In Sanatana Dharma (SD), everything begins with seeking the blessings of Divine Energy. To do this, we invoke some deities — starting with Ganesha — that personify Divine Energy.

Here’s a general invocation pattern recommended by tradition (in order):

1. Sri Ganesha: The remover of obstacles in your endeavor.
2. Kula Devi or Devata: The deity of your lineage, if you have one.
3. Ishta: Your favorite divine, if you have one.
4. Gayatri Devi: The deity of scriptural or spiritual study, if that’s your purpose.
5. Guru: The person or entity you look up to as your guru, if you have one.

Invoking Sri Ganesha

Sticking to tradition, I kick-start my writing journey on this website by offering obeisance to Sri Ganesha through a chant in the Rig Veda (Mandala 2 Sukta 23 Verse 1), used for fire rituals.

गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे 
कविं कवीनाम् उपमश्रवस्तमम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस् पत 
आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम् ॥

gaṇānāṃ tvā gaṇapatiṃ havāmahe
kaviṃ kavīnām upama-śravastamam ।
jyeṣṭharājaṃ brahmaṇāṃ brahmaṇas pata
ā naḥ śṛṇvan-nūtibhiḥ sīda sādanam ॥

You are Ganapathi 
Amongst the Ganās.
I, who is not-so-mighty,
Offer oblations to you.

Of all the poets (seers),
You are the poet
Of highest prowess.

You are the supreme ruler
Amongst the knowers of Vedās.
You preside over the Vedic scholars.

Listening (to our invocation),
Please come to protect us.
May you be present
In my Sādanam, my seat of learning.

Notes on this Ganesha chant

1. Gaṇapatiṃ: Gana is a term for the troops of Rudra Shiva. Ganesha or Ganapathi means the leader of the Gana.
2. Havāmahe: Many translate this as we offer oblations. I have translated it as — hava = oblations; a + maha + e = negation (not) + mighty + me.
3. Brahmaṇāṃ: Refers to those who experience Divine Energy, often called Brahman. Alternatively, it could mean the scholars of the Vedic scriptures. In this context, it means the latter.
4. Sādanam: Means Asana, the seat or chair we use while learning or praying.

A Short Summary

In this chant, we sit in our Asana (the seat or chair we use while learning or praying), and invoke the divine to sit in the same Asana. If Sri Ganesha were a person, we wouldn’t say such a thing!

Even though we pray to Sri Ganesha’s form, this mantra reminds us that all divine forms are personifications of Divine Energy.

In essence, through this chant, we request Divine Energy to remove all internal and external blocks to help us in our endeavor.

Love,
Sri Devi Om