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The hymn of the gods and sages to Ekadanta, the one-tusked Ganesha, after he subdued the demon of pride — 21 verses, each ending “tam ekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ”: “we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.”
From the Mudgala Purana, sung by the gods and sages
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Ekadanta Stotram
Son of Kali · Power of Ganesha
Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.
मदासुरं सुशान्तं वै दृष्ट्वा विष्णुमुखाः सुराः ।
Madasuram Sushantam Vai Drishtva Vishnumukhah Surah
madāsuraṃ suśāntaṃ vai dṛṣṭvā viṣṇumukhāḥ surāḥ
Seeing the demon Mada fully subdued, the gods led by Vishnu
भृग्वादयश्च मुनय एकदन्तं समाययुः ॥ १ ॥
Bhrigvadayashcha Munaya Ekadantam Samayayuh
bhṛgvādayaśca munaya ekadantaṃ samāyayuḥ
and the sages beginning with Bhrigu came to Ekadanta.
प्रणम्य तं प्रपूज्यादौ पुनस्तं नेमुरादरात् ।
Pranamya Tam Prapujyadau Punastam Nemuradarat
praṇamya taṃ prapūjyādau punastaṃ nemurādarāt
Bowing to him and worshipping him first, they bowed again with reverence,
तुष्टुवुर्हर्षसंयुक्ता एकदन्तं गणेश्वरम् ॥ २ ॥
Tushtuvurharshasamyukta Ekadantam Ganeshvaram
tuṣṭuvurharṣasaṃyuktā ekadantaṃ gaṇeśvaram
and full of joy they praised one-tusked Ganesha, lord of the hosts.
सदात्मरूपं सकलादि-भूतममायिनं सोऽहमचिन्त्यबोधम् ।
Sadatmarupam Sakaladi-bhutamamayinam Sohamachintyabodham
sadātmarūpaṃ sakalādi-bhūtamamāyinaṃ so'hamacintyabodham
He whose nature is always the Self, the source of all, free of illusion, the “I am He,” of inconceivable awareness,
अनादि-मध्यान्त-विहीनमेकं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ३ ॥
Anadi-madhyanta-vihinamekam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
anādi-madhyānta-vihīnamekaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
without beginning, middle or end, the One — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
अनन्त-चिद्रूप-मयं गणेशं ह्यभेद-भेदादि-विहीनमाद्यम् ।
Ananta-chidrupa-mayam Ganesham Hyabheda-bhedadi-vihinamadyam
ananta-cidrūpa-mayaṃ gaṇeśaṃ hyabheda-bhedādi-vihīnamādyam
Ganesha, made of infinite consciousness, the first, beyond difference and non-difference,
हृदि प्रकाशस्य धरं स्वधीस्थं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ४ ॥
Hridi Prakashasya Dharam Svadhistham Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
hṛdi prakāśasya dharaṃ svadhīsthaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
who holds the light in the heart, abiding in our own minds — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
विश्वादिभूतं हृदि योगिनां वै प्रत्यक्षरूपेण विभान्तमेकम् ।
Vishvadibhutam Hridi Yoginam Vai Pratyaksharupena Vibhantamekam
viśvādibhūtaṃ hṛdi yogināṃ vai pratyakṣarūpeṇa vibhāntamekam
The origin of the universe, shining as the One in the hearts of yogis in direct experience,
सदा निरालम्ब-समाधिगम्यं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ५ ॥
Sada Niralamba-samadhigamyam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
sadā nirālamba-samādhigamyaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
reached always through samadhi without support — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
स्वबिम्बभावेन विलासयुक्तं बिन्दुस्वरूपा रचिता स्वमाया ।
Svabimbabhavena Vilasayuktam Bindusvarupa Rachita Svamaya
svabimbabhāvena vilāsayuktaṃ bindusvarūpā racitā svamāyā
Playing as his own reflection, he made his maya in the form of the bindu,
तस्यां स्ववीर्यं प्रददाति यो वै तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ६ ॥
Tasyam Svaviryam Pradadati Yo Vai Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
tasyāṃ svavīryaṃ pradadāti yo vai tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
