The Greatness of Mahāvināyaka

Verse 1 (skanda.7.416.1)

पुलस्त्य उवाच महाविनायकं गच्छेत्ततः पार्थिवसत्तम यस्मिन्दृष्टे नृणां सद्यो निर्विघ्नत्वं प्रजायते

pulastya uvāca mahāvināyakaṁ gacchettataḥ pārthivasattama yasmindṛṣṭe nṛṇāṁ sadyo nirvighnatvaṁ prajāyate

Pulastya said: Then, O best of kings, one should go to Mahavinayaka, seeing whom men instantly become free from obstacles.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.416.2)

ययातिरुवाच कथं महत्त्वमगमत्पूर्वं तत्र विनायकः कस्मिन्काले द्विजश्रेष्ठ सर्वं विस्तरतो वद

yayātiruvāca kathaṁ mahattvamagamatpūrvaṁ tatra vināyakaḥ kasminkāle dvijaśreṣṭha sarvaṁ vistarato vada

Yayati said: How did Vinayaka formerly attain such greatness there? At what time, O best of the twice-born? Tell me all in full.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.416.3)

पुलस्त्य उवाच पुरोद्वर्त्तनजं लेपं गृहीत्वा नृप पार्वती विनोदार्थं चकाराथ बालकं सुकुमारकम्

pulastya uvāca purodvarttanajaṁ lepaṁ gṛhītvā nṛpa pārvatī vinodārthaṁ cakārātha bālakaṁ sukumārakam

Pulastya said: Taking the exfoliating paste used before her bath, O king, Parvati, for amusement, then made a small, delicate child-figure.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.416.4)

लेपाभावाच्छिरोहीनं शेषांगावयवं नृप यथोक्तं निर्मयित्वा तं स्कन्दं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्

lepābhāvācchirohīnaṁ śeṣāṁgāvayavaṁ nṛpa yathoktaṁ nirmayitvā taṁ skandaṁ vākyamathābravīt

For lack of paste, it was headless, with the rest of its limbs complete, O king. Having thus fashioned it, she then spoke these words to Skanda:

Verse 5 (skanda.7.416.5)

लेपमानय भद्रं ते शिरोऽर्थं स्कन्द सत्वरम् येनायं पुत्रको मे स्याद्भ्राता ते परदुर्जयः

lepamānaya bhadraṁ te śiro'rthaṁ skanda satvaram yenāyaṁ putrako me syādbhrātā te paradurjayaḥ

Bring paste, blessed be you, for the sake of a head, O Skanda, quickly — so that this little son of mine, your brother, may be unconquerable by enemies.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.416.6)

ततो गौरीसमादेशाल्लेपालब्धौ नृपोत्तम मत्तं गजवरं दृष्ट्वा शिरस्तस्य समानयत्

tato gaurīsamādeśāllepālabdhau nṛpottama mattaṁ gajavaraṁ dṛṣṭvā śirastasya samānayat

Then, at Gauri's command, O best of kings, having obtained the paste, seeing an excellent rutting elephant, he brought its head,

Verse 7 (skanda.7.416.7)

तस्मिन्नियोजयामास गात्रे लेपसमुद्भवे महद्धीदं शिरो भावि पुत्र कस्मात्त्वयाऽऽहृतम्

tasminniyojayāmāsa gātre lepasamudbhave mahaddhīdaṁ śiro bhāvi putra kasmāttvayā''hṛtam

and fitted it onto that body arisen from the paste. This shall be a great head, my son — from where have you brought it?

