Shri Ashtavinayaka Stotram
A one-verse hymn naming the eight Ganesha shrines of Maharashtra, from Moreshwar at Morgaon to Ganapati at Ranjangaon, for lasting well-being.
Verses
May there be well-being. May Ganapati, leader of the Ganas and elephant-faced, always bring auspiciousness. He is Moreshwar at Morgaon, Siddhida (the giver of success) at Siddhatek, Ballala at Pali, Vinayaka at Mahad, Chintamani at Theur, Girijatmaja (the son of Girija, Parvati) on Lenyadri hill, the generous giver of boons Vighneshwar at Ozar, and Ganapati at Ranjangaon.
Verse 1
Thus ends the Ashtavinayaka Stotram.
Verse 2
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
The Ashtavinayaka are eight Ganesha shrines of Maharashtra, and ashta-vinayaka means the eight Vinayakas. Verse 1, the only verse of this stotram, names all eight with their villages, and the stotram is a favourite prayer before the pilgrimage or at the start of a new undertaking. The stories of the shrines are told in the Ganesha Purana, but this verse carries only the names and places, so it is short enough to learn by heart. The verse is in the Shardulavikridita metre, with nineteen syllables in each of its four quarters. The names follow the order of the traditional yatra, which begins at Morgaon and ends by returning there. The Sanskrit Documents edition gives no author for the verse, and none is claimed here. Its first word, svasti, and its last words, sada mangalam, ask for well-being.
Did You Know?
The pilgrimage in one verse
The shrines are named in the order of the traditional yatra: Morgaon, Siddhatek, Pali, Mahad, Theur, Lenyadri, Ozar and Ranjangaon. Pilgrims then return to Morgaon to complete the round.
A metre named for a tiger
Shardulavikridita means the sport of a tiger. Each quarter has nineteen syllables, with a pause after the twelfth, and the verse has the stately gait this metre is known for.
Eight forms, eight names
Moreshwar is the peacock-rider of Morgaon, Siddhida the Siddhivinayaka of Siddhatek, and Ballala the Ballaleshwar of Pali. Theur has Chintamani, the wish-fulfilling jewel, Lenyadri has Girijatmaja, and Ozar has Vighneshwar, the Lord of obstacles.
A shrine in a cave
Girijatmaja at Lenyadri is worshipped in a rock-cut cave of a hill that has many ancient Buddhist caves. The climb is more than three hundred steps.
Begin and end with grace
The verse opens with svasti and ends with kuryat sada mangalam, may Ganapati always bring auspiciousness. The short closing line that follows only marks the end of the text.
Ganesh
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