09/08/2015
We do Ganapati Dyanam before beginning any vedic ritual. In fact Ganapati Dyanam could be done before we do any activity. It could be done before we start our work, before we begin exercises, before we go to sleep.
Ganapati Dyanam is interpreted as prayers to Lord Ganapati or Lord Vigneswara. While there is nothing wrong in viewing Ganapati Dyanam as a prayer, the real meaning of Ganapati Dyanam is NOT that.
In Ganapati Dyanam we stimulate our brain and invoke our concentration to perform our work. We invoke mental peace to perform our actions.
Ganapati Dyanam - The Mantra part
Shuklam bhaRtram Vishnum Sasi Varnam ChathurBhujam,
Prasanna Vadanam Dyayeth Sarva Vigna Upa Santhaye.
Shuklam - Spotless, Pure
bhaRtram - Preserving, Protecting
Vishnum – Ever working
Sasi Varnam - Reflecting (Moon colored)
Chatur Bhujam - Four Lobed, Four sided
Prasanna Vadanam – Pleasantly Expressed
Dyayeth - Thoughts
Sarva Vigna – In all actions
Upa Santhaye – Invoke peace
The meaning of above is "With Pure, Conscience Carrying, Ever working, Reflecting, four lobes, pleasantly expressing thoughts, I Invoke peace in all my actions"