Verse 8 (skanda.7.416.8)

ब्रुवंत्याश्चापि पार्वत्या मा मेति च मुहुर्मुहुः न्यस्ते शिरसि तद्गात्रे दैवयोगान्नराधिप

bruvaṁtyāścāpi pārvatyā mā meti ca muhurmuhuḥ nyaste śirasi tadgātre daivayogānnarādhipa

Even as Parvati was saying, again and again, 'not this, not this' — when the head was placed upon that body, by the working of fate, O lord of men,

Verse 9 (skanda.7.416.9)

विशेषान्नायकत्वं च गात्रेभ्यः समजायत बालकप्रतिमं कान्तं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम्

viśeṣānnāyakatvaṁ ca gātrebhyaḥ samajāyata bālakapratimaṁ kāntaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam

an especial quality of leadership arose from his limbs — resembling a child, charming, marked with all auspicious signs,

Verse 10 (skanda.7.416.10)

त्रिगंभीरं चतुर्हस्तं सप्तरक्तं महीपते षडुन्नतं पञ्चदीर्घं पश्चसूक्ष्मं सुसुन्दरम्

trigaṁbhīraṁ caturhastaṁ saptaraktaṁ mahīpate ṣaḍunnataṁ pañcadīrghaṁ paścasūkṣmaṁ susuṁdaram

three deep in parts, four-handed, seven red in parts, O lord of the earth, six elevated, five long, five subtle, most beautiful,

Verse 11 (skanda.7.416.11)

त्रिविस्तीर्णं महाराज दृष्ट्वा गौरी सुविस्मिता सजीवं कारयामास स्वशक्त्या शक्तिरूपिणी

trivistīrṇaṁ mahārāja dṛṣṭvā gaurī suvismitā sajīvaṁ kārayāmāsa svaśaktyā śaktirūpiṇī

three broad in parts — seeing this, O great king, Gauri, greatly astonished, being herself of Shakti-form, by her own power made him alive.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.416.12)

स सजीवः कृतो देव्या समुत्तस्थौ च तत्क्षणात् आदेशं याचयामास विनयानतकन्धरः

sa sajīvaḥ kṛto devyā samuttasthau ca tatkṣaṇāt ādeśaṁ yācayāmāsa vinayānatakandharaḥ

Made alive by the Goddess, he rose up at once, and, his neck bowed in humility, sought her command.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.416.13)

तं दृष्ट्वा चाद्भुताकारं प्रोक्त्वा पुत्रं मुहुर्मुहुः शंभोः सकाशमनयत्प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना

taṁ dṛṣṭvā cādbhutākāraṁ proktvā putraṁ muhurmuhuḥ śaṁbhoḥ sakāśamanayatprahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

Seeing his wondrous form, calling him 'son' again and again, she brought him, with an inwardly delighted heart, into the presence of Shambhu.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.416.14)

ततोऽब्रवीत्सुतं देव ममैव गात्रलेपजम् देहि देव वरानित्थं महत्त्वं येन गच्छति

tato'bravītsutaṁ deva mamaiva gātralepajam dehi deva varānitthaṁ mahattvaṁ yena gacchati

Then she said to the God: This one, O God, born of my own body's paste — grant him boons in such a way that greatness may come to him.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.416.15)

श्रीभगवानुवाच शरीरस्थं शिरो मुख्यं यस्मात्पर्वतनन्दिनि महत्त्विदं शिरः प्रोक्तं त्वया स्कन्देन योजितम्

śrībhagavānuvāca śarīrasthaṁ śiro mukhyaṁ yasmātparvatanandini mahattvidaṁ śiraḥ proktaṁ tvayā skandena yojitam

Shri Bhagavan said: Since the head is the chief part situated in the body, O daughter of the mountain, this head, which has been fitted by you together with Skanda, is declared great.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.416.16)

विशेषान्नायकत्वं च गात्रे चास्य यतः स्थितम् महाविनायको ह्येष तस्मान्नाम्ना भविष्यति

viśeṣānnāyakatvaṁ ca gātre cāsya yataḥ sthitam mahāvināyako hyeṣa tasmānnāmnā bhaviṣyati

And since a special quality of leadership is established in his body, therefore this one shall become, by name, Maha-vinayaka.

Verse 17 (skanda.7.416.17)

गणानां चैव सर्वेषामाधिपत्यं नगात्मजे अस्य दत्तं मया यस्माद्भविष्यति गणाधिपः

gaṇānāṁ caiva sarveṣāmādhipatyaṁ nagātmaje asya dattaṁ mayā yasmādbhaviṣyati gaṇādhipaḥ

And, O daughter of the mountain, lordship over all the Ganas has been given by me to him; therefore he shall become the lord of the Ganas.

