TANTRISM AND CULTS OF GANESH IN HINDUISM

Chapter summary
Some Ganesh temples
Ganesh worship
Usual worship; the pûjâ
Various invocations
Ganesha chalisa
Morning prayer
Various invocations
Esoteric worship
Some basis about tantrism
Ganesh and tantrism
Ganesh mantra
Ganapati Upanishad
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Some Ganesh temples

Prayers adressed to God Ganesh are carried out in the context of specific rituals (pûjâ),
as well as prayers to others great gods, like Shiva or Vishnu. But, in addition, any
invocation to any god, whoever he is, must preceded by an invocation to god Ganesh.
Indeed, the role of god Ganesh, as an intercessor, appears to be prominant everywhere,
and everytime.

Everybody can check in India that temples specifically dedicated to god Ganesh, as the
main deity, are less numerous than expected.

We give the name and location for some of them. They draw on huge crowds, mainly
during religious festivals such the Ganesha-Chaturthi :

The Manakkula Vinâyaka, temple in Pondichery (Tamil Nadu)

The Pillaiyarpatti temple (60 km east Madurai, Tamil Nadu)

The Uchhi Pillaiyar temple in Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu)

The small Ganesh temple, where the god form is known as Naramukha
Ganapati, Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu)

The Mukkuruni Pillaiyar temple, inside the main Minakshisundareshvara

temple, in Madurai (Tamil Nadu)

The small Sveta Ganapati temple (White Ganesh carved in an monolithic

meerschaum block), inside the Shiva temple, in Tiruvalanjuli, near Swamimalai (Tamil
Nadu)

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 Many rock temples, excavated during the Pandya period, all over the Tamil Nadu
region

The Ganesh temple in Ranthambore, near Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan)

The Ganesh temple in Jaipur (Rajasthan).

etc.

The temples (mandir) named Ashta Vinâyaka, which means eight Vinâyaka in the
Mahârâshtra region , are also very famous, since each of them owns a Svayambû
Ganesh. They are located in the following townships, not far from the Pune (Poona)
city :

Morgaon : people here pray Ganesh under his form of Lord Shri Mayureshvar.
This Ganesh form, riding a peacock, fighted and defeated Sindhu.

Siddhatekgaon : here, Ganesh bestowed Vishnu the necessary power to subdue

two terrific demons, Madhu et Kaitabha.

Paligaon : Ganesh, under his Ballaleshvar form, came and helped Ballâla, one of
his very faithful worshippers, persecuted by jealous persons

Mahad : Ganesh, under his form of Shri Varad Vinâyaka, gave a favor to
Grusmad, which allowed him to become a Rishi .

Theorgaon (ou Theur) : here is located the Ganesh Chintâmani temple. This form
of god Ganesh recovered the Chintâmani jewel , which had been robbed by the
demon Guna to the Sage Kapila.

Lenyâdri : The Ganesh temple located in this village is devoted to Shri

Girijâtmaj, a Ganesh form; this name means "born from the Goddess Girijâ" (Pârvatî).
A local legend reports that Ganesh probably spent here, with his mother, the first fifteen
years of his life.

Ojhar : Under his Ganesh Vighneshvara form, Ganesh fighted here the
Vighnâsura (Obstacle) devil, who disturbed the Vedic rituals.

Ranjangaon : Lord Shiva, under his Tripurantaka , form, just about to fight
(and to overcome)the Tripurâsura demon, who had conquered the Three Worlds and
misused his enormous powers, worshipped Ganesh before the battle.

Furthermore, all or nearly all Shiva temples, include Ganesh icons in secondary temples
(inside the main temple) or, at least, in particular shrines : for exemple in Chidambaram,
in Vellore, in Gangaikondacholapuram, etc. On the other hand, Vishnu temples
generally do not have any Ganesh shrine.

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This chapter will introduce some aspects about the Ganesh cult. In a first part will be
presented the exoteric cult, that is to say the popular and daily worship. In a second part,
some indications about esoteric cults will be provided.

Ganesh worship

Usual worship; the pûjâ

A detailed description with appropriate mantra for the different steps of the pûjâ can
be found here in annex : The Ganesh pûjâ.

It has been adapted from an important book about Ganesh : Loving Ganesha.

Ganesh is always present in the cult to the five main hindu deities (Pañchâyatanapûja) :
Ganesh, Sûrya , Durgâ , Vishnu , Shiva , but the Ganesh worshippers are
mainly devoted to their favorite god.

Vishnu is the Master of Akasha, the ether

Sûrya, the Sun, is the Master of Vayu, the air

Shakti (Durgâ), the Goddess commands the energy of fire (Agni)

Ganesh represents water (Apas), the energy of fulfilment; he is the Master of

Varuna, god of waters. This is why, when the Ganesha Chathurti festival ends, clay
statues of god Ganesh must be brought to the sea and immersed to be dissolved.

and Shiva is the Master of the Earth; he is represented by the stone-made Shiva
Lingam.