and gives his own power into it — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
त्वदीय-वीर्येण समर्थभूता माया तया संरचितं च विश्वम् ।
Tvadiya-viryena Samarthabhuta Maya Taya Samrachitam Cha Vishvam
tvadīya-vīryeṇa samarthabhūtā māyā tayā saṃracitaṃ ca viśvam
Empowered by your strength, maya created the universe,
नादात्मकं ह्यात्मतया प्रतीतं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ७ ॥
Nadatmakam Hyatmataya Pratitam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
nādātmakaṃ hyātmatayā pratītaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
which is made of sound and is known as the Self — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
त्वदीय-सत्ताधरमेकदन्तं गणेशमेकं त्रयबोधितारम् ।
Tvadiya-sattadharamekadantam Ganeshamekam Trayabodhitaram
tvadīya-sattādharamekadantaṃ gaṇeśamekaṃ trayabodhitāram
The One-Tusked, who upholds your own being, the one Ganesha who awakens the three,
सेवन्त आपुस्तमजं त्रिसंस्थास्तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ८ ॥
Sevanta Apustamajam Trisamsthastamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
sevanta āpustamajaṃ trisaṃsthāstamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
the unborn whom the three gods serve and attain — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
ततस्त्वया प्रेरित एव नादस्तेनेदमेवं रचितं जगद्वै ।
Tatastvaya Prerita Eva Nadastenedamevam Rachitam Jagadvai
tatastvayā prerita eva nādastenedamevaṃ racitaṃ jagadvai
Then, set in motion by you, sound arose, and by it this world was made,
आनन्दरूपं समभावसंस्थं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ९ ॥
Anandarupam Samabhavasamstham Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
ānandarūpaṃ samabhāvasaṃsthaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
whose nature is bliss, abiding in equality — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
तदेव विश्वं कृपया तवैव सम्भूतमाद्यं तमसा विभातम् ।
Tadeva Vishvam Kripaya Tavaiva Sambhutamadyam Tamasa Vibhatam
tadeva viśvaṃ kṛpayā tavaiva sambhūtamādyaṃ tamasā vibhātam
That very universe, by your grace, came forth first, shining with tamas,
अनेकरूपं ह्यजमेकभूतं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १० ॥
Anekarupam Hyajamekabhutam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
anekarūpaṃ hyajamekabhūtaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
many in form yet unborn and one — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
ततस्त्वया प्रेरितमेव तेन सृष्टं सुसूक्ष्मं जगदेकसंस्थम् ।
Tatastvaya Preritameva Tena Srishtam Susukshmam Jagadekasamstham
tatastvayā preritameva tena sṛṣṭaṃ susūkṣmaṃ jagadekasaṃstham
Then, prompted by you, it created a very subtle world resting in the One,
सत्त्वात्मकं श्वेतमनन्तमाद्यं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ ११ ॥
Sattvatmakam Shvetamanantamadyam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
sattvātmakaṃ śvetamanantamādyaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
made of sattva, white, infinite and first — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
तदेव स्वप्नं तपसा गणेशं संसिद्धिरूपं विविधं वभूव ।
Tadeva Svapnam Tapasa Ganesham Samsiddhirupam Vividham Vabhuva
tadeva svapnaṃ tapasā gaṇeśaṃ saṃsiddhirūpaṃ vividhaṃ vabhūva
That dream-world, through tapas, became the many forms of fulfilment, Ganesha,
सदेकरूपं कृपया तवाऽपि तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १२ ॥
Sadekarupam Kripaya Tavapi Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
sadekarūpaṃ kṛpayā tavā'pi tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
yet by your grace it remained of one true nature — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
सम्प्रेरितं तच्च त्वया हृदिस्थं तथा सुसृष्टं जगदंशरूपम् ।
