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Ucchishta Ganapathi is one of the most unique forms of Lord Ganesha, prevalent among Tantric practitioners. Unlike other Sattvik forms of worship, the Ucchistha Ganapati Mantra Sadhana to acquire Siddhis mainly employs Vamachara or left-handed practices.
This article elucidates 7 Secrets of Ucchistha Ganapati Worship-
1) Unique Appearance 2) Symbolic Color 3) Mantra Sadhana 4) Associated Deities 5) Tantric Significance 6) Material-Spiritual Boons 7) Chakra Activation.
Sri Ucchistha Ganapati: Brihat Tantra Sara
रक्तमूर्त्तिं गणेशञ्च सर्वाभरणभूषितम् ।
रक्तवस्त्रं त्रिनेत्रञ्च रक्तपद्मासने स्थितम् ॥
चतुर्भुजं महाकालं द्विदन्तं सस्मिताननम् ।
इष्टञ्च दक्षिणे हस्ते दन्तञ्च तदधः करे ||
पाशांकुशौ च हस्ताभ्यां जटामण्डलवेष्टितम् ।
ललाटचन्द्ररेखाढ्यं सर्वालङ्कारभूषितम् ॥
Raktamoorthim ganeshancha sarvabharana bhooshitham
Raktavasthram threenethram cha rakthapadmasane sthitham
Chaturbhujam mahakayam dwidantam sasmitananam
Istancha dakshine haste dantan cha tadadhakare
Pashankushou cha hasthabhyam jatamandala vestitam
Lalate chandrarekhadyam sarvalankara bhooshitam
According to this verse from the Brihat Tantra Sara, Sri Ucchista Ganapathi is the red-complexioned 2 tusked form of Lord Ganesha. His garments, ornaments, and lotus seat are all tinted red. He is time personified (Mahakala) and has 4 arms which bear the vara-mudra (blessing gesture), a danta (tusk), a pasha (noose) and an ankusha (goad). He has 3 eyes, matted hair and a crescent moon adorning his head.
Here, the Lord shares striking resemblance with the appearance of Lord Shiva. It also symbolically represents the harmony in the prowess of both deities. They are the Supreme Brahman manifesting in diversity to resonate with their devotees. The Red Color symbolizes Muladhara Chakra. When a sadhaka attains Ucchishta Ganapati mantra siddhi (under the vigilance of a Tantrik Guru) he unlocks the power of the Muladhara Chakra.
As a result, one shall not feel overburdened by insecurities. However, as the deity is pleased by Vamachara, a devotee should approach Him only after being convinced of one’s inner aptitude and keenness to abide by the heterodoxical practices.
Sri Ucchistha Ganapati: Mudgal Puran
The Mudgala Purana, a sacred Upa-Purana among the Ganapatyas, gives a brief description of Sri Uchistha Ganapati’s form.
nīlābjadāḍimīvīṇā śālīguṁjākṣasūtrakaṁ ǀ
dadhaducciṣṭanāmāyaṁ gaṇēśaḥ pātu mēcakaḥ ǁ
नीलाब्जदादिमीवीणा शालीगुंजाक्षसूत्रकम्
दधादुच्छिष्ठानामायं गणेशः पातु मेचक: ।
Sri Uchistha Ganapati has six arms. He has a blue hue. He holds a rosary, a pomegranate, the paddy ear (shalyagra), a lotus, a musical instrument called the veena; and his sixth hand sometimes bears a guñja berry or embracing the goddess (His consort). The Lord’s trunk rests on His Shakti’s thigh.
The blue hue of the Lord signifies ‘attainment’. He bears articles of both material and spiritual significance. Rosary signifies our connection with the divinity. The closed loop, also signifies the repeated gifts we receive from the deity. Pomegranate, paddy, Lotus are all indicators of prosperity, abundance and fertility. Provisions are made by the Devata for an effortless flow of life.
Sri Ucchistha Ganapati with Sri Neelavani
Ucchistha Ganapati and His Shakti Neelavani (Tara Devi) dwell in Chintamani Dvipa, their personal abode. The Manimoorthishwara Temple at Tirunelveli has the splendid deity of Sri Ucchistha Ganapathi with His Consort seated on His lap. Unlike other temples where this form of Sri Vinayaka is seldom revealed, this temple has this lesser-known form as its prime deity. Other temples have it enshrined in the pillars.