Ganesh is worshipped every day. The five ritual offers are :

the red santal paste

flowers

incense

the light of burning campher

food.

These offers represent the Five Elements ether, air, fire, water and earth.

Rituals may vary from one region to another in India; their exact codification seems to
be somewhat complex.

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Various invocations

Sanskrit transcription in latin characters requires specific signs, named diacritical signs.
We have choosen a simplified transcription without these signs. To look at some simple
rules for the sanskrit prononciation, please click here.

Ganesh Chalisâ

Jai Jai vandana bhuvana | nandana gauri ganesha ||

dukha dvandvana phandana harana | sundara suvana mahesha ||

Glory, glory, all glory to You, O Ganesha; to You, the whole world pays homage, for
You are the delight of Gauri and the charming son of Shiva. You are the extirpator of all
pairs of contraries (such as joy and sorrow, birth and death, attraction and repulsion,
etc.) and deliverer from them.

Jayati sambhu-suta gauri-nandana | vighna harana nasana bhava-phandana ||

jai gananayaka janasukha dayaka | vishva vinayaka buddhi-vidhayaka ||

Glory to You, O son of Shambu and delight of Gauri; You are the destroyer of all
obstacles and deliverer of all from the cycle of birth and death. Glory to You, O leader
of Shiva's henchmen, bestower of happiness on all your votaries, teachor of all and
operator of the intellect !

Eka radana gaja badana virajata | vakratunda suchi sumda susajata ||

tilaka tripunda bhala sasi sohata | chabi sakhi sura nara muni mana mohata ||

O Ganesh (Vakratunda), resplendent is the only tusk which You have on Your elephant
face and well adorned is Your sacred trunk; the crescent shaped triple mark on Your
forehead is as beautiful as the Moon, and the celestials, men and ascetic who beheld
Your loveliness cannot of it spell.

Ura mani-mala sarohuna lochana | ratna mukuta sira socha vimochana ||

kara kuthara suchi subhaga trishulam | modaka bhoga sugandhita phulam ||

On Your bosom is a garland of jewels, in Your eyes the beauty of the full-blown lotus
and on Your head a crowd of gems. You deliver Your devotees from anxiety and wield
a sacred axe and a beautiful trident in Your hands. Sweet laddus among delicacies and
fragrant blossoms among flowers are Your favorites.

Sundara pitambara tana sajita | charana paduka muni mana rajita ||

dhani shiva-suvana bhuvana sukha data | gauri-lalana sadanana bharata ||

Blessed are You, O Karttikeya's brother and beloved son of Shiva and Gauri; elegantly
attired in a beautiful yellow silken dress and wearing a pair of wooden sandals all
studded with gems on Your feet, You are the source of all the blessings of the world.

Riddhi siddhi tava chamvara sudharahim | mushaka vahana sohita dvarahim ||

tava mahima ko varne par | janma charitra vichitra tumhara ||

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Both Prosperity and Accomplishment wave royal whisks (chowries) over You (as if
they were chowrie-burdars), and Your vehicle, the mouse, adds to Your splendor at
Your door. As the story of Your life is so strange and mysterious, who can venture to
describe Your magnificence which passes all telling ?

Eka asura shiva rupa bavanai | gaurihim chalana hetu tavam avai ||
yaha karana te shri shiva-pyari | nija tana-maila murti rachi dari ||

A demon, disguised as Shiva, often came to delude Gauri; in order to foil his design,
Gauri, the beloved consort of Shiva, created a divine form from the scurf of Her body.

So nija suta kari griha rakhavare | dvarapala sama tehim baithare ||

jabahim svayam shri shiva taham aye | binu pahichana jana nahim paye ||

Asking Her son to keep watch, She stationed Him at the palace door, like a door-keeper.
When Shiva Himself came there, He wasn't recognized and was denied entrance into the
house.

Puchyo shiva ho kinake lala | bolata bhe tuma vachana rasala ||

main hum gauri-suta suni lijai | age paga na bhavana hita dijai ||

Shiva asked :"Tell me, who is your father ?". In a voice sweet as honey, You replied :
"Hearken, sir, I am Gauri's son; don't you dare advance even a step beyond this point".

Avahim matu bhuji taba jao | balaka se jani bata baRhao ||

chalana chahyo shiva bachana na manyo | taba hvai kruddha yuddha tuma thanyo ||

"O sir ! Let take my mother's permission before I allow you to go inside; wrangling with
a mere stripling like me will be of no avail". Not listening to Your behest, Shiva
attempted to rush towards the house, which so vexed You that You, waxing furious,
threw the gautlet down.

Tatkshana nahi kachu sambhu bicharyo | gahi trishula bhula vasa maryo ||
Srisha phula sama sira kati gayau | chata uRi lopa gagana maham bhayau ||

In a fit of rage, Shiva picked up His trident and driven by delusion, hurled it on You.
Your head, tender like the sirisha flower, was severed and instantly it soared into the
sky and disappeared there.

