The Chapter Describing the Essence of Yoga to King Varenya by Ganesha
1. King Varenya said -- O One with the Elephant Face! To
whom do we refer as the white or black journey, what is Brahman, what is
Samsara, please explain all this to me out of kindness.
2-3. Shri Ganesha spoke -- The journey through fire, light,
and day is called Shukla Gati or the white journey, which occurs during
Uttarayan (the northward journey of the Sun). Through the Moon, light, smoke,
and night, it is called Krishna Gati or the black journey, known as Dakshinayan
(the southward journey of the Sun). These two journeys are the causes of the
attainment of Brahman or Samsara, according to one's actions. Know all this,
including what is invisible and visible, as Brahman.
4. The five elements are considered perishable; after them
is the imperishable, and beyond both is the pure, eternal Brahman.
5-6. Samsara is considered the cycle of rebirths from many
lives; those who don't accept me are bound to Samsara. Those who offer me
worship with materials like clarified butter and others, correctly, achieve the
Supreme Brahman through their devotion.
7-8. With a bath, clothes, adornments, superior fragrances,
incense, lamps, offerings, fruit, betel, donations, with devotion as one in
mind, who worships me, I fulfill his desires. Thus, my devotee should worship
me daily with devotion.
9-10. Or, with a steady mind, he should perform mental
worship. Or, with effort, even with water, leaves, flowers, or roots, one who
worships me gains the desired fruits. Among the three types of worship, mental
worship is the best.
11-13 ½. If conducted without desire, it is the most
superior. Whether a Brahmachari, householder, forest-dweller or monk, even any
person who offers worship only to me, without engaging in other practices,
still achieves accomplishment. He who worships another deity with hostility or
envy towards me or others, he will suffer in hell for a thousand spans of time.
14-15. First, perform the purification of elements, then
practice pranayama. After controlling the fluctuations of the mind, perform the
imposition (nyasa), first internal mantra imposition and then external and the
imposition of six limbs.
16-17. After that, meditate upon the root mantra, chant the
mantra heard from the Guru's mouth with a steady mind. Dedicate the japa to the
deity and then praise with many hymns. In this way, my devotee attains the
eternal liberation.
18. He who is devoid of worship is to be condemned, his
birth is in vain. Sacrifices, herbs, mantras, fire, ghee, oblations, and
offerings - all these are my forms.
19. Meditate, object of meditation, eulogy, hymn,
salutation, devotion, worship, knowable by the three Vedas, sacred, grandfather
of Brahma - all these are indeed me.
20-21. Omkar, purifier, witness, lord, friend, movement,
dissolution, creation, nourishment, seed, refuge, in the same manner, as well
as all acts, truth, falsehood, death, immortality, soul, Brahman, charity, fire
sacrifice, penance, devotion, chanting, self-study - all these are me.
22-23. Whatever actions are done, dedicate all to me. Even
women, wrong-doers, sinners, or Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, or Shudras who take
refuge in me become liberated, then what to speak of twice-born devotees? My
devotee, knowing these manifestations of mine, never perishes.
24-25. Even deities and seers do not know my origin or my manifestations. I am spread out in the universe through various manifestations. Whatever is best in this world, know them all to be my manifestations - understand thus.
Thus, in the Krida Khanda of the Ganesha Purana, the chapter
named "The Description of the Path of Yoga" is concluded.