Shri Ganesh Chalisa

Hail Ganapati, home of virtues, gracious-faced and kind.

Remover of obstacles, maker of blessings — hail, hail, son of Girija.

Hail, hail, hail Ganapati, king of ganas, filler of blessings, maker of good deeds.

Hail elephant-faced home of bliss, giver of joy, Vinayaka of the universe, ordainer of wisdom.

Lovely curved trunk and pure proboscis; the tripundra mark on your brow delights the heart.

A garland of jewels and pearls shines on your chest; golden crown on head, wide eyes.

Book, axe and trident in hand; modaks offered with fragrant flowers.

Beautiful yellow garment adorns your body; sandalled feet shine in sages’ hearts.

Blessed son of Shiva, brother of six-faced Kartikeya, Gauri’s darling, world-famed.

Riddhi-Siddhi wave fly-whisks for you; the mouse-vehicle stands splendid at your door.

Let me tell your blessed birth-story, so pure, holy and auspicious.

Once Giriraj’s daughter performed stern penance longing for a son.

When the matchless sacrifice was complete, you arrived in Brahmin guise.

Knowing you a guest, Gauri joyfully served you in many ways.

Well pleased, you granted the boon earned by a mother’s penance for a son.

You shall have a wise son, without bearing him in the womb, here and now.

Leader of ganas, treasury of virtue and wisdom, worshipped first, God himself.

So saying, you vanished, then appeared as a babe in the cradle.

When as a babe you began to cry, Gauri’s joy at your face knew no bounds.

All were rapt, singing joyful blessings; gods showered flowers from the sky.

Shambhu and Uma showered lavish gifts; gods and sages came to see the child.

Beholding the festive joy, even King Shani came to see.

Mindful of his own flaw, Shani wished not to look upon the child.

Girija took it amiss — does my festival not please Shani?

Shani said with shy heart: very well, let the child be shown to me.

Uma’s heart trusted not; yet she bade Shani look upon the child.

The instant Shani’s sidelong glance fell, the child’s head flew to the sky.

Girija fell distraught upon the earth; that grief beggars description.

Lamentation broke over Kailash, seeing Shani destroy her son.

At once Vishnu mounted Garuda and went; severing an elephant’s head with his discus, he brought it.

He set it upon the child’s torso, and Shankar breathed life with sacred mantras.

Then Shambhu named him Ganesh, granting first worship and wisdom’s treasure.

When Shiva tested their wisdom, bidding them circle the earth...

Kartikeya set off wandering, while you sat devising a clever plan.

You grasped your parents’ feet and circled them seven times.

“Blessed Ganesha!” cried Shiva, rejoicing, as gods showered flowers from the sky.

Your glory and greatness of wisdom even thousand-mouthed Shesha cannot sing.

Witless, impure, afflicted am I; how can I ever praise you?

Sings Ramsundar, the Lord’s servant — in the world, at Prayag, Kakara, Durvasa.

Now, Lord, show mercy to the lowly; grant some of your devotion and power.

Whoever recites this Ganesh Chalisa with focused meditation finds ever-new blessings dwelling in the home and honour in the world. In Samvat one thousand ten, on Rishi Panchami Sunday, the Chalisa to auspicious-form Ganesha was completed.