Sankata Hara Chaturdi

The term "Sankata Hara" translates to "remover of obstacles." Therefore, Sankata Hara Chaturthi specifically emphasizes Lord Ganesha's role in alleviating difficulties and challenges faced by devotees. On this day, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to moonrise and perform puja (ritual worship) in honor of Lord Ganesha. Special prayers, hymns, and offerings (a sweet delicacy) are offered to the deity.

Devotees believe that observing Sankata Hara Chaturthi with sincerity and devotion can help overcome hurdles, bring success in endeavors, and bestow auspiciousness in life. It is considered an auspicious day for new beginnings, ventures, and seeking divine guidance in overcoming obstacles on the spiritual path.

The following procedure of worship is a step-by-step guide of how to perform Guru pooja

gaNapati/ guru praardhana

SuklaaM baradharaM vishNuM - SaSivarNaM chaturbhujaM

prasanna vadanaM dhyaayaet - sarva vighnOpa SaaMtayae

deepaaraadhana

deepatvaM brahmaroopO si jyOtishaaM prabhuravyaya:

saubhaagyaM daehi putraaMScha sarvaan kaamaaMScha daehimae

Achamanamu

a)      om kaeSavaayasvaaha/ nama:

b)      om naaraayaNaaya svaaha/ nama:

c)      om maadhavaaya svaaha/ nama:

1.    om gOviMdaaya nama:

2.   om vishNavae nama:

3.   om madhusoodanaaya nama:

4.   om tri vikramaaya nama:

5.   om vaamanaaya nama:

6.   om Sreedharaaya nama:

7.   om hRsheekaeSaaya nama:

8.   om padmanaabhaaya nama:

9.   om daamOdaraaya nama:

10.  om saMkarshaNaaya nama:

11.   om vaasudaevaaya nama:

12.  om pradyu mnaaya nama:

13.  om aniruddhaaya nama:

14.  om purushOttamaaya nama:

15.  om adhOkshajaaya nama:

16.  om naarasiMhaaya nama:

17.  om achyutaaya nama:

18.  om janaardhanaaya nama:

19.  om upaeMdraaya nama:

20. om harayae nama:

21.  om Sree kRshNaaya nama:

BhutOcchaatana

uttishTaMtu bhootapiSaachaa: aetae bhoomi bhaarakaa:

aetaeshaa mavirOdhaena brahmakarma samaarabhae

praaNaayaamamu

poorakaM kuMbhakaM chaiva raechakaM tadanaMtaraM

praaNaayaama midaM prOktaM sarva daeva namaskRtaM

saMkalpamu

mama upaatta samasta duritakshaya dvaaraa Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSa preetyardhaM, samasta daevataa braahmaNa harihara guru charaNa sannidhau, Subhae SObhanae muhoortae, Subhanakshatrae, SubhayOgae, Subha karaNae, aevaM guNa viSaeshaNaa viSishTaayaaM Subha tidhau , asmaakaM saha kuTuMbaanaaM kshaema sthairya vijaya abhaya aayuraarOgya aiSvarya abhivRdhyardhaM, dharmaardha kaama mOksha chaturvidha purushaartha phala sidhyarthaM, dhana dhaanya samRdhyardhaM , saubhaagya Subhaphalaa praaptyardhaM , ishTa kaamyaartha sidhyarthaM, sakala lOka kalyaaNaardhaM, vaeda saMpradaayaabhivRdyardhaM , asmin daeSae gOvadha nishaedhaardhaM, gO saMrakshaNaardhaM , dhana kanaka vastu vaahanaadi samRdhyardhaM, sahakuTuMbaanaaM sarvatOmukhaabhi vRdhyardhaM , saMkashTahara gaNaeSa vratOkta samasta phalaa vyaaptyardhaM, Sree saMkashTa hara gaNapati daevataaM uddiSya yaavaChchakti dhyaana aavaahanaadi shODaSOpachaara poojaaM karishyae!

