🕉 Ganpati Atharvashirsha

📜 Ganpati Atharvashirsha

Stotra

SourceAtharvaveda (Ganapati Upanishad)

LanguageVedic Sanskrit

SectionsShanti-patha + 14

Recitation timeabout 6–8 minutes

Special daysWednesday, Chaturthi, Ganesh Chaturthi

MantraOm Gam Ganapataye Namah

The Ganpati Atharvashirsha is an Upanishad of the Atharvaveda tradition in which Ganesha is praised not merely as the remover of obstacles but as Brahman itself — the five elements and the consciousness beyond the three gunas. It contains the famous Ganesha Gayatri («Ekadantaya Vidmahe») and explains the seed mantra «Om Gam». In Maharashtra, 21 or 1,000 recitations during Ganeshotsav are a tradition.

📖 Full text — with meaning

Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः। भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः। स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवांसस्तनूभिः। व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः॥ स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः। स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः। स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः। स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु॥ ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om Bhadram Karnebhih Shrinuyama Devah | Bhadram Pashyemakshabhiryajatrah | Sthirairangaistushtuvansastanubhih | Vyashema Devahitam Yadayuh || Svasti Na Indro Vriddhashravah | Svasti Nah Pusha Vishvavedah | Svasti Nastarkshyo Arishtanemih | Svasti No Brihaspatirdadhatu || Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||

Shanti-patha: O gods, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious and see with our eyes what is auspicious; praising you with steady limbs and body, may we enjoy the life granted by the gods. May glorious Indra, all-knowing Pushan, Garuda (Arishtanemi) and Brihaspati bless us. Peace, peace, peace.

ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये। त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि। त्वमेव केवलं कर्ताऽसि। त्वमेव केवलं धर्ताऽसि। त्वमेव केवलं हर्ताऽसि। त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्मासि। त्वं साक्षादात्माऽसि नित्यम्॥१॥

Om Namaste Ganapataye | Tvameva Pratyaksham Tattvamasi | Tvameva Kevalam Karta'si | Tvameva Kevalam Dharta'si | Tvameva Kevalam Harta'si | Tvameva Sarvam Khalvidam Brahmasi | Tvam Sakshadatma'si Nityam ||1 ||

Salutations to you, Ganapati. You alone are the visible truth; you alone are the creator, the sustainer and the destroyer; you are indeed all this — Brahman; you are the eternal Self itself.

ऋतं वच्मि। सत्यं वच्मि॥२॥

Ritam Vachmi | Satyam Vachmi ||2 ||

I speak what is right (rita); I speak the truth.

अव त्वं माम्। अव वक्तारम्। अव श्रोतारम्। अव दातारम्। अव धातारम्। अवानूचानमव शिष्यम्। अव पश्चात्तात्। अव पुरस्तात्। अवोत्तरात्तात्। अव दक्षिणात्तात्। अव चोर्ध्वात्तात्। अवाधरात्तात्। सर्वतो मां पाहि पाहि समन्तात्॥३॥

Ava Tvam Mam | Ava Vaktaram | Ava Shrotaram | Ava Dataram | Ava Dhataram | Avanuchanamava Shishyam | Ava Pashchattat | Ava Purastat | Avottarattat | Ava Dakshinattat | Ava Chordhvattat | Avadharattat | Sarvato Mam Pahi Pahi Samantat ||3 ||

Protect me; protect the speaker, the listener, the giver, the holder, the teacher and the disciple; protect me from behind, in front, from the north, the south, above and below — protect me from all sides.

त्वं वाङ्मयस्त्वं चिन्मयः। त्वमानन्दमयस्त्वं ब्रह्ममयः। त्वं सच्चिदानन्दाद्वितीयोऽसि। त्वं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रह्मासि। त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोऽसि॥४॥

Tvam Vanmayastvam Chinmayah | Tvamanandamayastvam Brahmamayah | Tvam Sachchidanandadvitiyo'si | Tvam Pratyaksham Brahmasi | Tvam Gyanamayo Vigyanamayo'si ||4 ||

You are made of speech and of consciousness, of bliss and of Brahman; you are the one without a second, existence-consciousness-bliss; you are Brahman made visible, made of knowledge and of wisdom.

सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जायते। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति। सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति। त्वं भूमिरापोऽनलोऽनिलो नभः। त्वं चत्वारि वाक्पदानि॥५॥

Sarvam Jagadidam Tvatto Jayate | Sarvam Jagadidam Tvattastishthati | Sarvam Jagadidam Tvayi Layameshyati | Sarvam Jagadidam Tvayi Pratyeti | Tvam Bhumirapo'nalo'nilo Nabhah | Tvam Chatvari Vakpadani ||5 ||

This whole world is born from you, abides in you, will dissolve in you and returns to you. You are earth, water, fire, air and space; you are the four levels of speech.

त्वं गुणत्रयातीतः। त्वं अवस्थात्रयातीतः। त्वं देहत्रयातीतः। त्वं कालत्रयातीतः। त्वं मूलाधारस्थितोऽसि नित्यम्। त्वं शक्तित्रयात्मकः। त्वां योगिनो ध्यायन्ति नित्यम्। त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं रुद्रस्त्वमिन्द्रस्त्वमग्निस्त्वं वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चन्द्रमास्त्वं ब्रह्म भूर्भुवः स्वरोम्॥६॥

Tvam Gunatrayatitah | Tvam Avasthatrayatitah | Tvam Dehatrayatitah | Tvam Kalatrayatitah | Tvam Muladharasthito'si Nityam | Tvam Shaktitrayatmakah | Tvam Yogino Dhyayanti Nityam | Tvam Brahma Tvam Vishnustvam Rudrastvamindrastvamagnistvam Vayustvam Suryastvam Chandramastvam Brahma Bhurbhuvah Svarom ||6 ||

You are beyond the three gunas, the three states (waking, dream, deep sleep), the three bodies and the three times; you ever dwell in the muladhara, you are the three powers; yogis always meditate on you. You are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra — you are Brahman, Bhuh Bhuvah Svah and Om.

गणादिं पूर्वमुच्चार्य वर्णादिं तदनन्तरम्। अनुस्वारः परतरः। अर्धेन्दुलसितम्। तारेण ऋद्धम्। एतत्तव मनुस्वरूपम्। गकारः पूर्वरूपम्। अकारो मध्यमरूपम्। अनुस्वारश्चान्त्यरूपम्। बिन्दुरुत्तररूपम्। नादः सन्धानम्। संहिता सन्धिः। सैषा गणेशविद्या। गणक ऋषिः। निचृद्गायत्रीच्छन्दः। गणपतिर्देवता। ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥७॥

Ganadim Purvamuchcharya Varnadim Tadanantaram | Anusvarah Paratarah | Ardhendulasitam | Tarena Riddham | Etattava Manusvarupam | Gakarah Purvarupam | Akaro Madhyamarupam | Anusvarashchantyarupam | Binduruttararupam | Nadah Sandhanam | Sanhita Sandhih | Saisha Ganeshavidya | Ganaka Rishih | Nichridgayatrichchhandah | Ganapatirdevata | Om Gam Ganapataye Namah ||7 ||

The form of the Ganesha mantra: first «G», then «a», then the anusvara, adorned with the half-moon and joined with Om — this is your mantra form «Om Gam». This is the Ganesha-vidya; its rishi is Ganaka, metre Nichrid-Gayatri, deity Ganapati — «Om Gam Ganapataye Namah».

एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥८॥

Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi | Tanno Dantih Prachodayat ||8 ||

Ganesha Gayatri: we know the one-tusked one, we meditate on the one with the curved trunk; may that tusked one inspire us.

एकदन्तं चतुर्हस्तं पाशमङ्कुशधारिणम्। रदं च वरदं हस्तैर्बिभ्राणं मूषकध्वजम्॥ रक्तं लम्बोदरं शूर्पकर्णकं रक्तवाससम्। रक्तगन्धानुलिप्ताङ्गं रक्तपुष्पैः सुपूजितम्॥ भक्तानुकम्पिनं देवं जगत्कारणमच्युतम्। आविर्भूतं च सृष्ट्यादौ प्रकृतेः पुरुषात्परम्॥ एवं ध्यायति यो नित्यं स योगी योगिनां वरः॥९॥

