The Shri Ganesh Chalisa is a 40-verse devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Ganesha, one of the most beloved deities in Hinduism. Known as the Vighnaharta (remover of obstacles) and the god of beginnings, Lord Ganesha is worshipped at the start of any new venture to ensure success and auspiciousness. This beautiful prayer, composed by Sundardas, is a powerful way for devotees to invoke his blessings for wisdom, prosperity, and the removal of all difficulties.
This guide provides the complete lyrics of the Ganesh Chalisa in both Hindi (Devanagari) and English (IAST transliteration), followed by a detailed verse-by-verse meaning and commentary to help you connect with the profound wisdom of the elephant-headed God.
Benefits of Chanting the Ganesh Chalisa
Reciting the Ganesh Chalisa with sincere faith is believed to bring immense benefits to the devotee’s life. Some of the key advantages include:
- Removal of Obstacles: As the Vighnaharta, Lord Ganesha’s primary role is to remove any and all obstacles from one’s path, be they material, emotional, or spiritual.
- Bestowal of Wisdom and Intellect: Ganesha is the Buddhi Vidhata (bestower of intellect). Chanting the Chalisa is highly beneficial for students and anyone seeking clarity of thought and enhanced wisdom.
- Success in New Ventures: Worshipping Ganesha before starting any new task—be it a job, a business, or a journey—is believed to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
- Prosperity and Good Fortune: The presence of Riddhi (Prosperity) and Siddhi (Achievement) as his consorts signifies that his worship brings wealth, success, and good fortune into the home.
- Spiritual Growth: Meditating on Lord Ganesha helps in controlling the mind, reducing the ego (symbolized by his mouse vehicle), and progressing on the spiritual path.
Full Lyrics: Shri Ganesh Chalisa
Here is the complete text of the hymn in Devanagari and English transliteration.
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल॥ Jaya gaṇapati sadaguṇa sadana, kavivara badana kṛpāla. Vighna haraṇa maṅgala karaṇa, jaya jaya girijālāla.
Chaupai (40 Verses)
(Full text of all 40 Chaupais follows in the verse-by-verse section below)
Doha (Concluding Couplet)
श्री गणेश यह चालीसा, पाठ करै कर ध्यान। नित नव मंगल गृह बसै, लहे जगत सन्मान॥ Śrī gaṇeśa yaha cālīsā, pāṭha karai kara dhyāna. Nita nava maṅgala gṛha basai, lahe jagata sanmāna.
सम्बन्ध अपने सहस्त्र दश, ऋषि पंचमी दिनेश। पूरण चालीसा भयो, मंगल मूर्ती गणेश॥ Sambandha apane sahastra daśa, ṛṣi pañcamī dineśa. Pūraṇa cālīsā bhayo, maṅgala mūrtī gaṇeśa.
Verse-by-Verse Meaning and Commentary
Doha (Introductory Couplet)
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल॥
Jaya gaṇapati sadaguṇa sadana, kavivara badana kṛpāla. Vighna haraṇa maṅgala karaṇa, jaya jaya girijālāla.
- Meaning: Victory to Lord Ganapati, the abode of all virtues, with a poet’s face and compassionate nature. Remover of obstacles and bringer of auspiciousness, victory to the beloved son of Girija (Parvati).
- Commentary: The hymn begins by praising Ganesha’s core attributes: He is the repository of all good qualities, the remover of obstacles (Vighna Haran), and the harbinger of good fortune (Mangal Karan). This establishes him as the deity to be worshipped at the beginning of any endeavor.
Chaupai (Main Verses)
Verse 1:
जय जय जय गणपति गणराजू। मंगल भरण करण शुभः काजू॥ Jaya jaya jaya gaṇapati gaṇarājū. Maṅgala bharaṇa karaṇa śubhaḥ kājū.
- Meaning: Victory, victory, victory to Ganapati, the king of the Ganas. He is the fulfiller of auspiciousness and makes all tasks noble.
- Commentary: This verse celebrates Ganesha as the supreme leader of the Ganas (celestial hosts) and emphasizes his role in ensuring that actions are not only successful but also righteous and beneficial.
Verse 2:
जै गजबदन सदन सुखदाता। विश्व विनायका बुद्धि विधाता॥ Jai gajabadana sadana sukhadātā. Viśva vināyakā bud`dhi vidhātā.