Gayo sambhu jaba bhavana mamjhari | jaham baithi giriraja-kumari ||

puche shiva nija mana mushakaye | kahahu sati suta kaham te jaye ||

When Shiva went happily inside where Gauri, daughter of Mountain King, was sitting,
He smilingly asked : "Tell me, Sati, how did you give birth to a son ?"

Khulige bheda katha suni sari | giri vikala giriraja dulari ||

kiyo na bhala svami aba jao | lao sisa jaham se pao ||

On hearing the whole episode, the mystery cleared. Gauri, though daughter of the Great
Mountain King (celebrated for immobility) was so moved and distraught that she fell to

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the ground and said :"You have done me a great disfavor, my Lord; now go and fetch
the severed head of my son from wherever You find it".

Chalyo vishnu samga shiva vijnani | milyo na so hastihim sira ani ||

dhaRa upara sthita kara dinhyom | prana-vayu samchalana kinhyom ||

Shiva, expert in all skills, took His departure accompanied by Vishnu, but having failed
to find the head, they brought one of an elephant and placed it upon the trunk and
breathed life into it.

Shri ganeshashiva nama dharayo | vidya buddhi amara payo

bhe prabhu prathama pujya sukhadayaka | vighna vinashaka buddhi vidhayaka ||

It was Lord Shiva who named You Shri Ganesha and blessed You with knowledge,
wisdom and immortality. You are, O Lord, the first among those who are worshipped;
You bring joy to the faithful, destroy all obstructions, and cause the operation of the
intellect.

Prathamahim nama leta tava joi | jaga kaham sakala sidha hoi ||
sumirahim tumahim milahim sukha nana | binu tava kripa na kahum kalyana ||

Whosoever remembers You before embarking on any mission finds all his tasks
accomplished in the world. The very remembrance of Your name brings all happiness;
whitout Your all-pardoning grace, there is no security and well-being anywhere in the
world.

Tumharahim sapa bhayo jaga amkita | bhadavam chauthi chandra akalamkita ||

Jabahim pariksha shiva tuhim linha | pradakshina prithvi kahi dinha ||

Curled by You, the Moon's face was tarnished with the black reflection of the earth as it
appears on the fourth day in the bright half of Bhadrapada, which none would dare look
at. When Shiva wanted to test Your might and intelligence, He asked You to
circumambulate the Earth.

Sadmukha chalyo mayura uRai | baithi rache tuma sahaja upai ||

rama nama mahi para likhi anka | kinha pradakshina taji mana shanka ||

While Satmukha (Your brother Karttikeya) went flying on His peacock, You adapted an
easier curse without budging; You scribbled the name of Rama on the ground and,
abandoning all misgivings, circumambulated it.

Shri pithu-matu-charana dhari linhyo | ta kaham sata pradakshina kinhyo ||

prithvi parikrama phala payo | asa lakhi surana sumana varsayo ||

With utmost devotion, you clasped the feet of your parents and circumambulated then
seven times. Thus, You were rewarded with the fruit of having circumambulated the
Earth, a feat that made the gods shower the flowers on You.

"sundaradasa" ram ke chera | durvasa ashrama dhari dera ||

virachyo shri ganesha chalisa | shiva purana varnita yogisha ||

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While dwelling in the hermitage of the Sage Durvasa, Sundaradasa, a devotee of Rama,
composed this hymn to Ganesha in forty verses just as the foremost among the adepts in
the Shiva Purana had done.

Nitya gajanana jo guna gavata | griha vasi sumati parama sukha pavata ||
jana-dhana-dhanya suvana sukha dayaka | dehim sakala subha shri gananayaka ||

The wise who hymn the glory of Ganesha every day are blessed with supreme bliss. The
Lord of Shiva's henchmen who blesses His votaries with wealth, progeny and
happiness, also bestows upon them every auspicious object.

(Doha)
Shri ganesa yaha chalisa, patha karai dhari dhyana | nita nava mamgala moda lahi ||
milai jagata sammana ||

He who repeats this hymn with earnestness is blessed with all felicity and gracious gifts,
the novelty of which grows ever greater, as well as great honour.

Morning prayer

Abstracts from Shri Ganesha Purânam.

Prâtar namâmi gananâtham ashesha haetam brahmâdi

deva varadam sakala âgamâdyam;
dharma artha kâma phaladam bhava-moksha haetam;
vâchâma agocharan anâdim ananta-rûpam

At morning, I meditate on Lord Ganesha with this prayer : O my Lord Ganesha ! You
are the source of this entire universe of sentient beings and insentient matter. You have
blessed Brahmâ, celestial beings by fulfilling their wishes. You are propitiated by all the
Vedas and holy scriptures. You are the bestower of dharma (virtue), artha (wealth),
kâma (love) and moksha (liberation) to Your votaries. You are beyond works and mind.
You are eternal and the infinite Truth. salutations !