In the Ganapathya Traditions, Lord Ganesha is the Supreme Brahman and thus possesses Shakti (the moving principle), to manifest various pastimes and forms. Goddess Sri Neelavani is His Shakti. Sri represents Goddess Lakshmi, Neela represents Devi Durga while Vani represents Devi Sarswati, the Goddess of Speech (Vani).
Therefore, Sri Ucchishtha Ganapathi is said to be the wielder of all manifesting powers, to attract wealth, abundance, (an attribute of Devi Lakshmi), valor, protection (an attribute of Devi Durga), knowledge and speech (an attribute of Devi Vani). It is believed that the blessings of Sri Ucchistha Ganapati, attracts auspiciousness in the lives of married couples.
Sri Ucchistha Ganapati with Sri Ucchista Chandalini
Sri Ucchistha Ganapati is coupled with Ucchistha Chandalini who is His Shakti. They reside in the realm of Kubera. The vidhi to gain material favors by pleasing this deity involves Vamachara practices. This is the most secretive form of Ganesha and requires guidance from a siddha Tantra Guru who has attained Siddhi.
Why is Ucchishta (leftover) associated with this Form of Ganapathy?
Ucchishta in Sanskrit has many equivalents. It means leftover, food contaminated with saliva and even discarded. These definitions unravel the multifaceted Significance of Sri Uchishta Ganapathy.
In the context of the Tantrik Ritual of propitiating Ucchista Ganapati-Ucchistha Chandalini, Ucchista literally means leftover. The ritual necessitates the reciter to chant the Dashakashari (10-sylaballed) Ucchista Ganapati Mantra while the mouth is defiled. The food-article for consumption is elucidated differently.
Shri Brighu states that a person must consume fruits, Garga Rishi says betel leaves, while King Vibheeshana says that upon making an offering of meat to Sri Ucchista Ganapati, one must consume that very offering and thereafter recite the mantra.
Ucchista has another connotation. In the Bhakti tradition, spiritual aspirants yearn to receive the leftovers of exalted devotees. It is believed that if a person consumes their remnants (Ucchishta) with faith and reverence, it has the power to transform consciousness and accelerate one’s Bhakti. Thus, for a Bhakta, Ucchishta is the greatest gift.
Similarly, being in the close proximity of the deity and having faith in Him, the life of the sadhaka transforms. It is the Prasadam or Gift the Lord bestows upon His devotees.
Let us understand yet another dimension of the term ‘Ucchista’ with an example. A person has 10 sets of fine clothes of which he is asked to distribute 5 to others. The general tendency would be to keep the finest and give away the rest (Ucchishta) to the other. Here Ucchishta simply means ‘insignificant’ or ‘less valued’.
From this context, Sri Uchistha Ganapathy is an exclusive form of Lord Ganesha that grants Bhoga, which is a lower pursuit of life. The fruits of materialistic desires are considered Ucchishta owing to their ephemeral nature when compared to the gift of Moksha. Moksha is permanent and eternal and is not bound by the limitations that materialistic desires have.
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However, not every person is inclined towards pursuing Moksha. Sadhakas generally perform Ucchishtha Ganapathy sadhana for the fulfillment of desires, which ranks lowest in the hierarchy of boons the deity can grant. Though a particular Ucchistha Ganapathy mantra is said to bestow Liberation on a practitioner, the deity in general, is viewed upon as the benefactor of material wishes because He is not approached by many for moksha. He grants material desires.
The Main Highlight of Ucchista Ganapati Mantra Sadhana
In a nutshell, the Vidhi of Mantra Japa for the deity is fixed and the process is bound by rules and regulations. There may be no traditional Vedic Rules like bathing, observing an auspicious time, etc.
Yet, there are restrictions with regards to the chosen place for Upasana, method of mantra japa (as briefly discussed earlier), etc. The nuances of Ucchista Ganapati Sadhana can only be learnt under an adept Tantra Guru. Random chanting of any mantra shall only invite negativity into the chanter’s life. Remember that one should perform this sadhana only under the vigilance of a perfect Tantric Guru, never otherwise.
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