Understanding the Significance of Gyalphur Drubjor Day: A Sacred Time for Reflection and Prayer

Gyalphur Drubjor Day holds great importance in Tibetan astrology. It is celebrated three times a year when the 7th star, Gyal, aligns with Thursday, also called Phurbu. The term "Gyalphur" comes from a special alignment. "Gyal" means victory and refers to the 7th star in the Tibetan zodiac. "Phurbu" is the Tibetan word for Thursday. This rare alignment occurs just two or three times a year, making it a special occasion.

Gyalphur Drubjor Day practices focus on the Three Red Deities: Kurukulla, Takiraja, and mainly Maha Rakta Ganapati. Ganapati is the elephant-headed god of wealth, Lord Ganesh. These rituals are thought to hold special power. Tibetan traditions say that anyone, whether a beginner or an expert, who calls on Ganapati on Gyalphur Drubjor Day will be blessed. This brings good fortune, success, prosperity, health, and longevity. This day is seen as an opportunity to invite positive energy and blessings into one's life.

Gyalphur Drubjor Day: An Astrological and Spiritual Intersection

Gyalphur Drubjor Day, a significant day in the Tibetan astrological and Buddhist calendar, is linked to the auspiciousness of certain celestial alignments. In Tibetan Buddhist communities, Gyalphur Drubjor Day features special rituals and ceremonies. These are meant to enhance the benefits of this lucky astrological alignment. Here’s why this day is so significant:

•  Overcoming Obstacles: As its name suggests, Gyalphur Drubjor is a day dedicated to overcoming difficulties and removing hindrances, both physical and spiritual. Practitioners use specific mantras or prayers to remove obstacles that impact in a good way for their personal lives, health, or journey toward enlightenment.
  

• Timing of Spiritual Endeavors: In Tibetan Buddhism, timing is key. Performing certain practices at the "right" moment, when the astrological forces are favorable, amplifies their power. Gyalphur Drubjor Day is one such moment. On this day, the energies are seen as being particularly aligned with victory and success over obstacles, making it an ideal time for spiritual growth.
  

• Strengthening Merit: Tibetan Buddhists believe that merit, or Sangha, is accumulated through virtuous actions and spiritual practices. Gyalphur Drubjor Day is seen as an especially potent day for accumulating merit, as it allows practitioners to engage in practices that are more likely to lead to positive outcomes in their future lives.
  

• Astrological Rituals and Divination: On Gyalphur Drubjor Day, Tibetan astrologers often perform specific rituals or divinations to guide individuals in making decisions, whether about their personal lives or spiritual journeys. These divinations help people find the best path ahead based on their unique astrology.

The Three Red Deities: Kurukulla, Takirāja, and Maha Rakta Ganapati

The Three Great Red Deities (Tibetan: Mar Chen Kor Sum) are a vibrant trio that includes Kurukullā, Rakta Ganesha, and Takirāja. The combination of Kurukullā, Ganesha, and Takirāja in Vajrayāna Buddhism is part of a deeper, symbolic framework in this religion. They are manifestations of enlightened attributes, each symbolizing a distinct facet of spiritual enlightenment. They are one of the most powerful heavenly trios. They together represent the strong, magnetic powers of an awakened mind, encouraging practitioners to tap into the dynamic energies of compassion, attraction, and enlightened strength. They create a tantric framework that brings in good energies, removes barriers from both within and outside, and helps people grow spiritually and succeed in the world.

Gyalphur Drubjor Day and Lord Ganesh Spiritual Connection

Ganapati, Maha Rakta (Tibetan: tsog gi dag po, mar chen. English: The Great Red Lord of Hosts). A Tantric Buddhist form of Ganapati (Ganesha) related to the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras. This form of Ganapati is regarded as an emanation of Avalokiteshvara.

In Tibetan Buddhist cosmology, Ganesh is often considered a Bodhisattva, a being who has attained enlightenment but chooses to remain in the cycle of samsara to help others. As such, he embodies both wisdom and compassion, two key qualities that are central to Tibetan Buddhist practice. His ability to overcome obstacles, both material and spiritual, makes him an essential figure in a practitioner’s journey toward enlightenment.

