Sri Ganesha Sahasranama Bhashyartha
Published by:
Raga Ragini Trust
Avadhoota Datta Peetham,
Ooty Road, Dattanagar,
Mysure - 570025
Tel: +91 821 2486 486/2480 424
Fax: +91 821 2487 487,
Email: mail@dattapeetham.com
Pages 388, Price on request
Kannada translation of Bhaskararaya Deekshita's Khadyota
by: Sri Datta Vijayendra Thirtha Swamiji
The Ganesha Sahasranama literally means "a thousand names of Ganesha". Each name in the sahasranama conveys a different meaning and symbolises a different aspect of Ganesha. Sri Bhaskararaya Deekshita is said to have written a brief commentary that he designates as Khadyota or firefly (a beetle insect that glows at night) and says that his commentary shines like the sun.
Sri Datta Vijayendra Swamiji, the junior Pontiff of Datta Peetham, Mysore translating this book in his inimitable way praises the commentator Bhaskararaya's poetic wizardy (kavitha naipunya). Sri Bala Swamiji, as he is fondly referred to by devotees, pays homage to the senior Pontiff of Datta Peetham, Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji by saying that he was inspired by Swamiji's hymns on Ganesha. The sacred seed of Ganesha Tatwa was sown in the heart of the 20 year old Sri Bala Swamiji by Pujya Swamiji at the sacred shrine of Kshipra Ganapathi, Vijayawada twenty years ago. This seed today has grown into a tree as the extraordinary translation of Ganesha Sahasranama.
Each name of Ganesha has a range of meaning. Sri Bala Swamiji tells us that the original commentator mentions it is impossible even for the thousand headed Adisesha or his incarnation Sage Patanjali to describe the scope and significance of each name of the Lord. Bhaskararaya has tried to write the commentary like a Khadyota or firefly that moves in the sky and illuminates that little part wherever it flies. Devotees recite the Sahasranama mechanically without trying to understand the powerful meaning of each name of Ganesha. The kannada translation is done with such refinement by Sri Bala Swamiji that any layman can immediately fathom the immense metaphysical power of each name. Beginning with Ganeshwaraha to Amrutham to Ananthanantha Soukhya, the translation provides rich food for the mind. With several exquisite color photos of Lord Ganesha, the well designed and produced book has the thousand names of Lord Ganesha divided into ten sets of a hundred names each. Each name is very well described. The first name Ganeshwaraha is described as the form and lord of the universal Ganas. Ganesha is called Amrutham, and is aptly described as personification of divine nectar and final emancipation. The last name of the sahasranama is Ananthanantha Soukhya which is elegantly described as one who gives eternal happiness. A very helpful remembrance hint for remembering continuity is given at the end. The first name of every hundred slokas is given to make even the kindergarten student to easily maintain the continuity while reciting the sahasranama. Translating Bhaskararaya's Phalashruti, Sri Bala Swamiji says that Ganesha Sahasranama when recited at Brahmi Muhurtha (about 4 am) can confer great happiness. He elaborates that the recitation of these sacred hymns can bestow longevity, health, wealth, courage, bravery, strength, success, powerful mind, strong and luminous and body, beauty, honesty, kindness, forgiveness, peace, gratitude, justice, attraction, powerful vocabulary, scholarship, broad mind, dignity, intelligence, aristocracy, superior lineage, good behavior and authority.
The 388 page book titled "Sri Ganesha Sahasra nama Bhashyartha" aptly ends with all the thousand names listed line by line. This can help one to memorize the slokas effortlessly.
It is pertinent to note what the senior Pontiff of Datta Peetham, Mysore, Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji writes in his benedictory note in the initial pages:
"Ganesha Sahasranama is a superior tool that helps people to achieve the four goals of life - dharma, artha, kama and moksha. Sri Bhaskararaya Deekshita has revealed the secret doctrines of the Lord's names in his commentary. However, being in Sanskrit, this extraordinary commentary may not reach the common man. Sri Bala Swamiji, with a desire that this great work is available to everyone - the scholar and the lay reader - has translated it into pure Kannada. Sri Bala Swamiji, while being very faithful to the original, has given notes at several places to make the commentary very user friendly and helpful. I am very happy at Sri Bala Swamiji's sincere and devoted effort. This is a unique gift to the Kannada literary world. I wish him all success. "
Every family must possess a copy of this very elegantly produced book. Regular reading of the Ganesha Sahasranama chants with Sri Bala Swamiji's brilliant translation can confer one health, wealth and longevity. Utsav
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