- Meaning: Victory to the elephant-faced Lord, the abode of happiness, the remover of obstacles for the universe, and the bestower of intellect.
- Commentary: Here, his iconic elephant face (Gajavadan) is praised. He is identified as the source of all happiness and, crucially, as the deity who grants intelligence and wisdom to his devotees.
Verse 3:
वक्र तुण्ड शुची शुण्ड सुहावना। तिलक त्रिपुण्ड भाल मन भावन॥ Vakra tuṇḍa śucī śuṇḍa suhāvanā. Tilaka tripuṇḍa bhāla mana bhāvana.
- Meaning: Your curved trunk is pure and charming, and the three-lined tilak on your forehead is delightful to the mind.
- Commentary: This describes his divine form. The “curved trunk” (Vakratunda) symbolizes his power to straighten the crooked path of obstacles. The Tripunda (three horizontal lines of sacred ash) connects him to his father, Lord Shiva.
Verse 4:
राजत मणि मुक्तन उर माला। स्वर्ण मुकुट शिर नयन विशाला॥ Rājata maṇi muktana ura mālā. Svarṇa mukuṭa śira nayana viśālā.
- Meaning: A garland of gems and pearls adorns your chest, a golden crown is on your head, and your eyes are large.
- Commentary: This verse continues the description of his regal and divine appearance, signifying his status as a celestial prince.
Verse 5:
पुस्तक पाणि कुठार त्रिशूलं। मोदक भोग सुगन्धित फूलं॥ Pustaka pāṇi kuṭhāra triśūlaṁ. Modaka bhoga sugandhita phūlaṁ.
- Meaning: In your hands, you hold a book, an axe, and a trident. You enjoy offerings of modak and fragrant flowers.
- Commentary: The objects in his hands represent his powers: the book symbolizes knowledge, the axe cuts away attachments, and the trident signifies mastery over the three worlds. The modak (sweet dumpling) is his favorite food, symbolizing the sweetness of spiritual reward.
Verse 6:
सुन्दर पीताम्बर तन साजित। चरण पादुका मुनि मन राजित॥ Sundara pītāmbara tana sājita. Caraṇa pādukā muni mana rājita.
- Meaning: Your body is adorned with a beautiful yellow silk garment, and the sight of your feet captivates the minds of the sages.
- Commentary: The yellow garment (pitambar) is a traditional divine attire. The focus on his feet is significant, as taking refuge at the feet of the Lord is a central theme in devotional traditions, symbolizing complete surrender.
Verse 7:
धनि शिव सुवन षडानन भ्राता। गौरी लालन विश्व-विख्याता॥ Dhani śiva suvana ṣaḍānana bhrātā. Gaurī lālana viśva-vikhyātā.
- Meaning: Blessed are you, son of Shiva and brother of the six-faced Kartikeya. Beloved of Gauri (Parvati), you are famous throughout the world.
- Commentary: This verse places Ganesha within his divine family, highlighting his noble lineage which is a source of his power and universal acclaim.
Verse 8:
ऋद्धि-सिद्धि तव चंवर सुधारे। मुषक वाहन सोहत द्वारे॥ Ṛd
dhi-siddhi tava caṁvara sudhāre. Muṣaka vāhana sohata dvāre.
- Meaning: Riddhi (Prosperity) and Siddhi (Achievement) are your attendants, and your mouse vehicle looks splendid at the entrance.
- Commentary: Riddhi and Siddhi are personified as his divine consorts, indicating that where Ganesha is, prosperity and success follow. His humble mouse vehicle symbolizes his mastery over the ego and desire.
Verse 9:
कहौ जन्म शुभ कथा तुम्हारी। अति शुची पावन मंगलकारी॥ Kahau janma śubha kathā tumhārī. Ati śucī pāvana maṅgalakārī.
- Meaning: Tell us the auspicious story of your birth, which is extremely pure, sacred, and brings good fortune.
- Commentary: The prayer now transitions from praise to narration, asking the Lord himself to reveal the sacred story of his own origin.
Verse 10:
एक समय गिरिराज कुमारी। पुत्र हेतु तप कीन्हा भारी॥ Eka samaya girirāja kumārī. Putra hetu tapa kīnhā bhārī.
