Ganesh Mantra: Vakratunda Mahakaya & Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
गणेश मंत्र — वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय
Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha, Om Gam Ganapataye Namah, the Ganesh Gayatri and Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi: the Ganesha mantras chanted before any puja, journey, exam or new beginning, with meaning.

Ganesh Mantra: Vakratunda Mahakaya & Om Gam Ganapataye Namah · गणेश मंत्र — वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय
Language Sanskrit4 verses
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha, Nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva-karyeshu sarvada.
O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty body, radiant as a million suns: make all my work free of obstacles, always.
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः॥
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
Om, with the seed syllable Gam, I bow to Ganapati, lord of the ganas.
ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि। तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Ekadantaya vidmahe, Vakratundaya dheemahi, Tanno Danti prachodayat.
We know the one-tusked Lord and meditate on Him of the curved trunk. May that tusked one inspire us.
गजाननं भूतगणादिसेवितं कपित्थजम्बूफलचारुभक्षणम्। उमासुतं शोकविनाशकारकं नमामि विघ्नेश्वरपादपङ्कजम्॥
Gajananam bhoota-ganadi-sevitam kapittha-jambu-phala-charu-bhakshanam, Uma-sutam shoka-vinasha-karakam namami Vighneshvara-pada-pankajam.
I bow at the lotus feet of Vighneshvara, the elephant-faced Lord served by the ganas, who relishes wood-apple and jamun, the son of Uma who destroys all sorrow.
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How to chant the Ganesh Mantra
108 of Om Gam Ganapataye Namah; the Vakratunda shloka once or three times before beginning any work.
Before any new beginning; Wednesdays, Sankashti and Vinayaka Chaturthi, and Ganeshotsav.
- Offer durva grass, a red flower and a modak or laddoo to Ganesha.
- Light a diya and sit facing east.
- Recite the Vakratunda shloka, then chant the bija mantra on a mala.
- Finish with the aarti Jai Ganesh Deva or Sukhkarta Dukhharta.
Benefits in tradition
- Removes obstacles from work, study, travel and family events.
- Chanted by students before exams for a calm, sharp mind.
- Ganesha is honoured first so that every puja is completed without hindrance.
These are the benefits described in scripture and tradition. Mantra and prayer support, but never replace, medical or professional care.
About the Ganesh Mantra
Every Hindu ritual begins with Ganesha, the lord of beginnings and remover of obstacles. The Vakratunda shloka is recited before starting any work, from a puja to an exam to opening a shop. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah carries Ganesha's seed syllable Gam and is the mantra for daily jap. On Wednesdays and Chaturthi, and above all during the ten days of Ganeshotsav, these mantras are chanted with durva grass and modaks.
Where it is sung
Questions
Why is Ganesha worshipped first?
Shiva blessed Ganesha to be worshipped before all gods. In the well-loved story, Ganesha won the race around the world by circling his parents, showing that they were his whole world.
Which Ganesh mantra is best for students?
The Vakratunda shloka before studying and Om Gam Ganapataye Namah 108 times in the morning are most commonly chanted for study and exams.
Have a question about this mantra?
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