Ganesha · Kavacham
Lyrics · Meaning · Audio
The “Diamond Cage” of Ganesha from the Mudgala Purana — taught by Ganesha himself to Shiva — in which his eight avatars protect each layer of one’s being, from the body to the bliss beyond thought, and his forms guard every direction, so that one becomes “hard as diamond” and free of fear.
From the Mudgala Purana (8.23), spoken by Ganesha to Shiva
Listen
Sri Ganesha Vajra Panjara 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.
वज्रपञ्जरकं नाथ ब्रूहि मे गणपप्रियम् ।
Vajrapanjarakam Natha Bruhi Me Ganapapriyam
vajrapañjarakaṃ nātha brūhi me gaṇapapriyam
Shiva said: Lord, tell me the diamond cage that is dear to Ganesha,
ज्ञानमयं महान्धस्य नाशकं सुखदायकम् ॥ ३६ ॥
Jnanamayam Mahandhasya Nashakam Sukhadayakam
jñānamayaṃ mahāndhasya nāśakaṃ sukhadāyakam
made of knowledge, destroyer of great blindness, giver of happiness.
आदौ नित्यविधिं कृत्वा पूजयित्वा गजाननम् ।
Adau Nityavidhim Kritva Pujayitva Gajananam
ādau nityavidhiṃ kṛtvā pūjayitvā gajānanam
Ganesha said: First perform the daily rites and worship the elephant-faced one;
वज्रपञ्जरकं ग्राह्यं सर्वाज्ञानविनाशनम् ॥ ३७ ॥
Vajrapanjarakam Grahyam Sarvajnanavinashanam
vajrapañjarakaṃ grāhyaṃ sarvājñānavināśanam
then take up the diamond cage, destroyer of all ignorance.
त्रिनेत्रं गजास्यं चतुर्बाहुधारं परश्वादिशस्त्रैर्युतं भालचन्द्रम् ।
Trinetram Gajasyam Chaturbahudharam Parashvadishastrairyutam Bhalachandram
trinetraṃ gajāsyaṃ caturbāhudhāraṃ paraśvādiśastrairyutaṃ bhālacandram
Three-eyed, elephant-faced, four-armed, holding the axe and other weapons, the moon on his brow,
नराकारदेहं सदा योगशान्तं गणेशं भजे सर्ववन्द्यं परेशम् ॥ ३८ ॥
Narakaradeham Sada Yogashantam Ganesham Bhaje Sarvavandyam Paresham
narākāradehaṃ sadā yogaśāntaṃ gaṇeśaṃ bhaje sarvavandyaṃ pareśam
human in body, ever peaceful in yoga — I worship Ganesha, honoured by all, the supreme Lord.
एवं ध्यात्वा गणेशानं मानसैरुपचारकैः ।
Evam Dhyatva Ganeshanam Manasairupacharakaih
evaṃ dhyātvā gaṇeśānaṃ mānasairupacārakaiḥ
Meditating thus on Ganeshana, with offerings made in the mind,
पूजयेत्तं नमस्कृत्य धारयेद्वज्रपञ्जरम् ॥ ३९ ॥
Pujayettam Namaskritya Dharayedvajrapanjaram
pūjayettaṃ namaskṛtya dhārayedvajrapañjaram
worship him, bow, and put on the diamond cage.
बिन्दुरूपो वक्रतुण्डो रक्षतु मे हृदि स्थितः ।
Bindurupo Vakratundo Rakshatu Me Hridi Sthitah
bindurūpo vakratuṇḍo rakṣatu me hṛdi sthitaḥ
May Vakratunda, in the form of the point, dwelling in my heart, protect me —
देहांश्चतुर्विधांस्तत्वांस्तत्वाधारः सनातनः ॥ ४० ॥
Dehamshchaturvidhamstatvamstatvadharah Sanatanah
dehāṃścaturvidhāṃstatvāṃstatvādhāraḥ sanātanaḥ
my four kinds of body and their principles — the eternal support of all principles.