Verse 18 (skanda.7.416.18)

सर्वकार्येषु ये मर्त्याः पूर्वमेनं गणाधिपम् स्मरिष्यंति न वै तेषां कार्यहानिर्भविष्यति

sarvakāryeṣu ye martyāḥ pūrvamenaṁ gaṇādhipam smariṣyaṁti na vai teṣāṁ kāryahānirbhaviṣyati

Those mortals who, in all undertakings, first remember this lord of the Ganas — for them there shall be no failure of the undertaking.

Verse 19 (skanda.7.416.19)

ततोऽस्य प्रददौ स्कन्दः प्रक्रीडार्थं कुठारकम् तदेव चायुधं तस्य सुप्रियं हि सदाऽभवत्

tato'sya pradadau skandaḥ prakrīḍārthaṁ kuṭhārakam tadeva cāyudhaṁ tasya supriyaṁ hi sadā'bhavat

Then Skanda gave him a small axe for play; and that itself always remained his most beloved weapon.

Verse 20 (skanda.7.416.20)

ततो गौरी ददौ भोज्यपात्रं मोदकपूरितम् पुत्रस्नेहात्स तत्प्राप्य लास्यमेवं तदाऽकरोत्

tato gaurī dadau bhojyapātraṁ modakapūritam putrasnehātsa tatprāpya lāsyamevaṁ tadā'karot

Then Gauri gave him a bowl of food filled with modakas; receiving it out of love for her son, he then performed a dance of joy.

Verse 21 (skanda.7.416.21)

तस्य भक्ष्यस्य गन्धेन निष्क्रान्तो मूषको बिलात् भक्षणाच्चामरो जातस्तस्य वाह्यो व्यजायत

tasya bhakṣyasya gandhena niṣkrānto mūṣako bilāt bhakṣaṇāccāmaro jātastasya vāhyo vyajāyata

By the fragrance of that food, a mouse came out from its hole; through that encounter it became his mount.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.416.22)

पुलस्त्य उवाच महाविनायको ह्येवं तत्र जातो मही पते तस्मिन्दृष्टे च यत्पुण्यं तत्त्वमेकमनाः शृणु

pulastya uvāca mahāvināyako hyevaṁ tatra jāto mahī pate tasmindṛṣṭe ca yatpuṇyaṁ tattvamekamanāḥ śṛṇu

Pulastya said: Thus was Mahavinayaka born there, O lord of the earth. Hear now, with a single-pointed mind, what merit there is in seeing him.

Verse 23 (skanda.7.416.23)

बाल्ये वयसि यत्पापं वार्द्धके यौवनेऽपि यत् करोति मानवो राजंस्तस्मात्पापात्प्रमुच्यते

bālye vayasi yatpāpaṁ vārddhake yauvane'pi yat karoti mānavo rājaṁstasmātpāpātpramucyate

Whatever sin a man commits in the age of childhood, in old age, or even in youth, O king — from that sin he is released.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.416.24)

माघमासे सिते पक्षे चतुर्थ्यां समुपोषितः यस्तं पश्यति वाग्ग्मी स सर्वज्ञश्च प्रजायते तस्याग्रे सुमहत्कुण्डं स्वच्छोदकपूरितम्

māghamāse site pakṣe caturthyāṁ samupoṣitaḥ yastaṁ paśyati vāggmī sa sarvajñaśca prajāyate tasyāgre sumahatkuṇḍaṁ svacchodakapūritam

In the month of Magha, in the bright fortnight, on the fourth day, having fasted, whoever sees him becomes eloquent and all-knowing. In front of him there is a very great tank, filled with clear water.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.416.25)