Iconography of Maha Rakta Ganapati

Setting:

• Lapis Lazuli Rock Mountain: The deity is depicted beside a lapis lazuli rock mountain, which is a symbol of stability and everlasting existence of wisdom.
  

• Red Lotus with Eight Petals: On the mountain base, there exists a red lotus having eight petals, which symbolize enlightenment and purity.
  

• Blue Rat: A blue rat in the middle of the lotus spits different jewels, which represent making offerings of both material riches and spiritual treasures.
  

Physical Appearance:

• Red Body: The body of Maha Rakta Ganapati is red in color, symbolizing power, activity, and the transformation of negative forces.
  

• Elephant Face: As with traditional depictions of Ganesh, he has an elephant face, representing wisdom and the removal of obstacles.
  

• Sharp White Tusks: The tusks are sharp and white, symbolizing the clarity of wisdom.
  

• Three Eyes: He has three eyes, which denote his omniscience and ability to perceive the past, present, and future.
  

• Black Hair with Topknot: His black hair is tied in a topknot, adorned with a wishing-gem and a red silk ribbon, representing his enlightened nature and ability to fulfill desires.
  

Arms and Attributes:

• Twelve Hands: Maha Rakta Ganapati is depicted with twelve hands, signifying his boundless power and capacity to perform various actions.
  

  • Axe: Cutting through ignorance.
    

  • Arrow: Targeting and eliminating obstacles.
    

  • Hook: Drawing beings into liberation.
    

  • Vajra: Symbolizing indestructible truth.
    

  • Sword: Cutting through delusion.

  • Spear: Representing strength and protection.
    
    

  • Pestle: A symbol of the ability to crush obstacles.
    

  • Bow: A tool of transformation.
    

  • Katvanga: A ritual staff signifying spiritual power.
    

  • Skullcup filled with blood: Representing the transmutation of passion and desire into spiritual energy.
    

  • Skullcup filled with human flesh: Symbolizing the destruction of ego and attachment.
    

  • Shield: Protection from negative forces, with a spear and banner in the background.
    

• Right Hands (Six): These hold powerful weapons:
  

• Left Hands (Six): These hold a variety of implements:
  

• Peaceful Hands: The right and left peaceful hands hold the vajra and skullcup filled with blood, signifying the integration of wisdom (vajra) and compassion (blood).
  

Posture and Movement:

• Dancing Posture: His left foot is extended in a dancing manner, symbolizing the dynamic and active nature of his spiritual power.
  

• Radiant Light: He stands in the midst of bright rays of red flickering light, representing the powerful and transformative energy of the deity.
  

Adornments:

• Maha Rakta Ganapati is adorned with various silks as a lower garment and jewel ornaments, symbolizing his wealth and the spiritual treasures that he offers to his devotees.

Why is Ganesh revered on Gyalphur Drubjor Day?

Invoking Lord Ganesh during the Gyalphur Drubjor day is regarded as particularly potent because of the following reasons:

• The Elephant’s Strength and Wisdom: Lord Ganesh, with his large elephant head, symbolizes immense wisdom and strength. The elephant is an animal known for its memory and intellect, and Ganesh’s head represents the power of clear perception. On Gyalphur Drubjor, this wisdom is sought to see through illusions and obstacles, both worldly and spiritual.
  
  
• Removal of Obstacles (Vighneshvara): As the remover of obstacles (Vighneshvara in Sanskrit), Lord Ganesh’s primary role is to clear the path for those who seek spiritual progress. During this day, practitioners invite Ganesh to clear them of physical, mental, or emotional obstacles that stand in the way to getting enlightenment. His directions are hence essential.
  
  
• The Symbolism of the Elephant Trunk: The elephant’s trunk is capable of great flexibility and strength. In Tibetan Buddhism, this symbolizes adaptability in the face of challenges. Calling upon Ganesh on Gyalphur Drubjor Day reminds practitioners that, like the elephant’s trunk, they must learn to bend and adapt in their journey to overcome difficulties.
  
  
• Harmonizing the Elements: The broken tusk, often seen in depictions, symbolizes the power to overcome dualities and flaws. The Tibetan Buddhists use this symbol to portray peace with the self and the world. When we invoke Ganesh on Gyalphur Drubjor Day, we are reminded of the need to strike a balance in the face of adversity in life.
  