देहमोहयुतं ह्येकदन्तः सोऽहं स्वरूपधृक् ।
Dehamohayutam Hyekadantah Soham Svarupadhrik
dehamohayutaṃ hyekadantaḥ so'haṃ svarūpadhṛk
May Ekadanta — “I am He”, holding his own form — who is the delusion of the body,
देहिनं मां विशेषेण रक्षतु भ्रमनाशकः ॥ ४१ ॥
Dehinam Mam Visheshena Rakshatu Bhramanashakah
dehinaṃ māṃ viśeṣeṇa rakṣatu bhramanāśakaḥ
protect me, the embodied one, especially — the destroyer of confusion.
महोदरस्तथा देवो नानाबोधान् प्रतापवान् ।
Mahodarastatha Devo Nanabodhan Pratapavan
mahodarastathā devo nānābodhān pratāpavān
May the glorious god Mahodara, through his many awakenings,
सदा रक्षतु मे बोधानन्दसंस्थो ह्यहर्निशम् ॥ ४२ ॥
Sada Rakshatu Me Bodhanandasamstho Hyaharnisham
sadā rakṣatu me bodhānandasaṃstho hyaharniśam
always protect my states of knowing, dwelling in the bliss of awareness day and night.
साङ्ख्यान् रक्षतु साङ्ख्येशो गजाननः सुसिद्धिदः ।
Sankhyan Rakshatu Sankhyesho Gajananah Susiddhidah
sāṅkhyān rakṣatu sāṅkhyeśo gajānanaḥ susiddhidaḥ
May Gajanana, lord of Sankhya, giver of perfection, protect the Sankhya principles;
असत्येषु स्थितं मां स लम्बोदरश्च रक्षतु ॥ ४३ ॥
Asatyeshu Sthitam Mam Sa Lambodarashcha Rakshatu
asatyeṣu sthitaṃ māṃ sa lambodaraśca rakṣatu
and may Lambodara protect me when I dwell among what is untrue.
सत्सु स्थितं सुमोहेन विकटो मां परात्परः ।
Satsu Sthitam Sumohena Vikato Mam Paratparah
satsu sthitaṃ sumohena vikaṭo māṃ parātparaḥ
When I dwell among the real yet deluded, may Vikata, higher than the highest,
रक्षतु भक्तवात्सल्यात् सदैकामृतधारकः ॥ ४४ ॥
Rakshatu Bhaktavatsalyat Sadaikamritadharakah
rakṣatu bhaktavātsalyāt sadaikāmṛtadhārakaḥ
protect me out of love for his devotees, ever bearing the one nectar.
आनन्देषु स्थितं नित्यं मां रक्षतु समात्मकः ।
Anandeshu Sthitam Nityam Mam Rakshatu Samatmakah
ānandeṣu sthitaṃ nityaṃ māṃ rakṣatu samātmakaḥ
When I dwell in joys, may the even-souled one always protect me —
विघ्नराजो महाविघ्नैर्नानाखेलकरः प्रभुः ॥ ४५ ॥
Vighnarajo Mahavighnairnanakhelakarah Prabhuh
vighnarājo mahāvighnairnānākhelakaraḥ prabhuḥ
Vighnaraja, the Lord, who plays many games with great obstacles.
अव्यक्तेषु स्थितं नित्यं धूम्रवर्णस्वरूपधृक् ।
Avyakteshu Sthitam Nityam Dhumravarnasvarupadhrik
avyakteṣu sthitaṃ nityaṃ dhūmravarṇasvarūpadhṛk
When I dwell in the unmanifest, may he who bears the form of Dhumravarna,
मां रक्षतु सुखाकारः सहजः सर्वपूजितः ॥ ४६ ॥
Mam Rakshatu Sukhakarah Sahajah Sarvapujitah
māṃ rakṣatu sukhākāraḥ sahajaḥ sarvapūjitaḥ
the form of happiness, innate, worshipped by all, always protect me.
स्वसंवेद्येषु संस्थं मां गणेशः स्वस्वरूपधृक् ।
Svasamvedyeshu Samstham Mam Ganeshah Svasvarupadhrik
svasaṃvedyeṣu saṃsthaṃ māṃ gaṇeśaḥ svasvarūpadhṛk
When I rest in what is known only to oneself, may Ganesha, in his own form,
रक्षतु योगभावेन संस्थितो भवनायकः ॥ ४७ ॥
Rakshatu Yogabhavena Samsthito Bhavanayakah
rakṣatu yogabhāvena saṃsthito bhavanāyakaḥ
protect me through yoga — the leader of the world, abiding in it.
