The Hymn to Ganapati

Verse 1 (padma.1.63.1)

पुलस्त्य उवाच। एतस्मिन्नंतरे पूर्वं व्यासशिष्यो महामुनिः। नमस्कृत्य गुरुं भीष्म संजयः परिपृच्छति

pulastya uvāca. etasminnaṁtare pūrvaṁ vyāsaśiṣyo mahāmuniḥ. namaskṛtya guruṁ bhīṣma saṁjayaḥ paripṛcchati

Pulastya said: At that time, formerly, the great sage Sanjaya, disciple of Vyasa, bowing to his teacher Bhishma, asked him thus.

Verse 2 (padma.1.63.2)

देवानां पूजनोपायं क्रमं ब्रूहि सुनिश्चितम्। अग्रे पूज्यतमः कोसौ को मध्यो नित्यपूजने

devānāṁ pūjanopāyaṁ kramaṁ brūhi suniścitam. agre pūjyatamaḥ kosau ko madhyo nityapūjane

"Tell me with certainty the method and order of worshipping the gods — who among them is to be worshipped first, and who in the middle, in daily worship?"

Verse 3 (padma.1.63.3)

अंते च पूजा कस्यैव कस्य को वा प्रभावकः। किंवा कं च फलं ब्रह्मन्पूजयित्वा लभेन्नरः

aṁte ca pūjā kasyaiva kasya ko vā prabhāvakaḥ. kiṁvā kaṁ ca phalaṁ brahmanpūjayitvā labhennaraḥ

"And whose worship comes at the end, and who has what power? Also, O Brahman, what fruit does a man obtain by worshipping each?"

Verse 4 (padma.1.63.4)

व्यास उवाच। गणेशं पूजयेदग्रे त्वविघ्नार्थं परे त्विह। विनायकत्वमाप्नोति यथा गौरीसुतो हि सः

vyāsa uvāca. gaṇeśaṁ pūjayedagre tvavighnārthaṁ pare tviha. vināyakatvamāpnoti yathā gaurīsuto hi saḥ

Vyasa said: "One should worship Ganesha first, here, for the removal of obstacles in what follows — for he, the son of Gauri, has attained the state of Vinayaka, the remover of obstacles."

Verse 5 (padma.1.63.5)

पार्वत्यजनयत्पूर्वं सुतौ महेश्वरादिमौ। सर्वलोकधरौ शूरौ देवौ स्कंदगणाधिपौ

pārvatyajanayatpūrvaṁ sutau maheśvarādimau. sarvalokadharau śūrau devau skaṁdagaṇādhipau

"Parvati earlier bore two sons by Maheshvara — both supporters of all the worlds, heroic gods: Skanda and Ganadhipa (Ganesha)."

Verse 6 (padma.1.63.6)

तौ च दृष्ट्वा नगसुता सिध्यर्थं पर्यभाषत। इदं तु मोदकं पुत्रौ देवैर्दत्तं मुदान्वितैः

tau ca dṛṣṭvā nagasutā sidhyarthaṁ paryabhāṣata. idaṁ tu modakaṁ putrau devairdattaṁ mudānvitaiḥ

"Seeing the two of them, the mountain's daughter, for the sake of a test, said: 'This sweet, O sons, was given by the joyful gods.'"

Verse 7 (padma.1.63.7)

महाबुद्धीति विख्यातं सुधया परिनिर्मितम्। गुणं चास्य प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुतं तु समाहितौ

mahābuddhīti vikhyātaṁ sudhayā parinirmitam. guṇaṁ cāsya pravakṣyāmi śṛṇutaṁ tu samāhitau

"'It is famed as Mahabuddhi, great wisdom, and is fashioned entirely from nectar. I shall tell you its quality — listen attentively, both of you.'"

Verse 8 (padma.1.63.8)

अस्यैवाघ्राणमात्रेण अमरत्वं लभेद्ध्रुवम्। सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रकोविदः

asyaivāghrāṇamātreṇa amaratvaṁ labheddhruvam. sarvaśāstrārthatattvajñaḥ sarvaśastrāstrakovidaḥ

"'By merely smelling it, one certainly attains immortality — one becomes knower of the truth of every scripture, and skilled in every weapon.'"