Sampreritam Tachcha Tvaya Hridistham Tatha Susrishtam Jagadamsharupam
sampreritaṃ tacca tvayā hṛdisthaṃ tathā susṛṣṭaṃ jagadaṃśarūpam
Then, moved by you who dwell in the heart, this world was made as your part,
तेनैव जाग्रन्मयमप्रमेयं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १३ ॥
Tenaiva Jagranmayamaprameyam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
tenaiva jāgranmayamaprameyaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
by which the immeasurable waking world arose — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
जाग्रत्स्वरूपं रजसा विभातं विलोकितं तत्कृपया यदैव ।
Jagratsvarupam Rajasa Vibhatam Vilokitam Tatkripaya Yadaiva
jāgratsvarūpaṃ rajasā vibhātaṃ vilokitaṃ tatkṛpayā yadaiva
The waking world, shining through rajas, when looked upon by your grace,
तदा विभिन्नं भवदेकरूपं तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १४ ॥
Tada Vibhinnam Bhavadekarupam Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
tadā vibhinnaṃ bhavadekarūpaṃ tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
then appears divided, though it is your one form — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
एवं च सृष्ट्वा प्रकृतिस्वभावात्तदन्तरे त्वं च विभासि नित्यम् ।
Evam Cha Srishtva Prakritisvabhavattadantare Tvam Cha Vibhasi Nityam
evaṃ ca sṛṣṭvā prakṛtisvabhāvāttadantare tvaṃ ca vibhāsi nityam
Having thus created by the nature of prakriti, you shine within it eternally,
बुद्धिप्रदाता गणनाथ एकस्तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १५ ॥
Buddhipradata Gananatha Ekastamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
buddhipradātā gaṇanātha ekastamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
the one lord of the hosts who gives understanding — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
त्वदाज्ञया भान्ति ग्रहाश्च सर्वे नक्षत्ररूपाणि विभान्ति खे वै ।
Tvadajnaya Bhanti Grahashcha Sarve Nakshatrarupani Vibhanti Khe Vai
tvadājñayā bhānti grahāśca sarve nakṣatrarūpāṇi vibhānti khe vai
By your command all the planets shine, and the stars shine in the sky,
आधारहीनानि त्वया धृतानि तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १६ ॥
Adharahinani Tvaya Dhritani Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
ādhārahīnāni tvayā dhṛtāni tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
without support, held up by you — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
त्वदाज्ञया सृष्टिकरो विधाता त्वदाज्ञया पालक एव विष्णुः ।
Tvadajnaya Srishtikaro Vidhata Tvadajnaya Palaka Eva Vishnuh
tvadājñayā sṛṣṭikaro vidhātā tvadājñayā pālaka eva viṣṇuḥ
By your command Brahma creates; by your command Vishnu protects;
त्वदाज्ञया संहरको हरोऽपि तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १७ ॥
Tvadajnaya Samharako Haropi Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
tvadājñayā saṃharako haro'pi tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
by your command Shiva too dissolves — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
यदाज्ञया भूर्जलमध्यसंस्था यदाज्ञयाऽपः प्रवहन्ति नद्यः ।
Yadajnaya Bhurjalamadhyasamstha Yadajnayapah Pravahanti Nadyah
yadājñayā bhūrjalamadhyasaṃsthā yadājñayā'paḥ pravahanti nadyaḥ
By whose command the earth rests amid the waters, by whose command the rivers flow,
सीमां सदा रक्षति वै समुद्रस्तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १८ ॥
Simam Sada Rakshati Vai Samudrastamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
sīmāṃ sadā rakṣati vai samudrastamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
and the ocean always keeps its shore — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
यदाज्ञया देवगणो दिविस्थो ददाति वै कर्मफलानि नित्यम् ।
Yadajnaya Devagano Divistho Dadati Vai Karmaphalani Nityam