Prâtar namâni kamalâpatim ugra vîryam;

nânâvatâra niratam nijarakshanâya;
kshîrâbdivâsam amarâdhipa bandham aesham;
pâpâpaham ripuharam bhava-mukti haetam

I meditate on Lord Mahavishnu, the spouse of Mahalakshmi - the goddess of wealth -

the almighty Lord who incarnates again and again for the protection of the good and the
destruction of the wicked. I meditate on Lord Vishnu whose abode is the ocean of milk,
the human heart, One who releases us from the bondage of karma and rebirth. I offer
my morning salutations to Lord Vishnu with all my heart

Prâtar namâmi girijâpatam indumaulim;

vyâghrâjinâvritamuda tadayam nandjae;
narayanaendra varadam surasiddha justam;
sarpâm trishula damarûn dadhatam purârim

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I meditate on Lord Shiva in my morning prayers, the spouse of Shakti, One who has the
crescent moon decked upon His forehead; One who is clad with the tiger skin; One
whose mind's eye-fire reduced Kamâ to ashes; One who is propitiated by Vishnu, Indra
and other celestials on whom He bestows the great boons. To the Lord who has serpents
as His ornaments, trident and drum as His weapons; to One who has destroyed the
demon Tripurâ; to that Parashiva, I salute again and again. May He bliss me.

Prâtar Namâmi dîna nâtham aghâpahâram;

gâdândhakâra haram uttama loka vandyam;
vedatrayâtmaka mudastasurâri nâyam;
jnanaika haetam urushaktim udârabhâram

Every morning I offer my salutations to the Sun god who dispels the darkness from this
world by his light; he destroys our sins and blesses us. He is propitiated by the denizens
of heaven and other great lokas above. He is the embodiment of pure knowledge and is
of extraordinary prowess and strength. To Him, I salute again and again. May He bliss
me.

Prâtar namâmi girijâm bhavabhuti haetam;

samsâra sindhu parapâratarim trinaetrâm;
tâttvâdi karana mudstâsurâri nâyâm;
mâyenayîm suramunîndra nutâm suraeshîm

I meditate on Goddess Girija -Shakti-, the daughter of Mount Himalaya. She is the
source of the highest wealth of Lord Shiva. She is the Divine Mother who takes us
across the ocean of rebirth. She is Mahâmâya, delusion or remover of delusion. She is
the embodiment of the pure knowledge of Brahman. She is the Supreme Goddess, Devî,
who is propitiated by Devas and Sages. I make my obeisance to that Divine Mother.
May She bless me.

Various invocations

Prayer to Ganapati

OM suklambaradharam vishnum
Sashivarnam chaturbhujam
Prasanna vadanam dhyâyet
Sarva vighnopa shantâye

OM, attired in white and all-pervading

O moon hued, four-shouldered One
with smiling face so pleasing,
upon You we meditate
for removing all obstacles.

Invoking Lord Ganapati

Om ganânâ m tvâ ganapating havâmahe

kâvinkavînâmupamashravastamam

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jyêshtharâjam brahmanâm brahmanaspata
ânah shrinvan nûtibhih shîdasâdanam

May we worship Ganapati,

the Protector of Noble People
the Best Poet,
the Most Honorable,
the Greatest Ruler and the Treasure of all Knowledge.
O Ganapati ! Please listen to us
and take Your seat in our heart.

Prayer for incense offering

dashangam guggulopetam
sugandham sumanoharam
âghreyah-sarvadevânâm
dhûpo-yam pratigrihyatâm

O Lord ! here is offered the incense

made of sweet-smelling herbs.
This is meant for the devas.
Please accept it.

Miscellaneous

Ajam nirvikalpam nirakaramakam niranandam anandam davâtepuranam | param

nirgunam nirvishesham nîreham parambrahmarûpam ganesham bhajaim ||

O Lord, Thou art unborn, formless and absolute; Thou art beyond bliss and again bliss
itself - the One and the Infinite. Thou art the Supreme, without attributes,
differenciation and desire. Thou art verily the Supreme Brahman. To Thee, O Lord, do
we offer our worship.

Gunatîtmanam chidanandarûpam chidabashkam sarvgam giangamiam |

munidhayyamakashrûpam paraisham parabrahmarûpam ganesham bhajaim ||

Thy nature is beyond attributes. Thou art the embodiment of intelligence and bliss, the
effulgent Spirit, the all-pervaiding, the goal of knowledge. Thou art the object of
meditation to the sages, formless and omnipresent like ether. Thou art the Supreme
Lord, the Supreme Brahman. To Thee, O Lord, do we offer our worship.

