In our Indian culture we start every new work with the worship of "Lord Ganesha".
Ganapati is the master of Buddhi (intellect) and Vijnana (wisdom).
Ganesha (Vinayaka ) is one who drives away all sorrows, difficulties and miseries. He is the enemy of all obstacles. He will not allow any obstacles to come in the way. He is the destroyer of obstacles. He confers happiness and peace (on his devotees). He is the master of all these powers (Buddhi and Siddhi). When there is purity of mind you achieve peace (which is Siddhi). Vinayaka is thus the Lord of Buddhi and Siddhi (the Intellect and Self-Realization). Hence every human being should acquire control over the mind.
Vinayaka is the Lord of all learning (Vidya). Does learning mean bookish scholarship? No. Everything pertaining to the cosmos is included in the term learning (Vidya). Walking, talking, laughing, sitting, eating, strolling, thinking - every kind of activity is related to learning. Vinayaka is the master of every kind of learning. Today learning is identified with acquisition of information. But apart from knowledge of the physical world, we have many other kinds of knowledge relating to chemistry, the fine arts and other skills.
Vinayaka is the master of every kind of knowledge. Vinayaka is not the one who merely comes to the aid of those who read their books. He helps everyone at every step in life's journey.
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Here is a small Prayer and its meaning.
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शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् ।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्व विघ्नोपशान्तये ॥
shuklambaradharam vishnums hashivarnam chaturbhujamp
rasanna vadanam dhyayet sarva vighnopa shantaye
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.
अगजानन पद्मार्कम् गजाननम् अहर्निशम्।
अनेकदन्तम् भक्तानम् एकदन्तम् उपास्महे॥
agajaanana padmarkam gajaananam aharnisham
anekadam tam bhaktaanaam ekadantam upaasmahe
O Lord Ganesha, just like the Sun makes the Lotus bloom, your presence lights up Mother Parvati's face. O Single-tusked Lord who bestows unending boons on his devotees, we bow down to thee day and night!
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.
अगजानन पद्मार्कम् गजाननम् अहर्निशम्।
अनेकदन्तम् भक्तानम् एकदन्तम् उपास्महे॥
agajaanana padmarkam gajaananam aharnisham
anekadam tam bhaktaanaam ekadantam upaasmahe
O Lord Ganesha, just like the Sun makes the Lotus bloom, your presence lights up Mother Parvati's face. O Single-tusked Lord who bestows unending boons on his devotees, we bow down to thee day and night!
