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The Ucchista Ganapati Ashtottara Shatanamavali, commonly known as the Ucchista Ganapati Ashtottaram, is a devotional hymn comprising 108 names that extol the various attributes and virtues of Ucchista Ganapati.

oṃ cetanācetanībhūtaśarīrāya namo namaḥ oṃ

ॐ चेतनाचेतनीभूतशरीराय नमो नमः ॐ

Salutations to the one whose body is made of pure consciousness and has the power to render consciousness.

  This nāmā describes the qualities of Brahman as the super-consciousness also creating individual consciousness or ātmas, as well as re-absorbing them, when the realization of the totality of the individual consciousness with the super-consciousness is complete.

The verse from the Ucchista Ganapati Ashtastotram that describes Brahman as the super-consciousness—creating individual consciousness (ātmas) and reabsorbing them—offers a profound insight into the cyclical nature of existence and consciousness according to Hindu philosophy. This verse highlights the dual processes of creation and dissolution, not just on a physical level but on a deeper metaphysical level, where individual souls and their relationship with the ultimate reality are the central focus.

The Nature of Brahman as Super-Consciousness

In Advaita Vedanta, Brahman is the ultimate reality, the absolute consciousness that pervades everything. It is beyond time, space, and causality. Here, Brahman is depicted as the super-consciousness—the source of all individual consciousness, or jīvas (souls). This super-consciousness is not merely an abstract concept but the dynamic force responsible for creating, sustaining, and eventually reabsorbing individual consciousness back into itself.

Creation of Individual Consciousness (Ātmas)

In this context, the individual consciousness or ātma can be understood as a spark of Brahman, temporarily differentiated and given a sense of individuality. Just as a single wave rises from the ocean and appears distinct for a moment, so too does individual consciousness emerge from Brahman, perceiving itself as separate. This illusion of separateness is due to avidyā (ignorance), which veils the true nature of the self as non-different from Brahman.

Ganapati, as a manifestation of Brahman in this verse, is portrayed as the one who creates these individual ātmas. This creation is not a physical act but a projection of consciousness itself, a play of divine māyā that gives rise to countless experiences, identities, and realities within the universe. In this way, Ganapati is not only the remover of obstacles but also the one who initiates the journey of consciousness from its origin in Brahman into the realm of individual experience.

Re-Absorption into Brahman: Realization of Unity

The verse further explains that once the realization of the unity between individual consciousness and super-consciousness is achieved, the process of reabsorption takes place. This is the moment of enlightenment or moksha, where the individual ātma recognizes its true identity as non-different from Brahman. The distinction between the creator and the created, the observer and the observed, dissolves, and the ātma merges back into the totality of Brahman, realizing its eternal, unchanging essence.

This reabsorption is a return to the source, signifying the end of the cycle of samsara—the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Ganapati’s role here is to guide this process of realization, helping to remove the obstacles of ignorance and duality that keep the individual trapped in a limited sense of self.

The Cyclical Nature of Creation and Dissolution

This verse encapsulates the cyclical view of existence in Hindu thought. Creation is not a one-time event; it is a continuous process where individual consciousness emerges from Brahman, experiences multiplicity, and then returns to unity. The verse poetically describes this ebb and flow of consciousness, likening it to a divine play where the super-consciousness temporarily takes on countless forms and names, only to eventually withdraw them back into itself.

Conclusion: The Journey to Realization

In essence, this verse captures the journey of consciousness from unity to multiplicity and back to unity. It invites the seeker to recognize the transient nature of individual identity and to strive towards realizing the oneness with Brahman. Ganapati, in this role, represents the guiding force that not only creates the conditions for individual experience but also facilitates the return to the source, ensuring that the ultimate goal of self-realization is attained.

The verse reflects a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all levels of consciousness, reminding us that the true essence of every being is rooted in the same infinite and all-pervading super-consciousness.

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