In traditional Natyashastra, the third svara (sound) is known as Gandhara because it is the sound ‘Ga’, it is golden in colour and its quality is softness and purity. Ga becomes an important svara as the 3rd note because it is weak and soft in nature but acts as a transition between two strong svaras. Ganapati is the mediant between Shiva-Shakti as His force ties Shiva (transcendence) to Shakti (immanence) and grounds it within the earth element. This particular svara is often practiced and used to produce feelings of ‘karuna’ or compassion and Ganapati with His ego (head) dismantled by Shiva and transformed into the head of ‘Gana’ (the elephant head is one of the stories.) which means groups of many different deities and so He is worshipped first.
It is said that Ganapati was born under the lunar mansion of Dhanishta which is known for its musical proficiency and ability to know the rhythms of the universe and transform them into fame, beauty and wealth. In the Gakara Ganapati Sahasranama, a whole section of names of Ganapati are dedicated to His musical genius and His ability to give liberation through music and sound. Gandhyeyaya (the One who can be reached through music) means when the harmony we have within ourselves through the compassion we give to ourselves produces the beautiful music of life, that takes us to the state of Ganapati. With the name Gitavighnavinashaya (One who destroys obstacles in music) He removes the obstacles in this flow of life because He’s the one that has a burning hunger to hear the songs of troubles of His devotees. (Ganashravanalalsaya).
The ability to hold a note properly and for a long time takes sheer determination, focus and the stillness of mind which is actually given by tamo-guna. Elephants represent this guna in its most refined and pristine form, which is why apart from Ganapati, the beautiful Goddess Matangi is also related to elephants (She who has the gait of an elephant) which is why when meditated upon She takes our imperfect mantra and corrects it. Just like the Goddess wears a necklace of the alphabets of Sanskrit around Her neck in the form of garland of skulls, Ganapati is adorned with the svaras of music (Ganabhushanaya) as His various ornaments.
Lakshmi, Ganapati and Saraswati all containing Dhanishta nakshatra qualities
Music is divinity in motion which is why heaven in Sanskrit is known as ‘Svarga’ (Svar- Sound, Ga- fusion/harmony), it is what comforts us and uplifts us and brings the higher realms to our minds. This upcoming Ganesha Utsav let’s contemplate on the ocean of music that Ganapati is (as Ganasamudraya) as His very beeja ‘Gaṁ’ stimulates the point between our brows to initiate us into the knowledge (vidya) of keeping His mother Shakti grounded and revealed to us at all times. Ganapati’s playfulness imbibed within our hearts, we begin to remove the heaviness of our samskaras and offer them up to the one with a BIG appetite!
If you want to delve further into learning more about Ganapati, I’m offering a 20% discount on my Ganapati Atharvashirsha course where I dive deep into the significance of Ganapati, learning to chant this beautiful hymn and imbibing it into our lives with puja! You can find it here.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमो नम:
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