Ganesh Chalisa
गणेश चालीसा in English · English
✦ Meaning
The Ganesh Chalisa is a forty-verse hymn to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed remover of obstacles and lord of wisdom. It recounts his divine birth, his glories and his blessings upon devotees who remember him at the start of every venture. Reciting it is believed to remove obstacles, bestow wisdom, success and prosperity, and bring auspicious beginnings.
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition (Chalisa literature) · Unknown (folk composition in the Chalisa tradition) · Medieval period
The Ganesh Chalisa draws from multiple Puranic sources for the birth story of Lord Ganesha. The version narrated in this chalisa describes how Parvati performed severe penance for a son, and a divine Brahmin (Ganesha himself in disguise) appeared, blessed her, and then manifested as a baby on a cradle. Other versions from the Shiva Purana describe Parvati creating Ganesha from sandalwood paste. Regardless of the version, all agree that Ganesha is the firstborn son of Shiva and Parvati and holds the supreme position of being worshipped before all other deities.
✦ As told in scripture
One of the most famous miracles associated with Ganesha occurred on September 21, 1995, when millions of Ganesha statues across India and around the world were reported to be drinking milk offered by devotees. The phenomenon, known as the 'Milk Miracle,' began at a temple in New Delhi and spread worldwide within hours. Scientists and skeptics investigated but could not fully explain the phenomenon. For devotees, it was Ganesha demonstrating his living presence — the same presence invoked through prayers like the Ganesh Chalisa. The event remains one of the most widely witnessed and documented religious phenomena in modern history.
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Complete Text with Meaning
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Jaya ganapati sadaguna sadana, kavivara badana kripala vighna harana mamgala karana, jaya jaya girijalala
Meaning:Glory to Ganapati, the abode of virtues, the gracious-faced lord praised by poets; remover of obstacles and doer of all that is auspicious — victory, victory to the son of Girija (Parvati)!
Jaya jaya jaya ganapati ganaraju mamgala bharana karana shubhah kaju
Meaning:Victory, victory, victory to Ganapati, king of the ganas; who fills all with auspiciousness and accomplishes every good work.
Jai gajabadana sadana sukhadata vishva vinayaka buddhi vidhata
Meaning:Hail, elephant-faced one, abode and giver of joy; lord of the universe (Vinayaka) and bestower of intellect.
Vakra tunda shuchi shunda suhavana tilaka tripunda bhala mana bhavana
Meaning:Of curved trunk and bright, lovely tusk; the three-lined tilak on your brow delights the mind.
Rajata mani muktana ura mala svarna mukuta shira nayana vishala
Meaning:A garland of gems and pearls shines upon your chest; a golden crown upon your head, and large, wide eyes.
Pustaka pani kuthara trishulam modaka bhoga sugandhita phulam
Meaning:A book in your hand, the axe and the trident; offerings of modak sweets and fragrant flowers.
Sundara pitambara tana sajita charana paduka muni mana rajita
Meaning:Adorned in beautiful yellow silk; your sandalled feet delight the minds of sages.
Dhani shiva suvana shadanana bhrata gauri lalana vishva-vikhyata
Meaning:Blessed brother of the six-faced Kartikeya and son of Shiva; darling of Gauri, renowned throughout the world.
Riddhi-siddhi tava chamvara sudhare mushaka vahana sohata dvare
Meaning:Riddhi and Siddhi wave the royal fan over you; your mouse-mount graces your doorway.
Kahau janma shubha katha tumhari ati shuchi pavana mamgalakari
Meaning:Now I tell the auspicious story of your birth — most pure, holy and bestowing every blessing.
Eka samaya giriraja kumari putra hetu tapa kinha bhari
Meaning:Once the daughter of the mountain-king (Parvati) performed great penance for the sake of a son.
Bhayo yajna jaba purna anupa taba pahumchyo tuma dhari dvija rupa
Meaning:When that matchless sacrifice was complete, you arrived bearing the form of a brahmin.
Atithi jani ke gauri sukhari bahuvidhi seva kari tumhari
Meaning:Recognizing the guest, Gauri rejoiced and served you in every way.
Ati prasanna havai tuma vara dinha matu putra hita jo tapa kinha
Meaning:Greatly pleased, you granted her a boon for the penance she had done to gain a son:
Milahi putra tuhi, buddhi vishala bina garbha dharana yahi kala
Meaning:“You shall obtain a son of vast intellect — and at this very moment, without bearing a womb.
Gananayaka guna jnana nidhana pujita prathama rupa bhagavana
Meaning:He shall be the lord of the ganas, a treasure-house of virtue and wisdom, worshipped first of all the gods.”
Asa kahi antardhana rupa havai palana para balaka svarupa havai
Meaning:So saying, the brahmin vanished, and took the form of a child upon the cradle.
Bani shishu rudana jabahim tuma thana lakhi mukha sukha nahim gauri samana
Meaning:When you as the infant began to cry, no joy equalled Gauri's as she beheld your face.
