Ganesha Atharvashirsha Mantra
The Ganesha Atharvashirsha is a sacred Upanishad that declares Lord Ganesha as the supreme reality — the creator, sustainer, and destroyer of the universe. It begins with a Shanti mantra praying for auspiciousness, then systematically reveals Ganesha as identical with Brahman (absolute reality), the source of all creation, beyond the three qualities and three states of being. The text describes Ganesha's mantra form (the syllable "Gam"), contains his Gayatri verse, a meditation verse describing his physical form, and concludes with the extraordinary benefits of reciting this text — from destroying sins to attaining the highest knowledge.
This is not a simple prayer but a philosophical treatise declaring that the elephant-headed deity is the ultimate truth behind all existence.
Curated by The Mahakatha Team · Original Composition: Mahakatha · Lyric: Traditional / Vedic (Atharva Veda)
ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः । भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः । स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाग्ँसस्तनूभिः । व्यशेम देवहितं यदायूः । ॐ 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 sthirairangaistushtuvag-nsastanubhih vyashema devahitam yadayuh om svasti na indro vriddhashravah svasti nah pusha vishvavedah svasti nastarkshyo arishtanemih svasti no brihaspatirdadhatu om shantih shantih shantih
May our ears hear what is auspicious. May our eyes see what is auspicious. With steady bodies, we praise and thank you for this life. May we spend it in joy pleasing the Divine. May Lord Indra bless us with well-being. May all-knowing Pusha bless us. May Tarksya with fierce wheels bless us. May wise Brihaspati bless us. Om peace, peace, peace.
हरि ॐ ॥ नमस्ते गणपतये ॥ त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि ॥ त्वमेव केवलं कर्तासि ॥ त्वमेव केवलं धर्तासि ॥ त्वमेव केवलं हर्तासि ॥ त्वमेव सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रम्हासि ॥ त्वं साक्षादात्मासि नित्यम् ॥ १ ॥
Hari om namaste ganapataye tvameva pratyaksham tattvamasi tvameva kevalam kartasi tvameva kevalam dhartasi tvameva kevalam hartasi tvameva sarvam khalvidam bramhasi tvam sakshadatmasi nityam || 1 ||
Om, I bow to you, O Lord Ganesha. You alone embody the ultimate truth. You alone are the creator. You alone are the sustainer. You alone are the destroyer. You are all, and all is Brahman. You are the Eternal Being. || 1 ||
ऋतं वच्मि ॥ सत्यं वच्मि ॥ २ ॥
Ritam vachmi satyam vachmi || 2 ||
I speak the universal order. I speak the truth. || 2 ||
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 समंतात् ॥ 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. Protect the listener. Protect the supporter, the teacher, and the student. Protect from the back, from the front, from the north, from the south, from above, from below. Protect me from every direction. || 3 ||
त्वं वाग्ड़मयस्त्वं चिन्मयः ॥ त्वं आनंदमयस्त्वं ब्रम्हमयः ॥ त्वं सच्चिदानंदाद्वितीयोसि ॥ त्वं प्रत्यक्षं ब्रम्हासि ॥ त्वं ज्ञानमयो विज्ञानमयोसि ॥ ४ ॥
Tvam vangmayastvam chinmayah tvam anandamayastvam bramhamayah tvam sachchidanandadvitiyosi tvam pratyaksham bramhasi tvam jnanamayo vijnanamayosi || 4 ||
You are speech, you are consciousness. You are joy, you are creation. You are being, consciousness, eternal bliss. You are Brahman. You are the epitome of knowledge and science. || 4 ||
सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तो जायते ॥ सर्वं जगदिदं त्वत्तस्तिष्ठति ॥ सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि लयमेष्यति ॥ सर्वं जगदिदं त्वयि प्रत्येति ॥ त्वं भूमिरापो नलो निलो 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 ||
The entire universe stems from You. The entire universe sustains within You. The entire universe will dissolve into You. The entire universe merges back into You. You are Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. You are the four kinds of speech. || 5 ||
त्वं गुणत्रयातीतः ॥ त्वमवस्थात्रयातीतः ॥ त्वं देहत्रयातीतः ॥ त्वं कालत्रयातीतः ॥ त्वं मूलाधार: स्थितोसि नित्यम॥ त्वं शक्ति त्रयात्मकः ॥ त्वां योगिनो ध्यायन्ती नित्यम ॥ त्वं ब्रम्हास्त्वंविष्णुस्त्वंरुद्रस्त्वंइंद्रस्त्वंअग्निस्त्वंवायुस्त्वंसूर्यस्त्वंचंद्रमास्त्वं ब्रम्हभूर्भुवस्वरोम् ॥ ६ ॥
Tvam gunatrayatitah tvam dehatrayatitah tvam kalatrayatitah tvam muladhara sthitosi nityam tvam shakti trayatmakah tvam yogino dhyayanti nityam tvam bramha tvam vishnus tvam rudras tvam indras tvam agnis tvam vayus tvam suryas tvam chandramas tvam bramhabhurbhuvasvarom || 6 ||
You are beyond the three qualities of nature. You are beyond the three states of being. You are beyond the three periods of time. You dwell in the Muladhara chakra. You are the three divine powers. Yogis meditate upon You eternally. You are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Fire, Air, Sun, Moon, and the essence of three worlds. || 6 ||
गणादिं पूर्वमुच्चार्यं वर्णादिं तदनंतरम् ॥ अनुस्वारः परतरः ॥ अर्धेंदुलसितम् ॥ तारेण ऋध्दम् ॥ एतत्तव मनुस्वरुपम् ॥ गकारः पूर्वरुपम् ॥ अकारो मध्यमरुपम् ॥ अनुस्वारश्चान्त्यरुपम् ॥ बिन्दुरुत्तररुपम् ॥ नादःसंधानम् ॥ संहितासंधी: ॥ सैषा गणेश विद्या ॥ गणकऋषि: निछॄद् गायत्री छंदः ॥ गणपतीर्देवता ॥ ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ॥ ७ ॥
Ganadim purvamuchcharyam varnadim tadanantaram anusvarah paratarah ardhendulasitam tarena ridhdam etattava manusvarupam gakarah purvarupam akaro madhyamarupam anusvarashchantyarupam binduruttararupam nadahsandhanam samhitasandhi saisha ganesha vidya ganakarishi nichhrid gayatri chhandah ganapatirdevata om gam ganapataye namah || 7 ||
First utter "G," then the vowel "a." The nasal dot is significant. Add a crescent moon shape for its full nasal sound. Enhance with the "Tara" sound of Om. This is Your mantra form. "Ga" is your first form, "A" your middle. The dot is your upper form. These are joined by sound. This is the wisdom of Ganesha. The sage is Ganaka, the meter is Nichrud Gayatri. The deity is Lord Ganesha. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah. || 7 ||
एकदंताय विद्महे वक्रतुंडाय धीमहि ॥ तन्नो दंति: प्रचोदयात् ॥ ८ ॥
Ekadantaya vidmahe vakratundaya dhimahi tanno danti prachodayat || 8 ||
I meditate upon the single-tusked Ganesha, I visualize the one with the curved trunk. May he enlighten me. || 8 ||
एकदंतं चतुर्हस्तं पाशमंकुशधारिणम् ॥ रदं च वरदं हस्तै बिभ्राणं मूषकध्वजम् ॥ रक्तं लंबोदरं शूर्पकर्णकं रक्तवाससम् ॥ रक्तगंधानुलिप्तांगं रक्तपुष्पै: सुपूजितम् ॥ भक्तानुकंपिनं देवं जगत्कारणमच्युतम् ॥ आविर्भूतं च सृष्ट्यादो प्रकॄते: पुरुषात्परम् ॥ एवं ध्यायति यो नित्यम् स योगी योगिनां वरः ॥ ९ ॥