Verse 9 (padma.1.63.9)

निपुणः सर्वतंत्रेषु लेखकश्चित्रकृत्सुधीः। ज्ञानविज्ञानतत्त्वज्ञः सर्वज्ञो नात्र संशयः

nipuṇaḥ sarvataṁtreṣu lekhakaścitrakṛtsudhīḥ. jñānavijñānatattvajñaḥ sarvajño nātra saṁśayaḥ

"'One becomes expert in every discipline, a skilled writer and painter, a knower of the truth of both sacred and worldly knowledge, and all-knowing — of this there is no doubt.'"

Verse 10 (padma.1.63.10)

पुत्रौ धर्मादधिकतां प्राप्य सिद्धिशतं व्रजेत्। यस्तस्य वै प्रदास्यामि पितुस्ते संमतं त्विदम्

putrau dharmādadhikatāṁ prāpya siddhiśataṁ vrajet. yastasya vai pradāsyāmi pituste saṁmataṁ tvidam

"'O sons, whichever of you attains excellence through dharma shall obtain a hundred siddhis; to him I shall give this sweet — this is agreeable to your father too.'"

Verse 11 (padma.1.63.11)

श्रुत्वा मातृमुखादेवं वचः परमकोविदः। स्कंदस्तीर्थं ययौ सद्यः सर्वं त्रिभुवनस्थितं

śrutvā mātṛmukhādevaṁ vacaḥ paramakovidaḥ. skaṁdastīrthaṁ yayau sadyaḥ sarvaṁ tribhuvanasthitaṁ

Hearing this word from his mother's mouth, Skanda, most learned, at once set out to visit every sacred site in the three worlds.

Verse 12 (padma.1.63.12)

बर्हिणं स्वं समारुह्य त्वभिषेकः कृतः क्षणात्। पितरौ प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा लंबोदरधरस्सुधीः

barhiṇaṁ svaṁ samāruhya tvabhiṣekaḥ kṛtaḥ kṣaṇāt. pitarau pradakṣiṇaṁ kṛtvā laṁbodaradharassudhīḥ

Mounting his own peacock, he performed the bathing at every ford in an instant. Meanwhile the wise Lambodara circumambulated his parents.

Verse 13 (padma.1.63.13)

तत एव मुदायुक्तः पित्रोरेवाग्रत स्थितः। पुरतश्च तथा स्कंदो मे देहीति ब्रुवन्स्थितः

tata eva mudāyuktaḥ pitrorevāgrata sthitaḥ. purataśca tathā skaṁdo me dehīti bruvansthitaḥ

Then, filled with joy, Ganesha stood right before his parents; and Skanda too then came and stood before them, saying, 'Give it to me.'

Verse 14 (padma.1.63.14)

ततस्तु तौ समीक्ष्याथ पार्वती विस्मिताब्रवीत्। सर्वतीर्थाभिषेकैस्तु सर्वदेवैर्न तैस्तथा

tatastu tau samīkṣyātha pārvatī vismitābravīt. sarvatīrthābhiṣekaistu sarvadevairna taistathā

Then, looking at the two of them, Parvati, astonished, said: "'Not by bathing at every sacred ford, nor by worshipping all the gods in that way—'"

Verse 15 (padma.1.63.15)

सर्वयज्ञव्रतैर्मंत्रैर्योगैरन्यैर्यमैस्तथा। पित्रोरर्चाकृतः कोपि कलां नार्हति षोडशीम्

sarvayajñavratairmaṁtrairyogairanyairyamaistathā. pitrorarcākṛtaḥ kopi kalāṁ nārhati ṣoḍaśīm

"'—nor by every sacrifice, vow, mantra, other form of yoga, or observance — does any of these equal even a sixteenth part of the worship offered to one's own parents.'"

