Sai Himself is Gajanan – Ganapati – Bhalchandra

At the beginning of any undertaking, wise persons praise tutelar (beloved) deities and invoke their grace for its completion without impediments.They do the invocation to avert all impediments and for the fulfilment of their desires. I do obeisance to all.

First of all, I worship Ganapati, Vakratund, Heramb image, Lord of the fourteen schools of knowledge [six miscellaneous Vedas (inclusive of two which are lost), Code of moral conduct, Puranas, Mimansa, Commentaries etc.], auspicious figure who is Elephant-visaged.

Fourteen universes (Bhulok i.e. earth, Bhuvarlok i.e. region between the sun and the earth, Swarlok i.e. region between the sun and the polar star, Mahalok i.e. sphere of sun and luminaries, Tapolok i.e. heaven of the Tapasvis, Janalok i.e. of sons of Brahma, Satyalok i.e. heaven of Brahma and Rishis, and Saptapatals i.e. seven hells, known as Atal, Vital, Mutal, Talatal, Mahatal, Rasatal, Patal) are contained in Your belly; that is why You are known as immense-bodied, holding the lustrous axe in Your hands with a desire to cut the difficulties of the devotees.

Oh, Lord Gananatha, Gajanan, the destroyer of obstacles and assuager of pain, grant me the grace to complete my vows. I prostrate (with all the eight limbs of the body touching the ground indicating perfect surrender)  myself before You.

You are the helper of the devotees. Impediments roll down and are subdued at Your feet. If You directly face them, all deficiencies will vanish.

You are the ship in the ocean of life, the flame of light in the darkness of ignorance. Look after me joyfully with prosperity and perfection (Riddhi and Siddhi - names of two female attendants of Ganesh, who confer psychic and spiritual powers).

Hail, hail to thee whose vehicle is the mouse, destroyer of the forest of impediments. You are the son of Girija (Parvati - consort of Shiva) who has an auspicious visage. I do obeisance to You.

May I attain the completion of this work without difficulties. Therefore, I have followed this custom of offering obeisance to the beloved deities with respect, for the attain-ment of all good and auspi-ciousness.

Sai Himself is Gajanan Ganapati; Sai Himself has the axe (He is Parashuram, a celebrated hero and demi-God, one of the incarnations of Vishnu) in His hand. Completely annihilate my difficulties. I now begin my sacred work.

Sai Himself is Bhalachandra, Himself is Gajanan, with  a single tusk and elephant-like ears. He is the formidable one with a broken tusk, the destroyer of the forest of difficulties.

Oh, the holiest of holies, with an immense body, Ganapati ! there is no difference between You and Sai. Please take me to Your abode, where You reside in contentment.

- Shri Sai Satcharita

Translated in English by Zarine

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