DHYANA SLOKAS (GAJANANAM)

At the beginning of any class, lecture, or personal sadhana, we chant the Dhyana Slokas. This helps to tune the mind to the divine in its different aspects. It makes us feel like instruments, and helps to remove the tamasic-rajasic ego. Divine guidance is necessary for any sadhana to be successful.

The Dhyana Slokas follow nearly the same sequence as the Daily Chants (Jaya Ganesha, etc.). First we invoke Ganesha to remove all obstacles, then we ask Subramanya to give us strength and destroy all negative forces, internal and external. Next is Saraswati, we pray to her to give us divine knowledge. Then we ask the teacher (guru) to guide us always. Finally, we invoke the Divine Mother Durga, Narayani to bring auspiciousness for all our undertakings.

Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam
Kapittha Jambu Phala Sara Bhakshakam
Uma Sutam Shokavinasha Karanam
Namami Vighneshvara Pada Pamkajam

Shadananam Kumkuma Raktavarnam
Mahamatim Divya Mayura Vahanam
Rudrasya Sunum Surasainya Natham
Guham Sadaham Sharanam Prapadye

Ya Kundendu Tushara Hara Dhavala
Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Vina Varadanda Mandita Kara
Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmaachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhihi
Devaihi Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Patu Saraswati" Bhagavati
Nisshesha Jadyapaha

Om Namah Shivaya Gurave
Sat-Chid-Ananda Murtaye
Nishprapanchaya Shantaya
Sri Sivanandaya Te Namaha
Sri Vivekanandaya Te Namaha

Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye Trayambake Gauri
Narayani Namostute Narayani Namostut

I prostrate myself before the lotus feet of Vigneshwara (Ganesha), the son of Uma, the cause of destruction of sorrow, who is served by the host of bhuta-ganas (angels), who has the face of an elephant, who partakes of the essence of kapittha and jambu fruits.

I always take refuge in Guha of six faces (Subramanya), who is of deep red colour like kumkuma, who possesses great knowledge, who has the divine peacock to ride on, who is the son of Rudra (Siva), and who is the leader of the army of the devas (gods, angels).

May the goddess Saraswati, who wears a garland white like the kunda-flower, the moon and the snow, who is adorned with pure white clothes, whose hands are ornamented with the vina and the gesture of blessings, who is seated on a white Lotus, who is always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and other gods, who is the remover of all inertness and laziness, protect me.

Salutations to Guru Siva who is the embodiment of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute, in whom worldliness does not exist, who is ever peaceful. Salutations to Sivananda, Salutations to Swami Vivekananda.

I salute the three eyed Divine Mother Narayani, who brings auspiciousness and who fulfils all the desires of the devotee (both spiritual and material).

Questions:

1. Why do we chant the Dhyana Slokas before each class?

2. Why do we chant them before our own personal practice?

3. Explain the symbolic meaning of the five aspects of God invoked in the Gajananam.