- Meaning: Once upon a time, the daughter of the mountain king (Parvati) performed great austerities for the sake of a son.
- Commentary: This begins the Puranic story of Ganesha’s birth, stemming from the deep penance and desire of the Divine Mother, Parvati.
Verse 11:
भयो यज्ञ जब पूर्ण अनूपा। तब पहुंच्यो तुम धरी द्विज रूपा॥ Bhayo yajña jaba pūrṇa anūpā. Taba pahuncyo tuma dharī dvija rūpā.
- Meaning: When the unique sacrifice (yajna) was complete, you (Lord Vishnu) arrived in the form of a Brahmin.
- Commentary: This version of the story involves a divine intervention. Lord Vishnu, pleased by Parvati’s penance, appears in disguise.
Verse 12:
अतिथि जानी के गौरी सुखारी। बहुविधि सेवा करी तुम्हारी॥ Atithi jānī ke gaurī sukhārī. Bahuvidhi sevā karī tumhārī.
- Meaning: Recognizing you as a guest, Gauri was pleased and served you in many ways.
- Commentary: Parvati, showing perfect hospitality, serves the disguised Brahmin, further demonstrating her piety.
Verse 13:
अति प्रसन्न हवै तुम वर दीन्हा। मातु पुत्र हित जो तप कीन्हा॥ Ati prasanna havai tuma vara dīnhā. Mātu putra hita jo tapa kīnhā.
- Meaning: Being extremely pleased, you granted a boon, acknowledging the penance the Mother had performed for a son.
- Commentary: The divine being recognizes and rewards the sincerity of Parvati’s austerities, promising the fruit of her penance.
Verse 14:
मिलहि पुत्र तुहि, बुद्धि विशाला। बिना गर्भ धारण यहि काला॥ Milahi putra tuhi, bud`dhi viśālā. Binā garbha dhāraṇa yahi kālā.
- Meaning: You will receive a son of great intellect, without having to conceive him in a womb at this time.
- Commentary: The boon is for a divine child, born not of physical means but through divine will—a son who would be an embodiment of wisdom.
Verse 15:
गणनायक गुण ज्ञान निधाना। पूजित प्रथम रूप भगवाना॥ Gaṇanāyaka guṇa jñāna nidhānā. Pūjita prathama rūpa bhagavānā.
- Meaning: He will be the leader of the Ganas, a treasure of virtue and knowledge, and as a form of God, he will be worshipped first.
- Commentary: The boon also establishes Ganesha’s two most important roles: Leader of the Ganas (Ganapati) and the deity who must be worshipped before all others (Prathama Pujya).
Verse 16:
अस कही अन्तर्धान रूप हवै। पालना पर बालक स्वरूप हवै॥ Asa kahī antardhāna rūpa havai. Pālanā para bālaka svarūpa havai.
- Meaning: Having said this, you disappeared, and a child appeared in the cradle.
- Commentary: The divine promise is instantly fulfilled. The formless God manifests as a child for the Divine Mother.
Verse 17:
बनि शिशु रुदन जबहिं तुम ठाना। लखि मुख सुख नहिं गौरी समाना॥ Bani śiśu rudana jabahiṁ tuma ṭhānā. Lakhi mukha sukha nahiṁ gaurī samānā.
- Meaning: When you began to cry like a baby, seeing your face, Gauri’s joy knew no bounds.
- Commentary: This is a beautiful depiction of the maternal joy of Parvati, who is filled with immeasurable happiness at the sight of her divine child.
Verse 18:
सकल मगन, सुखमंगल गावहिं। नाभ ते सुरन, सुमन वर्षावहिं॥ Sakala magana, sukhamaṅgala gāvahiṁ. Nābha te surana, sumana varṣāvahiṁ.
- Meaning: Everyone was absorbed in joy, singing auspicious songs, and the gods rained down flowers from the heavens.
- Commentary: The birth of a divine being is a cosmic celebration, with both earthly and celestial beings rejoicing.
Verse 19:
शम्भु, उमा, बहुदान लुटावहिं। सुर मुनिजन, सुत देखन आवहिं॥ Śambhu, umā, bahudāna luṭāvahiṁ. Sura munijana, suta dekhana āvahiṁ.
