.

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH| gandhaan samarpayaami|

mhag[ptye nm>, gNxan!smpRyaim,I oer sandal wood paste.

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mahaa-gaNapataye namaH|

haridraa kumkumena cha poojayaami|

mhag[ptye nm>, hira k, A]tan!smpRyaim,I oer grand, good akshataas (colored rice) to Lord Ganesha.12) Worship the Lord with owers.

sugandhaani pushpaaNi jaajiikunda mukhaanicha |

eka vimshati patraaNi samgruhaaNa namostute ||

mahaa-gaNapataye namaH| pushpaiH poojayaami||

sugNxain pu:pai[ jajIkNdmuoainc,@kiv, pu:pE> pUjyaim,I oer ragrant fowers and 21 types o leaves. Please accept them.

13) Praise Lord Ganesha by amous twelve names.

I salute Lord Ganesha who is

Om sumukhaaya namaH ` sumuoay nm>, Pleasant acedOM ekadantaaya namaH ` @kdNtay nm>, One toothedOM kapilaaya namaH ` kiplay nm>, KapilaOM gaja karNakaaya namaH ` gjk[Rkay nm>, Elephant eared

OM lambodaraaya namaH ` lMbaedray nm>, Big stomachedOM vikaaaya namaH ` ivkqay nm>, WiseOM vighna raajaaya namaH ` ivrajay nm>, Master o all obstaclesOM gaNaadhipataye namaH ` g[aixptye nm>, LeaderOM dhoomaketave namaH ` xUmketve nm>, Powerul

OM gaNaadhyakShaaya namaH ` g[aXy]ay nm>, President o all groupsOM phaalachandraaya namaH ` )alcNay nm>, Having cresent moon on oreheadOM gajaananaaya namaH ` gjannay nm>, Elephant aced14) Oer the Lord agarbatti (incense sticks) Take one or two sticks,

lighten them and circle the photo/idol three to ve times inclockwise direction.

dashaamgam guggulopetam sugandham sumanoharam |umaa sutam namastubhyam gruhaaNa varadobhava ||

mahaa-gaNa-pataye namaH. dhoopaartham diipam darshayaami.

dza< guGgulaepet< sugNx< sumnaehrm!,%masut< nmStu_y< g&ha[ vrdaev.

mhag[ptye nm>, xUpawdIp dzRyaim.15) Show him deepam with a solitary lamp or a lamp with an oil

soaked cotton wick.

saadyam trivarti samyuktam vahninaa yojitam mayaa |

gruhaaNa mangalam diipam iishaputra namostute ||

mahaa-gaNa-pataye namaH| deepam darshayaami||

sa*< ivitRsMyu < vina yaeijt< mya,g&ha[ ml< dIp< $zpu nmaeStute.mhag[ptye nm>, dIp< dzRyaim.

16) Oer Lord Ganesha all ruits that you have specially made orHim to eat. Take a ower along with ew grains o colored ricein your right hand. Pour a spoon o water into your right hand.

Sprinkle the water on all the items and oer the ower and riceto God. Feel as i God has actually eaten what you oered him.

Fold your hands do namaste to God.

OM lambodaraaya namaH| mahaanaivedyam samarpayaami||

` lMbaedray nm>, mhanEve*< smpRyaim,

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17) Oer taamboolam beetle leaves and supaari to Lord Ganeshaafer His Meal.

OM mahaa-gaNa-adhipataye namaH. taamboolam samarpayaami.

` mhag[aixptye nm>, taMbUl< smpRyaim,18) Now oer aarti to the Lord. Show the lamp and circle the

immage/photo three times in the clockwise direction. Sound

the metallic bell as well.OM mahaa-gaNapataye namaH. mangala niiraajanam samarpayaami.

` mhag[ptye nm>, mlnIrajn< smpRyaim,19) Stand up straight. Fold your hands and do namaste. Turn

clockwise three rounds.

yaani kaani cha paapaani janmaantara krutaanicha |

taani taani praNashyanti pradakshiNam pade pade ||

yain kain c papain jNmaNtrktainc,

tain tain [ZyiNt di][< pde pde.Please orgive all my mistakes.20) Do saashTaanga namaskaar to the God (with your eet, knees,

chest, palms and orehead touching the ground.)

anyathaa sharaNam naasti tvameva sharaNam mama |

tasmaat vaatsalya bhaavena paahi maam gaNaadhipa ||

ANywa zr[< naiSt Tvmev zr[< mm,tSmat!vaTsLyaven paih ma< g[aixp.

You are the nal solace and protector. Tats why protect and guide me

out o love.

21) Take prasaad (anything oered to God is prasaad water, ruitsand other eatables.) Eat/drink it happily.

mahaa-gaNapati-prasaadam aanandena sviikaromi.

mhag[pitsadm!AanNden SvIkraeim,I happily partake Lord Ganeshas prasad.

