At the Gate of Every Endeavour
Bala Kanda, Sortha 1क
Mangalacharan Sorthas (क series) · Movement 1 of 5
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Before roads are taken, vows spoken, manuscripts opened, or temple doors crossed, Ganesha stands at the beginning. His elephant face carries immense strength without menace. Around him gather the ganas, while the uncertain paths of human effort stretch outward into distances no traveller can fully see.
Tulsidas remembers him, and the tangled ways begin to clear. Success is not seized from the future. It ripens from remembrance of the Lord who is a treasury of wisdom and a dwelling place of every auspicious quality. Intelligence becomes steady, obstacles reveal their openings, and the heart no longer rushes ahead of grace.
The poet asks for no display of power. He asks that Ganesha look upon the work with favour. At that compassionate glance, the threshold ceases to be a barrier and becomes a place of blessing.
The elephant faced Lord lifts his hand, and the unopened road receives permission.
Read the passage from the Manas
जो सुमिरत सिधि होइ गन नायक करिबर बदन। करउ अनुग्रह सोइ बुद्धि रासि सुभ गुन सदन।।1।।
By simply remembering whom all endeavours are fulfilled, that lord of the ganas with the beautiful elephant face: may that very one, who is the treasury of wisdom and the abode of every auspicious quality, bestow his grace upon me.