Sakala magana, sukhamamgala gavahim nabha te surana, sumana varshavahim
Meaning:All were absorbed in joy and sang of bliss and blessing; from the sky the gods rained down flowers.
Shambhu, uma, bahudana lutavahim sura munijana, suta dekhana avahim
Meaning:Shambhu (Shiva) and Uma gave away great gifts in charity; gods and sages came to behold the son.
Lakhi ati ananda mamgala saja dekhana bhi aye shani raja
Meaning:Seeing the great festival of joy and celebration, Shani (Saturn) the king also came to behold him.
Nija avaguna guni shani mana mahim balaka, dekhana chahata nahim
Meaning:Mindful of his own flaw within his heart, Shani did not wish to look upon the child.
Girija kachhu mana bheda badhayo utsava mora, na shani tuhi bhayo
Meaning:Girija took some offence in her mind: “At my festival has even Shani not been pleased to look upon my son?”
Kahata lage shani, mana sakuchai ka karihau, shishu mohi dikhai
Meaning:Shani spoke, hesitating in his heart: “What shall happen if I look upon the child?”
Nahim vishvasa, uma ura bhayau shani som balaka dekhana kahayau
Meaning:No belief arose in Uma's heart; she bade Shani look upon the boy.
Padatahim shani driga kona prakasha balaka sira uड़i gayo akasha
Meaning:The instant Shani's sidelong eye cast its ray, the child's head flew off into the sky.
Girija giri vikala havai dharani so duhkha dasha gayo nahim varani
Meaning:Girija fell to the ground, distraught; that state of sorrow cannot be described.
Hahakara machyau kailasha shani kinhom lakhi suta ko nasha
Meaning:An uproar arose upon Kailasa — it was seen that Shani had caused the son's destruction.
Turata garuड़ chaढ़i vishnu sidhayo kati chakra so gaja sira laye
Meaning:At once Vishnu set off mounted on Garuda; he severed a head with his discus and brought an elephant's head.
Balaka ke dhada़ upara dharayo prana mantra paढ़i shamkara darayo
Meaning:He placed it upon the child's torso, and Shankara, reciting the mantra of life, revived him.
Nama ganesha shambhu taba kinhe prathama pujya buddhi nidhi, vara dinhe
Meaning:Shambhu then gave him the name Ganesha, and the boon of being worshipped first, a treasure of wisdom.
Buddhi pariksha jaba shiva kinha prithvi kara pradakshina linha
Meaning:When Shiva tested their intelligence, the brothers were to circle the earth.
Chale shadanana, bharami bhulai rache baitha tuma buddhi upai
Meaning:The six-faced Kartikeya went wandering, lost in confusion; but you devised a clever plan.
Charana matu-pitu ke dhara linhem tinake sata pradakshina kinhem
Meaning:You took hold of the feet of your mother and father, and made seven circuits around them.
Dhani ganesha kahi shiva hiye harashe nabha te surana sumana bahu barase
Meaning:“Blessed is Ganesha!” said Shiva, his heart delighted; from the sky the gods rained many flowers.
Tumhari mahima buddhi baड़ai shesha sahasamukha sake na gai
Meaning:Your glory and the greatness of your wisdom — even the thousand-mouthed Shesha could not sing them.
Maim matihina malina dukhari karahum kauna vidhi vinaya tumhari
Meaning:I am dull-witted, impure and sorrowful — by what means can I offer you fitting prayer?
Bhajata ramasundara prabhudasa jaga prayaga, kakara, durvasa
Meaning:Ramsundar Prabhudas, of Prayag (Kakra, of the line of Durvasa), worships you.
Aba prabhu daya dina para kijai apani shakti bhakti kuchha dijai
Meaning:Now, O Lord, show mercy upon the lowly; grant me a little of your power and devotion.
Shri ganesha yaha chalisa, patha karai kara dhyana nita nava mamgala griha basai, lahe jagata sanmana
Meaning:Whoever recites this Ganesh Chalisa with a focused mind and meditation — ever-new auspiciousness dwells in his home, and he gains honour in the world.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting गणेश चालीसा
Removes all obstacles from the path of the devotee
Bestows wisdom, intelligence, and clarity of thought
Ensures success in new ventures, examinations, and business endeavors
Brings auspiciousness and good fortune to the household
Ganesha is worshipped first before all other gods — this chalisa invokes his primary blessing
Removes fear and anxiety related to upcoming challenges
Grants spiritual knowledge and the ability to discriminate between right and wrong
How to Chant गणेश चालीसा
Sit before a Ganesha idol or image. Offer modak, durva grass, and red flowers. Light a diya and incense. Recite the Ganesh Chalisa with devotion and concentration. It is traditional to begin any new project, journey, or important task with this chalisa. Reciting it on Wednesdays (Ganesha's day) and during Ganesh Chaturthi is especially auspicious.
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