I am perpetually baffled by Hindu deities. My dear friend Bryn, however, seems to be on an intimate, first-name bases with them. Seriously –– it’s like Krishna and Shiva are friends she could call to help her move.
I do, however, like this thought (one which seems to be my entire theme for the month of October as the Laughing Lotus celebrates gods and goddesses.)
For years, I’ve begun each class with
OM
GUM (seed syllable for Ganesh)
SHRIM (seed syllable for Lakshmi)
MAHA (“great”)
LAKSHMIYEI (endearing form of “Lakshmi” — and not the one hosting on Bravo)
SWAHA (“We salute you”)
The big mantra guy Thomas Ashleigh Farrand who I’ve met and seen speak, in one of his books assures the reader that chanting to Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth and prosperity — is a thousand times more effective (he might even say 10,000 times more effective; my book is in storage) –– if you include “Gum,” the seed syllable for Ganesh. IE, Chanting “Om Gum Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha” is 1,000/10,000 times more powerful than just “Om Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha.”
Ganesh is of course the elephant-headed god who is the remover of obstacles. But everyone always forgets he is also the placer of obstacles.
Or as I like to call him, “The Cosmic Speed Bump.”
So I am enjoying reflecting that on the one hand, there’s the idea that you are asking Ganesh simply to remove the obstacles to your abundance. That’s VERY Abraham Hicks (“just get out of the way”) in terms of allowing and flow.
But there’s also the sense that Ganesh’s obstacles are perhaps/potentially increasing the abundance, that his inclusion of contrast and challenge makes for more Abundance than his omission.
It is absolutely something I’m exploring and hoping is true with all my present “challenges.”
And on the most practical level, since I really do only know one chant for teaching in class, I’m glad that I’ve abstracted numerous potential pedagogical opportunities from it — and perhaps will find within the Gum more of the true prosperous energy of the Shrim.
And technically –– although Lakshmi is married to Vishnu –– they do sort of make a cute couple (I’m just sayin’).
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32 Responses
Thank you for this information. I have been chanting Om Shrim Mah Lakshmiyei Swaha for several years. I love this mantra. When I found your post I started adding the Gum. That day I had some shifts.
Wonderful post Edward. This is a great application of the seed mantra ‘gum’ combined with the Lakshmi mantra. I’ve been doing mantra practice for a few years now and recently have been delving deeper into some of the different combinations and this one looks like a great find. My guru was actually friends with Thomas Ashley Farrand before he passed on also.
Thanks so much, Matt! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I just wantd to add that Ganesh is actually Lakshimis Son.
When I found the Laksimi mantra . I intuitively added the Gum
that was 5 yrs ago now and have had regular income since then.
I have just begun Om Shrim Klim maha Lakshimi yei Swaha.
I am expecting an even greater result
Namaste.
I also attended 2 puja ceremonies conducted by Thomas Ashley Farrand ,here in London before passed.I am thankful to have met him also.
Thank you for your explanation. Much appreciated.
Thanks Edward for sharing this.
By adding `Gum` we are actually praying for the removal of our limiting beliefs about money and our lack of clarity on how to achieve (financial) abundance exactly with a step-by-step process (our obstacles to abundance). Those obstacles won`t just disappear overnight without trace; by agreeing to have them removed from our subconscious we give our consent to an intense inner transformation that`s going to follow as a result of our committed practice; the facing of our fears, the digging deep into the scariest depths of our psyche, possibly chaotic and frightening life circumstances that trigger all these and hopefully us emerging victorious with our well-deserved prize: financial abundance. Proceed with caution! OM
Thank you for writing your message. I’ve been chanting this chant for several years, and I’ve recently been asked to explain it to a loved one. It’s been a bit difficult to explain my feelings as well as the meaning behind the words. I will continue my research as well as chanting. Blessings to you.
The best way to explain it might be to share it with them! Sometimes it’s harder to define why we love something than simply to offer it to the other person as a no-pressure experiment. Perhaps they’ll share your feelings afterwards….Good Luck!
respected sir
i chant Om Gum Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Namah instead of Om Gum Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha. can you please tell me the diffrence. which one is better and i chant other mantras also like om gam ganpatye namah, om vakrtundaye hum. for success in life. which mantra is best for success. plz help.
looking forward for yoyr kind reply
thanks and regards
Thomas Ashley Farrand, a mantra authority, believed that after the age of 28 one should switch from Namaha to Swaha. I believe, however, that the overwhelmingly important thing is that you are using the practice of chanting to fine-tune your own alignment and that those specifics are far less important than your inner clarity and intention!
Hello,
What does this chant look like in symbols/writing, please?
Thank you
I’m not sure I understand the question. I’ve given it in writing re: the English spelling of the Sanskrit. Do you mean the actual Sanskrit symbols?
Hi Edward!
These days i am chanting the ganapati mantra and the lakshmi and shani mantra. Before starting i had written my objectives, that i want stability in my husbands current job and a new and better job at the earliest. We are eternally grateful for his current job, still some politics etc has made us wish to change the job.
i have finished 1 40 days discipline and now have decided to continue the chanting forever. Meanwhile my husband had 1 job interview which he says did not go well. However in his current job his boss (ceo) seems to have started appreciating the contribution of his department and the importance of following strategy over operations (my husband is the head of strategy and the ceo was more involved jn daily operations completely ignoring strategy since he joined 11 months back creating lot of disturbance for all).
my question is it possible that god has answered my request partly. I am super tensed these days and am living life just for the sake of it.
can you please answer my question as we humans need a confirmation for everything that is happening , at least i need to know if this is a sign from god .
thanks,
sarika.
Thanks for writing to me, Sarika.