Ringing the bell

aagamaardhaMtu daevaanaaM gamanaardhaM tu raakshasaaM

kuru ghaMTaaravaM tatra daevataahvaana laaMchanam

kalaSaaraadhana

kalaSasya mukhae vishNu: kaMThae rudra ssamaaSrita:

moolae tatra sthitO brahmaa madhyae maatRgaNaa: smRtaa:

kukshautu saagaraa ssarvae sapta dveepaa vasuMdharaa

RgvaedO tha yajurvaeda ssaamavaedO hyadharvaNa:

aMgaiScha sahitaa ssarvae kalaSaaMbu samaaSritaa:

gaMgaecha yamunaechaiva gOdaavari sarasvatee

narmadaa siMdhu kaavaeri jalaesmin sannidhiM kuru

poojaadravyaaNi daevaM aatmaanaM saMprOkshya

aadau nirvighna parisamaaptyardhaM

Sree vighnahara gaNapati poojaaM karishyae

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - dhyaayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - aavaahayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - aasanaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - paadayO: paadyaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - hastayO: arghyaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - aachamaneeyaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - snaanaM samarpayaami.

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - vastra yugmaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - yaj~nOpaveetaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - gaMdhaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - pushpaaNi samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - dhoopamaaghraapayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - deepaM darSayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - naivaedyaM samarpayaami

satyaM tvartaena parishaM chaami amRtamastu amRtOpastaraNamasi - praaNaatmanae nama:, apaanaatmanae nama:, vyaanaatmanae nama:, udaanaatmanae nama: samaanaatmanae nama:, madhyae madhyae paaneeyaM samarpayaami, uttaraa pOSanaM samarpayaami , hastau prakshaaLanaM samarpayaami paada prakshaaLanaM samarpayaami , SuddhaachamaneeyaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - taaMboolaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - neeraajanaM samarpayaami

Sree mahaagaNapatayae nama: - maMtra pushpaM samarpayaami, namaskaaraM samarpayaami

anayaa, yathaa Sakti poojaayacha – Sree gaNapati daevataa suprasannaa, supreetaa varadO bhavatu , Sree mahaa gaNapati prasaadaM Sirasaa gRNhaami

dhyaanaM

baalaarkaaruNa kaaMti:

vaamae baalaaM vahannaM

kaellasad iMdeevara hastaaM

gauraaMgeeM ratna SObhaaDhyam

dakshiNae aMkuSa varadaanaM

vaamae paaSaM cha paayasa paatram

neelaaMSukara samaana:

peeThae padmaaruNee tishTan

saMkaTa haraNa: paayat

saMkaTa poojaat gajaananO nitya:

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: dhyaayaami

aavaahanaM

aagachcha vighnaraajaeMdra sthaanae chaatra sthirO bhava

aaraadhayishvae bhaktaehaM bhavaMtaM sarvasiddhidaM

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: aavahayaami

aasanaM

vichitra ratna khachitaM divyaaMbara saMyutaM

svarNa siMhaasanaM chaaru gRhaaNa surapoojita

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: aasanaM samarpayaami

paadyaM

sarva teerda samaaneetaM paadyaM gaMdhaadi saMyutaM

vighnaraaja gRhaaNaedaM bhagavan bhaktavatsala

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: paadyaM samarpayaami

arghyaM

rakta gaMdhaakshatOpaetaM raktapushpai: supoojitaM

mayaa dattaM suraSraeshTa sOmaardhadhaariNae nama:

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: aarghyaM samarpayaami

aachamaneeyaM

vighnaeSa daevadaevaeSa sarvasiddhi pradaayaka

mayaa dattaM gajamukha gRhaaNaachamaneeyakaM

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: aachamaneeyaM samarpayaami

paMchaamRta snaanaM

Milk: kaamadhaenu samudbhootaM paramaM paavanaM paya:

taena snaanaM kurushvatvaM haeraMba gaNanaayaka

Curd: chaMdramaMDala saMkaaSaM sarvadaevapriyaM dadhi

snaanaarthaM tae prayaChChaami gRhaaNa gaNanaayaka

Ghee: aajyaM suraaNaamaahaaraM aajyaM yaj~nae pratishTitaM

snaanaarthaM tae prayaChChaami gRhaaNa gaNanaayaka

Honey: sarvaushadhi samudbhootaM peeyoosha madhuraM madhu

snaanaarthaM tae prayaChChaami gRhaaNa girijaasuta

Sugar: ikshudaMDa samudbhootaM divyaSarkarayaahi ahaM

snaapayaami mahaabhaktyaa preetObhava Sivaatmaja

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: paMchaamRtasnaanaM

samarpayaami

SuddhOdaka snaanaM

gaMgaadisarvateerthaebhya aaneetaM tOyamuttamaM

bhaktyaa samarpitaM tubhyaM snaanaayaabheeshTadaayaka

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: SuddhOdakasnaanaM

samarpayaami.

vastraM

raktavastradvayaM chaaru daevayOgyaM cha maMgaLaM

SubhapradaM gRhaaNa tvaM laMbOdara haraatmaja

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: vastrayugmaM samarpayaami

yaj~nOpaveetaM

kuMkumaaktaM mayaa daeva upaveetaM gaNaadhipa,

uttareeyaeNa sahitaM gRhaaNa paramaeSvara

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: yaj~nOpaveetaM samarpayaami

gaMdhaM

chaMdanaagarukarpoora kastooree kuMkumaanvitaM

gaMdhaM gRhaaNa daevaeSa sarvasiddhipradaayaka

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: gaMdhaan samarpayaami

pushpaakshatalu

Saaleeyaan taMDulaan Svaetaan raktachaMdana miSritaan

gRhaaNa vighnaraajaeMdra rudrapriya namOstutae

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: akshataan samarpayaami.