- Meaning: Shambhu (Shiva) and Uma (Parvati) gave away many gifts in charity, while gods and sages came to see the child.
- Commentary: This continues the theme of celebration, with the divine parents performing acts of charity and receiving celestial visitors.
Verse 20:
लखि अति आनन्द मंगल साजा। देखन भी आये शनि राजा॥ Lakhi ati ānanda maṅgala sājā. Dekhana bhī āye śani rājā.
- Meaning: Seeing this joyous and auspicious occasion, King Shani also came to see.
- Commentary: This introduces the pivotal conflict in the story. Shani (Saturn) is a powerful deity whose gaze is known to bring misfortune.
Verse 21:
निज अवगुण गुनि शनि मन माहीं। बालक, देखन चाहत नाहीं॥ Nija avaguṇa guni śani mana māhīṁ. Bālaka, dekhana cāhata nāhīṁ.
- Meaning: Considering his own flaw (the power of his gaze), Shani did not wish to look at the child.
- Commentary: Shani is aware of the destructive power of his direct gaze and, out of respect and caution, wishes to avoid harming the divine child.
Verse 22:
गिरिजा कछु मन भेद बढायो। उत्सव मोर, न शनि तुही भायो॥ Girijā kachu mana bheda baṛhāyo. Utsava mora, na śani tuhī bhāyo.
- Meaning: Girija (Parvati) felt a bit slighted and thought, “Shani does not like my celebration.”
- Commentary: Parvati misinterprets Shani’s hesitation as an insult, a divine play (lila) that sets the stage for the coming events.
Verse 23:
कहत लगे शनि, मन सकुचाई। का करिहौ, शिशु मोहि दिखाई॥ Kahata lage śani, mana sakucāī. Kā karihau, śiśu mohi dikhāī.
- Meaning: Shani said hesitantly, “What can I do? If you show me the child…”
- Commentary: Shani tries to warn Parvati of the consequences, but her maternal pride and slight misunderstanding compel her to insist.
Verse 24:
नहिं विश्वास, उमा उर भयऊ। शनि सों बालक देखन कहयऊ॥ Nahiṁ viśvāsa, umā ura bhayaū. Śani soṁ bālaka dekhana kahayaū.
- Meaning: Not believing him, Uma’s heart was filled with insistence, and she told Shani to look at the child.
- Commentary: This is the fateful moment where Parvati, driven by emotion, insists that Shani gaze upon her beautiful son.
Verse 25:
पदतहिं शनि दृग कोण प्रकाशा। बालक सिर उड़ि गयो अकाशा॥ Padatahiṁ śani dṛga koṇa prakāśā. Bālaka sira uṛi gayo akāśā.
- Meaning: As soon as the light from the corner of Shani’s eye fell, the child’s head flew off into the sky.
- Commentary: The immense power of Shani’s gaze takes effect instantly and dramatically, creating a moment of cosmic crisis and sorrow.
Verse 26:
गिरिजा गिरी विकल हवै धरणी। सो दुःख दशा गयो नहीं वरणी॥ Girijā girī vikala havai dharaṇī. So duḥkha daśā gayo nahīṁ varaṇī.
- Meaning: Girija fell to the ground, distraught; her state of grief was beyond description.
- Commentary: The joy of the Divine Mother turns to unbearable sorrow. This profound grief is a necessary part of the divine play that leads to Ganesha’s transformation.
Verse 27:
हाहाकार मच्यौ कैलाशा। शनि कीन्हों लखि सुत को नाशा॥ Hāhākāra macyau kailāśā. Śani kīnhoṁ lakhi suta ko nāśā.
- Meaning: A cry of dismay spread through Kailash, “Shani has destroyed the son with his gaze!”
- Commentary: The entire celestial abode is thrown into chaos and mourning at the seemingly tragic event.
Verse 28:
तुरत गरुड़ चढ़ि विष्णु सिधायो। काटी चक्र सो गज सिर लाये॥ Turata garuṛa caṛhi viṣṇu sidhāyo. Kāṭī cakra so gaja sira lāye.
- Meaning: Immediately, Vishnu mounted Garuda and flew off. With his discus, he severed the head of an elephant and brought it back.