अयोगेषु स्थितं नित्यं मां रक्षतु गणेश्वरः ।
Ayogeshu Sthitam Nityam Mam Rakshatu Ganeshvarah
ayogeṣu sthitaṃ nityaṃ māṃ rakṣatu gaṇeśvaraḥ
When I dwell beyond union, may Ganeshvara always protect me —
निवृत्तिरूपधृक् साक्षादसमाधिसुखे रतः ॥ ४८ ॥
Nivrittirupadhrik Sakshadasamadhisukhe Ratah
nivṛttirūpadhṛk sākṣādasamādhisukhe rataḥ
the very form of rest, delighting in the joy beyond samadhi.
योगशान्तिधरो मां तु रक्षतु योगसंस्थितम् ।
Yogashantidharo Mam Tu Rakshatu Yogasamsthitam
yogaśāntidharo māṃ tu rakṣatu yogasaṃsthitam
When I abide in yoga, may the bearer of yoga’s peace protect me —
गणाधीशः प्रसन्नात्मा सिद्धिबुद्धिसमन्वितः ॥ ४९ ॥
Ganadhishah Prasannatma Siddhibuddhisamanvitah
gaṇādhīśaḥ prasannātmā siddhibuddhisamanvitaḥ
Ganadhisha, of gracious soul, with Siddhi and Buddhi.
पुरो मां गजकर्णश्च रक्षतु विघ्नहारकः ।
Puro Mam Gajakarnashcha Rakshatu Vighnaharakah
puro māṃ gajakarṇaśca rakṣatu vighnahārakaḥ
In front, may Gajakarna, remover of obstacles, protect me;
वाह्न्यां याम्यां च नैरृत्यां चिन्तामणिर्वरप्रदः ॥ ५० ॥
Vahnyam Yamyam Cha Nairrityam Chintamanirvarapradah
vāhnyāṃ yāmyāṃ ca nairṛtyāṃ cintāmaṇirvarapradaḥ
in the south-east, south and south-west, Chintamani, the giver of boons;
रक्षतु पश्चिमे ढुण्ढिर्हेरम्बो वायुदिक् स्थितम् ।
Rakshatu Pashchime Dhundhirherambo Vayudik Sthitam
rakṣatu paścime ḍhuṇḍhirherambo vāyudik sthitam
in the west Dhundhi, and Heramba guard me in the north-west;
विनायकश्चोत्तरे तु प्रमोदश्चेशदिक् स्थितम् ॥ ५१ ॥
Vinayakashchottare Tu Pramodashcheshadik Sthitam
vināyakaścottare tu pramodaśceśadik sthitam
Vinayaka in the north, and Pramoda in the north-east.
ऊर्ध्वं सिद्धिपतिः पातु बुद्धीशोऽधः स्थितं सदा ।
Urdhvam Siddhipatih Patu Buddhishodhah Sthitam Sada
ūrdhvaṃ siddhipatiḥ pātu buddhīśo'dhaḥ sthitaṃ sadā
Above, may the lord of Siddhi protect me, and the lord of Buddhi below, always;
सर्वाङ्गेषु मयूरेशः पातु मां भक्तिलालसः ॥ ५२ ॥
Sarvangeshu Mayureshah Patu Mam Bhaktilalasah
sarvāṅgeṣu mayūreśaḥ pātu māṃ bhaktilālasaḥ
in all my limbs, may Mayuresha, eager for devotion, protect me.
यत्र तत्र स्थितं मां तु सदा रक्षतु योगपः ।
Yatra Tatra Sthitam Mam Tu Sada Rakshatu Yogapah
yatra tatra sthitaṃ māṃ tu sadā rakṣatu yogapaḥ
Wherever I may be, may the lord of yoga always protect me,
परशुपाशसंयुक्तो वरदाभयधारकः ॥ ५३ ॥
Parashupashasamyukto Varadabhayadharakah
paraśupāśasaṃyukto varadābhayadhārakaḥ
holding the axe and noose, granting boons and fearlessness.