Ekadantam Chaturhastam Pashamankushadharinam | Radam Cha Varadam Hastairbibhranam Mushakadhvajam || Raktam Lambodaram Shurpakarnakam Raktavasasam | Raktagandhanuliptangam Raktapushpaih Supujitam || Bhaktanukampinam Devam Jagatkaranamachyutam | Avirbhutam Cha Srishtyadau Prakriteh Purushatparam || Evam Dhyayati Yo Nityam Sa Yogi Yoginam Varah ||9 ||

Meditation: one tusk and four hands holding the noose, the goad, the broken tusk and the boon-giving gesture; the mouse on his banner; red in colour, pot-bellied, with ears like winnowing fans, in red garments, anointed with red sandal and worshipped with red flowers; compassionate to devotees, the cause of the world, the imperishable, who appeared at the beginning of creation beyond Prakriti and Purusha — whoever meditates on him thus daily is the best of yogis.

नमो व्रातपतये। नमो गणपतये। नमः प्रमथपतये। नमस्तेऽस्तु लम्बोदरायैकदन्ताय विघ्ननाशिने शिवसुताय वरदमूर्तये नमः॥१०॥

Namo Vratapataye | Namo Ganapataye | Namah Pramathapataye | Namaste'stu Lambodarayaikadantaya Vighnanashine Shivasutaya Varadamurtaye Namah ||10 ||

Salutations to the lord of groups, to Ganapati, to the lord of the pramathas; salutations to the pot-bellied, one-tusked remover of obstacles, son of Shiva, the embodiment of boons.

एतदथर्वशीर्षं योऽधीते। स ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते। स सर्वतः सुखमेधते। स सर्वविघ्नैर्न बाध्यते। स पञ्चमहापापात्प्रमुच्यते। सायमधीयानो दिवसकृतं पापं नाशयति। प्रातरधीयानो रात्रिकृतं पापं नाशयति। सायं प्रातः प्रयुञ्जानोऽपापो भवति। सर्वत्राधीयानोऽपविघ्नो भवति। धर्मार्थकाममोक्षं च विन्दति। इदमथर्वशीर्षमशिष्याय न देयम्। यो यदि मोहाद्दास्यति स पापीयान् भवति। सहस्रावर्तनात् यं यं काममधीते तं तमनेन साधयेत्॥११॥

Etadatharvashirsham Yo'dhite | Sa Brahmabhuyaya Kalpate | Sa Sarvatah Sukhamedhate | Sa Sarvavighnairna Badhyate | Sa Panchamahapapatpramuchyate | Sayamadhiyano Divasakritam Papam Nashayati | Prataradhiyano Ratrikritam Papam Nashayati | Sayam Pratah Prayunjano'papo Bhavati | Sarvatradhiyano'pavighno Bhavati | Dharmarthakamamoksham Cha Vindati | Idamatharvashirshamashishyaya Na Deyam | Yo Yadi Mohaddasyati Sa Papiyan Bhavati | Sahasravartanat Yam Yam Kamamadhite Tam Tamanena Sadhayet ||11 ||

Phalashruti: whoever studies this Atharvashirsha becomes fit for union with Brahman, is happy everywhere, is not hindered by obstacles and is freed from great sins; recited in the evening it destroys the sins of the day, in the morning those of the night; reciting it at both times one becomes sinless and free of obstacles everywhere, and attains dharma, artha, kama and moksha. It should not be given to an unworthy student; by a thousand recitations one may accomplish whatever one wishes.

अनेन गणपतिमभिषिञ्चति स वाग्मी भवति। चतुर्थ्यामनश्नन् जपति स विद्यावान् भवति। इत्यथर्वणवाक्यम्। ब्रह्माद्यावरणं विद्यात्। न बिभेति कदाचनेति॥१२॥

Anena Ganapatimabhishinchati Sa Vagmi Bhavati | Chaturthyamanashnan Japati Sa Vidyavan Bhavati | Ityatharvanavakyam | Brahmadyavaranam Vidyat | Na Bibheti Kadachaneti ||12 ||

Whoever bathes Ganapati with it (in abhishek) becomes eloquent; whoever chants it fasting on Chaturthi becomes learned — so says the Atharvan. Knowing the sheath of Brahma and others, one is never afraid.

