Prayer to Lord Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles and Bestower of Siddhi and Buddhi:

(26.01.07)

Among the Hindu deities Lord Ganesha occupies a most prominent place.  There is no Hindu worship without first performing Puja to Lord Ganesha.  He is also known as Vighneshwara or Vinayaka, and is considered the embodiment of Pranavaswarup Omkara.  Iconographically, Ganesha is represented by a big bellied human body with four arms and elephant face. He is the eldest son of Lord Siva and Goddess Parvati. He is worshipped by Hindu devouts, as the bestower of Siddhi (achievements) and Buddhi (intellect). He is most popularly known and worshipped as the Remover of obstacles. The following 5 stanzas, known as Five Gems, are in adoration to Lord Ganesha. Those who recite or hear these slokas during daily worship, with full faith, focussing attention on His lotus feet, will attain Siddhi. All their obstacles are annihilated and ambitions in life fulfilled.

Mudā karāttamōdakam sadāvimukti sādhakam

kalādharāvatamsakam vilāsilōkarakśakam

Anāyakaikanāyakam vināśitèbhadaityakam

natāśubhāśunāśakam namāmitam vināyakam.

(Prostrations unto Lord Vinayaka, holder of mōdaka (confectionery ball) in hand; who rescues (his devotees) from the cycle of births and deaths; who wears the digit moon on his head; who is above all and none above him; who is the slayer of demons; and who is the annihilator of inauspiciousness of his worshippers).

Natètarātibhīkaram navōditārka bhāsvaram

namatsurārinirjaram natādhika paduddharam

Surèśvaram nidhīśvaram Gajèśvaram Ganèśvaram

Mahèśvaram tamāśrayè parātparam nirantaram.

(I ever seek refuge under Lord Ganèśa, who beams like the rising sun; who is adorable to both gods and demons; who is the god of gods; who is the god of wealth; who is elephant faced Ganèśwara; who is the supreme being and who is beyond the elements.)

Samastalōkaśankaram nirastadaityakunjaram

Darètarōdaram varam varèbhavaktramakśaram

Krpākaram kśamākaram mudākaram yaśaskaram

Manaskaram namaskrtām namaskarōmi bhāsvaram.

(Prostrations unto lord Ganèśa who does good to the entire worlds, who is the slayer of elephant bodied demon, who is immortal and best among gods, who is so merciful as to forgive sins of those who bow down to Him. He holds sweet confectionery ball in hand (symbolizing that He is the giver of sweet things in life to his worshippers); He (also) bestows fame. To that effulgent Lord I heartily pay my obeisance).

Akincanārtimārjanam cirantanōktibhājanam

Purāripurvanandanam surārigarvacarvañam

Prapancanāśa bhīsañam dhananjayādibhusañam

Kapōladānavārañam bhajè purāñavārañam.

(I meditate upon lord Ganèśa, who is the eldest son of Lord Śiva, who is the abode of Om; who symbolizes our ancient scriptures; who is the remover of the pains of the poor; the subduer of the pride of the demons, the terror of the world at the time of global dissolution; the wearer of Dhananjaya and other serpents as His waistband).

Nitāntakāntadantakāntimantakāntakātmajam

Acintya rupamantahīna mantarāya krntanam

Hrdantarè nirantaram vasantamèva yōginām

tamèkadantamèvatam vicintayāmi santatam.

(I worship that single tusked Lord Ganapati, who adorns a shining horn; who is the son of lord Śiva; who has an incomprehensible form; who is the remover of obstacles; and who constantly dwells in the hearts of the Yogis).

Mahāgañèśa pancaratnamādarèña yōnvaham

Prajalpati prabhātakè hrdismaran Gañèśvaram

Arōgatāmadōśatām susāhitīm suputratām

Samahitāyuraśtabhutimabhyupaiti sōcirāt.

(Whoever, during the early hours of morning, chants with devotion, these five gems of the great Ganeśa, meditating upon Him in the midst of heart, will be endowed with a healthy and unblemished life, ideal sons, longevity, spiritual and material prosperity).

Guide to symbols used

a = should be read as ‘u’ in the word ‘up’

ā = should be read with long breath as ‘a’ in the word ‘all’

ś = should be read as ‘sh’ in the word ‘shut’

s = should be read as ‘sha’ in the word ‘sharp’

ō = should be read with long breath as ‘o’ in ‘old’

c = should be read as ‘ch’ as in ‘chalk’

m = should sound like ‘m’ in ‘humble’

ñ = read ‘n’ as in the word ‘shunting’

ī = should be read as ‘ee’ as in the word ‘fee’

u =  should be read as ‘u’ in the word ‘bull’

u = italicized u should be read with a prolonged sound of  ‘oo’ as in the word ‘cool’

r = should be read as ‘ri’ as in the word ‘ritual’

e = should be read with short breath as in the words ‘net, met’ etc.

è = This should be read with a long breath as ‘e ’ in the word  ‘they’