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More than a festival idol, Ganesha as Yoga Ganpati is the protector of spiritual progress—stabilising Yoga sadhana and clearing obstacles on the path to liberation
Ganesha is described as Parabrahman—the formless, transcendental reality, the source of all creation, and the giver of liberation.
For most of us, Yoga is a way to get fit, relieve stress, or stay healthy. However, in reality, Yoga is a spiritual journey. What begins as a set of practices will lead to Yoga Sadhana for practitioners. The guide on this path is Yoga Ganpati, the remover of obstacles—and much more.
Sri Aurobindo, the intellectual Yogi, described Ganesha as: “Ganesha is at once the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles. Ganesha (among other things) is the devata of spiritual knowledge.” And another time: “Ganesha is the power that removes obstacles by the force of knowledge… Of course, the names given are human but the Gods exist.”
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WHY YOGA NEEDS GANPATI
Yoga starts out as a set of poses for smooth functioning and breathing practices that help calm the mind and distribute energy efficiently. At a certain point, though, this discipline leads to a deeper experience—a split-second loss of body consciousness, a taste of bliss.
The longing to experience that bliss again is the beginning of Sadhana. Yoga Sadhana is a disciplined spiritual effort, including ethical living (yama and niyama), meditation practices (dharana, dhyana, samadhi), and even devotional practices like mantra japa, worship, and dhyana on a deity—with the goal being realising the Self or uniting with the Divine.
According to great yogis, that loss of body consciousness is the gateway to meditation, to reach kaivalya or spiritual freedom. Turning to Yoga Ganpati at this stage, through worship—both external and internal—paves the way for smooth success https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/yogmantra-ganesh-chaturthi-vinayaka-chaturthi-bappa-wishes-pooja-time-9042126.html .
THE YOGIC FORM OF GANESHA
Yoga Ganpati is one of the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha as elaborated in the Mudgala Purana. The various forms are based on his distinct attributes, roles, and powers.
The Yoga Ganpati sloka from Mudgala Purana is:
Yogarudho yogapattabhiramo,
Balarkabhashcamdranilamshukadhyah,
Pashe kshvakshan yogadandaṃ dadhanaḥ,
payannityazm yoga vignesh varоnaḥ || 30 || raktavarnah
(Meaning: He is absorbed in yoga, seated with the yoga girdle (yoga-patta) around his legs, radiant like the rising sun, wearing shining clothes like the blue sapphire. He holds a rosary, a noose (paasha), a staff (yoga-danda) and sugarcane. His complexion is red.)
These symbolic details emphasise yogic asceticism and restraint, inner illumination, inner focus, and yogic authority.
HOW YOGA GANPATI GUIDES SADHANA
If you’re pursuing a yogic path, worship and meditate upon Yoga Ganpati—both at the beginning and at later stages. This helps in two ways:
* Equipped with yogic tools and detached from worldly activity, he is the guardian who removes challenges that prevent spiritual progress.
* Ganesha also presides over the Muladhara Chakra (root chakra), the seat of Kundalini energy and yogic awakening. As Yoga Ganpati, he is the guardian who ensures that kundalini ascends gently and in a regulated manner, thus preventing chaos.
INVOKING GANPATI
For external worship, there are several Yoga Ganpati temples in India. Pradakshina—circumambulation of the deity—is also a form of receiving energy.
Other than that, also invoke him on the Yogic plane. A short practice for internal worship could be:
* Sit in a steady pose and begin with calm and rhythmic breathing.
* Invoke Ganpati within.
* Visualise Yoga Ganpati in meditation at the root (Muladhara) chakra.
* Mentally chant ‘Om Gam Ganapataye Namah’ or ‘Gam Ganapataye Namah’ — or simply ‘Gam’.
* Offer any distracting thoughts or restlessness to him, bringing back the mind to his form.
Ultimately, Ganesha is not just a remover of obstacles, or a household god. He is described as Parabrahman—the formless, transcendental reality, the source of all creation, and the giver of liberation.
The author is a journalist, cancer survivor and certified yoga teacher. She can be reached at swatikamal@gmail.com.
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Author: News18
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