This god of knowlededge and the remover of obstacles is
also the older son of Lord Shiva. Lord Ganesha is also called Vinayak
(kowledeable) or Vighneshwer (god to remove obstacles). He is worshipped,
or at least remembered, in the beginning of any auspicious performance
for blessings and auspiciousness. He has four hands, elephant's head
and a big belly. His vehicle is a tiny mouse. In his hands he carries a
rope (to carry devotees to the truth), an axe (to cut devotees' attachments),
and a sweet dessert ball -laddoo- (to reward devotees for spiritual activity).
His fourth hand's palm is always extended to bless people. A unique
combination of his elephant-like head and a quick moving tiny mouse vehicle
represents tremendous wisdom, intellegence, and presence of mind. Ganesha,
who is man, elephant and mouse in one, has always a solution at hand for
every problem. It is very common in today's India to find devotees having
a housewarming ceremony, or opening a shop, or beginning any work by first
appealing to Ganesha.Ganesha usually has a cobra coiled around his belly
alluding to Shiva.
Jai Ganesha Aarti
Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva.
Ek dant dayavant, char bhuja dhari
Mathe sindur sohai, muse ki savari,
Pan chadhe, phul chadhe, aur chadhe meva
Ladduan ka bhog lage, saht kare seva, Jai
Ganesh....
Andhan ko ankh det, kodhin ko kaya
Banjhan ko putra det, nirdhan ko maya,
Surya shyam sharan me, aaye suphal ki jai seva, Jai
Ganesh....
Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh, Jai Ganesh deva,
Mata jaki Parvati, Pita Mahadeva
Translation
Salutations to you , O Lord Ganesha, born of Parvati, the daughter
of the Mountain King, Himalaya, and the great Lord Shiva. O Lord of compassion,
you have a single tusk, four arms, a bright mark of vermilion on your
forehead, and for conveyance the mouse. Glory, glory, all glory to you
O Lord Ganesha
You bestow vision on the blind, chastened bodies on the leprous,
sons on barren women and wealth on the impecunious. Glory, glory, all
glory to you O Lord Ganesha
People offer you betel leaves, blossoms, dry fruits and laddus,
while throngs of saints and seers attend you.
Glory, glory, all glory to you O Lord Ganesha.