  
• Opening the Heart to Compassion: Ganesh is a representation of compassion and generosity as well. His role as a remover of obstacles extends to alleviating suffering and ensuring that practitioners can walk a paththat is not so blocked by negative emotions or thought patterns. His mercy is invoked upon on Gyalphur Drubjor Day to heal the spiritual and emotional injuries.
  

The Ritual of Invocation

The practice of Invoking Lord Ganesh, particularly in his form as Maha Rakta Ganapati, is believed to bring forth immense blessings of prosperity, success, health, longevity, and spiritual growth.

Key Aspects of the Ritual:

Preparation:

• Practitioners prepare the space with offerings, often involving fruits, flowers, sweets, and incense, creating an atmosphere conducive to receiving blessings.

Primary Mantras for Ganesh Invocation:

OM WAKATE KA DAMSHTA BHINDHA HUM PHAT SVAHA
 This powerful mantra is invoked to remove obstacles, particularly focusing on eliminating negative forces and challenges. The syllables of the mantra are designed to break through barriers and activate Ganesh's transformative energy.

OM BHRUM GANAPATAYE SVAHA
It is a traditional Ganapati mantra, which invokes the Lord Ganesh to be the source of prosperity, success, and wisdom. The mantra invokes the qualities of Ganesh, the remover of obstacles and the bringer of good fortune.

Offerings for the Ritual:

Flower Offering:

• • Red Flowers are offered, symbolizing power, transformation, and the fiery energy of Maha Rakta Ganapati.
    

  • Red flowers represent purification, and the offering serves as a gesture of devotion and respect to Ganesh. These flowers are often placed at the base of his image or statue during the ceremony. 
    

Torma Offering: Torma is a ritual offering, composed of butter and other substances. The Torma is prepared in this ceremony, and with some important ingredients:

• “Madana“ Alcohol:  It is a ritual offering of alcohol, served in a skullcup (Kapala), which represents transformation and the overcoming of being attached to materialistic wants.
  

• "Bsla" (Meat): Symbolizing the sacrifice of ego and attachment to self, meat is placed as an offering to Ganesh. It is often offered to demonstrate the willingness to transcend the limitations of the physical body.
  

• Purification: Once the alcohol and the meat are placed in the skullcup, the substances are cleansed with an internal offering, which frequently is mantras, water, and alcohol. This ritual purifies the offerings, making them proper and fit to the deity.
  

• Water Offering: The offerings are cleansed with water, which is poured over them and thus symbolizes the flow of life and purification of barriers.
  

• It also involves alcohol in the purification process, which demonstrates the possibility of transforming the negative energy into religious potential.
  

Final Steps of the Ritual:

• Visualizations: During the mantra recitation, visualize Maha Rakta Ganapati surrounded by red light and radiant energy. Imagine him bestowing blessings and removing obstacles.
  

• Dedication: At the end of the offering and ritual, dedicate the merit of the practice to all sentient beings, wishing for their freedom from suffering and obstacles, and for the flourishing of wisdom and compassion.

Conclusion:

The Day of Gyalphur Drubjor is a significant and blessed day of Tibetan Buddhism. On this day, the Gyal star coincides with Thursday, forming a rare occasion in spiritual growth and transformation. It happens just twice or thrice annually, and enhances spiritual activities, in particular, those addressing the Three Red Deities, especially Maha Rakta Ganapati. On this day, practitioners aim to break material and spiritual barriers by conducting rituals and reading mantras that bring prosperity, success, and enlightenment. This transformative power of Lord Ganesh, whose wisdom and kindly energy are worshipped, offers a blessing to a person who wants to remove obstacles and is ready to move on his way to enlightenment.

There is more to invoking Lord Ganesh on Gyalphur Drubjor Day than receiving material benefits; one can have a closer relationship with the divine knowledge and understanding of what it means to be compassionate. The ritualistic offerings, prayers, and the visualizations made during this sacred day align the offering person with cosmic energies, and it serves as the potent point in time to reflect on oneself and to cleanse, and to obtain spiritual merit. Such religious activities allow people to welcome good fortune, clear the way to advance, and create merit, which will be beneficial to them and other people in the future. Finally, Gyalphur Drubjor Day can be seen as a successful combination of astrological and spiritual powers, and it is one of the main events to strengthen the practice and attain permanent change.