At the Outset. . . brahmanaspati

Modern day Hinduism speaks of a Godhead called Ganesha or Ganapati, a deity that was first worshipped in the puranic legends of yore and I daresay acquired more prominence since then. This Godhead is popularly referred to as vigneshwara, the remover of obstacles and usually worshipped at the start of any religious or social ceremony or function.

The word brahma in the veda stands for mantrā, the power that manifests itself in vāk or speech. The meaningful sound that is expressed in a vedic mantrā, known by the term brahma. This follows a metrical form (or chandas) by which I believe the universe is impelled from within and without and continues incessantly.

The rig veda refers to an infinite consciousness (albeit in a veiled manner) that upholds the universe from a supreme station. It is this very Divinity that enters the Inconscient and works to release the concealed truths of existence, leading them upwards in manifestation. This consciousness that so manifests itself was described by the vedic seer as brahma – a soul that rises upwards in humanity. Just as agni in the veda is the force of Divine Will, indrā - the power of Divine Mind, sarasvati that of Inspiration, similarly brahma was the vedic symbol for soul-power.

brahmanaspati was the chosen form for the Divinity that presides over this soul-power – and ganapati in the post puranic age corresponds to that divinity known as brahmanaspati to the vedic seers of a more ancient age.

The great ṛṣi gṛtsamadaḥ bhārgavaḥ śaunakaḥ reveals to us a powerful rik invoking this Lord of the mantrā. Those of us familiar with the daily rites recognise this simple and powerful hymn.

गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम्।
ज्येष्टराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ न शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम्॥

gaṇānāṁ tvā gaṇapatiṁ havāmahe kaviṁ kavīnāmupamaśravastamam
jyeṣṭarājaṁ brahmaṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata ā na śṛṇvannūtibhiḥ sīda sādanam

We invoke (havāmahe) the lord (gaṇapatiṁ) of the hosts (gaṇānāṁ) [of the mantrās]
Seer (kaviṁ) among all the seers (kavīnām), supreme (upama) in all hearing (śravastamam)
The eldest king (jyeṣṭarājaṁ) and lord of all mantrās (brahmaṇaspata)
Hearing our invocations (ā na śṛṇvan), may he increase (ūtibhiḥ) us and manifest (asīda) his powers in our subtle bodies (sādanam)

Obstacles are caused in our tasks due to conflicting thoughts and desires and brahmanaspati places the appropriate mantrā in our subtle body skillfully and removes the disharmony, the cause of these obstacles. He manifests in our subtle bodies with his protections.

Peace
S

Real Prosperity

I read this story several years ago from that classic book, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones compiled by Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki.

* * * * *

A rich man asked Sengai to write something for the continued prosperity of his family so that it might be treasured from generation to generation. Sengai obtained a large sheet of paper and wrote: "Father dies, son dies, grandson dies."

The rich man became angry. "I asked you to write something for the happiness of my family! Why do you make such a joke of this?"

"No joke is intended," explained Sengai. "If before you yourself die your son should die, this would grieve you greatly. If your grandson should pass away before your son, both of you would be broken-hearted. If your family, generation after generation, passes away in the order I have named, it will be the natural course of life. I call this real prosperity."

* * * * *

I was reminded of this story today in a disturbing incident. I humbly pray that the soul of the helpless little angel rest in peace.

Peace
S