Ganesha — Remover of obstacles, lord of beginnings

Remover of obstacles, lord of beginnings

Ganesha Mantras & Stotras

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is honoured first before every prayer, journey and new undertaking. He is the remover of obstacles, the patron of learning and the keeper of thresholds.

Each hymn here is given in full, with an easy reading, the exact Sanskrit and a line-by-line English meaning.

Ganesha oracle reading

Ganesha Hymns with Meaning

Ganesha seated at the start of an ancient jungle path, raising his hand as boulders blocking the way dissolve into marigold petals and golden light

Mantra · 1 verses

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Ganesha’s seed mantra — “Om, Gam, I bow to the lord of all beings” — chanted at the start of anything new to clear the way of obstacles.

Rishis chanting around a Vedic fire altar at dawn as a golden Ganesha emerges from the flames on a lotus, blessing them

Mantra · 1 verses

Gananam Tva Ganapatim

The ancient Rig Veda verse that opens almost every Hindu ritual — an invitation to the Lord of all hosts, wisest of the wise, to hear our prayer and take his seat among us.