Verse 16 (padma.1.63.16)

तस्मात्सुतशतादेषोऽधिकः शतगुणैरपि। अतो ददामि हेरम्बे मोदकं देवनिर्मितम्

tasmātsutaśatādeṣo'dhikaḥ śataguṇairapi. ato dadāmi herambe modakaṁ devanirmitam

"'Therefore this one is superior to a hundred sons, a hundredfold over. Hence I give to Heramba this sweet fashioned by the gods.'"

Verse 17 (padma.1.63.17)

अस्यैव कारणादस्य अग्रे पूजा मखेषु च। वेदशास्त्रस्तवादौ च नित्यं पूजाविधासु च

asyaiva kāraṇādasya agre pūjā makheṣu ca. vedaśāstrastavādau ca nityaṁ pūjāvidhāsu ca

For this very reason, his worship comes first in sacrifices, at the start of Vedic recitation and hymns of praise, and always in the rites of worship.

Verse 18 (padma.1.63.18)

पार्वत्या सह भूतेशो ददौ तस्मै वरं महत्। अस्यैव पूजनादग्रे देवास्तुष्टा भवंतु च

pārvatyā saha bhūteśo dadau tasmai varaṁ mahat. asyaiva pūjanādagre devāstuṣṭā bhavaṁtu ca

Together with Parvati, the Lord of Beings gave him a great boon: "'By the worship of this one first, may all the gods become satisfied.'"

Verse 19 (padma.1.63.19)

सर्वासामपि देवीनां पितॄणां च समंततः। तपो भवतु नित्यं च पूजितेऽग्रे गणेश्वरे

sarvāsāmapi devīnāṁ pitṝṇāṁ ca samaṁtataḥ. tapo bhavatu nityaṁ ca pūjite'gre gaṇeśvare

"'And likewise for all goddesses and ancestors everywhere — when the Lord of the Ganas is worshipped first, may their austerities become eternally fruitful.'"

Verse 20 (padma.1.63.20)

ततः सर्वेषु यज्ञेषु पूजयेद्गणपं द्विजः। कोटिकोटिगुणं तेषु देवदेवी वचो यथा

tataḥ sarveṣu yajñeṣu pūjayedgaṇapaṁ dvijaḥ. koṭikoṭiguṇaṁ teṣu devadevī vaco yathā

Therefore, in all sacrifices, the twice-born should worship Ganapa — for merit multiplied ten million times over follows from it, as spoken by the God and Goddess.

Verse 21 (padma.1.63.21)

दत्वा सर्वगुणं पुण्यं देवदेव्या तथा मुदा। कृतं गणाधिपत्यं च सर्वदेवाग्रतस्तदा

datvā sarvaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ devadevyā tathā mudā. kṛtaṁ gaṇādhipatyaṁ ca sarvadevāgratastadā

Having thus, with joy, granted him every virtue and merit, the God and Goddess then, before all the gods, established him in the lordship of the Ganas.

Verse 22 (padma.1.63.22)

तस्मात्प्राज्येषु यज्ञेषु स्तोत्रेषु नित्यपूजने। गणेशं पूजयित्वा तु सर्वसिद्धिं लभेन्नरः

tasmātprājyeṣu yajñeṣu stotreṣu nityapūjane. gaṇeśaṁ pūjayitvā tu sarvasiddhiṁ labhennaraḥ

Therefore, in great sacrifices, in hymns of praise, and in daily worship, a man who worships Ganesha obtains every accomplishment.

Verse 23 (padma.1.63.23)

एवं ज्ञात्वा तु देवैस्तु दयितप्राप्ति काम्यया। पूजितश्चाथसर्वैस्तु स्वर्गमोक्षार्थतो ध्रुवम्

evaṁ jñātvā tu devaistu dayitaprāpti kāmyayā. pūjitaścāthasarvaistu svargamokṣārthato dhruvam

Knowing this, the gods too, desiring what was dear to them, worshipped him; thus he is certainly worshipped by all for the sake of heaven and liberation.