yadājñayā devagaṇo divistho dadāti vai karmaphalāni nityam
By whose command the gods in heaven always give the fruits of action,
यदाज्ञया शैलगणोऽचलो वै तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ १९ ॥
Yadajnaya Shailaganochalo Vai Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
yadājñayā śailagaṇo'calo vai tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
by whose command the mountains stand unmoving — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
यदाज्ञया शेष इलाधरो वै यदाज्ञया मोहप्रदश्च कामः ।
Yadajnaya Shesha Iladharo Vai Yadajnaya Mohapradashcha Kamah
yadājñayā śeṣa ilādharo vai yadājñayā mohapradaśca kāmaḥ
By whose command Shesha upholds the earth, by whose command Kama brings delusion,
यदाज्ञया कालधरोऽर्यमा च तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ २० ॥
Yadajnaya Kaladharoryama Cha Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
yadājñayā kāladharo'ryamā ca tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
by whose command Aryaman keeps time — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
यदाज्ञया वाति विभाति वायुर्यदाज्ञयाऽग्निर्जठरादिसंस्थः ।
Yadajnaya Vati Vibhati Vayuryadajnayagnirjatharadisamsthah
yadājñayā vāti vibhāti vāyuryadājñayā'gnirjaṭharādisaṃsthaḥ
By whose command the wind blows and shines, by whose command fire dwells in the belly,
यदाज्ञया वै सचराऽचरं च तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ २१ ॥
Yadajnaya Vai Sacharacharam Cha Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
yadājñayā vai sacarā'caraṃ ca tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
by whose command all that moves and does not move exists — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
सर्वान्तरे संस्थितमेकगूढं यदाज्ञया सर्वमिदं विभाति ।
Sarvantare Samsthitamekagudham Yadajnaya Sarvamidam Vibhati
sarvāntare saṃsthitamekagūḍhaṃ yadājñayā sarvamidaṃ vibhāti
The hidden One, present within all, by whose command all this shines,
अनन्तरूपं हृदि बोधकं वै तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ २२ ॥
Anantarupam Hridi Bodhakam Vai Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
anantarūpaṃ hṛdi bodhakaṃ vai tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
of infinite form, the awakener in the heart — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
यं योगिनो योगबलेन साध्यं कुर्वन्ति तं कः स्तवनेन स्तौति ।
Yam Yogino Yogabalena Sadhyam Kurvanti Tam Kah Stavanena Stauti
yaṃ yogino yogabalena sādhyaṃ kurvanti taṃ kaḥ stavanena stauti
He whom yogis reach by the power of yoga — who can praise him with a hymn?
अतः प्रणामेन सुसिद्धिदोऽस्तु तमेकदन्तं शरणं व्रजामः ॥ २३ ॥
Atah Pranamena Susiddhidostu Tamekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah
ataḥ praṇāmena susiddhido'stu tamekadantaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
So may he, through our bowing, grant perfect success — we take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.
एवं स्तुत्वा च प्रह्लाद देवाः समुनयश्च वै ।
Evam Stutva Cha Prahlada Devah Samunayashcha Vai
evaṃ stutvā ca prahlāda devāḥ samunayaśca vai
O Prahlada, having praised him thus, the gods and sages
तूष्णीं भावं प्रपद्यैव ननृतुर्हर्षसंयुताः ॥ २४ ॥
Tushnim Bhavam Prapadyaiva Nanriturharshasamyutah
tūṣṇīṃ bhāvaṃ prapadyaiva nanṛturharṣasaṃyutāḥ
fell silent and, full of joy, began to dance.
स तानुवाच प्रीतात्मा ह्येकदन्तः स्तवेन वै ।
Sa Tanuvacha Pritatma Hyekadantah Stavena Vai
sa tānuvāca prītātmā hyekadantaḥ stavena vai
Pleased by the hymn, Ekadanta, loving to his devotees,
जगाद तान् महाभागान् देवर्षीन् भक्तवत्सलः ॥ २५ ॥
Jagada Tan Mahabhagan Devarshin Bhaktavatsalah
jagāda tān mahābhāgān devarṣīn bhaktavatsalaḥ
spoke to the fortunate gods and sages.