Jagat karanam karangianrûpam suradîm sukhadîm Gunesham Ganesham |

jagatvayapanim vishvandhyam suresham parambrahmarûpamganesham bhajaim ||

Thou art the cause of the world, the primal knowledge, the origin of gods, the origin of
bliss, the Lord of Gunas, the Lord of heavenly hosts. Thou pervadest the universe and
art worshipped by all. Thou art the Lord of gods, Thou art verily the Supreme Brahman.
To thee, O Lord, do we offer our worship.

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Om shrîm hrîm klîm ganeshvarâya
brahmarûpa charavae
sarva siddhi pradaeshâ,ya
vighneshâya namo namaha

Salutations to the Supreme Lord Ganesha. Thou art Brahman. Thou art the Bestower of
all siddhis. O Vighnesha, remover of all obstacles, salutations again and again !

Esoteric cults

In the beginning (9th century) , Shankarâchârya stated precisely about the Hindu
main six branches (Shanmata). The branch of the Ganesh worshippers, who consider
this deity as the Supreme One, is known as the Gânapatya branch. Of course, all of
these different branches were considered as orthodox, that is to say in accordance with
the Veda teachings. .

The Gânapatya included other gods in their rituals, but they considered these other
gods as part of Ganesh. For instance, they thought that the Ganesh holly body is made
of is navel (Brahmâ), of his face (Vishnu), of his eyes (Rudra ); his body right side is
Sûrya, his body left side is Shakti . He is the OM sound, he is the Lord of the Five
Elements.

The Gânapatya divided themselves, in course of time, in six sub-branches, characterized

by specific rituals adressed to different Ganesh forms. The fist three sub-branches
strictly follow the Vedic prescriptions : these are the Navanîtaganâpatya, the
Suvarnaganâpatya, the Santânaganâpatya.

The three other sub-branches are esoteric ones and worship the following Ganesh forms
:

Mahâ Ganapati , the Great Ganapati; his color is red, he owns ten arms and
wears the Goddess seated on his left lap. Mahâ Ganapati is the Ganesh esoteric form
which seems to be most often represented

Haridrâ Ganapati with four arms and three eyes; his color is the curcuma yellow

Ucchista Ganapati, red, seated in the lotus position (padmasana); he embraces

the naked Nîlâ Sarasvatî, Goddess, of a nice blue color. The Ucchista Ganapati
worshippers follow esoteric practices ("the left hand path") very particular, prohibited
by other branches.

Those sects (cultual branches) are sayed to be esoteric, since their devotees are adepts of
tantric practices. Some attempts will be given below to briefly clarify what is tantrism.

Some basis about tantrism

Tantra is (it would be more precise to tell "are"), form a set of texts which have been
elaborated during past centuries; important ones are nearly one thousand years old. The
word Tantra comes from the sanskrit root "trayati" which means to release, to

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disengage. Accordingly, the Tantra ultimate target is to free human beings from their
limitations.

Tantrisme includes a set of methods, even we can say accurate methods, which aim at
getting a transmutation of the energies at work in the human being.

Let us explain.

The Yogi experiment (this exactly means that we don't speak about any belief, therefore
it is not a religious postulate) that the human being is composed of several "levels",
from the coarsest (the physical body) to the most subtle.

These levels, or layers, are named kosha in sanskrit. We don't intend to discuss here
about the intrinsic existence or non-existence of the soul. At the very least, this concept
leads to some confusion when it is compared with the super-conscious states
experienced by the great Yogis (we don't speak about the students of a Yoga course -
even a high level one...).

"Ordinary" man is conducted by his passions : he does not have any control on his body,
on his breathing, on his reactions, on his mental activity, etc. He is only conscious of his
body and, in the best cases, of the crude aspects of his breathing. He even does not
know anything about the prana - the energy of life - which underlays the breathing. And
he is the toy of his "mental - psychic - body"...

Let us try to understand why.

The traditional Yoga teaches that the whole Universe is energy. This root power is
guided by the three Guna . The word Guna can be translated, for want of something
better, by "mode of existence", "position characterizing everything".

For a human being, excessive tamas leads to breakdown, melancoly, excessive râjas
brings restlessness, anger, greediness, etc.

Tamasic and rajasic energies circulate in the body and grant to him the present turn of
mind. The subtle channels which carry those energies are called nadi .

Those short explanations being understood (assuming that the aglossary has been
consulted for the Sanskrit words -if necessary), one may understand that the Yogi
purpose and practice aims to balance the Tamas and Râjas energies, and to develop
and improve the Sattwa energy. To achieve this objective, there is a lot of techniques.
The Yoga (codified by Patañjali) consists of eight stages, which are not necessarily in
succession, but it is merely unwise to overpass the preliminary stages :

Yama, or social behaviour : ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (honesty),

brahmâcharya (sexual control) , aparigraha (absence of possessivity)

Niyama, or moral rules in the personal life : shaucha (cleanliness), santosha

(contentment), tapas (austerity) , svâdhyâya (self-observance), îshvarapranidhâna
(surrender to God)

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 Asana, postures

Prânâyâma , breath control, Prana and other energies named above

mastering (the Prana is the life energy, conveyed by the breath)

Pratyâhâra : senses withdrawal

Dhâranâ, concentration on a visible or mental meditation support

Dhyâna : the deep meditation state

Samâdhi : the immersion in the Super-Consciousness.

