Book excerpt: The Ganapati Atharvashirsha is a collection of 14 verses, and is attributed to the Atharvaveda. It paints a beautiful image of Lord Ganesha to invoke Fearlessness, hence unbridled Success in all ventures. Also Contentedness, to assure that Life is ultimately Beautiful. Verse 1 ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये । त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि । त्वमेव केवलं कर्ताऽसि । त्वमेव केवलं धर्ताऽसि । त्वमेव केवलं हर्ताऽसि । त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मासि । त्वं साक्षाद् आत्माऽसि नित्यम् ॥ १॥ oṃ namaste gaṇapataye । tvameva pratyakṣaṃ tattvamasi । tvameva kevalaṃ kartā'si । tvameva kevalaṃ dhartā'si । tvameva kevalaṃ hartā'si । tvameva sarvaṃ khalvidaṃ brahmāsi । tvaṃ sākṣād ātmā'si nityam ॥ 1॥ Hail O Lord of the atomic particles. Salutations to the crystalline molecular structures, and greetings to all couples, families, societies and institutes of this world. O friend, thee are evidently that what I seek. Thee are the closeness, the sense of togetherness. Thee have been solely created for enhancing my soul's destiny. Thee have the strength to support my need and lighten my burden. Thee of all friends is true. Thee show me where I stand and what I must do. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Gives original verses in Sanskrit with a Latin transliteration and a lucid explanation in English. Contains an exhaustive Appendix to highlight some famous notes on Ganesha, the beloved elephant headed God of Indian folklore. For the Sanskrit enthusiast, it lists padachheda word-boundary, word meaning, and vibhakti word case.