Loving Ganesha: Chapter 15 (Section 3) - Hindudharmavishayaka Punyotsavah--Sacred Festivals

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font-family:Arial">Namaste all,

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font-family:Arial">The remaining section of chapter 15 of Loving Ganesha from

http://www.himalayanacademy.com/books/lg/lg_ch-15.html

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12.0pt;font-family:Arial">Om Shanti

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font-family:Arial">Neil

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CREATING THE PANCHA GANAPATI SHRINE

Pancha Ganapati is not a temple utsava; it is a contemporary home observance.

Because of the importance of this festival as a new beginning and mending of

all mistakes of the past, a festive shrine is created especially for the

five-day event in the main living room of the home. At the center of the shrine

is placed a large wooden or bronze five-faced statue of Lord Pancha Ganapati. If

this is not available, any large

picture of Lord Ganesha will do. The home shrine is decorated in the spirit of

this festive season. Lord Ganesha is often depicted as coming from the forest;

therefore, pine boughs (or banana leaves) may be used. Durva grass, sugarcane and garlands

of sweet modaka balls are used to

decorate the home shrine. Flashing lights, tinsel and colorful hanging

ornaments may also be added.

Pancha Ganapati is dressed anew each morning, preferably by

the children, in a special color for that particular day. His five shaktis are

loved and adored by all members of the family.

He appears in golden yellow on December 21. A regal gown of royal blue is presented

to Him on December 22 and one of ruby red on the 23rd. On December 24 He

appears in emerald green; and on the final day Lord Pancha

Ganapati comes forth in brilliant orange to bless all who visit Him, bestowing

365 days of wealth and abundance until returning again next year in the form of

Pancha Ganapati.

Pancha Ganapati should be celebrated in a distinctly Hindu

way. The items which should not be used are Christmas trees, Santa Claus or

symbols of other religions. These symbols carry connotations that are to be

avoided in Hindu worship. Season's greeting cards should be Hindu in design and

content. Season's greetings to friends in other religions can continue with

thoughts of Hindu wisdom or quotes from Hindu scripture. If properly chosen

they will be appreciated and cherished.

PANCHA GANAPATI ACTIVITIES

Pancha Ganapati is a joyous time for the family and should

include outings, picnics, holiday feasts and exchange of cards and gifts with

relatives, friends and business associates. Each day a traditional offering

tray of sweets, fruits and incense is offered to Pancha

Ganapati, often prepared and presented by the children. Each day gifts are

given to the children, who place them unopened before Pancha

Ganapati, to open only on the fifth day. After each puja, the sweets are given

to them from the offering tray as

italic">prasada.

Gifts need not be extravagent or expensive; they

should be within the means of each family. Handmade presents are by far the

most precious. Ganesha does not want gift-giving to promote Western

commercialism but to further the great Hindu culture. Clearly, killer games

should never be given. Greeting cards, ideally made by the

children, offer Hindu art and wisdom, such as verses from the Vedas.

During

each of the five days of Pancha Ganapati, chants,

songs, hymns and bhajanas

are sung in His praise. Each day a different family

italic">sadhana is focused upon. The first sadhana begins the morning of December 21

and the others begin each day thereafter until the fifth and final day,

December 25.

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DECEMBER 21, YELLOW

The

family sadhana for the first day

of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love

and harmony among immediate family members. The day begins early, and the

entire family works together to design and decorate the shrine with traditional

symbols, rangoli, lamps and more. Then a grand puja is

performed invoking the spirit of Pancha Ganapati in

the home. The sadhana of the day

now begins. The family sits together for the purpose of easing any strained

relationships that have arisen during the year. They make amends one with

another for misdeeds performed, insults given, mental pain and injuries caused

and suffered. When forgiveness is offered to all by one and all, they speak of

each other's good qualities and resolve that in the days ahead they will

remember the futility of trying to change others and the practicality of

changing oneself to be the silent example for all to witness. Gifts are then

exchanged and placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

As family harmony is important to all Hindus, this

italic">sadhana must be taken very seriously.

DECEMBER 22, BLUE

The

family sadhana for the second day

of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love

and harmony among neighbors, relatives and close

friends and presenting them with heartfelt. The sadhana of the day is to offer

apologies and clear up any misunderstandings that exist. Relatives and friends

in far-off places are written to or called, forgiveness is sought, apologies

made and tensions released. Gifts received are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

DECEMBER 23, RED

The

family sadhana for the third day

is to create a vibration of love and harmony among business associates, the

casual merchant and the public at large. This is the day for presenting gifts

to merchants and customers and to honor employers and

employees with gifts and appreciation. The sadhana

today is the settling of all debts and disputes. Gifts received are placed

unopened before the Deity.