More or less, the Yoga path follows this way. However, everybody has to find (with the
help of a capable teacher), the framework of the techniques which fits to him best :
Hatha Yoga, obviously, and also Râja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Antar Mauna,
Mantra Yoga, Jñana Yoga, etc... Every teaching underlines such-and-such aspect, but, in
any case, it has to satisfy the compulsory and preliminary purification of the disciple
energies, before they can be adequately transmuted.

On his side, tantrism offers a more direct track, expected to bring quicker results (only a
few decades span of painstaking and regular work). To be simple, one may say that the
goal is to awaken the Sattvic energy of the Kundalini, asleep in the Mûladhâra
chakra and to conduct this energy, via the sushumna nadi, crossing every chakra, up
to the Sahasrara chakra.

We don't intend here to explain more about the chakra symbolism; in fact, it looks to be
a very complex matter. Furthermore, it is linked to practices which are irrelevant in this
Web site.

We will only keep in mind that tantric practices emphasize the importance of the
Shakti .

Hatha Yoga is fundamentaly a tantric way; consequently, it may be practiced in this

full the prospect. However, when Hatha Yoga migrated from India to Western
countries, it grew weaker. Anyway, remember that this word Hatha means effort,
strengh, and yhat there is a trap in the meaning of that word effort : all the Yoga
teachers tell their student not to force themselves... The Hatha Yoga popularization led
most people to know only the physical branch, the asana (postures). From there,
appeared anti-stress yoga for overworked yuppies, exhausted housewifes, depressed
unmarried men and women. It's not so bad, it's even really nice, but it's the very basic
Yoga.

On the other side, tantrism practice may lead, in Western countries, to unfortunate
delusions. Invoking and awakening the Shakti Power requires a very strict life training,
assiduous practice of advanced forms of Yoga (asana, prânâyâma), and meditation
sessions coupled with continuous specific mantra repetition (japa). All this context must
be under the control of a competent Yoga teacher (guru) and reserved only to
adequately trained Yoga students.

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In addition, a "sexual" positioning of the tantric Yoga has been developed in Western
countries. One may suppose that this tendency is due to a particular demand

It is true, since many centuries, that specific forms of tantrism focused on sexuality,
more precisely on the mastering of this very powerful force.

However, tantrism adapted to European people has sometimes distorted the fundations
of this very complex and secret science. We may say secret, since this science requires
from the practiser a high level of qualification, because of real dangers, psychological
as well as physical.

Indeed, sexual intercourse, as practised in tantrism, is the acme of a long partners

training. Furthermore, this act is not permitted to culminate in the ejaculation. The
orgasm energy must be voluntarily directed, through the sushumna, from the lowest
chakra (Mûladhara) to the Sahasrara chakra... Adding the fact that the shakti (here, that
word points out the sexual partner) orgasm is not expected, most amateurs should be
discouraged...

Unfortunately, in our countries, the "sexual" tantrism aspects are too often discussed, or
even teached with a dubious complacency by pseudo guru to yoga students greedy to
get "powers" and sensations. When they don't validate a form of sex exchange, these
questionable practices generally end up at disillusions. At best, the "tantric "students
have to content themselves with unusual energy signs (colors, visions, heat, trembling,
etc.). These experiences may reinforce their ego (self-satisfaction), leading them to a
way opposite to the Yoga way...

In any event, we may underline that sexual aspects in tantrism must only be eventually
tackled in the long run, after full achievement of a deep work on energies, opening out
onto the control on purified chakra working.

A few good books :

Arthur Avalon. La Puissance du Serpent. Mystiques et Religions. Dervy-Livres,

Paris, 1981

Julius Evola. Le Yoga tantrique; sa métaphysique, ses pratiques. Arthème Fayard,

Paris; collection documents spirituels, 1971

Tara Michaël. Introduction aux voies du Yoga. Editions du Rocher, Monaco;

1980

Tara Michaël. Hatha Yoga Pradîpikâ. Fayard, Paris, 1974

Tara Michaël. Corps subtil et corps causal. Les six cakra et le kundalini Yoga. Le
Courrier du Livre, Paris; 1979

Sri Swami Sivananda. Yoga de la Kundalini. Préface d'André Van Lysebeth. EPI
Editeurs, Rue des Saints Pères, Paris; 1973

Ganesh and Tantrism

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Ganesh is the Lord of the Mûlâdhâra chakra, which is the first chakra, the chakra of the
base. The Mûlâdhâra chakra corresponds to the Earth (Prithivî) element; it is
represented by a yellow-colored square figure, in which is written the root-mantra (bîja-
mantra ) LAM; this square is bordered, on the four sides, by four petals. Inside the
square figure, below the bîja-mantra, one generally finds the Shiva Lingam , black-
colored, in a turned down summit triangle. The snake, representing the Kundalini asleep
power, is wound around this Shiva Lingam. Every bîja-mantra is associated with a
carrier-animal (vâhana ). The vâhana of LAM is the elephant.

