1) Prayer is meant to catalyze the culmination of every work in ecstatic completion and satisfaction of global welfare. 2) Lord Ganesha is known as the God of self-realization, representing the experience of enlightenment and oneness with one's inner and outer environment. 3) It is customary to pray to Lord Ganesha before starting any work because realization of truth is required for accurate vision, decision making, and successful action.

1. WHY
PRAYER?
DR.
SHRINIWAS
KASHALIKAR

2. As youngsters, we often faced
this question of why should we
pray before every action!
In the course of time it becomes
clear, that prayer is (and should
be) a means of catalyzing the
culmination of every work in
ecstatic completion and
culmination of the work in
complete satisfaction of global
welfare.

3. Let us see the essence of the
worship of Ganesh!
SHRI GANESHAAYA
NAMAH
I offer my salutations to Shri
Ganesh.
I offer my prayers to Lord Shri
Ganesh, who is the God of self
realization.
The meaning of the expression
“God of realization” is very
interesting and profound. In the
nature there are various divine
‘powers’ or ‘energies’ and

4. express or manifest themselves in
different forms. Lord Ganesh is
the source of the experience of
enlightenment i.e. cosmic
oneness i.e. oneness with the
dynamic evolving essence of the
inner and outer environment!
It is therefore customary and
appropriate to pray Lord Ganesh
before starting any work.
Since the realization of truth is
the prerequisite to accurate
vision, decision, commensurate
desire and intention, conviction

5. and strength and thence accurate
action, it is appropriate to pray
Lord Ganesh before starting any
work. These prayers enliven us
with HOLISTIC HEALTH or
SWADHARMA. The meaning of
SWADHARMA is explained in
another article.
Hence it is said

6. VAKRATUNDA
MAHAAKAAYA
SURYAKOTISAMAPRABHA
NIRVIGHNAM KURU ME
DEVA SARVAKARYESHU
SARVADAA
Which means
O Lord Ganesh with beautifully
twisted trunk and gigantic body;
you are bright like billions of
suns. Please endow me with
success i.e. global welfare and
complete satisfaction in every
work of mine and make it devoid
of deficiency and defeat.

7. DR. SHRINIWAS KASHALIAR