Ganesh Gayatri Mantra

Who Shri Ganesh is

Ganesha — also Ganapati, Vinayaka and Vighnaharta — is the son of Shiva and Parvati, the elephant-headed god of beginnings, wisdom and the removal of obstacles. He is pratham pujya, the one worshipped first: no puja, wedding, housewarming or new venture begins without invoking him, so that obstacles are cleared before they arise. His vehicle is the mouse (mushak), his favourite offering is modak, and his broken single tusk is the subject of the well-known story that he broke it off to use as a pen when writing down the Mahabharata as Vyasa dictated it. His days are Wednesday and Chaturthi — especially Sankashti Chaturthi each month and the great festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.

What the mantra means

This Ganesh Gayatri is found in the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, and follows the three-part pattern of the classical Gayatri Mantra:

• Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe — we know the one-tusked one (Ekadanta),
• Vakratundaya Dhimahi — we meditate on the one with the curved trunk (Vakratunda);
• Tanno Danti Prachodayat — may that tusked one (Danti) inspire and illuminate us.

All three names point to Ganesha's form, and each carries meaning: the single tusk for the sacrifice of the unnecessary in the service of knowledge, and the curving trunk for an intelligence that can find its way around any obstacle.

How to do the jaap

1. Day and time: Wednesday or Chaturthi are especially favoured; morning after bathing is the usual time. Most importantly, chant it before beginning anything new.
2. Seat and direction: A clean asana facing east or north, before an image of Ganesha.
3. Offerings: Durva grass (Ganesha's favourite — offered in blades of 21), red flowers, a lamp, and modak or laddoos.
4. Mala: Rudraksha, red sandalwood or any mala kept for japa, 108 beads.
5. Count: 11, 21 or 108 repetitions. On Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti many chant 108 or more.
6. Close: Offer the prasad, and follow with the Ganesh Aarti or Ganesh Chalisa if time allows.

Benefits traditionally associated with it

• Removal of obstacles — in a new venture, a journey, studies or a family event.
• Wisdom, intelligence and good judgement (buddhi), of which Ganesha is the lord.
• Success and an auspicious start (shubh aarambh) to new work.
• Concentration and memory for students.
• Relief from worry and mental restlessness, since Ganesha is invoked to settle things before they begin.

Why people do it

People chant this mantra at the start of things — a business, a new job, a journey, an exam, a wedding, the first day in a new home — echoing Ganesha's role as the deity invoked before any other. Students chant it for focus and understanding, and families chant it together during Ganesh Chaturthi. It is short, complete and suited to anyone, which makes it a natural daily mantra for people who want Ganesha's blessing on whatever the day holds.