Ogundabede - removing obstacles leads to an open road, or conflict leads to arrogance.

Speaks of the need to always tell the truth and avoid lying and self-deception. Honesty
and integrity are prevalent energies of this odu. Must avoid feelings or thoughts of
jealousy. Jealousy is a result of not being in tune with Natures truth; that we live in an
abundant universe in which there is enough for everyone. This Odu speaks strongly
regarding Ori; that this persons Ori is with her/him. Ebo to ones Ori ensures ire. So the
most important message of this odu is that the person must act according to Ifa ethics at
all times, which brings blessings through the persons Ori. this brings us back to the
metaphysical principle of Ogundabede; removing obstacles leads to an open road. Ogun
is the orisa we turn to to remove obstacles, but in Ogundabede we see what that really
means. It isn't so much about removing physical obstacles; It's about obstacles to our
spiritual growth. Dishonesty, jealousy, etc. are obstacles that have to do with ego. It is
Ogun who will remove the obstacles to self-reflection and the courage to admit our faults
and expand our consciousness of self and world. When we do this difficult work we are
reborn with a new consciousness, a new outlook and a larger commitment to iwa pele
which brings our ori in alignment with our iponri which in turn allows ire - blessings - to
be released in Orun. That is why Ori is the central character here with Ogun as the orisa
clearing the way and Obatala as the source of consciousness, ori and ethical behavior
(fategbe).
ase
Eke a pa eleke
Odale a pa Odale
Oun ti a ba se nisale ile
... oju Olodumare ni too
a difa fun Amookun se ole
to ni oba aye ko ri oun
bi oba aye ko ri o nko
oju Olodumare nwo o
ase
Lying will kill the liar
betrayal will kill the betrayer
whatever is done in a hidden place
the almighty Olodumare is aware of it
cast Ifa for the one who uses darkness to conceal their thievery
and nobody takes notice
if the worldly kings did not see what you did
Olodumare the almighty is looking directly at u
ase
We should not do in secret what we would not do in public. Even if no human being sees
our actions, Olodumare sees all things.
As devotees of Ifa we must take it upon ourselves to be truthful and upright at all times.
Ase

Alagba lugbu omi ko ko eja lomo

Odo abata segi-segi ko ba akan leru
Alakan gbe nu okun jugbada-jugbudu
Difa fun oni awaaka
Won ni won ma le kuroni ile baba re
Oni awaaka, iwo lo ni odo, iwo lo ni ibu
Ko si eni ti yo gba odo lowo oni
Ko si eni to ma gbaodo lowo oni
Oni awaaka, iwo lo lodo, iwo lo nibu
Ko si eni to maa gba odo lowo oni
Ase
The sea does not harm baby fish
The swamp doesnt scare the crab
Crab lives in the ocean with relish
Divined for the mighty crocodile
They threatened to drive him away from his fathers house
Mighty Crocodile, the water and its surroundings are your home
Alligator, the river water and its surroundings are your home
Mighty Crocodile, No one will run you out of your habitat
No fish can take the sea from the crocodile
Alligator, you own the river and its surroundings
No one can take the sea from the crocodile
Ase
This verse says the person is in danger of losing their home. Doing the ebo will ensure
that this does not happen. There is also a reference to fathers house, which can be
interpreted several ways.
ase o
Bede Awoo won lode Ipo Awe Awo ode Ijesa Ominrinminrin ara Iramori... Igi ganganran
mo gun mi loju Olorun debiti oran kale A kii ralawo ri rejereje A dia fun Olofin Igba
iwase Nijo won kebo keedi ti i Olofin ni ki won o mo kebo keedi ti oun Orogbo kan
Oduso kan Bomode ba kokin gagaaga A foduso sile Esun o pelesun Ere o pelere Ogundu
Ogan Nii jin lori araa re Ara won ni won o moo jin Ara won ni won o moo ku
gbonrangandan Bede The Babalwo of Ipo city Awe The Babalwo of the city of Ijesa
Ominrinmirin of the city of Iramori I implore you long cane not to picket my eyes The
heavens has created a conscripted situation One cannot see all Babalwos as being poor
They are the ones who cast If for Olofin On the day they attacked him with spells Olofin
pled against being attacked with spells One bitter kola One Ikin Oduso When a child
packed his palm with ikin He would leave out Oduso Esun spell would befall the
originator Ere spell would kill the originator The mighty termite hill Would cave on itself

They would rather befall themselves They would die in their hundreds All those who
conspire against me They all should die completely The arms of the enemies will not
capture us. Ase