तत्र स्नात्वा नरो भक्त्या यः पश्यति विनायकम् तस्यान्वयेऽपि सर्वज्ञा जायन्ते मानवा नृप

tatra snātvā naro bhaktyā yaḥ paśyati vināyakam tasyānvaye'pi sarvajñā jāyaṁte mānavā nṛpa

Bathing there, a man who beholds Vinayaka with devotion — in his lineage too, men are born all-knowing, O king.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.416.26)

गणानां त्वेति मंत्रेण कृत्वा वै त्रिः प्रदक्षिणम् यस्तं पश्यति राजेन्द्र दुरितं न स पश्यति

gaṇānāṁ tveti maṁtreṇa kṛtvā vai triḥ pradakṣiṇam yastaṁ paśyati rājendra duritaṁ na sa paśyati

Having performed threefold circumambulation with the mantra 'gaṇānāṁ tvā' — whoever beholds him, O king of kings, does not behold misfortune.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.416.27)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन तं प्रपश्येद्विनायकम् य इच्छेत्सकलान्कामानिह लोके परत्र च

tasmātsarvaprayatnena taṁ prapaśyedvināyakam ya icchetsakalānkāmāniha loke paratra ca

Therefore, with all effort, one should behold that Vinayaka, whoever desires all wishes in this world and the next.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.416.28)

गृहस्थोऽपि च यो भक्त्या स्मरेत्कार्य उपस्थिते अविघ्नं तस्य तत्सर्वं संसिद्धिमुपगच्छति

gṛhastho'pi ca yo bhaktyā smaretkārya upasthite avighnaṁ tasya tatsarvaṁ saṁsiddhimupagacchati

And a householder too, who with devotion remembers him when a task is at hand — all of that becomes free from obstacles and attains success for him.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.416.29)

प्रातरुत्थाय यो मर्त्यः स्मरेद्देवं विनायकम् तस्य तद्दिनजातानि सिद्धिं कृत्यानि यांति हि

prātarutthāya yo martyaḥ smareddevaṁ vināyakam tasya taddinajātāni siddhiṁ kṛtyāni yāṁti hi

A mortal who, rising in the morning, remembers the god Vinayaka — the undertakings begun by him that day attain success indeed.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.416.30)

विवाहे कलहे युद्धे प्रस्थाने कृषिकर्मणि प्रवेशे च स्मरेद्यस्तु भक्तिपूर्वं विनायकम् तस्य तद्वांछितं सर्वं प्रसादात्तस्य सिद्ध्यति

vivāhe kalahe yuddhe prasthāne kṛṣikarmaṇi praveśe ca smaredyastu bhaktipūrvaṁ vināyakam tasya tadvāṁchitaṁ sarvaṁ prasādāttasya siddhyati

In marriage, in quarrel, in war, in setting out, in agricultural work, and upon entering a new venture — whoever remembers Vinayaka with devotion, everything desired by him is accomplished by his grace.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.416.31)

महाविनायकीं शांतिं यः करोति समाहितः न तं प्रेता ग्रहा रोगाः पीडयंति विनायकाः

mahāvināyakīṁ śāṁtiṁ yaḥ karoti samāhitaḥ na taṁ pretā grahā rogāḥ pīḍayaṁti vināyakāḥ

Whoever performs the Maha-vinayaka peace-rite with a composed mind — ghosts, planetary afflictions, diseases, and obstructing spirits do not trouble him.

Verse 32 (skanda.7.416.32)

ययातिरुवाच महावैनायिकीं शांतिं वद मे मुनिसत्तम के मंत्राः किं विधानं च परं कौतूहलं हि मे

yayātiruvāca mahāvaināyikīṁ śāṁtiṁ vada me munisattama ke maṁtrāḥ kiṁ vidhānaṁ ca paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi me

Yayati said: Tell me the Maha-vainayiki peace-rite, O best of sages — what mantras, what procedure? This is my great curiosity.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.416.33)

पुलस्त्य उवाच शुक्लपक्षे शुभे वारे नक्षत्रे दोषवर्जिते श्रेष्ठचंद्रबले शांतिं गणेशस्य समाचरेत्

pulastya uvāca śuklapakṣe śubhe vāre nakṣatre doṣavarjite śreṣṭhacaṁdrabale śāṁtiṁ gaṇeśasya samācaret