Verse 24 (padma.1.63.24)

नक्ताहारश्चतुर्थ्यां तु पूजयित्वा गणाधिपं। लिंगे वा प्रतिमा चित्रे देवः पूज्यो भवेद्यदि

naktāhāraścaturthyāṁ tu pūjayitvā gaṇādhipaṁ. liṁge vā pratimā citre devaḥ pūjyo bhavedyadi

Taking only a single meal at night on the fourth lunar day, one should worship the Lord of the Ganas — whether the deity is worshipped in a linga, an image, or a painting.

Verse 25 (padma.1.63.25)

गणाधिप नमस्तुभ्यं सर्वविघ्नप्रशांतिद। उमानंदप्रद प्राज्ञ त्राहि मां भवसागरात्

gaṇādhipa namastubhyaṁ sarvavighnapraśāṁtida. umānaṁdaprada prājña trāhi māṁ bhavasāgarāt

"O Lord of the Ganas, salutations to you, giver of the peace of every obstacle! O wise one, giver of joy to Uma — save me from the ocean of worldly existence."

Verse 26 (padma.1.63.26)

हरानंदकरध्यान ज्ञानविज्ञानद प्रभो। विघ्नराज नमस्तुभ्यं प्रसन्नो भव सर्वदा

harānaṁdakaradhyāna jñānavijñānada prabho. vighnarāja namastubhyaṁ prasanno bhava sarvadā

"O Lord whose meditation brings joy to Hara, giver of knowledge and wisdom! O King of Obstacles, salutations to you — be ever gracious."

Verse 27 (padma.1.63.27)

कृतोपवासो गणपं पूजयेद्यो नरो मुदा। सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः सुरलोके महीयते

kṛtopavāso gaṇapaṁ pūjayedyo naro mudā. sarvapāpavinirmuktaḥ suraloke mahīyate

The man who, having kept a fast, worships Ganapa with joy, becomes freed from all sin and is honored in the world of the gods.

Verse 28 (padma.1.63.28)

स्तोत्रं तस्य प्रवक्ष्यामि नामद्वादशकं शुभं। ॐ नमो गणपतये मंत्र एष उदाहृतः

stotraṁ tasya pravakṣyāmi nāmadvādaśakaṁ śubhaṁ. oṁ namo gaṇapataye maṁtra eṣa udāhṛtaḥ

I shall now declare his auspicious hymn of twelve names. "Om, salutation to Ganapati" — this is the mantra proclaimed.

Verse 29 (padma.1.63.29)

गणपतिर्विघ्नराजो लंबतुंडो गजाननः। द्वैमातुरश्च हेरम्ब एकदंतो गणाधिपः

gaṇapatirvighnarājo laṁbatuṁḍo gajānanaḥ. dvaimāturaśca heramba ekadaṁto gaṇādhipaḥ

Ganapati, Vighnaraja, Lambatunda the long-trunked, Gajanana the elephant-faced, Dvaimatura the twice-mothered, Heramba, Ekadanta the single-tusked, Ganadhipa—

Verse 30 (padma.1.63.30)

विनायकश्चारुकर्णः पशुपालो भवात्मजः। द्वादशैतानि नामानि प्रातरुत्थाय यः पठेत्

vināyakaścārukarṇaḥ paśupālo bhavātmajaḥ. dvādaśaitāni nāmāni prātarutthāya yaḥ paṭhet

—Vinayaka, Charukarna the lovely-eared, Pashupala the protector of creatures, Bhavatmaja the son of Bhava: these are the twelve names; whoever rises in the morning and recites them—

Verse 31 (padma.1.63.31)

विश्वं तस्य भवेद्वश्यं न च विघ्नं भवेत्क्वचित्। महाप्रेताश्शमं यांति पीड्यते व्याधिभिर्न च। सर्वपापाद्विनिर्मुक्तो ह्यक्षयं स्वर्गमश्नुते

viśvaṁ tasya bhavedvaśyaṁ na ca vighnaṁ bhavetkvacit. mahāpretāśśamaṁ yāṁti pīḍyate vyādhibhirna ca. sarvapāpādvinirmukto hyakṣayaṁ svargamaśnute

—the whole world becomes subject to him and no obstacle ever befalls him; great malevolent spirits are pacified and he is not afflicted by disease; freed from every sin, he attains the imperishable heaven.