Therefore, in tantric practices, Ganesh is invoked as the Power able to awake the
Kundalini Shakti.

Indeed, the target of tantric practices (once the context has been correctly appreciated,
and the mentionned-above precautions have been assimilated), is to wake the energy
asleep in the mûladhâra chakra and to make it rising, crossing every chakra, up to the
Sahasrara Chakra. Let us stress this point : this practice is difficult and somewhat risky
if the student expects to run over the stages too quickly. It is easy to understand why : in
every chakra there are blokages (energy nodes, grantha) which indicate the lack of yogic
preparation of this chakra energies.

For exemple : if excessive rajasic energies are vigorously set in motion by intensive
prânâyâma, that can get jammed in the Svâdishthâna chakra and generate intemperates
sexual needs (nice result !), or in the Manipûra chakra irritate the person who does not
understand what happens and why she feels herself so bad.

In the practices involving Ganesh, we have to remember that the god power is used to
transform our negative forces in positive ones. We know that Hindu gods are definitely
universal forces which take on various functions.

About this topic, read again the "background" chapter.

Gods act through the mantra which invoke them. Indeed, mantra are very powerful
phonemes. We talk about bîja mantra which are the true vibrations of the deity.

It is absolutely necessary, for several reasons, that working with the Kundalini implies
the use of a bîja mantra under the effective supervision of a skilled teacher, and in
certain circumstances. This is why it's really not very interesting to learn bîja-mantra in
books.

On the other hand, Vedic mantra, used in exoteric rituals, are not dangerous ones; and
they always bring very benefic results.

Ganesh mantra

There are many kinds of tantric mantra. Some are personal mantra used for japa
practice, other satisfy particular purposes.

Mantra bring strong psychic, therapeutic, and spiritual results. LAM is the bîja-mantra
of the Earth element. Therefore, it is in connexion with the Mûladhara chakra. GAM is
also linked with the Earth element; it is the reason why one can say that it is a Ganesh

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bîja-mantra.GLAUM is another bîja-mantra in connexion with Ganesh. By
contrast, OM is a universal mantra, which must be pronounced before all the other
mantra. However, we have observed that Ganesh, for his devotees, is OM Himself.

For instance : OM GAM Ganeshaya Namaha.

Please note : the final a f the word namaha is not pronounced.

Mantra purposes are many :

1. OM Shrî Ganeshâya namaha : the most classical Ganesh mantra; this is a good
mantra for youg people (among others), to assist success at school
2. OM GAM Ganapataye namaha (Ganapati Up.) : used in order to remove all
obstacles before starting anything
3. OM namo bhagavate Gajânanâya namaha : devotional mantra used to feel the
all-pervaiding presence of Lord Ganesh and to obtain His darshana
4. OM Vakratundâya HUM : powerful mantra quoted in the Ganesha Purâna, used
to rectify twisted events
5. OM Kshipra Prasâdâya namaha : to obtain quickly Ganesh's help and to purify
the aura
6. OM HRîM SHRîM KLîM GLAUM GAM Ganapataye Varavarada sarvajaname
vashamanâya svaha : this is a mantra of self giving to Lord Ganesh
7. OM HRîM SHRîM KLîM GAUM GAH Shrîmahâganâdhipataye namaha
8. OM HRîM SHRîM KLîM namo bhagavate Gajânanâya
9. Shrîmahâganapati pranava mûlamantra GAM OM
10. HRîM SHRîM KLîM GAUM varadamûrtaye namaha
11. OM HRîM SHRîM KLîM namo Ganeshvarâya brahmarûpâya charâve
sarvasiddhipradeyâya brahmanaspataye namaha
12. Shrî Gajânana jaya Gajânana
13. HRîM GAM HRîM Ganapataye namaha
14. Bîjâya Bhâlachandrâya Ganeshaparamâtmane pranatakleshanâsâya Herambâya
namo namaha
15. âpadâmapahartâram dâtâram sukhasampadâm ksipraprasâdanam devam bhûyo
bhûyo namâmyaham
16. Namo Ganapate tubhyam Herambâyaikadantine svânandavâsine tubhyam
brahmanaspataye namaha
17. Suklâmbaradharam devam sasisûryanibhânanam prasannavadanam dhyâyet
sarvavighnopasântaye
18. Namastamai Ganeshâya brahmavidyâpradâyine yasyâ gastayate nâma
vighnasâgarasosane
19. Yadbhrûpranihitam lakshmîm labhante bhaktakotayah svatantramekam netâram
vighnarâjam namâmyaham

Thus, one may verify that most mantra are specialized ones. They are adressed to
specific Ganesh forms which represent all the specific powers of this god.

