New SWAHA Publication: Ganesh Upaasanaa (A Guide to Ganesh Worship)

As the Hindu world prepares to celebrate the auspicious period of Ganesh Utsov, SWAHA International has released a new publication aimed at guiding the aspirant on the path of spiritual upliftment. Ganesh Upaasanaa (ISBN: 978-976-8210-37-1), which means ‘Worship of Shri Ganesh’, is an offering providing both a metaphysical understanding of Ganesh worship and a step-by-step guide to the actual performance of Ganesh Pujaa.

This publication caters to devotees who wish to use it at home, in personal temples and Pooja rooms. The Spiritual Head of SWAHA, Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad, states in his introduction that the worship of this form of Divinity is integral to Hindu worship. Through this form of worship, the devotee is endowed with the tool of discriminative power, by means of which one is able to successfully overcome personal, environmental and other challenges that confront him daily. The devotee no longer perceives a world of distinction and differentiation, but of non-duality. He acquires a greater connectedness with his world, discerning unity in diversity. He develops increased confidence, creativity, magnetism and optimism. He becomes more grounded as he acquires enhanced stability, balance and harmony with himself and his world. With such focus obstacles, challenges and difficulties in any form are easily removed. This expression of communication to the Divine is also one form of ‘nitya karma’ or daily activity to which everyone is duty-bound.

The first section of the book presents the nature of ‘Ganesh’, symbolism of the form as well as brief insights into the significance of the ‘Swastika’, the symbol of good luck and other emblems of this deity. A philosophical explanation of ‘Ganesh Visarjan’ or final immersion of the murti into the waterways is also presented. Some frequently asked questions pertaining to Pooja are also answered in this segment of the book.The second part of the book deals exclusively with the physical preparations and the actual worship of Shri Ganesh. Designed for personalised use, all preliminary preparations are comprehensively explained. A pooja checklist and a step by step format for offerings and mantras are clearly laid out so that the devotee can make use of this valuable information at any time. Powerful Sanskrit Stotras with English translation, pertaining to this form of God are included.

SWAHA believes that this book will be an invaluable guide for the Hindu community, especially at this present time when challenges, individual, natural and environmental, abound and the power of discrimination is needed more than ever. Ganesh Upaasanaa is available from SWAHA’s Head Office (Ph: 674-7384, swahainternational@gmail.com), SWAHA Centres and Branches, and leading Pooja stores.

A full preview of the book is available below: