गणपत्यथर्वशीर्ष (with translation) /4

PREFACE
 
Although there is an abundance of literature on
Ganesha in English, there is no known commentary on the
Atharvashirsha for the benefit of His English knowing
devotees.
 
The GANAPATYATHARVASHIRSHA, as its name
suggests, is a book of prayers of Ganesha. Vedic literature
consisted chiefly of the four Vedas, the Rigveda, Samaveda,
Yajurveda and the Atharvaveda. The oldest Veda, Rigveda,
may be dated to 1000 B.C. or thereabout though some parts
of it are of greater antiquity'(1). The Saāmaveda and the
Yajurveda were also ritual Vedas like the Rigveda; the
Atharvaveda was, however, different and remained a
prayer-book of the people, although efforts were made at
a later date to absorb it within the fold of the first three
Vedas(2). In common with all Vedas, the GANAPAT-
YATHARVASHIRSHA adopts the practice of incorpo-
rating a Shaānti Päātha at the beginning and the end.
 
The title of the work viz. GANAPATYATHAR-
VASHIRSHA is probably based on the precepts laid down
by the Atharva Veda for Self Realisation. The word
"tharva" means weak, vacillating or wavering. "Atharva",
therefore, stands for the absence of these qualities viz. firm-
ness, strength and oneness of purpose. "Shirsha" stands for
the intellect. The word "Atharvahirsha" suggests firmness or
single-pointedness of the intellect as directed towards
realisation of the Divine Spirit. The GANAPATYATHAR-
VASHIRSHA suggests the Mantra "OM GAM" for the
purpose of knowing and meditating upon Ganesha and,
explains the importance of the Mantra and the fruits of
its practice.
 
Ganesha is the most popular Gods among the Hindus
of this country, and He has also been worshipped in widely
flung parts of the world ranging from Brazil, Mexico and
Greece in the West, to Burma, Siam, Cambodia and Japan
in the East.
 
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