To consult the chapter on the Ganesh names. The very broad range of these names
represents a good abstract of the Ganesh powers.

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Ganesh Gâyatrî mantra

Gâyatrî mantra are Vedic mantra. They are used during pûjâ.

1. Mahâkarnâya vidmahe vakratundâya dhîmahi tanno danti prachodayât

2. Ekadantâya Vidmahe Vakratundâya dhîmahi tanno danti prachodayât (Ganapati
Up.)
3. OM tatpurushâya vidmahe Vakratundâya dhîmahi tanno danti prachodayât
(Narayana Up.)
4. OM tat karâtâya vidmahe hasti mukhâya dhîmahi tanno danti prachodayât
(Maibrâyani Samhita 2:6-9)
5. OM ekadantâya vidmahe vakratundâya dhîmahi tanno danti prachodayât

Ganapati Upanishad

om bhadram karnebih shrnuyâma devâh

bhadram pashyema akshabhir yajatrah
sthurair angaih tushtuvâmsah tanûbhir
vyashema devahitam yadâyuh
om shântih shântih shântih

Mantra 1

om lam namaste ganapataye

Mantra 2

tvam eva pratyaksham tattvam asi; tvam eva kevalam kartâsi; tvam eva kevalam
dhartâsi; tvam evam kevalam hartâsi; tvam evam sarvam khalu idam brahmâsi; tvam
sâkshât âtmâsi

Mantra 3

nityam rtam vachmi; satyam vachmi

Mantra 4

ava tvam mâm; ava vaktâram; ava shrotâram; ava dâtâram; ava dhâtâram;
avânûchânam; ava shishyam; ava purastâttât; ava dakshinâttât; ava pashchâttât; ava
uttarâttât; ava cha ûrdhvâttât; avâdharâttât; sarvato mâm pâhi pâhi samantât

Mantra 5

tvam vâñgmayah tvam chinmayah; tvam ânandamayah tvam brahmamayah; tvam sat-
chit-ânanda advitîyo asi; tvam pratyaksham brahma asi; tvam jñânamayo vijñânamayo
asi

Mantra 6

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sarvam jagat idam tvatto jâyate; sarvam jagat idam tvattasstishthati; sarvama jagat
idam tvayi layam eshyati; sarvat jagat idam tvayi pratyeti;
tvam bhûmih âpo analo anilo nabhah; tvam chatvâri vâk parimitâ padâni;
tvam guna trayâtîtah; tvam deha trayâtîtah; tvam kâla trayâtîtah; tvam mulâdhare
sthito asi nityam; tvam shakti trayâtmakah;
tvam yogino dhyâyanti nityam; tvam brahmâ, tvam vishnuh, tvam rudrah, tvam indra,
tvam agnih, tvam vâyuh, tvam sûryah, tvam chandramâh, tvam brahma, bhûr bhuvah
suvar om.

Mantra 7. Ganapati Mantra : Ganapati Manu

ganâdîn pûrvam uchchârya, varnâdim tad anantaram; anusvarâh paratarah ardha indu
lasitam tatha; târena yuktam, etat eva manu svarûpam.

Mantra 8

gakârah pûrva rûpam; akâro madhyama rûpam; anusvârah cha antya rûpam; bindur
uttara rûpam; nâdah sandhânam; samhitâ sandih; sâ eshâ gâneshî vidyâ

Mantra 9

ganakah rishih; nrchat gâyatrî chhandah; shrî mahâ ganapatir devatâ; om ganapataye
namah

Mantra 10. Ganapati Gayatri

eka dantaya vidmahe; vakratundaya dhîmahi; tanno dantih prachodayât

Mantra 11. Meditation on Ganapati (Dhyâna)

eka dantam chatur hastam pâshâm angkusha dhârinam; abhayam varadam hastair
bibhrânam mûshaka dhvajam

Mantra 12

raktam lambodaram shûrpam sukarnam rakta vâsanam; rakta gandhânuliptânggam

rakta pushpaih supûjitam

Mantra 13

bhaktânu kampinam devam jagat kâranam achyutam; âvir bhûtam cha srshtyâdau
prakriteh purushât param

Mantra 14

evam dhyâyati yo nityam, sa yogî yoginâm varah

Mantra 15

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namo vrâtapataye, namo ganapataye, namah pramatha pataye, namaste astu
lambodarâya ekandatâya, vighna vinâshine shiva sutâya varada mûrtaye namo namah

The endd of the Upanishad is :

om saha nau avatu sahau nau bhunaktu saha vîryam karavâvahai tejasvinau avadhîtam
astu mâ vidvishâvahai
om shântih shântih shântih

Nota : From the book "Ganapati" by R.L. Kashyap, Ed Saksi, 2005.

(http://ganapati.perso.neuf.fr/anglais/adetcult.html)

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