Sankashtahara Chaturthi
Slokam: “Ganaanaam Twam Ganapathi Gam Havaamahe Kavim Kaveenaam Upamasra Vastamam Jyeshta Raajam Brahmanaam Brahmanaspatha Aanashrunvanna Oothibhi Seedha Saadanam”
Sankashta Chaturthi vratam falls on the 4th day of the Krishna Paksha. Ganesha devotees observe fasting on Sankashta Chaturthi day. According to Mudgala Puranam from all 32 forms of Lord Ganapati, the last 32nd form is Sankatahara Ganapati. ‘Sankatam’ means troubles, problems. Performing the Vratam on this auspicious day one can get rid of problems and sufferings in life by the grace of Lord Ganapati. Lord Shiva is considered as Earth, Mata Parvati as living beings on the earth like trees, birds, animals, etc., then the gravitational force of the earth is considered as Ganapati (Lord of Ganas).
Vrata Vidhi: Once Lord Sri Krishna told this Vratam to Yudistira… start Chaturti Vratam in Sravana Masam Bahula Chaviti. Take the head bath to observe fasting from morning by chanting the Ganapati mantra. In the evening after the bath at the north side of the puja room draw rangoli using eight colours on the floor, place the red cloth, put cane (bamboo) case on that cloth, put Ganesh Ji idol on that case, vermilion, lit two wicks alongside. For Naivedhya mix jaggery with powdered sesame seeds perform Shodoshopachara Puja, recite Ganapati Ashtottaramand complete puja by placing 21 Garika with its names. After moonrise eats the mixture of jaggery, sesame seeds Prasadam along with family members.
Sankata Nasana Ganapati Stotram
Narada Uvacha:
Pranamya sirasa devam,
Gauri putram, Vinayakam,
Bhakthya vyasa smaren nithya,
Aayu kama artha sidhaye.
Prathamam Vakrathundam cha,
Ekadantham dveethiyakam,
Trithiyam Krishna pingalaksham,
Gajavakthram Chathurthakam.
Lambhodaram panchamam cha,
Sashtam Vikatameva cha,
Sapthamam Vignarajam cha,
Dhoomra varnam thadashtamam.
Navamam phala chandram cha,
Dasamam thu Vinayakam,
Ekadasam Ganapathim,
Dwadasam tu Gajananam.
Dwathasaithani namani,
Trisandhyam ya pathen naraha,
Na cha vignabhayam thasya,
Sarva sidhi karam dhruvam.
Vidyarthi Labhate Vidhya
Danarthi Labhate Dhanam,
Puthrarthi Labhate Puthran,
Moksharthi Labhate Gatheem.
Japeth Ganapathi Sthothram,
Shadbhir masai phalam labeth,
Samvatsarena Sidhim cha,
Labhathe nathra samsayaha.
Ashtanam Brahmanam cha,
Likihithwa ya samarpayeth,
Thasya Vidhya bhaveth
Sarvaa Ganesasya prasadatha.
Ithi Sri Narada Purane Samkashta nasanam Ganapathi Stotram Sampoornam.