Bismillah Khan Saheb and me

Ganapati Atharvashirsha - Traditional & Popular

Shri Ganapati Atharvashirsha was written by Atharva (or Ganak Rishi) Rishi.   It is traditionally sung by Brahmins - Solo or in Chorus - like Chants - and produces a very sacred atmosphere through recitation and voice.  On the other hand in popular style, many singers have sung it and recorded. Around 1970, Lata Mangeshkar & musician Datta Davjekar recited and recorded it in a studio in Mumbai but it was not released commercially.  I received the cassette tape copy from Mr. Davjekar around 1990 and it contained this song. I want to talk about it and share its recording for posterity. Lyric and meaning is at - http://www.adwaitjoshi.com/atharvashirsha.php ================================================================================================ Om Namste Ganpataye Tvameva Pratyaksham Tatvamasi Tvamev Kevalam Kartasi Tvamev Kevalam Dhartasi Tvamev Kevlam Hartasi Tvamev Sarvam Khalvidam Bramhasi Tvam Sakshadatmasi Nityam || 1 || O Lord Ganesha I Pay my deep homage to you, the Lord of the Deva-Gana You are the first facet of the Bramha-Tatva to arise You have alone created this Entire universe You alone can maintain this universe You are indeed the all conquering supreme Lord Indeed you are the "ATMA" || 1 || Rritam Vachmi Satyam Vachmi || 2 || Speak noble fact Speak complete Truth || 2 || Ava tvam Mam Ava Vaktaram Ava Shrotaram Ava Dataram Ava Dhataram Avanuchanamv Shishyam Ava Paschatat Ava Purastat Avo Uttaratat Ava Dakshinatat Ava chordhvatat Ava Dharatat Sarvatomam Pahi Pahi Samantat || 3 || Protect me Protect the one who Describes you Protect all who hear about your characteristics Protect me & the disciples who are under Tutelage Protect me from the obstacles (which arise during Rituals) From the east (Similarly) Protect me from the West, From the North From the South Protect me from above & below Protect me from all directions || 3 || Tvam Vangmayastvam Chinmaya Tvam Anandmayastvam Bramhamaya Tvam Sachitananda Dvitiyosi Tvam Pratyaksham Bramhasi Tvam Jnanmayo Vijnanamayo Asi || 4 || You are the constituent of speech You are Joy & Immortal Consciousness You are Truth, Mind & Bliss... one without a second You are none other than divinity You are Knowledge of Gross & Subtle types || 4 || Sarvam Jagadidam Tatvo Jayate Sarvam Jagadidam Tvat Sti Shastati Sarvam Jagadidam Tvay Layamesyati Sarvam Jagadidam Tvayi Pratyeti Tvam Bhumi Rapo Nalo Nilo Nabha Tvam Chatvarim Vak Padaini || 5 || All the Universes manifest due to you All the Universes are sustained by you All the Universes get destroyed in you All the Universes finally get merged in you You alone are Earth. Water, Fire, Air & Either You are the 4 types of speech & the root source of sound || 5 || Tvam Guna Traya Atitaha Tvam Deha Treya Atitaha Tvam Kala Treya Atitaha Tvam Avastreya Atitaha Tvam Muladhar Stiti Yosi Nityam Tvam Shakti Treya Atmakaha Tvam Yogino Dhayayanti Nityam Tvam Bramhastvan, Vishnustvam, Rudrastvam, Indrastvam Agnistvam, Vayustvam, Suryastvam, Chndramastvam, Bramha Bhur Bhuva Svorom || 6 || You are beyond the 3 'GUNAS', (Satva; Pure, Rajas: Activating & Tamas: Dull) You are beyond the 3 Bodies; (Gross, Subtle & Casual) You are beyond Past, Present & Future (3 State of Time) You are