प्रसन्नोऽस्मि च स्तोत्रेण सुराः सर्षिगणाः किल ।
Prasannosmi Cha Stotrena Surah Sarshiganah Kila
prasanno'smi ca stotreṇa surāḥ sarṣigaṇāḥ kila
“I am pleased with your hymn, O gods and sages;
वृणुध्वं वरदोऽहं वो दास्यामि मनसीप्सितम् ॥ २६ ॥
Vrinudhvam Varadoham Vo Dasyami Manasipsitam
vṛṇudhvaṃ varado'haṃ vo dāsyāmi manasīpsitam
choose a boon — I am the giver of boons, and I will give you what your hearts desire.
भवत्कृतं मदीयं वै स्तोत्रं प्रीतिप्रदं मम ।
Bhavatkritam Madiyam Vai Stotram Pritipradam Mama
bhavatkṛtaṃ madīyaṃ vai stotraṃ prītipradaṃ mama
This hymn to me, made by you, will bring me joy;
भविष्यति न सन्देहः सर्वसिद्धिप्रदायकम् ॥ २७ ॥
Bhavishyati Na Sandehah Sarvasiddhipradayakam
bhaviṣyati na sandehaḥ sarvasiddhipradāyakam
without doubt it will grant every success.
यं यमिच्छति तं तं वै दास्यामि स्तोत्रपाठतः ।
Yam Yamicchati Tam Tam Vai Dasyami Stotrapathatah
yaṃ yamicchati taṃ taṃ vai dāsyāmi stotrapāṭhataḥ
Whatever one wishes for, I will give through reciting this hymn;
पुत्र-पौत्रादिकं सर्वं लभते धन-धान्यकम् ॥ २८ ॥
Putra-pautradikam Sarvam Labhate Dhana-dhanyakam
putra-pautrādikaṃ sarvaṃ labhate dhana-dhānyakam
one gains children, grandchildren, wealth and grain.
गजाश्वादिकमत्यन्तं राज्यभोगं लभेद् ध्रुवम् ।
Gajashvadikamatyantam Rajyabhogam Labhed Dhruvam
gajāśvādikamatyantaṃ rājyabhogaṃ labhed dhruvam
One surely gains elephants, horses and the enjoyments of kingship,
भुक्तिं मुक्तिं च योगं वै लभते शान्तिदायकम् ॥ २९ ॥
Bhuktim Muktim Cha Yogam Vai Labhate Shantidayakam
bhuktiṃ muktiṃ ca yogaṃ vai labhate śāntidāyakam
enjoyment and liberation, and the yoga that gives peace.
मारणोच्चाटनादीनि राज्यबन्धादिकं च यत् ।
Maranochchatanadini Rajyabandhadikam Cha Yat
māraṇoccāṭanādīni rājyabandhādikaṃ ca yat
Whatever harmful spells, banishment or imprisonment there may be,
पठतां शृण्वतां नृणां भवेच्च बन्धहीनता ॥ ३० ॥
Pathatam Shrinvatam Nrinam Bhavechcha Bandhahinata
paṭhatāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ nṛṇāṃ bhavecca bandhahīnatā
those who read or hear this become free of all bondage.
एकविंशतिवारं च श्लोकांश्चैवैकविंशतिम् ।
Ekavimshativaram Cha Shlokamshchaivaikavimshatim
ekaviṃśativāraṃ ca ślokāṃścaivaikaviṃśatim
Whoever recites these twenty-one verses twenty-one times
पठते नित्यमेवं च दिनानि त्वेकविंशतिम् ॥ ३१ ॥
Pathate Nityamevam Cha Dinani Tvekavimshatim
paṭhate nityamevaṃ ca dināni tvekaviṃśatim
every day for twenty-one days,
न तस्य दुर्लभं किंचित् त्रिषु लोकेषु वै भवेत् ।
Na Tasya Durlabham Kimchit Trishu Lokeshu Vai Bhavet
na tasya durlabhaṃ kiṃcit triṣu lokeṣu vai bhavet
finds nothing hard to obtain in the three worlds;
असाध्यं साधयेन् मर्त्यः सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत् ॥ ३२ ॥
Asadhyam Sadhayen Martyah Sarvatra Vijayi Bhavet
asādhyaṃ sādhayen martyaḥ sarvatra vijayī bhavet
such a person accomplishes the impossible and is victorious everywhere.