Pulastya said: In the bright fortnight, on an auspicious day, under a blemish-free constellation, with the best strength of the moon, one should perform the peace-rite of Ganesha.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.416.34)

पूर्वोत्तरे समे देशे कृत्वा वेदिं च मंडपम् मध्ये चाष्टदलं पद्मं गृह्यसूत्रं प्रयोजयेत्

pūrvottare same deśe kṛtvā vediṁ ca maṁḍapam madhye cāṣṭadalaṁ padmaṁ gṛhyasūtraṁ prayojayet

In an even plot in the northeast direction, having made an altar and pavilion, with an eight-petaled lotus in the middle, one should apply the householder's ritual procedure.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.416.35)

इन्द्रादिलोकपालांश्च दिक्षु सर्वासु भूपते गणेशपूर्विकाश्चापि मातरश्च विशेषतः

iṁdrādilokapālāṁśca dikṣu sarvāsu bhūpate gaṇeśapūrvikāścāpi mātaraśca viśeṣataḥ

Indra and the other guardians of the quarters in all directions, O lord of the earth, and especially the Mother-goddesses headed by Ganesha,

Verse 36 (skanda.7.416.36)

गंधपुष्पोपहारैश्च यथोक्तैर्बलिविस्तरैः श्वेतवस्त्रयुगच्छन्नं कलशं जलपूरितम्

gaṁdhapuṣpopahāraiśca yathoktairbalivistaraiḥ śvetavastrayugacchannaṁ kalaśaṁ jalapūritam

worshipped with sandal-paste, flower offerings, and elaborate oblations as prescribed; a water-pot covered with a pair of white cloths, filled with water —

Verse 37 (skanda.7.416.37)

तस्यैव पूर्वदिग्भागे सहिरण्यं फलान्वितम्

tasyaiva pūrvadigbhāge sahiraṇyaṁ phalānvitam

on its eastern side, place offerings together with gold and fruits.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.416.38)

गणानां त्वेति मंत्रेण सहस्रं चाष्टसंयुतम् जपेत्तत्र तथा चारून्पंचांगान्नृपसत्तम

gaṇānāṁ tveti maṁtreṇa sahasraṁ cāṣṭasaṁyutam japettatra tathā cārūnpaṁcāṁgānnṛpasattama

With the mantra 'gaṇānāṁ tvā,' one thousand and eight times, one should recite there, and likewise the beautiful five auxiliary formulas, O best of kings,

Verse 39 (skanda.7.416.39)

विनायकं समुद्दिश्य पुरः कुण्डे करात्मके चतुरस्रे योनियुते मेखलाभिर्विभूषिते

vināyakaṁ samuddiśya puraḥ kuṇḍe karātmake caturasre yoniyute mekhalābhirvibhūṣite

directed toward Vinayaka, in front, in a hand-shaped fire-pit, square, furnished with a yoni, adorned with girdle-bands.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.416.40)

मधुदूर्वाक्षतैहोमैर्ग्रहहोमादनंतरम् गणानां त्वेति मंत्रेण दशसाहस्रिकस्तथा

madhudūrvākṣataihomairgrahahomādanaṁtaram gaṇānāṁ tveti maṁtreṇa daśasāhasrikastathā

With oblations of honey, durva-grass, and unbroken rice, after the planetary homa, with the mantra 'gaṇānāṁ tvā,' ten thousand oblations likewise

Verse 41 (skanda.7.416.41)

कार्यो वै पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ कार्यश्चोदङ्मुखैर्द्विजैः चतुर्भिश्चतुरै राजन्पीतवस्त्रानुलेपनैः

kāryo vai pārthivaśreṣṭha kāryaścodaṅmukhairdvijaiḥ caturbhiścaturai rājanpītavastrānulepanaiḥ

should be performed, O best of kings, and it should be carried out by Brahmins facing north, four in number, skillful, wearing yellow garments and unguents,

