Shri Ganesh Chalisa

Salutations to Ganesha, the abode of all good qualities, gracious to the poet’s mouth, remover of obstacles and bestower of auspiciousness—victory, victory to the son of Girija.

Victory, victory, victory to Ganesha, the king of the hosts, who fills all with auspiciousness and accomplishes all blessed deeds.

Victory to the elephant-faced Lord, the giver of happiness in every home, the lord of the universe and the creator of intellect.

With your curved trunk and pure, beautiful proboscis, with the tilak and three horizontal ash-marks on your forehead, you delight the mind.

Adorned with a necklace of gems and pearls upon your chest, a golden crown on your head, and large, compassionate eyes.

In your hands you hold a book, an axe and a trident; your offerings are sweet modakas and fragrant flowers.

Your body is clad in beautiful yellow silk, and the sandals upon your feet shine in the meditation of the sages.

Blessed are you, O son of Shiva, brother of the six-faced Kartikeya, beloved child of Gauri, and renowned throughout the universe.

Goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi wave the chauri for you, and your mouse vehicle shines gracefully at your door.

I now recount your sacred birth story, which is most wonderful and supremely auspicious.

Once, the daughter of the Mountain King, Parvati, performed intense penance for the sake of a son.

When that matchless sacrifice was completed, you arrived, taking the form of a twice-born Brahmin.

Recognizing you as a guest, the joyful Gauri served you with every kind of devotion.

Being greatly pleased, you granted her a boon: “The penance your mother performed for a son shall bear fruit.

You shall have a son endowed with vast intelligence, born without the need of conception at this time.

He shall be the leader of the hosts, a treasure of virtue and knowledge, worshipped first among all, the very form of the Lord.”

Having spoken thus, you vanished, and immediately a baby appeared upon the cradle.

Seeing the baby, everyone smiled with joy; their hearts were filled with boundless happiness.

Shiva and Uma took turns holding him on their laps, while from the sky the gods rained down flowers.

Every realm celebrated with great festivity; conches and shehnais resounded within the temple.

Then the sages performed the naming ceremony and bestowed the auspicious name Shri Ganesha.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma distributed abundant gifts; gods, humans and sages all experienced great joy.

One day, the wise Shani arrived, and seeing the baby’s form he was delighted.

Shani gazed upon that form and obtained all bliss, but as he turned his glance aside, the head flew off and vanished into the sky.

A cry of despair arose on Mount Kailash: “Shani’s glance has brought about this destruction!”

Immediately Lord Vishnu mounted Garuda and sped forth; cutting off the head of a cloud‑elephant with his discus, he brought it back.

He joined the head to the baby’s body, infused life into it, and then rejoiced.

He first gave him the name Gananayaka, and made him a treasury of wisdom and a temple of all virtues.

Worshipped first by all, famous throughout the world, he fulfills every desire.

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva) all worship him; together they bow their heads at his feet.

He is the destroyer of obstacles and the bestower of all that is auspicious; he removes every affliction of his devotees.

Riddhi and Siddhi shine ever beside him; gods and demons all serve him constantly.

Whoever recites this prayer and meditates upon it daily attains the supreme state of wisdom.

He gains wealth, grain and all kinds of happiness; he receives the great joy of sons and grandsons.

All distress is cut away and every danger is destroyed for one who sings the Ganesh Chalisa.

Whoever rises each day and recites this with devotion attains the fulfillment of all desires.

Ghosts and evil spirits never come near when the name of the mighty Lord is chanted.

Year after year happiness comes to the person who recites this text.

O bestower of pure intellect upon the lotus‑like lineage of poets, victory to Ganesha, giver of all joy.

A wise person obtains the four great aims of life by singing the virtues of Ganesha.

Please grant refuge at your feet to this servant; remove my troubles and show me your mercy.

Whoever recites this Shri Ganesh Chalisa shall have new and fresh auspiciousness dwell in his home, and he shall obtain all happiness and prosperity.

The thousand‑headed serpent Shesha and Goddess Saraswati meditate upon and sing your virtues. O Lord, friend of the lowly and compassionate, please bestow the gift of devotion.