नित्यं यः पठते स्तोत्रं ब्रह्मभूतः स वै नरः ।
Nityam Yah Pathate Stotram Brahmabhutah Sa Vai Narah
nityaṃ yaḥ paṭhate stotraṃ brahmabhūtaḥ sa vai naraḥ
Whoever recites this hymn daily becomes one with Brahman,
तस्य दर्शनतः सर्वे देवाः पूता भवन्ति वै ॥ ३३ ॥
Tasya Darshanatah Sarve Devah Puta Bhavanti Vai
tasya darśanataḥ sarve devāḥ pūtā bhavanti vai
and by seeing such a person, all the gods are purified.”
एवं तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रहृष्टा देवतर्षयः ।
Evam Tasya Vachah Shrutva Prahrishta Devatarshayah
evaṃ tasya vacaḥ śrutvā prahṛṣṭā devatarṣayaḥ
Hearing his words, the gods and sages rejoiced,
ऊचुः करपुटाः सर्वे भक्तियुक्ता गजाननम् ॥ ३४ ॥
Uchuh Karaputah Sarve Bhaktiyukta Gajananam
ūcuḥ karapuṭāḥ sarve bhaktiyuktā gajānanam
and with joined palms and full of devotion they spoke to elephant-faced Ganesha.
In the Mudgala Purana, Ganesha takes eight great forms to overcome eight great demons — each demon a human weakness. As Ekadanta, the One-Tusked, he subdues Madasura, the demon of arrogance and intoxication. When the demon surrenders, Vishnu, the gods and the sages led by Bhrigu come to praise him with this hymn.
It is a deeply philosophical hymn. Ekadanta is described as the Self, beyond beginning, middle and end; the source of maya, of sound, of the dreaming and waking worlds; the one at whose command the planets shine, Brahma creates, Vishnu protects and Shiva dissolves, the rivers flow and the ocean keeps its shore. Every verse ends with the same refrain of refuge.
Ekadanta himself then promises that the hymn gives every success, children and wealth, enjoyment and liberation, and freedom from all bondage. Because the text is long, the page shows the opening first — press “Show the full text” for the rest.
In one story, Ganesha broke off his tusk to use as a pen when the sage Vyasa asked him to write down the Mahabharata without pausing. In another, he lost it in a fight with Parashurama, and accepted the loss rather than let his father’s gift be dishonoured.
In the Mudgala Purana, the single tusk stands for oneness — the one reality behind all appearances, which is exactly what this hymn praises.
When to chant
How many times
Once daily; the hymn mentions 21 recitations a day for 21 days for special results.
Offer durva grass and a modaka to Ganesha.
Chant each verse, joining the refrain.
Let the refrain become a real act of surrender.
Close with Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
ekadantaṃ
ay-ka-dun-tum — “the one-tusked.”
śaraṇaṃ vrajāmaḥ
sha-ra-num vra-jaa-mah — “we take refuge.”
madāsura
ma-daa-su-ra — the demon of pride.
What is the Ekadanta Stotram?
A hymn from the Mudgala Purana in which the gods and sages praise Ganesha as Ekadanta, the one-tusked, after he subdues the demon of pride.
What does Tam Ekadantam Sharanam Vrajamah mean?
“We take refuge in that One-Tusked Lord.”
What are its benefits?
Ganesha promises that reciting it grants every wish, children and wealth, both enjoyment and liberation, and freedom from bondage.