DECEMBER 24, GREEN

The sadhana of day four is to draw forth the

vibration of joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and the dance.

Family, relatives and friends gather for satsanga to share and enjoy their

artistic gifts. When the program is over, all sit together before Pancha

Ganapati, Patron of the Arts and Guardian of Culture,

discussing Hindu Dharma and making plans to bring more cultural refinements

into each household. More gifts are placed before Lord Ganapati.

DECEMBER 25, ORANGE

The

family sadhana for the final day

of Pancha Ganapati is to bring forth love and harmony

within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas well performed during the

first four days, the family is now more open and aware of Ganesha's Grace, and

their love for Him is now overflowing. On this day the entire family

experiences an outpouring of love and tranquility

from the great God Himself. His blessings fill the home and the hearts of

everyone within it, inspiring them anew for the coming year. This exchange of

affection between all members of the family and the Lord is invoked and

perpetuated through the day by performing five special pujas. The first puja is

at 6AM. Before the puja, personal offering

trays are prepared and placed before His shrine. After the puja, each one gives

verbal testimony about prayers that were answered during the past year. Hearing

testimonies strengthens the faith of everyone. Then vows of sacrifice can be

verbally made. Vows should improve the quality of the life of the individual,

such as giving up smoking or correcting other harmful habits.

The

second puja is at 9AM, and the third at 12 noon. The fourth puja is held at 3PM.

At 6PM the fifth and final puja of the day is

held. These five pujas to Pancha Ganapati solicit

help from His devas in the home and establish the

patterns for improvement in family life. The overflowing love that is felt

today will inspire generosity in the year to come, bringing in return abundance

and good fortune. All gifts received during the day are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

The

evening puja, held at six o'clock, is the long-awaited time. The five sadhanas have

been completed. Peace, love and harmony among everyone have been restored.

After the puja and before the great feast that follows, Lord Panchamukha

Ganapati Himself gives His final darshana and prasada to

one and all. Gifts are distributed and joyously opened. Happy

children. Happy parents. Happy

God.

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A FAMILY PRAYER AFTER PANCHA GANAPATI

Enjoy this prayer during the next 360 days after Pancha Ganapati. May His

blessings flood your home with

bounteous joy. May you and your family experience His

boons of abundance, culture and sensitivity to the feelings of others that He

will grant through the months ahead. Repeat the

following prayer together after each puja in your shrine until Lord Ganesha

returns again next year as Pancha Ganapati.

13.5pt;font-style:italic">Om bhur bhuvah suvah

Ekadantaya vidmahe

Oh divine beings

of all three worlds, let us bring our minds to rest in

the darshana

of Him who has one tusk.

Vakratundaya dhimahi

Let us meditate upon Him who has the form of an elephant with a

curved trunk.

Tanno dantih prachodayat

13.5pt">M

13.5pt">ay He guide us always along the right path.

Jai Ganesha!

Jai Panchamukha Ganapati!

Jai Ganesha! Jai! Jai!

Aum shantih, shantih, shantih, Aum.

Victory to the Lord of Celestials!

Hail to the Five-Faced Lord of

italic">ganas!

Victory to the Lord of Celestials!

Hail to Ganesha. Jai, jai.

Aum, peace, peace, peace, Aum.

Quite

honestly, however, many Hindus still celebrate Christmas and often ask,

"What's wrong with that?" My answer is that it dilutes and weakens our noble

Sanatana Dharma tradition and leads children astray. Most of those who do

indulge in Christmas

were educated in Christian schools. They do not, however, observe Jewish,

Islamic or the many other similar gift-giving days. Each religion educates its

young in a sectarian way, for religionists believe that to learn one specific

path is sufficient and necessary. Education should not be diluted by taking in

a Christian holiday or those of all religions under one banner. And by the way,

most Hindus do not realize that Christmas is not really an ancient holiday, but

was begun in America in the early 1900s and spread out

through the world from there.

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font-family:Arial">Loving Ganesha by Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami

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font-family:Arial">Web sites: http://www.hindu.org/

& http://www.himalayanacademy.com/

email: contact (AT) hindu (DOT) org

Himalayan Academy

Kauai's Hindu Monastery

Arial">107 Kaholalele Road

Kapaa, HI 96746-9304

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