Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam (Ganesh Mantra)

A verse you can picture

Many Ganesh mantras are a name and a bow. This one draws a scene: the elephant-faced god surrounded by his attendants, the ganas, enjoying fruit. It is one of the shlokas children learn first, and it is said at the start of puja, school assemblies and new work, often after Vakratunda Mahakaya.

What each line means

• Gajananam bhutaganadisevitam: the elephant-faced one, served by the bhutas, the ganas and others. The ganas are Shiva's attendants, and Ganesha is their lord, Ganapati.
• Kapitthajambuphalacharubhakshanam: who delights in eating kapittha and jambu fruit. Kapittha is the wood-apple (kaith, kavith) and jambu is the jamun. Both are simple, seasonal fruits of the Indian countryside, not rich sweets, which is part of the verse's charm.
• Umasutam shokavinashakarakam: the son of Uma (Parvati), the one who destroys sorrow.
• Namami vighneshvarapadapankajam: I bow to the lotus feet of Vighneshvara, the lord of obstacles.

Vighneshvara is worth pausing on. Ganesha is the lord of obstacles in both directions: he removes them for those who pray, and tradition says he can also place them. That is why he is worshipped first, before any other deity or task.

Two readings of the second line

You will find this line in two forms. The more common one, given above, is kapitthajambuphalacharubhakshanam, "who eats the lovely kapittha and jambu fruits." Another widely printed version reads kapitthajambuphalasarabhakshitam, "who eats the essence of kapittha and jambu." The meaning is the same. Recite whichever your family or teacher uses. Likewise the third line sometimes ends shokavinashakaranam instead of -karakam, with the same meaning.

When and how to recite it

• At the start of any puja: once, with folded hands, before you invoke other deities.
• Wednesdays and Chaturthi: both are Ganesha's days. It is said with the Ganesh aarti on Sankashti and during Ganesh Chaturthi.
• Before study or new work: a short prayer to clear the way.
• Offering: if you can find them in season, a wood-apple or a few jamuns make a fitting offering with this verse. Modak and laddoo are of course welcome too.

Frequently asked questions

What does "Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam" mean?

"The elephant-faced one, served by the bhutas, ganas and others." It describes Ganesha as the lord of Shiva's attendants.

What are kapittha and jambu?

Kapittha is the wood-apple (kaith), a hard-shelled fruit with tangy pulp. Jambu is the jamun, the purple fruit of the monsoon. Both are fruits Ganesha is said to love.

Is it "charubhakshanam" or "sarabhakshitam"?

Both readings are in use and mean the same thing. "Charubhakshanam" is more common in North India, and either is fine to recite.

When should this Ganesh mantra be chanted?

At the start of any puja or new task, and especially on Wednesdays, Sankashti Chaturthi and Ganesh Chaturthi.

How many times should it be recited?

As a shloka it is usually said once or three times. For counted japa, "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah" is the more usual Ganesh mantra.

Can children learn this mantra?

Yes, it is one of the first shlokas taught to children. The picture of Ganesha eating fruit makes it easy to remember.