August 31, 2022 is “Maha Ganesha Caturthi”
The puja begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Hall of the Tradition.
Please come together in person or via zoom and join Emilio Bettaglio and Chris Young in a special Ganesha puja ceremony at The Meditation Center at 7:00 p.m. on August 31st.
The fourth day after the new moon of the month of Bhādrapada (August/ September) is considered the most auspicious day of the year for invoking and paying homage to Ganesha. This year it falls on August 31st. Some people consider it Ganesha’s birthday and it’s a day of auspicious beginnings.
During this ceremony on this particular day, participants will have an opportunity to make a resolution (sankalpa). With the help of Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, the resolution is given enhanced strength.
If moved to, bring a special sweet or fruit to share as prasada after the ceremony.
Ganesha Gayatri Mantra.
ॐ तत्-पुरुषाय विद्महे
वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि ।
तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्॥
Om tat-puruṣāya vidmahe
Vakratuṇḍāya dhīmahi ।
Tanno dantī pracodayāt ॥
We seek to know that supreme divine person.
We meditate upon the one with the curved trunk.
(The curved trunk represents the base of consciousness as seen in the writing of the letter OM)
May that one who has one tooth inspire us.
(the one tooth represents the principle whereby dualities are merged into oneness)
Gayatri Prayer
गायत्री मातः। हे गुरो। श्री गुरो।
सद् बुद्धिं मे प्रयच्च।
चित्तं मे निर्मलं शान्तं प्रसन्नं भूयात्।
सर्वे मे भावाः शुध्यन्ताम्।
मैत्री भावनया क्षमां याचितुं आत्मबलं मे देहि।
ॐ तत्सद् ब्रह्मार्पणम् अस्तु॥
gāyatrī mātaḥ | he guro | śrī guro |
sad buddhiṁ me prayacca |
cittaṁ me nirmalaṁ śāntaṁ prasannaṁ bhūyāt |
sarve me bhāvāḥ śudhyantām |
maītrī bhāvanayā kṣamāṁ yācituṁ ātma balaṁ me dehi |
om tat-sad brahmārpaṇam astu ||
Mother Gayatri, Oh Gurudeva, Shri Gurudeva
Grant me pure buddhi.
May my mind become immaculate, quiet, peaceful, clear and pleasant.
May all my emotions be purified.
Grant me the spiritual strength to ask for forgiveness with a sentiment of amity.
Om. That (alone is) Real.
May (all this endeavor) be (accepted as my) surrender and offering to Brahman.