Ekadantam chaturhastam pashamankushadharinam radam cha varadam hastai bibhranam mushakadhvajam raktam lambodaram shurpakarnakam raktavasasam raktagandhanuliptangam raktapushpai supujitam bhaktanukampina devam jagatkaranamachyutam avirbhutam cha srishtyado prakrite purushatparam evam dhyayati yo nityam sa yogi yoginam varah || 9 ||
One tusk, four hands, holding noose and goad, holding his tusk and blessing gesture, bearing a mouse flag. Deep red, large belly, large ears, draped in red, smeared with red sandalwood, worshipped with red flowers. Compassionate God, imperishable cause of the universe, beyond nature — one who meditates thus is the most blessed yogi. || 9 ||
नमो व्रातपतये । नमो गणपतये । नमः प्रमथपतये । नमस्ते अस्तु लंबोदराय एकदंताय ॥ विघ्ननाशिने शिवसुताय ॥ श्री वरदमूर्तये नमः ॥ १० ॥
Namo vratapataye namo ganapataye namah pramathapataye namaste astu lambodaraya ekadantaya vighnanashine shivasutaya shri varadamurtaye namah || 10 ||
Salutations to the Lord of all beings, the Lord of the demi-gods, the Lord of the spirits. Salutations to the Large-Bellied, Single-Tusked, Ender of Obstacles, Son of Shiva. Salutations to the Giver of boons and blessings. || 10 ||
एतदथर्वशीर्षं योऽधीते स ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते । स सर्वविघ्नैर्न बाध्यते । स सर्वत्र सुखमेधते । स पञ्चमहापापात्प्रमुच्यते । सायमधीयानो दिवसकृतं पापं नाशयति । प्रातरधीयानो रात्रिकृतं पापं नाशयति । सायं प्रातः प्रयुञ्जानो अपापो भवति । सर्वत्राधीयानोऽपविघ्नो भवति । धर्मार्थकाममोक्षं च विन्दति ॥ इदमथर्वशीर्षमशिष्याय न देयम् । यो यदि मोहाद्दास्यति स पापीयान् भवति । सहस्रावर्तनाद्यं यं काममधीते तं तमनेन साधयेत् ॥११॥
Etadatharvashirsham yo'dhite sa brahmabhuyaya kalpate sa sarvavighnairna badhyate sa sarvatra sukhamedhate sa panchamahapapatpramuchyate sayamadhiyano divasakritam papam nashayati prataradhiyano ratrikritam papam nashayati sayam pratah prayunjano papo'papo bhavati sarvatradhiyano'pavighno bhavati dharmarthakamamoksham cha vindati idamatharvashirshamashishyaya na deyam yo yadi mohaddasyati sa papiyan bhavati sahasravartanadyam yam kamamadhite tam tamanena sadhayet ||11||
One who reads this Atharvashirsha becomes worthy of truth, free from obstacles, receives happiness everywhere, freed from the five great sins. Evening recitation destroys sins of the day. Morning recitation destroys sins of the night. Reciting both times frees one from sin. One who recites everywhere is free from obstacles, gaining righteousness, wealth, joy, and salvation. This text should not be given to the spiritually unready. When recited with sincere study, all desires are attained. || 11 ||
अनेन गणपतिमभिषिञ्चति स वाग्मी भवति । चतुर्थ्यामनश्नन् जपति स विद्यावान् भवति । इत्यथर्वणवाक्यम् । ब्रह्माद्यावरणं विद्यान्न बिभेति कदाचनेति ॥१२॥
Anena ganapatimabhishinchati sa vagmi bhavati chaturthyamanashnan japati sa vidyavan bhavati ityatharvanavakyam brahmadyavaranam vidyanna bibheti kadachaneti ||12||
One who offers this to Ganesha is blessed with eloquence. One who recites and fasts on Chaturthi gains knowledge. This is the word of Rishi Atharvana. One who practices this gains true knowledge and is freed of fear. || 12 ||
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 yassajyasamidbhiryajati sa sarvam labhate sa sarvam labhate ||13||