Verse 42 (skanda.7.416.42)

पीतांबरधरैश्चैव धृतहेमांगुलीयकैः ततो होमावसाने तु यजमानं नृपोत्तम

pītāṁbaradharaiścaiva dhṛtahemāṁgulīyakaiḥ tato homāvasāne tu yajamānaṁ nṛpottama

clad in yellow robes, wearing gold rings. Then, at the conclusion of the homa, O best of kings, the sponsor of the rite,

Verse 43 (skanda.7.416.43)

मृगचर्मोपरिस्थं च मंत्रैरेभिर्विधानतः स्नापयेत्प्राङ्मुखं शांतं शुक्लवस्त्रावगुंठितम्

mṛgacarmoparisthaṁ ca mantrairebhirvidhānataḥ snāpayetprāṅmukhaṁ śāṁtaṁ śuklavastrāvaguṁṭhitam

seated upon a deerskin, should be bathed according to rule with these mantras, facing east, tranquil, wrapped in white cloth:

Verse 44 (skanda.7.416.44)

इमं मे गंगे यमुने पंचनद्यः सुपुष्करे श्रीसूक्तसहितं विष्णोः पावमानं वृषाकपिम्

imaṁ me gaṁge yamune paṁcanadyaḥ supuṣkare śrīsūktasahitaṁ viṣṇoḥ pāvamānaṁ vṛṣākapim

'O Ganga, Yamuna, the five rivers, O excellent Pushkara' — together with the Shri-sukta, and Vishnu's Pavamana and Vrishakapi hymns —

Verse 45 (skanda.7.416.45)

सम्यगुच्चार्य विघ्नानां ततो नाशं प्रपद्यते ग्रहाः सौम्यत्वमायांति भूता नश्यंति तत्क्षणात्

samyaguccārya vighnānāṁ tato nāśaṁ prapadyate grahāḥ saumyatvamāyāṁti bhūtā naśyaṁti tatkṣaṇāt

having properly recited these, thereupon destruction of obstacles is attained; planets become benign, evil spirits perish at that very instant.

Verse 46 (skanda.7.416.46)

आधयो व्याधयो रौद्रा दुष्टरोगा ज्वरादयः प्रणश्यंति द्रुतं सर्वे तथोत्पाताः सुदारुणाः

ādhayo vyādhayo raudrā duṣṭarogā jvarādayaḥ praṇaśyaṁti drutaṁ sarve tathotpātāḥ sudāruṇāḥ

Mental afflictions, terrible diseases, evil illnesses, fevers and the like, all swiftly perish, and likewise the most dreadful portents.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.416.47)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि विनायकस्य माहात्म्यं महत्त्वं शांतिकं तथा

etatte sarvamākhyātaṁ yanmāṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi vināyakasya māhātmyaṁ mahattvaṁ śāṁtikaṁ tathā

All this has been related to you, that which you asked me — the greatness of Vinayaka, his majesty, and the peace-rite.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.416.48)

यश्च कीर्त्तयते सम्यक्चतुर्थ्यां सुसमाहितः शृणोति वा नृपश्रेष्ठ तस्याऽविघ्नं सदा भवेत्

yaśca kīrttayate samyakcaturthyāṁ susamāhitaḥ śṛṇoti vā nṛpaśreṣṭha tasyā'vighnaṁ sadā bhavet

And whoever, well-composed, properly recites this on the fourth day, or hears it, O best of kings — for him there shall always be freedom from obstacles.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.416.49)

यंयं काममभिध्यायन्यजेच्चेदं समाहितः तत्तदाप्नोति नूनं च गणनाथप्रसादतः

yaṁyaṁ kāmamabhidhyāyanyajeccedaṁ samāhitaḥ tattadāpnoti nūnaṁ ca gaṇanāthaprasādataḥ

Whatever desire one contemplates and, with a composed mind, worships in this way — that indeed he surely obtains, by the grace of the Lord of the Ganas.