Ganesh Pancharatnam
गणेश पञ्चरत्नम्
Origin & Story
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · c. 8th century CE
Adi Shankaracharya composed the Ganesha Pancharatnam as five 'jewels' of praise to Vinayaka, the remover of obstacles worshipped before every undertaking. Set in a swift, cascading metre, each verse heaps epithet upon epithet — the modaka-bearing, moon-crowned, single-tusked Lord who dwells in the hearts of yogis — making it both a philosophical meditation and a joyous song.
✦ As told in scripture
Ganesha is invoked first in every Hindu rite as Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles. Shankaracharya's Pancharatnam distils that power into five verses whose own closing promise — health, learning, worthy children and long life — has made it a treasured daily prayer for students, seekers and householders beginning anything new.
Complete Text with Meaning
मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् । अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥ १॥
Mudakarattamodakam sada vimuktisadhakam Kaladharavatamsakam vilasilokarakshakam Anayakaikanayakam vinashitebhadaityakam Natashubhashunashakam namami tam vinayakam
Meaning:I bow to Vinayaka — who joyfully holds the modaka in His hand, ever the bestower of liberation, crowned with the crescent moon, protector of the playful worlds, the one leader of those who have no leader, destroyer of the elephant-demon, swift to dispel the misfortunes of those who bow to Him.
नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् । सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥ २॥
Natetaratibhikaram navoditarkabhasvaram Namatsurarinirjaram natadhikapaduddharam Sureshvaram nidhishvaram gajeshvaram ganeshvaram Maheshvaram tamashraye paratparam nirantaram
Meaning:I take constant refuge in Him, the supreme beyond the supreme — terrifying to the foes of the humble, radiant as the newly risen sun, before whom gods and immortals bow, uplifter of the deeply afflicted; the Lord of gods, Lord of treasures, the elephant Lord, the Lord of the ganas, the great Lord.
समस्तलोकशंकरं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् । कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥ ३॥
Samastalokashamkaram nirastadaityakunjaram Daretarodaram varam varebhavaktramaksharam Kripakaram kshamakaram mudakaram yashaskaram Manaskaram namaskritam namaskaromi bhasvaram
Meaning:I offer salutations to the radiant one — bringer of welfare to all the worlds, who cast out the demon-elephant, of a beautiful rounded belly, the boon-giver, elephant-faced and imperishable; the doer of grace, forgiveness, joy and fame, dwelling in the minds of those who bow to Him.
अकिंचनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् । प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनंजयादिभूषणं कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥ ४॥
Akimchanartimarjanam chirantanoktibhajanam Puraripurvanandanam surarigarvacharvanam Prapanchanashabhishanam dhanamjayadibhushanam Kapoladanavaranam bhaje puranavaranam
Meaning:I worship the ancient elephant-Lord — who wipes away the suffering of the destitute, the vessel of timeless praise, the joyous son of Shiva (the foe of Tripura), crusher of the pride of the demons; the awesome destroyer of the world at dissolution, adorned like Arjuna, from whose temples the ichor of grace flows.
नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् । हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥ ५॥
Nitantakantadantakantimantakantakatmajam Achintyarupamantahinamantarayakrintanam Hridantare nirantaram vasantameva yoginam Tamekadantameva tam vichintayami santatam
Meaning:I ever meditate on that One-Tusked Ganesha alone — of intensely lovely tusk and radiance, son of the slayer of Death (Shiva), of inconceivable form, without end, the cutter of every obstacle, who dwells unceasingly in the hearts of yogis.
महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं प्रजल्पति प्रभातके हृदि स्मरन् गणेश्वरम् । अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥
Mahaganeshapancharatnamadarena yonvaham Prajalpati prabhatake hridi smaran ganeshvaram Arogatamadoshatam susahitim suputratam Samahitayurashtabhutimabhyupaiti sochirat
Meaning:Whoever recites this Maha-Ganesha Pancharatnam with devotion each day at dawn, remembering Ganeshvara in the heart, swiftly attains health, freedom from faults, fine learning, virtuous children, and a composed long life blessed with the eight prosperities.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Ganesh Pancharatnam
A jewel-like five-verse hymn by Adi Shankaracharya praising Ganesha as the remover of every obstacle and bestower of liberation.
Daily dawn recitation is promised to grant health, freedom from faults, fine learning and virtuous children (as stated in the final verse).
Invoked before any new venture, examination or journey to ensure success without obstacles.
Sharpens the intellect and memory — ideal for students and seekers of wisdom.
Its closing verse promises a composed long life endowed with the eight prosperities (ashta-siddhi).
Recited especially on Ganesh Chaturthi, Wednesdays and Sankashti Chaturthi.
How to Chant Ganesh Pancharatnam
As the stotra itself directs, recite it at dawn (prabhata) while remembering Ganeshvara in the heart. Sit before an image of Ganesha, offer durva grass and modak, and chant the five verses with attention to their meaning, ending with the phala-shruti. Begin new undertakings after this recitation to remove obstacles.