maalyaadeeni sugaMdheeni maalatyaadeeni vai prabhO

mayaahRtaani poojaardhaM pushpaaNi pratigRhyataam

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: pushpaaNi samarpayaami

Anga Pooja

1.       gaNaeSaaya nama: paadau poojayaami

2.       aekadaMtaaya nama: jaanunee poojayaami

3.       vighnaraajaaya nama: jaMghae poojayaami

4.       aakhuvaahanaaya nama: ooruM poojayaami

5.       haeraMbaaya nama: kaTiM poojayaami

6.       laMbOdaraaya nama: udaraM poojayaami

7.       gaNanaathaaya nama: naabhiM poojayaami

8.       gaNaeSaaya nama: hRdayaM poojayaami

9.       sthoola kaMThaaya nama: kaMThaM poojayaami

10.   skaMdaagrajaaya nama: skaMdhau poojayaami

11.   paaSahastaaya nama: hastau poojayaami

12.   gajavaktraaya nama: vaktraM poojayaami

13.   vighnahaMtrae nama: naetrae poojayaami

14.   SoorpakarNaaya nama: karNau poojayaami

15.   phaalachaMdraaya nama: lalaaTaM poojayaami

16.   sarvaeSvaraaya nama: Sira: poojayaami

17.   vighnaraajaaya nama: sarvaaNyaMgaani poojayaami

aekaviMSati pushpapooja

1. gajaananaaya nama: - mallikaa pushpaM samarpayaami

2. vighnaraajaaya nama: - maalatee pushpaM samarpayaami

3. laMbOdaraaya nama: - punnaaga pushpaM samarpayaami

4. Sivaaya nama: - bilva pushpaM samarpayaami

5. vakratuMDaaya nama: - chaMpaka pushpaM. samarpayaami

6. SoorpakarNaaya nama: - kapiththa pushpaM samarpayaami

7. vaTavae nama: - karaveera pushpaM samarpayaami

8. gaNaeSaaya nama: - bhookaaMchana pushpaM samarpayaami

9. vighna naaSinae nama: - vakuLa pushpaM samarpayaami

10. vikaTaaya nama: - paarijaata pushpaM samarpayaami

11. vaamanaaya nama: - maMdaara pushpaM samarpayaami

12. sarvaadhi daevaaya nama: - kaetakee pushpaM samarpayaami

13. sarvaarti naaSanaaya nama: - Samee pushpaM samarpayaami

14. sarva daevaadhipatayae nama - Satapatra pushpaM samarpayaami

15. vighna haMtrae nama: - rakta karaveera pushpaM samarpayaami

16. aekadaMtaaya nama: - kalhaara pushpaM samarpayaami

17. kRshNa piMgaLaaya nama: - padmapuppaM samarpayaami

18. phaalachaMdraaya nama: - niMba pushpaM samarpayaami

19. gaNaeSaaya nama: - kadaMba pushpaM samarpayaami

20. SaMkara soonavae nama: - paaTalee pushpaM samarpayaami

21. chiMtaamaNayae nama: - arka pushpaM samarpayaami

22. Sree saMkashTa hara gaNaeSvaraayanama: - aekaviMSati pushpaaNi poojayaami

aekaviMSati patra pooja

sumukhaaya nama:         maacheepatraM poojayaami

gaNaadhipaaya nama:    bRhateepatraM poojayaami

umaaputraaya nama:      bilvapatraM poojayaami

gajaananaaya nama:       doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

harasoonavae nama:      duttoorapatraM poojayaami

laMbOdaraaya nama:     badareepatraM poojayaami

guhaagrajaaya nama:     apaamaargapatraM poojayaami

gajakarNaaya nama:       tulaseepatraM poojayaami

aekadaMtaaya nama:     chootapatraM poojayaami

vikaTaaya nama:              karaveerapatraM poojayaami

bhinnadaMtaaya nama: vishNukraaMtapatraM poojayaami

vaTavae nama:                 daaDimeepatraM poojayaami

sarvaeSvaraaya nama:    daevadaarupatraM poojayaami

phaalachaMdraaya nama: maruvakapatraM poojayaami

haeraMbaaya nama:          siMdhuvaarapatraM poojayaami

SoorpakarNaaya nama:     jaajipatraM poojayaami

suraagrajaaya nama:          gaMDakee patraM poojayaami

ibhavaktraaya nama:          SameepatraM poojayaami

vinaayakaaya nama:           aSvattha patraM poojayaami

surasaevitaaya nama:         arjuna patraM poojayaami

kapilaaya nama:                   arkapatraM poojayaami

Sree saMkashTa hara gaNaeSvaraayanama:   aekaviMSatipatraaNi poojayaami

Sree vinaayaka ashTOttara SatanaamaavaLi

saMkaTanaaSana gaNaeSa strOtraM

naarada uvaacha

praNamya Sirasaa daevaM, gaureeputraM vinaayakam

bhaktaavaasaM smaraennityaM, aayu: kaamaardha siddhayae

prathamaM vakratuMDaMcha, aekadaMtaM dviteeyakam

tRteeyaM kRshNapiMgaakshaM, gajavaktraM chaturthakam

laMbOdaraM paMchamaMcha, shashTaM vikaTamaevacha

saptamaM vighnaraajaMcha, dhoomravarNaM tathaashTamam

navamaM phaalachaMdraMcha, daSamaMtu vinaayakam

aekaadaSaM gaNapatiM, dvaadaSaM tu gajaananam

dvaadaSaitaani naamaani, trisaMdhyaM ya: paThaennaraM

na cha vighnabhayaM tasya, sarvasiddhi karaM prabhO

vidyaarthee labhatae vidyaaM, dhanaarthee labhatae dhanam

putraarthee labhatae putraan, mOkshaarthee labhatae gatim

japaet gaNapatistOtram, shaDbhirmaasai: phalaM labhaet

saMvatsaraeNa siddhiM cha, labhatae naatra saMSaya:

Gowri Pooja

vaMdae vaaMChita laabhaaya chaMdraardha kRta SaekharaaM

vRshaarooDhaaM SooladharaaM SailaputreeM yaSasvineem

siMhaskaMdha samaarooDhaaM naanaalaMkaara bhooshitaaM

chaturbhujaaM muhaadaeveeM naagayaj~nOpa veetinam

SaMkha SaaraMga samaayukta vaamapaaNi dvayaanvitaaM

chakraM cha paMchabaaNaaM Scha dadhateeM dakshiNae karae

rakta vastra pareedhaanaaM baalaarka sadRSeeM tanuM

naaradaa dyair muNigaNai: saevitaaM bhava suMdareem

trivaLa valayOpaetaaM naabhinaaLa mRNaaLineeM

ratna dveepae mahaadveepae siMhaasana samanvitae

praphulla kamalaarooDhaaM dhyaayaet taaM bhavagaehineem

namastaestu mahaadaevi kRpayaa paahina ssadaa

vidyaa pradaana samayae SaradiMdu SubhraaM

lakshmee pradaana samayae nava vidrumaabhaaM

vidvaeshi varga vijayaetu tamaala neelaaM

daeveeM trilOka jananeeM SaraNaM prapadyae

OM gauryai nama: praardhanaa namaskaaraan samarpayaami

samasta shODaSOpachaaraan manasaa samarpayaami

samasta daevOpachaara raajOpachaara SaktyO pachaara bhaktyO

pachaara viSaeshai:: poojayaami.

dhoopaM

daSaaMgaM guggulOpaetaM sugaMdhaM sumanOharaM

umaa suta namastubhyaM gRhaaNa varadhO bhava

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: dhoopa maaghraapayaami

deepaM

saadyaM trivartisaMyuktaM vahninaa dyOtitaM mayaa

gRhaaNa maMgaLaM deepaM meeSaputra namOstutae

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: deepaM darSayaami

naivaedyaM

sugandhaan sukRtaaMSchaiva mOdakaan ghRtapaachitaan

naivaedyaM gRhyataaM daeva chaNamudgai: prakalpitaan

bhakshyaM bhOjyaMcha laehyaMcha chOshyaM paaneeyamaevacha

idaM gRhaaNa naivaedyaM mayaadattaM vinaayaka

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: naivaedyaM samarpayaami.

RtaMtvaa satyaena parishiMchaami amRtamastu amRtOpastaraNamasi

OM praaNaatmanae nama:, apaanaatmanae nama:, vyaanaatmanae nama:, udaanaatmanae nama: samaanaatmanae nama: madhyae madhyae paaneeyaM samarpayaami - amRtamastu amRtaapidhaanamasi uttaraa pOSanaM samarpayaami , hastau prakshaaLanaM samarpayaami paada prakshaaLanaM samarpayaami , SuddhaachamaneeyaM samarpayaami

taaMboolaM

poogeephalai ssakarpoorai: naagavallee daLairyutaM

muktaachoorNa samaayuktaM taaMboolaM pratigRhyataaM

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: taaMboolaM samarpayaami

neeraajanaM

ghRtavarti sahasraiScha karpooraSakalai stadhaa

neeraajanaM mayaadattaM gRhaaNa varadO bhava.

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: neeraajanaM samarpayaami

doorvaayugma pooja

gaNaadhipaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

umaaputraaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

akhuvaahanaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

vinaayakaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

eeSaputraaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

sarvasiddi pradaayakaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

aekadaMtaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

ibhavaktraaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

mooshika vaahanaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

kumaaraguravae nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

aekadaMtaikavadana tathaamooshika vaahanaaya nama: doorvaayugmaM poojayaami

maMtrapushpaM - namaskaaraM

kumaaraguravae tubhyaM arpayaami sumaaMjaliM

pradakshiNaM karishyaami satataM mOdakapriya

namO namastae vighnaeSa sarvavighnaM nivaaraya

namaskarOmi vighnaeSa sarvakaamaardha siddhayae

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: suvarNa divya

maMtrapushpaM samarpayaami

aatma pradakshiNa namaskaaraan samarpayaami

Chatra chaamara geeta nRtya aaMdOLikaa aSvaarOhaNa gajaarOhaNa samasta raajOpacharaan manasaa samarpayaami yasya smRtyaacha naamOktyaa tapa: poojaa kriyaadishu: nyoonaM saMpoorNataaM yaati sadyO vaMdae tamachyutaM maMtra heenaM kriyaaheenaM bhaktiheenaM gaNaadhipa yatpoojitaM maayaa daeva paripoorNaM tadastutae anayaa yadhaa Sakti poojayaacha bhagavaan sarvaatmaka: Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraa daevataa suprasanna: ssupreetO varadO bhavatu