22) Take akshataas and listen to the ollowing story. At the end, donamaskaar to the God and your parents. Have your parents bless

you with the mantra akshataas that you had in your hand.

Story: Te great land o bhaarat (India), which is reerred in

all the dharma literatures, puraaNaas and itihaasaas (history), was ull

o greenery, beautiul landscapes, with all rivers giving resh water, er-tile land, eco-balance. In there, sage soota, who is an ancient historian,

used to teach several shaastraas to other sages like Sounaka.

Dharmaraaja, who is born in the chandra dynasty, lost all his

kingdom, wealth and power to kauravaas by loosing the gambling

game. In the orests, during exile, he, along with his brothers and wie,

visited several sages. He also visits sage soota and says O great soul! We

lost all our kingdom and wealth. We are pleased by your darshan now.

Please prescribe any vrata with which we can get back all that we lost.

Sage Soota replied, Tere is a vrata which removes all sins and givesall wealth. Bhagavaan Shiva rst described this to kumara swami. Sage

soota continues to tell the vrata story detai ls.

Shiva tells kumara swami Vinaayaka vrata gives health and

wealth. Tat needs to be done on the ourth day o shukla paksha o

the Bhaadrapada month. Finish all ablutions early in the morning, and

with whatever one can aord (Gold, silver or clay), make an idol o

Lord Ganesha. Install Him in the northern area o your home, on a dias

well decorated with fowers, rice and rangoli. Do all the pooja activities

like dhoopa, diipa, niiraajana, naivedya. oerings. Meet riends andamily and have lunch and dinner with them. Whoever does it this way,

is always happy and meets all his wishes. Tis is one o the great vrataas,

which is perormed by several great people like Shri Krishna, Shri Rama,

Bhagiratha and Indra. Soota tells dharmaraja So, dharmaraja! You also

do this ganesh pooja. You can win over your enemies and get back all

the wealth.

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Earlier, Shri Krishna also perormed this vrata and obtained

jaambavati along with shamantakamani. King satraajit obtained

shamantakamani, a bright shining gem, as a gi rom Lord soorya. Shri

Krishna liked it and asked Satraajit or it. He denied giving it. Satraajits

brother wore that shamantakamani and went or hunting. A lion

killed him and was running away with the gem. Jaambavanta, a bear-

king, killed that lion, and took the shamantakamani with him to hiscave. Satraajit accuses Shri Krishna that he killed his brother and stole

shamantakamani. Shri Krishna realizes and tells balaraama, that this is

because he had to violate the ganesh chaturthi shaapa, not to see moon

that night. He happened to see the refection o moon in the cup o milk

that he was having that night. Balaraama asks Krishna to tell the details

o the shaapa.

Krishna tells On this chaturhti day, vinaayaka had a heavy meal

o all the sweets and dishes that he likes most. With a heavy, large stomach

when he was walking, chandra looks at him and mocks. Indignied,vinayaka gives shapa to the moon, that whoever sees moon on this day,

shall be alsely accused. Chandra realizes his mistake and begs pardon

o Ganapti. He then tells that, as told by Shiva to kumara swami, i one

does ganesh pooja on this 4th day o bhadrapada maasa, they will not

ace these blames. So, then onwards several people, including chandra

did Ganesh pooja.

Ten, Shri Krishna and balarama do Ganesh Pooja, take prasadam,

and go to jaambavanta. Jaambavanta gladly gives back shamantakamani

and oers jaambavati in marriage to Shri Krishna. Upon return, ShriKrishna goes to satraajit and gives back his shamantakamani. Satraajit

eels sorry, and happily oers his daughter satyabhaama in marriage to

him.

Soota continues saying the story that indra, in order to kill

vruttaasrua, shri Rama, when searching or Sita, bhagiratha, when

bringing ganga to earth perormed this vrata. Dharmaraja also perormsthis vrata and gets back all that he lost and lives happily. By doing this

vrata, since everybody is able to ulll (siddhi) his wishes, vinayaka hasbecome popularly known as siddhi vinayaka. So, all people can do this

vrata and may live happily orever.

23) Afer reciting the ollowing shaanti mantra, clean-up your

pooja place.sarve bhavantu sukhinaH| sarve santu niraamayaaH||

sarve bhadraaNi paSyantu| maa kashchid duHkha bhaag bhavet ||

OM shaantiH shaantiH shaantiH||

sveRvNtusuion>, sveRsNtuinramya>.sveRai[ pZyNtu, ma kid >oag!vet!.

` zaiNt> zaiNt> zaiNt>.Let all live happily. Let all live without misery. Let all see, hear and

perceive only good things. Let no one ever be sad.

Ganesh Pooja Book - English

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