UCCHISTA GANAPATI ASHTASTOTRAM LEARNING SERIES: VERSE 37

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UCCHISTA GANAPATI ASHTASTOTRAM LEARNING SERIES:

oṃ ujjīviteśasandagdhamadanāya namo namaḥ oṃ

ॐ उज्जीवितेशसन्दग्धमदनाय नमो नमः ॐ

Salutations to the one who has revived the god of love madanā or kāmā, also known as the source of cupid, who was burnt by Lord śiva.

Lord śiva burnt kāmā deva when he tried to exert his power of cupid on HIM, by opening HIS third eye or the ājña cakra.

One who has elevated levels of the ājña cakra loses desires for material pursuits that are associated with lower cakras. Lord gaṇeśa, who controls all cakras and closely associated with the mūlādhāra cakra

This verse pays homage to the divine as the one who has revived Madanā (Kāmadeva), the god of love, after he was reduced to ashes by Lord Śiva’s third eye. It signifies the transformative and harmonizing power of the divine, balancing higher spiritual consciousness with the creative forces that govern existence.

Deeper Insights

1. The Symbolism of Kāmadeva’s Incineration
   Kāmadeva, the god of love and desire, represents the fundamental force of attraction that drives worldly creation and attachment. When Kāmadeva attempted to disrupt Lord Śiva’s deep meditation, Śiva opened his third eye (ājña cakra), burning him to ashes. This act symbolizes the transcendence of desires through the awakening of higher spiritual awareness.
2. Reviving Kāmadeva
   The verse celebrates the divine power to revive Kāmadeva. This act is not merely the restoration of a deity but a profound reminder that desires and creation have their rightful place when harmonized with higher consciousness. Reviving Kāmadeva symbolizes the integration of spiritual and material energies, demonstrating that desire, when purified and aligned with divine will, becomes a creative and uplifting force.
3. Ajña Cakra and Mastery of Desire
   The ājña cakra (third eye) is the seat of wisdom, intuition, and spiritual clarity. Elevated awareness at this level dissolves the dominance of lower chakras, associated with base desires and material pursuits. This verse highlights that the divine, in mastering and controlling the cakras, transforms desires into tools for creation and cosmic harmony.
4. Gaṇeśa’s Role in Chakra Mastery
   Lord Gaṇeśa, closely associated with the mūlādhāra cakra (root chakra), is the remover of obstacles and controller of all chakras. His connection here signifies that the divine presence extends from the foundational energies of existence (root chakra) to the pinnacle of spiritual consciousness (ājña cakra). This holistic control allows for the transcendence and proper channeling of desires.

Symbolic Implications

• Transformation of Desire:
  Rather than viewing desire as an obstacle, this verse teaches that when elevated and purified, desire becomes a divine force. The burning and revival of Kāmadeva symbolize the transformation of base desires into spiritual aspirations.
• Balance of Material and Spiritual Worlds:
  The divine’s ability to revive Kāmadeva emphasizes that true enlightenment does not reject material life but harmonizes it with higher spiritual ideals. This balance is essential for a holistic and meaningful existence.

Practical Reflection

For spiritual aspirants, this verse is a reminder to not suppress desires but to refine and align them with higher purposes. Meditation on the ājña cakra and invoking the guidance of Lord Gaṇeśa can help transcend lower desires and awaken inner clarity, leading to balanced and purposeful living.

Concluding Thoughts

Verse 37 beautifully captures the transformative power of the divine, demonstrating how even desires—when mastered and purified—can contribute to cosmic order and spiritual growth. By reviving Kāmadeva, the divine illustrates the profound truth that spiritual elevation is not about negating life’s energies but transforming them into forces of harmony and creation. Salutations to this supreme wisdom and balance!