यो दूर्वाङ्कुरैर्यजति स वैश्रवणोपमो भवति। यो लाजैर्यजति स यशोवान् भवति। स मेधावान् भवति। यो मोदकसहस्रेण यजति स वाञ्छितफलमवाप्नोति। यः साज्यसमिद्भिर्यजति स सर्वं लभते स सर्वं लभते॥१३॥

Yo Durvankurairyajati Sa Vaishravanopamo Bhavati | Yo Lajairyajati Sa Yashovan Bhavati | Sa Medhavan Bhavati | Yo Modakasahasrena Yajati Sa Vanchhitaphalamavapnoti | Yah Sajyasamidbhiryajati Sa Sarvam Labhate Sa Sarvam Labhate ||13 ||

Whoever worships with durva sprouts becomes like Kubera; with puffed rice (laja) becomes famous and intelligent; with a thousand modakas obtains the desired fruit; with ghee and sacred sticks obtains everything.

अष्टौ ब्राह्मणान् सम्यग्ग्राहयित्वा सूर्यवर्चस्वी भवति। सूर्यग्रहे महानद्यां प्रतिमासन्निधौ वा जप्त्वा सिद्धमन्त्रो भवति। महाविघ्नात्प्रमुच्यते। महादोषात्प्रमुच्यते। महापापात्प्रमुच्यते। स सर्वविद्भवति स सर्वविद्भवति। य एवं वेद। इत्युपनिषत्॥१४॥

Ashtau Brahmanan Samyaggrahayitva Suryavarchasvi Bhavati | Suryagrahe Mahanadyam Pratimasannidhau Va Japtva Siddhamantro Bhavati | Mahavighnatpramuchyate | Mahadoshatpramuchyate | Mahapapatpramuchyate | Sa Sarvavidbhavati Sa Sarvavidbhavati | Ya Evam Veda | Ityupanishat ||14 ||

By properly teaching it to eight brahmins one becomes radiant like the Sun; chanting it during a solar eclipse, on the bank of a great river or near an image, the mantra is perfected; one is freed from great obstacles, faults and sins and becomes all-knowing — whoever knows thus. This is the Upanishad.

📿 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.

📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)

28 Oct (Wednesday)
29 Oct (Thursday) — Sankashti Chaturthi
4 Nov (Wednesday)
11 Nov (Wednesday)
13 Nov (Friday) — Vinayaka Chaturthi
18 Nov (Wednesday)

Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.

🪔 How to chant / recite

Time: Morning after bath; the phalashruti recommends evening and morning.
Method: Offer durva, red flowers and modak/laddoo before Ganesha and recite in a calm voice.
Count: Once daily; 21 recitations on Ganesh Chaturthi; 1,000 (sahasravartan) for a big anushthan — with an acharya.
Pronunciation: It is a Vedic text — start slowly using the Roman script and meaning; ideally learn by listening to someone who knows it.

🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)

🧺 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)

🪷 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 — 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 — 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 — durva is considered very dear to Ganesha.
Offer modak/laddoo, then chant «Om Gam Ganapataye Namah» or recite Ganesh Chalisa / Atharvashirsha.
Sing «Jai 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.

⚠️ 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.

🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)

A prayer for removal of obstacles, intelligence and power of speech (phalashruti: «he becomes eloquent», «he becomes learned»).
The knowledge of Ganesha as Brahman — not only wish-fulfilment but self-understanding.

These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Which Veda is the Ganpati Atharvashirsha from?

It is an Upanishad of the Atharvaveda tradition (Ganapati Upanishad).

Can it be recited daily?

Yes — once in the morning or evening. More recitations are customary on Chaturthi and during Ganeshotsav.

Which is the Ekadanta Gayatri?

«Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Dantih Prachodayat» — in section 8 of the Atharvashirsha.

📿 Ganesh Chalisa · 🪔 Ganesh Aarti (Jai Ganesh Deva) · 📜 Ganesh Pancharatnam · 🪔 Find your planet/deity from your kundali · 🧙 Ask an astrologer · 🕉 All mantras & aartis · 🇮🇳 हिन्दी में पढ़ें

Note: recite with devotion and correct pronunciation; for special anushthans take guidance from a learned acharya.