beyond 3 states of being; (Awake, dream & Deep Sleep) You always Reside in the "MULADHARA" Chakra You are the trinity of Power; (Creative Maintaining & Destructive Powers) Sages always Meditate on you You are the creator. Sustainer, Destroyer, The Lord of 3 worlds, Fire, Air, Sun, Moon, You are all inclusive & all Pervading || 6 || Ganadim Purvamuccharaya Varnadim Tada Nantaram Anusvara Paratarah Ardhendu Lasitam Taren Hridam Etatva Manu Svarupam Gakarah Purva Rupam Akaro Madhyam Rupam Anu Svaraschantya Rupam Bindu Ruta Rupam Nadah Sandhanam Sagm Hitaa Sandihi Sesha Ganeshvidhya Ganal Rishi; Nichrud Gayatri chandah Ganpatir devata Om 'GUNG' Ganpataye Namah || 7 || After Describing the Characteristics & Cosmic Attributes Of Lord Ganesha, Atharvan Rishi Gives us the Sacred "GANESH VIDYA" i.e. the Mantra which Reveals the Sacred Form of Lord Ganesh. The Letter "GA" is to be enunciated, following by "NA" This one word Mantra is then Potentiated with the "PRANAVA" "OM". This is Sacred Mantra. (In order to make it Simpler, Atharvan Rishi Present the above easier FASHION, Remember that Knowledge was transmitted orally in those days.) "GA" is the first part, "Na" is the middle & end "UM" formed by the bindu is conjoined with the foregoing & all of them form the Sacred word. This Mantra if pronounced properly, has the power of revaling The Divine Lord Ganesh, The sage who receives the Mantra is Ganaka & the Metre is "NICHRAT GAYATRI" The Diety is Ganapati. Om 'GANG' Ganapati My salutation to you || 7 || Saying Thus, The Devotees should bow to the Lord. Ek Dantaya Vid Mahe vakra Tundaya Dhimahi Tanno danti Prachodayat || 8 || Mediate on the single Tusked Lord, with bent Trunk May He Grant Knowledge & Inspire me || 8 || Ek Dantam Chatur Hastam Pashmam Kusha Dharinam Radamch Vardam Hastair Bhi Bhranum Mushaka Dhvajam Raktam Lambodaram Shoorpakarnkam Rakta Vasasamam Raktam Gandhanu Liptangam Rakta Pushpaihi saupujitam Bhaktanu Kampinam Devam Jagat Karnam Achutam Avir Bhutam Cha Shrasta Yadao, Prakruthe Purushat Param Evam Dhayayati Yo Nityam, Sa Yogi Yoginam Varah || 9 || The "SAGUNA" Form of Lord Ganesha is presented in the above Shloka I salute the Lord with 1 tusk (Right side) Who has 4 hands; Upper Right carrying binding rope; Upper left hoalding goad; lower left carrying Broken tusk & the lower right blesses us, the mouse on his banner is also his vehicle. He is blood red in colour; Pot-Bellied; He has elephant ears & wears red clothes He is smeared with red sandalwood & decorated with red flowers He is eternally blessings his devotees & was existing before Cosmos He is beyond "PRAKRITI" & "PURUSHA" & is ever creating universes One who meditates on him constantly, is a Supreme Yogi || 9 || (This is the Ganesh "Gayatri", Which is Self Sufficient) Namo Vrat Pataye, Namo Ganapataye Namo Pramatha patye, Namste Stu Lambodaraya Ekdantaya, Vighna Nashine Shiv Sutaya, Sri Varad Murtiye Namo Namah || 10 || Salutations to you Lord of all Deities, Ganas & all beings (Salutations To) The Post-Bellied one with 1 Tusk who destroys all obstacles, son if Shiva The Divine Lord who grants, Boons (We bow to you) Taking your name || 10 || Suresh Chandvankar, Mumbai, Indiachandvankar.suresh@gmail.comSociety of Indian Record Collectors, Mumbai, India+ 919920813336