Vratha Kadhas

One day the sages worshiped Kumaraswamy until he was pleased and requested this. “Bhagawan, In Kaliyuga, people commit sinful acts and as a result suffer from debt, childlessness, lack of housing, chronic diseases, poor education, lack of money, enmity, obstacles in work, lack of development, poor ripening of crops, non- marriage, lack of reconciliation between spouses etc . They suffer many hardships like experiencing royal punishment. Is there any Vrat that could be performed to get rid of that mental distress.

Then Kumaraswamy was pleased and said, “I will teach you the Sankashta hara chaturdhi Vrata, the most powerful of all Vratas. In one kalpa, Parvati, the daughter of Himavant, after doing penance with devotion to seek Lord Shiva as her husband, couldn’t attain fulfilment. Then she remembered Heramba Ganapati, who had been born to her in her previous incarnations. Ganapati was pleased and instructed his mother to perform this Vrata. After performing , Umadevi became the wife of Lord Parameshwar. Now listen to the process of the Vrata

Process: This Vrata should be started in any month, on Bahula Chaturthi (4th day

after Poornima of that month). Bahula chaturdhi of every month is called Sankashta

hara chaturdhi.

Note: If it falls on Tuesday, its very special and auspicious called Angaraka Chaturthi

or Bhauma Chaturthi.

On Sankashta Hara caturdhi day, wake up before sunrise on that day , take bath with black sesame seeds in water, perform the daily rituals like Sandhyavandanam / Daily Pooja etc. Vowing to perform the Sankashtahara Chaturdhi Vrat, take a Red cloth put in front of Ganapati, put a pinch of Turmeric & kumkum in it, pour three fists of rice in it, 2 dry dates, two vakkas (Beatel nut), and betel leaves.Tell your desire of the heart to the Lord and tie it (Its called mudupu) .You should circumambulated to Lord Ganapati 21 times. Do not take food all morning only milk and fruits (Upavasam, however patients , pregnents etc people don’t do upavasam, eat as usual) . Try to maintain silence and do Ganapati Naamam in your mind.

After sunset, take a bath, light a lamp and perform Sri Sankashta Hara Chaturji Vrata. Make sweet Pongali and kudumu (Undrallu/Modak) using the morning Mudupu rice and offer to the Lord. If any guest arrives on that day luckily, consider them as Ganesha's form and offer prasadam and food.

On previous night and that night , one should observe Brahmacharyam and make sure that the mind does not get lost in worldly matters. If you do this, your wishes will be fulfilled quickly. 12 times this vrata will get the vrata siddhi. If you can do Ganapati Homam on the next day, it will be even better.

Story of Sage Bhrishundi

One day sage Narada, who was traveling in the sky, saw Kumbhipaka hell. Who is inside? Bhrishundi Maharshi's parents, his wife and daughter from his previous ashram were seen there. They are all going through hell. Narada, who was moved by their sufferings, immediately came to Bhuloka and went to the sage Bhrishundi who was doing penance there.

"O Maharishi! Your wife, daughter, and parents are suffering terribly in Kumbhipaka Hell in your former home. It is not dharma to do penance like you do as if it doesn't matter. Make appropriate compensation so that their sufferings will go away and their virtues will be restored," he said and left.

Hearing Narada's words, Bhrishundi was very distressed. He remembered his previous life. It was because of their cooperation that he became a penitent today, and he resolved to alleviate their suffering in any way possible. He meditated on his favorite deity Ganapati. Taking the holy water with his hand and thinking that he should shower the merit he got by doing the Sankashtahara Ganapati Vrat in the past, “O Ganesha! If I have performed your divya chaturdhi vrata with devotion,

may my parents, along with them my wife and daughter be freed from the sufferings of hell” He left the water. In the Vratas he performed to Ganesha in the past, with just the result of a single vrat, his parents, wife and daughter all wore divine bodies, climbed the divine plane and reached the world of Ganesha.

