The Ganesh Pancharatnam (┬лMudakaratta Modakam┬╗) is a composition of Adi Shankaracharya тАФ five ┬лjewel┬╗ verses and a phalashruti. Its fast, rhythmic Panchachamara style makes it very popular for singing. As per the phalashruti, reciting it in the morning gives health, learning and long life.
ЁЯУЦ Full text тАФ with meaning
Tap ┬лRoman (English) script┬╗ to see the original Devanagari text.
Mudakarattamodakam Sada Vimuktisadhakam Kaladharavatansakam Vilasilokarakshakam |
Anayakaikanayakam Vinashitebhadaityakam Natashubhashunashakam Namami Tam Vinayakam ||1 ||
I bow to Vinayaka тАФ who joyfully holds a modaka in his hand, who is ever the means of liberation, who wears the moon as an ornament, who protects the people of the world, the one leader of those who have no leader, the destroyer of the elephant-demon, who quickly destroys the misfortune of those who bow to him.
I constantly take refuge in him тАФ terrifying to those who do not bow, radiant as the rising sun, worshipped by gods and demons, who rescues those who bow from great calamities; lord of gods, lord of treasures, lord of elephants, lord of the ganas, the great lord, beyond the highest.
I bow to the radiant one тАФ who brings welfare to all the worlds, who removed the demon-elephant (Gajamukhasura), big-bellied, the best, elephant-faced, imperishable, merciful, forgiving, giver of joy, giver of fame, giver of good understanding to those who bow.
I worship the ancient elephant тАФ who wipes away the pain of the destitute, the abode of the ancient (Vedic) words, the first son of Shiva (enemy of Tripura), who crushes the pride of demons, fearsome at the dissolution of the world, adorned with serpents like Dhananjaya, with mada flowing from his cheeks (like an elephant).
I ever meditate on that one-tusked one тАФ of exceedingly beautiful, shining tusk, son of Shiva (who ended Yama), of inconceivable form, endless, who cuts away obstacles, who dwells constantly in the hearts of yogis.
Whoever daily recites with reverence these five jewels of Mahaganesha in the morning, remembering Ganesha in the heart, soon attains health, freedom from faults, good learning (and good company), good children, long life and the eight kinds of prosperity.
ЁЯУ┐ Japa counter (mala of 108)
Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.
ЁЯУЕ Next auspicious days (from our panchang)
28 Oct (Wednesday)
4 Nov (Wednesday)
11 Nov (Wednesday)
13 Nov (Friday) тАФ Vinayaka Chaturthi
18 Nov (Wednesday)
25 Nov (Wednesday)
Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.
ЁЯкФ How to chant / recite
Time: Morning тАФ the phalashruti says ┬лprabhatake┬╗ (at dawn).
Method: Offer durva and modak to Ganesha and recite rhythmically.
Count: Once daily.
ЁЯЫХ Puja vidhi (step by step)
ЁЯз║ Items needed
Idol/picture of Ganesha
Durva grass (21 knots)
Red/yellow flowers, especially hibiscus
Sindoor, roli, akshata, janeu
Modak or boondi laddoo as bhog
Ghee lamp, incense
Banana/fruits, supari, betel leaf
Shami leaves (if available)
ЁЯк╖ Procedure
Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil тАФ by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa тАФ your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
Invoke Ganesha; bathe with water (and panchamrit) and offer a clean cloth/mauli.
Apply sindoor-roli tilak, offer akshata, janeu, flowers and 21 durva тАФ durva is considered very dear to Ganesha.
Offer modak/laddoo, then chant ┬лOm Gam Ganapataye Namah┬╗ or recite Ganesh Chalisa / Atharvashirsha.
Sing ┬лJai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Deva┬╗.
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.
тЪая╕П Rules & precautions
Tulsi is traditionally not offered in Ganesha puja (except on one day of Ganesh Chaturthi).
Seeing the moon on the night of Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi is avoided.
Remember Ganesha before every auspicious work, puja and journey.
Wednesday and both Chaturthis (Vinayaka and Sankashti) are special for Ganesha.
ЁЯМЯ Benefits (as per tradition)
Phalashruti: health, freedom from faults, good learning, good children, long life and the eight prosperities (verse 6).
A prayer for removal of obstacles and good understanding.
These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.
тЭУ Frequently asked questions
Who wrote the Ganesh Pancharatnam?
Adi Shankaracharya.
When should it be recited?
In the morning; specially on Wednesdays and Chaturthi.
