By Pt. Amitabh Sharma
Explore the Vedic significance of Ganapati Atharvashirsha Mantra, correct recitation process, transformative benefits and deeper spiritual mysteries
Ganpati Atharvashirsha is a profound Vedic hymn from the Antharva Veda tradition. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha-the first invoked, remover of obstacles and granter of auspiciousness-this stotra is recited at the outset of any auspicious Hindu ritual, from yagna and vratas to weddings and name-giving ceremonies. Its regular chanting is not just a spiritual anchor but a tool for mental peace, the removal of hurdles and the awakening of the higher self.
Ganpati Atharvashirsha is a vedic hymn celebrating Lord Ganesha’s form, power and the very essence of Brahman. Declaring Ganesha as the direct manifestation of Brahman, the hymn presents deep Advaita Vedanta wisdom in accessible language. Reciting it regularly purifies the mind and directs the seeker toward self-realization.
Om bhadram karnebhih shrunuyaama devaah
bhadram pashyema-akshabhiryajatraah
sthirairangai stushtuvaamsah tanuubhih
vyashema devahitam yadayuh
Om swasti na indro vriddhashravaah
swasti nah pusha vishwavedah
swasti nah tarkshyo arishtanemih
swasti no brihaspatir dadhatu
Om shantih shantih shantih
May I hear only what is good and uplifting, may I see only what is pure and beautiful. Let my body be healthy, steady and strong, so that I may praise the divine with my whole being. May my life be lived in harmony, devoted to what uplifts the soul. May Indra grant strength, may Pusha (the Sun) bring insight, may Tarkshya (Garuda) help me overcome obstacles and may Brihaspati guide my wisdom. May there be complete peace-in the mind, body and throughout all realms.
Om namaste ganapataye
tvam eva pratyaksham tattvam asi
tvam eva kevalam kartasi
tvam eva kevalam dhartasi
tvam eva kevalam hartasi
tvam eva sarvam khalvidam brahmasi
tvam sakshad atma asi nityam
ritam vachmi satyam vachmi
ava tvam mam
ava vaktaram
ava shrotaram
ava dataram
ava dhataram
ava-anuchanam ava shishyam
ava pashchatat ava purastat
avottaratat ava dakshinatat
ava chordhvatat avadharatat
sarvato mam pahi pahi samantat
Salutations to you, Ganesha. I recognize you as the supreme principle. You alone are the creator, sustainer and dissolver of all. This entire universe is you-pure Brahman. You are the abiding, eternal self within all. I declare eternal dharma and truth. Protect my speech, hearing, giving, remembering, my teacher and student role. Guard me from all directions-behind and before, north and south, above and below. Ganesha, shield me utterly from every side.
tvam vangmayas tvam chinmayah
tvam anandamayas tvam brahmamayah
tvam sachchidananda advitiyo asi
tvam pratyaksham brahma asi
tvam jnanamayo vijnanamayo asi
sarvam jagad idam tvatto jayate
sarvam jagad idam tvattas tishthati
sarvam jagad idam tvayi layam eshyati
sarvam jagad idam tvayi pratyeti
tvam bhumir apo analo anilo nabhah
tvam chatvari vak-padaani
You are the root of speech, knowledge and awareness. You are blissful and the ultimate reality, the one without second-Truth, Awareness and Bliss. You are direct Brahman, replete with knowledge and wisdom. From you arises all creation; in you all abides; into you all dissolves and unto you all returns. You are earth, water, fire, air and space. You are the four forms of speech-para, pashyanti, madhyama and vaikhari.
tvam guna-trayatitah
tvam avastha-trayatitah
tvam deha-trayatitah
tvam kala-trayatitah
tvam muladhara-sthitas-i nityam
tvam shakti-trayatmakah
tvam yogino dhyayanti nityam
tvam brahma tvam vishnustvam rudrah
tvam indrastvam agnistvam vayustvam
suryastvam chandramastvam
brahma bhur bhuvah svar om
You transcend the three qualities of nature, the three states of consciousness and bodily limitations. You are beyond time. Your eternal seat is in the muladhara chakra, the root of all power. Practiced yogis eternally meditate on you. You are the essence of Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra-you pervade all realms (bhur, bhuvah, svah).
ganadi purvam ucharya varnadim tadanantaram
anusvarah paratarah
ardhendu lasitam
taren riddham
etat tava manusvarupam
gakarah purva rupam
akarah madhyama rupam
anusvarash chantya rupam
bindur uttara rupam
nadah sandhanam
samhita sandhih
saisha ganesha vidya
ganaka rishih
nichrud gayatri chhandah
ganapatir devata
Om gam ganapataye namah
G is the starting point, then the vowels, followed by the nasalized sound, the dot and the resonance. This syllabic form is your mantra expression. G is the first form, A is the middle, Anusvara is the ending. The dot and resonance join them. Thus is formed the Ganapati Vidya, revealed by Sage Ganaka in the Nichrud Gayatri metre. Ganesha is the presiding deity. Chant: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
ekadantam chaturhastam pashamankusha-dharinam
radam cha varadam hastair bibranam mushaka dhvajam
raktam lambodaram shurpakarnakam raktavasasam
rakta gandhanuliptangam raktapushpaih su-pujitam
bhaktanukampinam devam jagatkaranam achyutam
avirbhutam cha srishtyadau prakriteh purushat param
evam dhyayati yo nityam sa yogi yoginam varah
He is the one-tusked, four-armed form, holding the noose and the goad, blessing hands, riding a mouse emblem. Clad in red, with large belly, broad ears, anointed with red sandal, worshipped with red flowers, compassionate to devotees, the everlasting cause of the world, transcending primordial nature. One who contemplates thus each day overtakes all yogis in inner realization.
namo vratapataye namo ganapataye
namah pramathapataye
namaste lambodaraya ekadantaya
vighnanasine shiv sutaya
shri varadamurtaye namo namah
I bow to the Lord of hosts, Ganesha, leader of divine attendants, large-bellied and single tusked, remover of obstacles, son of Shiva, bringer of boons.
etad atharvashirsham yo adhite sa brahmabhuyaya kalpate
sa sarvatah sukhamedhate sa sarvavighair na badhyate
sa pancha mahapapat pramuchyate
sayam adheeyano divasa kritam papam nashayati
pratar adheeyano ratrikritam papam nashayati
sayam pratah prayunjanah apapo bhavati
sarvatra adheeyano apavighno bhavati
dharmartha kama moksham ch vindati
One who recites this Ganpati Atharvashirsha attains Brahmanhood, receives joy and freedom from all obstacles and five great sins. It eliminates the sins of the day if read at dusk and of the night if read at dawn. Regular recitation brings all four aims of life: dharma, artha, kama, moksha.
This scripture declares Ganesha not only as the remover of obstacles but as the very personification of Brahman-“tvam eva pratyaksham tattvam asi,” meaning “You alone are the manifest Absolute.” It harmonizes the principles of Vedantic unity with the five elements, four levels of speech and the unity of self and Brahman.
The hymn deeply analyzes the bija mantra “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.” The dhyana mantra contemplates Lord Ganesha as red-complexioned, large-bellied, big-eared, four-armed and bearing his iconic implements, invoking his blessings.
Ganpati Atharvashirsha is more than a stotram-it is a spiritual discipline uniting the soul and the supreme. It is an embodiment of knowledge, intellect, strength and devotion. With dedicated and regular recitation, a practitioner attains not only worldly joys but spiritual upliftment and realization.
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