Now you can guess the results of doing this Vrat every month!

Narrative of a prostitute

One day when Indra was going to heaven in his Viman, a man who had committed many sins noticed the plane flying in the sky. As soon as his vision was infected, the plane descended and came to a halt on the ground. Surasenu, the king of that country, who was surprised by the wonderful light of Indra's plane, came out and looked at the miracle in amazement. Maharaja, who was very happy to see Indra, bowed with joy. He asked the reason why the plane was stopped there. Then Indra said, "O King! The plane stopped mid-way as the vision of the most sinful person in your kingdom fell." Then that king humbly asked how the stopped plane will take off again!

Then Indra said, "Today is Panchami, yesterday is Chaturdhi. Whoever fasted till evening yesterday and performed Sankashta Hara Ganesha Vrat, my plane will take off again if I can get the result of their Vrat. All the soldiers searched the whole kingdom together, and not one of them could be found who had fasted on the previous day and performed vrat.

At the same time a messenger of Ganesha came and was seen carrying the dead body of a prostitute. The soldiers immediately asked why they were taking her to Ganesha's world after committing many sins and ruining many lives. Ganesha's messenger said, "She fasted all day yesterday. She did not eat anything without knowing it. She bowed down to Lord Ganesha after the moon rose. Thus she did the Sankashta Chaturdhi Vrat without knowing it. Today she died. Whether she does it

knowingly or unknowingly, this vrata takes to a very high position. Anyone who does this vrata once in their lifetime will reach Ganesha Loka (Svananda Loka) after death.

Then King’s soldiers requested, if they could get the holy result of the woman’s previous days Ganesha Vrata, to take off Indra’s plane. Ganesha's messenger did not agree to give them the fruit of her virtue. In the meantime, the wind that blew over her body blew where the plane had stopped and Indra's plane took off immediately.

This is an anecdote that tells how much the Vrat is effective.

The story of Kritaviryu

In the past there was a mighty king. He was all virtuous and virtuous. His wife, Maha Pativrata, Sugunavati, like her husband, was a lover of good deeds. No matter how much time passed, the pious couple did not have any children. No matter how many sacrifices they perform, no matter how many holy rituals they perform, there was no result. One day Kritavirya, who was very disappointed, left the burden of the kingdom to the ministers and went to forests with his wife. There he started doing penance with strict initiation. He continued his penance by abstaining from food with sense restraint and eating only the leaves that fell from the top of the trees. So many years have passed. The king's body was trapped.

One day, Narada, who was wandering in the sky, felt sorry for the king's condition and went to Pitraloka and met Kritaviryu's father. He told the sufferings of his son. Knowing that his son was suffering from childlessness through Narada, Kritaviryu's father went to Brahmaloka and bowed down to Chaturmukha Brahma saying, "Lord! My son is all Virtuous, generous, virtuous. He performed many yajnas and vratas. He is a compassionate person who treats people like his own children. What is the reason why such a son of mine does not have children? What sin did he commit? What can I do to remove my son's sin and make him fertile? Please tell me," he prayed humbly.

Then Lord Brahma said this to the father of Kritaviryu. "Your son was named Samu in his previous birth. He was extremely wicked. One day he was greedy for money and killed twelve Brahmins who were Satviks and robbed them of their wealth and Prasadam that they were carrying. That whole day he did not find time to eat anything. He reached home in the evening with the stolen money. That day was Sankashta hara chathurdhi. At the time of moon rise Coming home, Samu called his son "Ganesha" and ate the looted prasad with his son. Samu died some years later. Going home at dusk, calling his son Ganesha several times and eating Lord Ganesha's Prasad with his son gave him immense merit. After some time, he was born as your son in the earth world with the name of Kritaviryu. Even though he was doing many pious deeds, he has not been blessed with children in this life due to the sin of killing good people in his previous life.

