From a satsang with Pt. Balram Persad, Spiritual Leader, SWAHA Om Shakti Mandali
To conquer the three planes of existence and overcome all forms of suffering, we must turn to the worship of Shree Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and bestower of divine grace.
The Ganesh Atharvashirsha provides profound insight into the question of why we should worship Ganeshji :
– All difficulties can be overcome when we worship Him with deep emotion and devotion, under the guidance of a Guru.
– All sins are destroyed.
– Forgiveness for all mistakes is granted.
– Right knowledge is bestowed upon the devotee.
These teachings offer tremendous hope for us all. While we are bound by the laws of karma, there is also the law of divine grace, as evidenced in the Ramaayana through Raam kripaa, the grace of Shree Raam, which flows through service to the Lord.
As imperfect beings, we all encounter difficulties and seek knowledge for personal transformation. Through the worship of Shree Ganesh, these difficulties can be transformed. However, this requires unwavering faith and commitment. When we approach the Lord, it must be with the firm belief that He is all powerful and capable of changing any situation. With this conviction in our hearts and minds, we trust that He will remove obstacles, uplift us, and grant success and happiness. Sanaatan Dharma thus offers solutions to every challenge and predicament we may face.
How Can We Realise the Supreme Being?
In life, our journey must be forward, upward, onward and Godward. To achieve this, we must navigate through the four darpans (mirrors):
- Guru Darpan: The reflection of the Guru, which helps us rise spiritually, enhance our intellect and progress on the path.
- Murti Darpan: The image of Ganapati Baba, which leads to awakening, realisation and consciousness of the Divine.
- Vishwa Darpan: The mirror of the universe itself, offering experiences and life teachings that guide us toward the Divine.
- Vivek Darpan: The reflection of discernment, representing Ganapati Baba Himself, who embodies the power of right vision and wisdom.
By reflecting and acting on these four darpans, we can receive numerous blessings:
– Vidya (wisdom)
– Riddhi (progress, prosperity and material enjoyment)
– Buddhi (intelligence and intellect)
– Siddhi (spiritual powers or divine perfection)
These are not just blessings of knowledge, but of true wisdom—knowledge aimed at transforming our lives. Additionally, we are blessed with spiritual powers, which, when used wisely, can advance us on our spiritual journey. Through devotion to Lord Ganesh, we not only overcome obstacles but also receive the divine guidance necessary for material and spiritual success.