इदं गणपतेः प्रोक्तं वज्रपञ्जरकं परम् ।
Idam Ganapateh Proktam Vajrapanjarakam Param
idaṃ gaṇapateḥ proktaṃ vajrapañjarakaṃ param
This is the supreme diamond cage of Ganapati that I have spoken;
धारयस्व महादेव विजयी त्वं भविष्यसि ॥ ५४ ॥
Dharayasva Mahadeva Vijayi Tvam Bhavishyasi
dhārayasva mahādeva vijayī tvaṃ bhaviṣyasi
wear it, Mahadeva, and you will be victorious.
य इदं पञ्जरं धृत्वा यत्र कुत्र स्थितो भवेत् ।
Ya Idam Panjaram Dhritva Yatra Kutra Sthito Bhavet
ya idaṃ pañjaraṃ dhṛtvā yatra kutra sthito bhavet
Whoever wears this cage, wherever they may be,
न तस्य जायते क्वापि भयं नानास्वभावजम् ॥ ५५ ॥
Na Tasya Jayate Kvapi Bhayam Nanasvabhavajam
na tasya jāyate kvāpi bhayaṃ nānāsvabhāvajam
no fear of any kind ever arises for them.
यः पठेत् पञ्जरं नित्यं स ईप्सितमवाप्नुयात् ।
Yah Pathet Panjaram Nityam Sa Ipsitamavapnuyat
yaḥ paṭhet pañjaraṃ nityaṃ sa īpsitamavāpnuyāt
Whoever reads the cage daily gains what they desire;
वज्रसारतनुर्भूत्वा चरेत् सर्वत्र मानवः ॥ ५६ ॥
Vajrasaratanurbhutva Charet Sarvatra Manavah
vajrasāratanurbhūtvā caret sarvatra mānavaḥ
their body becomes as hard as diamond and they may move anywhere.
त्रिकालं यः पठेन्नित्यं स गणेश इवापरः ।
Trikalam Yah Pathennityam Sa Ganesha Ivaparah
trikālaṃ yaḥ paṭhennityaṃ sa gaṇeśa ivāparaḥ
Whoever reads it every day at the three times becomes like a second Ganesha,
निर्विघ्नः सर्वकार्येषु ब्रह्मभूतो भवेन्नरः ॥ ५७ ॥
Nirvighnah Sarvakaryeshu Brahmabhuto Bhavennarah
nirvighnaḥ sarvakāryeṣu brahmabhūto bhavennaraḥ
free of obstacles in every task, one with Brahman.
यः शृणोति गणेशस्य पञ्जरं वज्रसंज्ञकम् ।
Yah Shrinoti Ganeshasya Panjaram Vajrasamjnakam
yaḥ śṛṇoti gaṇeśasya pañjaraṃ vajrasaṃjñakam
Whoever hears this cage of Ganesha called “diamond”
आरोग्यादिसमायुक्तो भवते गणपप्रियः ॥ ५८ ॥
Arogyadisamayukto Bhavate Ganapapriyah
ārogyādisamāyukto bhavate gaṇapapriyaḥ
is blessed with health and more, and becomes dear to Ganesha.
धनं धान्यं पशून् विद्यामायुष्यं पुत्रपौत्रकम् ।
Dhanam Dhanyam Pashun Vidyamayushyam Putrapautrakam
dhanaṃ dhānyaṃ paśūn vidyāmāyuṣyaṃ putrapautrakam
Wealth, grain, cattle, learning, long life, children and grandchildren —
सर्वसम्पत्समायुक्तमैश्वर्यं पठनाल्लभेत् ॥ ५९ ॥
Sarvasampatsamayuktamaishvaryam Pathanallabhet
sarvasampatsamāyuktamaiśvaryaṃ paṭhanāllabhet
a lordship rich in every fortune is gained by reading it.