Ganapati Atharvashirsha (अथर्वशीर्ष आणि अथर्वशीर्ष पठण)

This podcast is about one unusual recording in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar & Datta Davjekar, recorded around 1970 but not released commercially. It is Ganapati Atharvashirsha (अथर्वशीर्ष). It gives a peace of mind to the listeners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये। त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्वमसि। त्वमेव केवलं कर्तासि। त्वमेव केवलं धर्तासि। त्वमेव केवलं हर्तासि। त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मासि। त्वं साक्षादात्माऽसि नित्यं।।१।। ऋतं वच्मि। सत्यं वच्मि ।।२।। अव त्वं माम्। अव वक्तारंम्। अव श्रोतारम्। अव दातारम्। अवधातारम्। अवानूचानमव शिष्यम्। अव पश्चातात्। अव पुरस्तात्। अवोत्तरात्तात्। अव दक्षिणात्तात्। अवचोर्ध्वात्तात्। अवाधरात्तात्। सर्वतो मां पाहि-पाहि समंतात् ।।३।। त्वं वाङ्मायस्त्वं चिन्मय:। त्वमानंदमसयस्त्वं ब्रह्ममय:। त्वं सच्चिदानंदाद्वितीयोसि। त्वं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि। त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोसि ।।४।। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जयाते। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति। त्वं भूमिरापोन लोनिलो नभ:। त्वं चत्वारि वाक्पदानि ।।५।। त्वं गुणत्रयातीत:। त्वं अवस्थात्रयातीत:। त्वं देहत्रयातीत: । त्वं कालत्रयातीत: । त्वं मूलाधार स्थितोसि नित्यं। त्वं शक्तित्रयात्मक: । त्वां योगिनो ध्यायंति नित्यम्। त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं रूद्रस्त्वमिद्रस्त्वमग्निस्त्वं वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चंद्रमास्त्वं ब्रह्मभूर्भुव:स्वरोम् ।।६।। गणार्दि पूर्वमुच्चार्य वर्णादिं तदनंतरम्। अनुस्वार: परतर:। अर्धेन्दुलसितं। तारेण ऋद्धं। एतत्तव मनुस्वरूपम्। गकार: पूर्वरूपम्। अकारो मध्यमरूपम्। अनुस्वारश्चान्त्यरूप्म। बिन्दुरूत्तररूपम्। नाद: संधानम्। संहितासंधि:। सैषा गणेश विद्या। गणकऋषि: निचृद्गायत्री च्छंद:। गणपतिर्देवता। ॐ गं गणपतये नम:।।७।। एकदंताय विद्महे। वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नोदंती: प्रचोदयात।।८।। एकदंतं चतुर्हस्तं पाशमंकुशधारिणम्। रदं च वरदं हस्तैर्विभ्राणं मूषकध्वजम्। रक्तं लंबोदरं शूर्पकर्णकं रक्तवाससम्। रक्तगंधानु लिप्तांगं रक्तपुष्पै: सुपुजितम्। भक्तानुकंपिनं देवं जगत्कारणमच्युतम्। आविर्भूतं च सृष्टयादौ प्रकृ‍ते: पुरुषात्परम्। एवं ध्यायति यो नित्यं स योगी योगिनां वर: ।।९।। नमो व्रातपतये। नमो गणपतये नम: प्रमथपतये। नमस्तेऽस्तु लंबोदरा यैकदंताय। विघ्ननाशिने शिवसुताय। श्रीवरदमूर्तये नमो नम:।।१०।। ============================================================================================ Thanks Dr. Suresh Chandvankar, Mumbai India chandvankar.suresh@gmail.com Cell - +919920813336

Raag Basant - Karim Khan, Bhimsen Joshi, Manna Dey & Basant Bahar

Study of Raag Basant recorded in 1905 & 1950 by Abdul Karim Khan in traditional bandish & a duet by Bhimsen Joshi & Manna Dey for Hindi Film song - Basant Bahar. Words and the meaning of the original bandish are - Geli geli endi endi Dore sab naar, garwa laage rang barase, Rutu basant maan aayi, Joban maat bes toriSola u singaar kare aba rain Peran peran paijan Gund gund gund laao, abir gulal liye barjori The poet describes the spring season and the fervour that goes with it. The women of the village are welcoming the season by adorning themselves with fresh flowers, jewellery and swinging on Jhulaas (traditional Indian swing) . They tell each other to dress up in their finery and prepare some Abir Gulal (coloured mixture) used for playing Holi with their friends.

Spiritual message of M. K. Gandhi

This podcast is about one unusual gramophone record released in 1932. This disc features voice of M. K. alias Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) speaking in English on 'Spirituality and existence of God'. Over 100,000 copies of this shellac disc were sold until about 1960. This recording will be 92 years old in 2022. Brief history of making of this record and it's relevance today is described. Also included is a short audio clip. Full message can be heard at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtWr04MBGYI

Ustad Bismillah Khan Saheb, gramophone record and Me

This is a story of a gramophone record I found in Mumbai flea market called Chor Bazzar. I bought it for two rupees in 1992.. Ten years later this record led me to meet legendary Shehnai player Ustad Bismillah Khan Saheb. The recording of the disc mentioned in this podcast could be listened to at - https://archive.org/search.php?query=zonophone+n+661