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It is usually believed that tapping temples on forehead five times with closed fists, accompanied with the recitation of the "Suklambaradharam..." sloka is a shortcut method of worshiping Lord Mahaganapaty.

Since Mahaganapaty is to be worshiped first, many rituals, including Sandhyavandanam, employ this shortcut.

Quoting from this page:

  1. Vighnesvara Dhyanam Meditation on Lord Vighnesvara

While reciting the following mantra, gently tap the two sides of the forehead with the fists five times with the thought that thereby the nectar (amruta) in the head flows down through all the nerves and invigorates them.

    Shuklambaradharam Vishnum
    Sasivarnam Chaturbhujam,
    Prasannavadanam dhyayeh,
    Sarva-vighnopasantaye

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It is believed that the Soma ,as a result of the tapping, flows down from the Sahasrara chakra to bath Ganapaty who is seated below in the Muladhara Chakra.

Here is a video demonstrating the the process (move to 2.37 mins).

Question-Which scriptures mention about this process?

Note-I am only asking about the process here & not about the sloka "Suklaambaradharam..."

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  • This is not actually a nyasa mudra. – Rickross Nov 16 '16 at 10:23
  • Oh ok , i thought that its a nyasa :) – SwiftPushkar Nov 16 '16 at 10:24
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    @Rickross There is a legend which goes like this: Sage Agastya once arrested the river Kaveri in his kamandalam which flows between the states of Tamilnadu and Karnataka due to some reason. Due to this, that region was totally filled with drought. Devatas asked Ganapati for help. Then Ganesha took the form of a crow and stole agasthya's kamandala while he was meditating. Agasthya realises that the crow was none other than Ganesha. 1/2 – Sarvabhouma Nov 16 '16 at 11:02
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    @Rickross He expresses his apologies by tapping his head with his fingers as shown in the figure. Ganesha was then satisfied by his apology and releases water and returns holy pot to agastya. I heard this about leelas of Ganesha. Thus many people now a days too tap their heads and praise Ganesha. It is said that Ganesha will be satisfy by that act.2/2 – Sarvabhouma Nov 16 '16 at 11:03
  • @Sree Charan--You can put this in answer field by citing reference. – Parthasarathy Raghavan Nov 16 '16 at 11:24

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