Ganesha Sahasranama: Great Benefits for All

Meaning of Ganesha

The word Ganesha literally means the chief of all the Shivaganas. He is also known as Lambodara. Chanting the Ganesha Sahasranama wards off evil spirits and brings success into our lives. Due to the different moods of the devotees, the Supreme Being presents himself in 6 different forms to attract the minds of people. The 6 principal deities are Lambodara, Surya, Mahashakti, Shiva, Narayana and Karthikeya.

What is the Ganpatya Sampradaya?

According to the Ganpatya Sampradaya, Lord Lambodara is the Supreme Lord. A particular sect of the Ganpatya Sampradaya is found in Shegaon Maharashtra. There, Shri Gajanan Maharaj is considered as the reincarnation of Lord Lambodara.

The Ganesha Purana describes Lord Lambodara’s pastimes and qualities in detail. Riddhi and Siddhi are his wives. Riddhi stands for wealth and prosperity while Siddhi represents supernatural powers. Hence, chanting the Ganesha Sahasranama effortlessly invites their presence into our lives as a wife always follows her husband.

The same holds true for Lord Narayana and Mother Lakshmi. Those who worship Lord Vishnu never live in poverty. Lakshmi Devi’s blessings are always with them. To know about Goddess Lakshmi, watch our video titled Benefits of Ashtalakshmi Stotram | How to Chant Ashtalakshmi Stotram

What is the Ganesha Sahasranama

Lord Lambodara is the remover of all obstacles and in yoga, he is the ruling deity of the Mooladhara Chakra. To know about the Mooladhara Chakra, watch our video titled Benefits of Activating Mooladhara Chakra | How to Activate your Root Chakra? The Sahasranama is a collection of thousand names of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is the lord of intelligence and he is invoked before commencing any pious activity.

Origins of Ganesha Sahasranama

Without worshiping him, the act is incomplete and fruitless. There are two major versions of the Sahasranama. The first version finds its mention in the Ganesha Purana. Bhaskara-raya, a renowned devotee of the mother goddess, wrote a Sanskrit commentary called ‘Khadyota’ on this version. Khadyota means ‘firefly’ or ‘luminosity’.

Story of Tripurasura

It is named so because most people may compare it to a firefly because the commentary is very short. But it lightens the heart of the reader like the sun. Now I shall narrate the story of how the Sahasranama came into being. Tripurasura, who ruled three flying cities, caused a disturbance in the universe.

The rishis, devas, and Manavas found it hard to survive. The devas requested Lord Shiva to take matters into his own hands. Lord Shiva struggled hard to kill the demon and sought refuge under Lord Lambodara for strength. Finally, Lord Lambodara appeared in his Panchamukhi form and initiated him into this auspicious hymn.

The “Ga” Kara Sahasranama

By the power of the recitation, Lord Shiva vanquished the demon. The second version lists a thousand names of Lambodara only beginning with the letter ‘g’. or the Syllable ga. It is also known as Gakara Ganesha Sahasranama.

Benefits of the Ganesha Sahasranama

Now I shall state the benefits of chanting the Ganesha Sahasranama. Regular recitation of the Sahasranama grants Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.

You may also want to watch our video titled What is the Real Cause of Sorrow? | 4 Aims of Life.

In Tantra, Lord Lambodara has 51 forms each having a unique characteristic. He holds a lotus, goad, coil, and seeds in his hands, adorning the ornament of snakes.

Lord Lambodara is a celestial astrologer. Those who worship him are less troubled by bad planetary positions. According to my personal experience, just reading Sahasranama will not do. Unless you become a sadhaka or a true worshiper of the Devata, the benefits will not manifest.

You have to become Nishkama or free of all desires, before you even start getting the first benefit.

Mantras actually give you benefits, after reaching the stage, when you no longer hanker for any wish fulfillment. Lord Lambodara gives the power of Vashikaran or the power of seduction, which is attained when you have attained the full grace of Lord Ganesha through intense sadhana.

He protects the womb of pregnant women bestowing strength to the foetus. He also cures infertility, blessing the couple with a radiant child. Many devotees have reported that after chanting the Sahasranama they have seen improvement in speaking skills, ability to debate well, and increased self-confidence.

Ganesh is the Lord of Memory

Lord Lambodara has the head of an elephant. Elephants are very loving animals. They have great memory, and intelligence and are one of the few animals who can recognize themselves in the mirror.

Hence, Lord Lambodara is the epitome of intelligence and is gracious to students. He keeps negative energies at bay and rescues devotees from danger when invoked. If you have desires, Lord Ganesha fulfills them. But, if you see that even after praying, your wish is unfulfilled, know that the desire is not good for you.

Lord Lambodara is the master-mind. He always wishes good for his devotees. If a poor man chants the Stotram his financial conditions certainly improve. If you love someone very dearly, the person will do anything for your happiness. The same holds true for the spiritual world.

If you love Lord Lambodara dearly, he shall protect you. However, your prayers should be selfless and only for the satisfaction of the deity. Then alone will you get to reap the benefits.

The Ganesha Chathurthi Festival

Usually, the people of Maharashtra celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi with great pomp and grandeur. The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations last for 10 days. Chanting the Sahasranama on these days complements the benefits.