Hearing those words, Kritaviryu's father was very sad and said, "Father! If there is

any way to get rid of my son's sin of brahma Hatya please suggest me.” He prayed.

Then Lord Brahma said, "if he performs the "Sankashta Hara Chaturthi" Vrata, all his sins will be destroyed. Then Kritavira's father conveyed this matter to his son through Narada and performed that vow and Kritavira became a father. This is a glorious Vrata which melts even the hardened Prarabdha like camphor.

These stories convey profound spiritual secrets in cryptic form. Anyone who performs this vrata will go to Ganesha's world at the end of his life and experience great happiness there due to the blessings of the Lord.

Shri Ganeshaya Namah - Swasti

arghyamulu

asmat aacharita vrata saMpoorNa phala sityardhaM gaNapati chaMdraarghyaM ahaM karishyae (Take Akshatas & flowers with water , give the below three Ganapathi Arghas 4 times each – i.e 4 Arghyas per sloka)

Ganapati arghyamulu

1) gauree suta namastaestu sarvasiddhi pradaayaka

sarvasaMkaTa naaSaarthaM gRhaaNaaryyaM namOstutae

Sree saMkashTa hara gaNapatayae nama: prathamaarghyaM samarpayaami (4 times)

2) vighna naaSaaya daevaeSa vighnaraaja namaamyahaM

tvat prasaadaena sarvaaNi kaaryaaNi cha karOmyaham

Sree saMkashTa hara gaNapatayae nama: dviteeyaarghyaM samarpayaami (4

times)

3) arghyaM gRhaaNa haeraMba sarva bhadra pradaayaka

gaMdha pushpaakshatairyuktaM paatrasthaM paapanaaSana

Sree saMkashTa hara gaNapatayae nama: tRteeyaarghyaM samarpayaami (4

times)

Chandra arghyamulu

Take white rice plus Milk into right hand and give below Chandra Arghyas 1 time each – i.e 1 Arghya per Sloka)

ksheerO daarNava saMbhoota atri naetra samudbhava

gRhaaNaarvyaM mayaadattaM rOhiNyaa sahita prabhO

Sree rOhiNee chaMdramasae nama: prathamaarghyaM samarpayaami

namastae rOhiNeeSaaya sudhaaroopa niSaakara

gRhaaNaarghyaM mayaa dattaM ramaanuja namOstutae

Sree rOhiNee chaMdramasae nama: dviteeyaarghyaM samarpayaami

ksheera saagara saMbhoota sudhaaroopa niSaakara

gRhaaNaarbhyaM mayaadattaM ramaanuja namOstutae

Sree rOhiNee chaMdramasae nama: tRteeyaarghyaM samarpayaami

anayaa dhyaana aavaahanaadi shODaSOpachaara poojayaacha

Sree saMkashTahara gaNapati daevataa suprasanna: supreetO varadO bhavatu

svasti prajaabhya: paripaalayaMtaaM nyaayaena maargaena maheeM maheeSaa

gO braahmaNaebhya: Subhamastu nityaM, lOkaa: samastaa sukhinO bhavaMtu.

kaalae varshatu parjanya: pRthivee sasya Saalinee

daeSOyaM kshObha rahitO brahmaNaa saMtu nirbhaya:

aputraa: putriNa: ssaMtu putriNa ssaMtupautriNa:

adhanaa: ssadhanaa: saMtu jeevaMtu SaradaaM SataM

udvaasana

namastae vighna raajaaya namastae vighnanaaSana

braahmaNaebhyObhyanuj~naataa gaChchadaeva yadhaa sukhaM

Sree saMkashTahara gaNaeSvaraaya nama: yadhaasthaanaM udvaasayaami; punaraagamanaayacha

Reference

1.  Nanduri Srinivas YouTube channel. Puja Details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7mbcgtba3c

2.  Nanduri Srinivas YouTube channel. Puja Demo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izuz-2IkLgQ

sarvèjanā sukhinó bhavamtu. lókā: samastā sukhinó bhavamtu