Upanishads of India - 12

Ganapathyupanishad

This is one of the famous Upanishads which proclaims the essence of Advaitha philosophy. Most of the stanzas declare the glory of all the pervading creative energy.

Stanza III reads as follows:

“Twam vaangmayastwam chinmaya: . Twamaanandamayastwam

Brahma maya: . Twam sachidaanandaadwiteeyoyosi. Twam

Prathyaksham Brahmaasi. Twam jnanamayo vijnaanamayo si.”

[Thou art vangmaya, chinmaya and anandamaya. Thou art whole and unique. Thou art the one and all knowledgeable and Thou art the real Brahma, the source of all creations.]

Stanza IV states thus:

The whole universe originates from Thee. Everything exists because of you. Everything immerges in you. Thou art the earth, fire, air, sky and the source of all. Thou art above the three qualities of sathwam, rajas and thamas. Thou remain above the present past and future. Thou art the embodiment of Ichasakthi, kriyasakthi and jnashakthi. (Willpower, creativity and knowledge) All the yogis daily meditate upon you. Thou art Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara, Indra, Agni and air. Thou art the sun, the moon and the all pervading Super force.

Stanza X and XI deals with an invocation for absolution of sin.

“Namo vraathapathaye namo ganapathaye

Nama: pramadapathayenamasthesthu

Lambodaraayaikadanthaaya vighnavinaashine

Sivasuthaaya sreevaradamurthaye namo nama: "

It is made clear that one who recites this prayer is competent

 for Brahmaprapthi or becoming one with the Over Soul. 

He/she will never meet with any hindrance on his ways and 

he/she enjoys life fully. He/she has deliverance from all the 

panchamahapapa or five cardinal sins. One who chants this in 

the evening becomes free from all the sins of the day and the

 recital of the same in the morning absolves him from all the 

sins of the night. One who learns this prayer attains all the 

purusharthas such as dharma, artha kaama and moksha.

The final stanza (XIII) categorically states all the manifold blessings that can be attained by truthful dedication and recital of this prayer in various contexts and varied manners. For example one who incants this prayer one thousand times is granted all his wishes . One who dedicates this prayer to Ganapathi becomes an orator. One who observes deep meditation by chanting this mantra becomes fearless. One who teaches eight Brahmins this prayer becomes glorious like sun. 

                                      Dr. Karickam