न भयं तस्य वज्रात्तु चक्राच्छूलाद्भवेत् कदा ।
Na Bhayam Tasya Vajrattu Chakracchuladbhavet Kada
na bhayaṃ tasya vajrāttu cakrācchūlādbhavet kadā
Such a person need never fear the thunderbolt, the discus or the trident,
शङ्करादेर्महादेव पठनादस्य नित्यशः ॥ ६० ॥
Shankaradermahadeva Pathanadasya Nityashah
śaṅkarādermahādeva paṭhanādasya nityaśaḥ
even from you, Shankara, Mahadeva, through reading it daily.
यं यं चिन्तयते मर्त्यस्तं तं प्राप्नोति शाश्वतम् ।
Yam Yam Chintayate Martyastam Tam Prapnoti Shashvatam
yaṃ yaṃ cintayate martyastaṃ taṃ prāpnoti śāśvatam
Whatever a mortal thinks of, that they attain, forever,
पठनादस्य विघ्नेश पञ्जरस्य निरन्तरम् ॥ ६१ ॥
Pathanadasya Vighnesha Panjarasya Nirantaram
paṭhanādasya vighneśa pañjarasya nirantaram
by constantly reading this cage of Vighnesha.
लक्षावृत्तिभिरेवं स सिद्धपञ्जरको भवेत् ।
Lakshavrittibhirevam Sa Siddhapanjarako Bhavet
lakṣāvṛttibhirevaṃ sa siddhapañjarako bhavet
By a hundred thousand recitations one becomes perfected in the cage;
स्तम्भयेदपि सूर्यं तु ब्रह्माण्डं वशमानयेत् ॥ ६२ ॥
Stambhayedapi Suryam Tu Brahmandam Vashamanayet
stambhayedapi sūryaṃ tu brahmāṇḍaṃ vaśamānayet
one could stop even the sun and bring the cosmos under control.
A panjara is a cage or enclosure; a vajra panjara is a cage of diamond — an armour so strong nothing can break it. In this chapter of the Mudgala Purana, Shiva asks Ganesha for such an armour, and Ganesha himself teaches it.
It begins with a meditation on Ganesha: three-eyed, elephant-faced, four-armed, holding the axe and other weapons, the moon on his brow, human in body, ever peaceful in yoga. Then, in a way unique to the Mudgala Purana, his eight avatars protect not parts of the body but layers of being: Vakratunda the heart, Ekadanta the sense of “I”, Mahodara the states of knowing, Gajanana the Sankhya principles, Lambodara and Vikata the mind amid illusion, Vighnaraja the experiences of joy, Dhumravarna the unmanifest.
Then Ganesha’s forms guard the directions — Gajakarna in front, Chintamani in the south-east, south and south-west, Dhundhi in the west, Heramba the north-west, Vinayaka the north, Pramoda the north-east, Siddhipati above and Buddhisha below — and Mayuresha protects every limb. Its promise: whoever wears this cage “moves everywhere with a body made of diamond”.
In the Mudgala Purana, Ganesha is the supreme reality, and even Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma worship him. Here Shiva — his own father — asks him for protection, and Ganesha teaches the diamond cage “to destroy great blindness and give happiness”.
Ganesha ends by telling Shiva: wear this, and you will be victorious.
When to chant
How many times
Daily, or three times a day as the text recommends.
Do your usual worship and offer Ganesha a mental puja.
Read the dhyana and picture Ganesha clearly.
Recite the armour, feeling each layer of yourself enclosed in his protection.
Turn to each direction as verses 50–52 name it.
The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.
vajrapañjara
vuj-ra-pun-ja-ra — “diamond cage.”
gajānana
ga-jaa-na-na — “elephant-faced.”
rakṣatu
ruk-sha-tu — “may he protect.”
What does Vajra Panjara mean?
“Diamond cage” — an armour of prayer so strong it cannot be broken.
Where does it come from?
From the Mudgala Purana, section 8, chapter 23, where Ganesha teaches it to Shiva.
How is it different from the Ganesha Kavacham?
Instead of protecting body parts, its eight avatars of Ganesha protect the layers of one’s being — body, ego, mind, joy and the unmanifest — before his forms guard the directions.
What does it promise?
Freedom from fear, health, wealth, learning, long life and family, success without obstacles, and a body “as hard as diamond”.