One who offers Durva grass becomes prosperous as Kubera. One who offers rice gains glory and mental prowess. One who offers a thousand modaks attains desired outcome. One who offers ghee-dipped twigs attains everything, attains everything! || 13 ||
अष्टौ ब्राह्मणान् सम्यग् ग्राहयित्वा सूर्यवर्चस्वी भवति । सूर्यग्रहेमहानद्यां प्रतिमासन्निधौ वा जप्त्वा सिद्धमन्त्रो भवति महाविघ्नात् प्रमुच्यते । महादोषात् प्रमुच्यते । महापापात् प्रमुच्यते । स सर्वविद् भवति स सर्वविद् भवति । य एवं वेद । इत्युपनिषत् ॥ ॐ सहनाववतु सह नौ भुनक्तु सह वीर्यं करवावहै तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ॐ शान्तिश्शान्तिश्शान्तिः ॥
Ashtau brahmanan samyag grahayitva suryavarchasvi bhavati suryagrahemahanadyam pratimasannidhau va japtva siddhamantro bhavati mahavighnat pramuchyate mahadoshat pramuchyate mahapapat pramuchyate sa sarvavid bhavati sa sarvavid bhavati ya evam veda ityupanishat om shantishshantishshantih
One who recites with eight Brahmins becomes brilliant as the Sun. One who recites during solar eclipse accesses deeper consciousness. Freed of obstacles, freed of vice, freed of sin. They receive ultimate knowledge. This is the Veda. Thus ends the Upanishad. Om peace, peace, peace.
Word-by-Word Meaning
| Sanskrit | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ganapati | Lord of the ganas (divine attendants) — Ganesha as leader of Shiva's celestial hosts. |
| Tattvamasi | "You are That" — one of the four Mahavakyas (great sayings) of the Upanishads, declaring identity with ultimate reality. |
| Bramha | The absolute reality, the supreme consciousness — the ground of all existence, here identified as Ganesha himself. |
| Sachchidananda | Being (sat), consciousness (chit), bliss (ananda) — the three essential qualities of Brahman/ultimate reality. |
| Ekadanta | One-tusked — Ganesha's single tusk representing non-duality, the unity beyond apparent opposites. |
| Vakratunda | Curved trunk — Ganesha's elephant trunk, symbolizing Om (the primordial sound) and the ability to navigate obstacles. |
| Vighnanashini | Destroyer of obstacles — Ganesha's primary function, removing all impediments from the devotee's path. |
How to Chant Ganesha Atharvashirsha Mantra
- 1
Prepare the Space
Place a Ganesha murti or image on a clean surface. Offer Durva grass (21 blades), modaks or sweets, and red flowers. Light a ghee lamp and incense. Sit comfortably facing east or north.
- 2
Begin with Shanti Mantra
Start with "Om Bhadram Karnebhih Shrinuyama Devah" — the opening peace invocation. This prayer for auspiciousness in hearing, seeing, and living sets the sacred space for the recitation.
- 3
Recite with Understanding
Move through each section slowly. The Atharvashirsha is a philosophical text — it is meant to be contemplated, not rushed through. Pause at each verse number and let the meaning sink in before continuing.
- 4
Chant Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
When you reach verse 7, chant "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" three times separately. This is Ganesha's bija mantra, and the Atharvashirsha has just revealed how it was constructed from his very essence.
- 5
Close with Triple Shanti
End with "Om Shantih Shantih Shantih" — peace for body, mind, and spirit. Sit in silence for 2-3 minutes. The post-recitation silence is when the text's transformative power integrates into your consciousness.