No one can know the full way that your situation can play out because it’s all still evolving. My advice is always to focus on THE POSITIVE and whether he stays in that job or finds another, that positive energy will be matched.
I just stumbled on a piece of paper I wrote 2 years ago about a list of everything I wanted in my ideal home and it matches EXACTLY the one I’m living in––the only difference is that it’s in a completely different city across the country!
Focus on the FEELING of what you want and let God/The Universe/Lakshmi handle the specifics…and YES, it’s all working out for you!
I have got one question for mr.. Edward. In the morning I am chanting Ganapati, Durga, and Kleem beej mantra, at noon Nrsimha, Shri Lakshmi and Sri Hanuman mantra…. before sleeping Sri Saraswati mantra…. each mantra for one circle at jap mala – 108 times. Is it ok to do that kind of process, like chanting of few different mantras instead one personal mantra or just 1 of any kind of mantra. I just want to make complete all 3 Deity cosmic entities and its influence (Shiva-Durga… Vishnu-Lakshmi, Brahma-Saraswati). Is it bit chaotic, or pushing meself too much… or ….just fine? Namaste.
Some would definitely say that you should sustain one mantra for a period time (40 days, for example) to build up the energy around it. I, on the other hand, 100% believe you have to trust your Inner Guidance about what feels best. It is VIBRATION we’re dealing with (sound vibration and mystical energy), so if it doesn’t feel scattered but focusing and inspirational, I say Go For It!
I also use the Namaha – I had not heard the age thing and I am older than 28 but I have amazing results with it. I have tried both and honestly have not seen a difference between the two. they are both very effective. The shift is instant each and every time
Namaha – Is offering salutations to the Lord (like the regular prayer of folding hands at the center of the chest) or the particular deity we are chanting. Swaha – refers to the offering to the particular deity, like in the olden Hindu custom, offering to the sacred fire lit in the middle. Usually, if we are not doing the offering to the fire as a ritual during any chainting, we would say ‘Namaha’.
Thanks for the education. I have also been chanting the Mantra “Om Shreem Om Hreem Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Om Vistteshwaraya Namaha” My understanding is that is Shri Lakshmi Mantra as well. Does it matter which one one Chants? Also, which do you think is the best for eliminating negative subconscious blocks and karmic residue?
Thanks
Hi, In order to remove negativity chant “Om Saravanabavaaya Namaha” daily 108 times for 45 days continuous and see the magic.
May GOD bless you all here, thanks for this opportunity…
Yes and I am so glad that worked for you but again, ANY PRACTICE where we raise our thoughts and vibrations is bound to have wonderful results!
Hello all! May gods grant you wisdom, prosperity and spiritual growth!
1. When you are offering something to a deity or doing a puja then use Swaha, for general chanting use Namaha.
2. Unofortunately not so many people understand the true meaning of OM. OM is the primordial sound, the very first sound the Universe emitted when being born, when spirituality manifested itself in the form of this physical world, when the Abosulute manifested Itself in the form of this Relative physical world, when there was nothing. It is the very border between this physical and spiritual worlds.
Swami Brahmananda Saraswati tells a story of a woman who lost everything including two of her sons by endlessly chanting OM. Unless you are a Brahmin or you strive only for spiritual growth and nothing else you should limit OM chanting or avoid it. It is used widely by Brahmins whose only goal is englightenment and people use it too everywhere where it is needed or not without fully understanding consequences.
Unless your sole goal is to achieve enlightenment then it is perfectly fine to omit OM especially in this case because OM is driving you towards nothingness, towards unification with Brahman and the rest of the mantra is asking for material wealth and properity.
3. GUM (gam) is a good addition, but you can also chant one of Ganesh mantras and this mantra on alternate days. Like for example [om] vighna nashanaya namaha (again OM is omitted/optional).
Jay Guru Dev
Thank you for your comment––and I welcome and open discussion––but I do want to emphasize that it is the VIBRATION within that affects our reality far more than any sound we repeat in a mantra practice. It can be a great tool to fine-tune ourselves, but I do think we have to be careful about realizing that the precision of the mantra is second to the inner awareness we’re trying to sharpen. And finally, my main point is that I’m referring to a mantra authority as well who stressed the power of using the contrasting energy to move forward. Thanks for writing!
What about Om Gum Shrim Klim maha Lakshimi yei Swaha?
Sure….Anything that works…
I recently started Om Shrim Mah Lakshmiyei Swaha, but added Gum per feedbacks. I also notice a shift. Happy Mantra Chanting!!!
Hello,
I have practiced chanting on and off for a few years, always with inmediate and great results. However, I began chanting the mantra Om Gum shrem maha locksemeyei swaha due to some financial difficulties. I added om gum ganapatayei swaha for extra help removing obstacles and at around day 32 I felt I needed to stop as my financial situation was becoming worse and has gotten worse. I always had great results with chanting but I don’t understand what could have happen this time. The only difference I can think of is around 2.5 weeks into the proccess, I added to the mix I was working on a healing mantra, Om tare tutare ture swaha, because my cat was severely attack by my neighbor dog and I prayed for healing. The incident brought me $1200 vet bill! What are your thoughts on that?
It’s impossible to know (of course) since part of the fun/impossible challenge of being human is the Mystery of it All but….I did have a chanting experience of 40 days once where everything in my life well apart (more or less). I continued for another 40 days and I have to say a new life (new apartment, new employment, new everything) appeared. I.E., you’re probably just in the middle of the story, not the end!
Hi Edward.. interesting article and interesting comments as well…I was just curious…as a regular chanter of the mantra… how many times a day do you say it and whether you have a particular time of the day to say it …Tks.
hello! Do you remember which book by T.A.F mentions the addition of “gum”?? i’d love to read it!
I’m pretty sure it’s “Healing Mantras” –– but I can double-check!