Last Updated on March 23, 2016 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Meaning of Gam
Question:
What is the meaning of the syllable in “Gam”?
Swamiji Says:
There is a sanskrit shloka that explains the syllables:
The letter “ga” is the form of wisdom; the letter “a” is that which is in the middle of creation; the anusvaara (m) is the form of perfection. Thus, the attainment of perfection for Ganesha has been given.
The Two Mothers of Ganesha
Question:
In the 108 names of Ganesha, it says Ganesha is “The One with Two Mothers”. Who are these two mothers?
Swamiji Says:
Parvati and Aditi.
Ganesh Atharvasirsham
Question:
In the Ganesh Atharvasirsham, it says “nicrid gayatricchamdah” – Nicrd Gayatri is the rhythm. What is this rhythm? How many rhythms are there?
Swamiji Says:
The word “Nicrid” means insertion. With the insertion of the Gayatri meter (24 syllables to the verse), there are several meters in this piece, into which Gayatri is also inserted.
Question:
In Ganesha Atharvasirsham, it says “sa pamca mahapapatpramucyate” – He removes the 5 great kinds of sin. What are these 5 sins?
Swamiji Says:
Killing a brahmin, drinking intoxicants, theft, committing adultery with the wife of a religious teacher, and associating with anyone guilty of these crimes.
Question:
I have seen the Ganesha Atharvashirsha as having 10 verses and an additional 5 verse part, which is called “Phal sruti”. If one is chanting this multiple times, does one chant the 10 verses over and over and then the remaining 5 verses once at the end, or should one do all 15 the whole time?
Swamiji Says:
Yes you can do repeat the 10 and do the phal sruti at the end, but I recommend we count the entire recitation as one (repeat the 15 verses). We don’t want to take the short cut.
Ganesha’s Trunk
Question:
Is it true that the Ganesha we worship should have the trunk to the right side (from the onlooker’s perspective) otherwise it is considered inauspicious? Is is true that only sadhakas who perform very special Ganesha pujas should worship Ganesha with the trunk in other positions?
Swamiji Says:
No specific comment. As many as there are sadhus, there are so many explanations. There is no scriptural reference.