Benefits of Ganesha Atharvashirsha Mantra
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Removes obstacles and barriers to success in all endeavors, ensuring smooth progress toward goals
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha: 'sa sarvatra vighnairna badhyate' (protected from all obstacles)
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Grants wisdom, intellectual clarity, and mastery of knowledge; enhances memory and learning capacity
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 12: 'chaturthyamanashnan japati sa vidyavan bhavati' (becomes learned through dedicated practice)
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Invokes divine protection from all directions and spiritual harm; creates energetic shield around the practitioner
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 3: 'sarvato mam pahi pahi samantat' (protect me from all directions)
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Attracts prosperity, abundance, and auspicious timing; manifests desired outcomes and fulfillment
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 12: 'yo modakasahasrena yajati sa vanchhitaphalamavapnoti' (obtains desired fruits)
-
Purifies karma and destroys the effects of past misdeeds; liberates from sin and spiritual debt
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 11: 'sa panchamahapapatpramuchyate' (freed from great sins)
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Develops eloquence, right speech, and persuasive communication; enhances vocal and written expression
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 12: 'anena ganapatimabhishinchati sa vagmi bhavati' (becomes eloquent)
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Facilitates spiritual awakening and direct experience of Brahman; leads to liberation and self-realization
Source: Ganesha Atharvashirsha, Verse 11: 'yo'dhite sa brahmabhuyaya kalpate' (becomes fit for Brahman)
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Purifies the mind from negative patterns; dissolves mental obstacles and anxiety
Source: Traditional practice: Daily recitation purifies the antahkarana (inner instrument)
Story & Symbolism
The Ganesha Atharvashirsha belongs to the Atharvaveda, the fourth Veda, and is classified as a minor Upanishad — a philosophical text that reveals the nature of ultimate reality. Unlike devotional hymns, Upanishads are instruments of knowledge (upa = near, ni = down, shad = sit — "sitting near the teacher to receive wisdom"). This text sits the devotee near Ganesha to receive the highest truth: that Ganesha IS the absolute reality.
The text is structured as a systematic philosophical argument. It begins with a Shanti mantra, then declares Ganesha identical with Brahman (verses 1-2), asks for his protection from all directions (verse 3), describes his nature as consciousness and bliss (verses 4-5), identifies him with all gods and cosmic elements (verse 6), reveals his mantra form (verse 7), provides his Gayatri verse (verse 8), describes his meditation form (verse 9), offers salutations (verse 10), and concludes with the benefits and rules of recitation (verses 11-13).
The Ganapatya sect — worshippers who consider Ganesha the supreme deity — regard this text as their primary scripture. Even within the broader Hindu tradition, the Atharvashirsha holds a special place because it bridges the gap between popular devotion (Ganesha as the friendly obstacle-remover) and the highest philosophy (Ganesha as Brahman, the absolute truth). It is recited millions of times during Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations across India.
How to Use in Daily Life
Morning-Evening Recitation
Recite the complete Atharvashirsha once in the morning and once in the evening. The text itself promises that morning recitation destroys sins of the night, and evening recitation destroys sins of the day.
Chaturthi Observance
On Ganesh Chaturthi (4th day of each lunar fortnight, twice monthly), recite the Atharvashirsha while fasting. Verse 12 specifically states that fasting and chanting on Chaturthi brings knowledge and eloquence.
Durva Grass Offering
Offer 21 blades of Durva grass to a Ganesha image while reciting. Verse 13 promises that one who offers Durva becomes as prosperous as Kubera, the god of wealth. Durva grass is Ganesha's most beloved offering.
Deep Study Practice
Once a week, read the Atharvashirsha slowly with its meaning, contemplating each philosophical declaration. This is not just recitation but "adhyayana" (study) — the deeper practice that leads to "sarvavid" (complete knowledge) as promised in the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ganesha Atharvashirsha and what does "Tvameva Pratyaksham Tattvamasi" mean?
What are the benefits of reciting the Ganesha Atharvashirsha?
How should you recite the Ganesha Atharvashirsha?
What is the meaning of "Tvam Bramha Tvam Vishnu Tvam Rudra" in the Atharvashirsha?
What does "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" mean in the Atharvashirsha?
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