- Commentary: Lord Vishnu, the preserver, immediately acts to resolve the crisis. The choice of an elephant is significant, as elephants represent wisdom, strength, and auspiciousness.
Verse 29:
बालक के धड़ ऊपर धारयो। प्राण मन्त्र पढ़ि शंकर डारयो॥ Bālaka ke dhaṛa ūpara dhārayo. Prāṇa mantra paṛhi śaṅkara ḍārayo.
- Meaning: He placed it upon the child’s body, and Shankar (Shiva) chanted the mantra of life, reviving him.
- Commentary: Lord Shiva, the master of life and death, performs the divine act of restoring life, transforming the child into a new, more powerful form.
Verse 30:
नाम गणेश शम्भु तब कीन्हे। प्रथम पूज्य बुद्धि निधि, वर दीन्हे॥ Nāma gaṇeśa śambhu taba kīnhe. Prathama pūjya bud`dhi nidhi, vara dīnhe.
- Meaning: Shambhu (Shiva) then named him Ganesha and gave him the boon of being the first to be worshipped and the lord of intellect.
- Commentary: This is the formal naming and blessing. He is named “Ganesha” (Lord of the Ganas) and is officially granted the boon that he must be worshipped before all others in any ritual for it to be successful.
Verse 31:
बुद्धि परीक्षा जब शिव कीन्हा। पृथ्वी कर प्रदक्षिणा लीन्हा॥ Bud`dhi parīkṣā jaba śiva kīnhā. Pṛthvī kara pradakṣiṇā līnhā.
- Meaning: When Shiva held a test of wisdom, the task was to circumambulate the Earth.
- Commentary: This begins another famous story, which establishes Ganesha’s supreme intelligence over physical speed.
Verse 32:
चले षडानन, भरमि भुलाई। रचे बैठ तुम बुद्धि उपाई॥ Chale ṣaḍānana, bharami bhulāī. Race baiṭha tuma bud`dhi upāī.
- Meaning: The six-faced one (Kartikeya) set off, wandering the world, while you sat and devised an intelligent solution.
- Commentary: Kartikeya, representing physical action and speed, takes the literal approach. Ganesha, representing wisdom, uses his intellect to find a deeper solution.
Verse 33:
चरण मातु-पितु के धर लीन्हें। तिनके सात प्रदक्षिण कीन्हें॥ Charaṇa mātu-pitu ke dhara līnheṁ. Tinake sāta pradakṣiṇa kīnheṁ.
- Meaning: You held the feet of your mother and father and circumambulated them seven times.
- Commentary: Ganesha understands a profound truth: one’s parents are the embodiment of the entire universe. By circling them, he circled the world itself, demonstrating that true wisdom transcends physical limitations.
Verse 34:
धनि गणेश कही शिव हिये हरषे। नभ ते सुरन सुमन बहु बरसे॥ Dhani gaṇeśa kahī śiva hiye haraṣe. Nabha te surana sumana bahu barase.
- Meaning: Saying, “Blessed are you, Ganesha!”, Shiva’s heart was filled with joy, and the gods rained down many flowers from the sky.
- Commentary: Shiva and all the gods celebrate Ganesha’s supreme wisdom, acknowledging that intellect is superior to mere physical prowess.
Verse 35:
तुम्हरी महिमा बुद्धि बड़ाई। शेष सहसमुख सके न गाई॥ Tumharī mahimā bud`dhi baṛāī. Śeṣa sahasamukha sake na gāī.
- Meaning: Your glory and the greatness of your intellect cannot be fully sung even by the thousand-mouthed Shesha.
- Commentary: Like Hanuman, Ganesha’s greatness is declared to be infinite and beyond the descriptive power of even the cosmic serpent Shesha.
Verse 36:
मैं मतिहीन मलीन दुखारी। करहूं कौन विधि विनय तुम्हारी॥ Maiṁ matihīna malīna dukhārī. Karahūṁ kauna vidhi vinaya tumhārī.
- Meaning: I am ignorant, impure, and sorrowful. In what way can I possibly pray to you?
- Commentary: The devotee returns to a state of humility, feeling unworthy to praise such a great being.
Verse 37:
भजत रामसुन्दर प्रभुदासा। जग प्रयाग, ककरा, दुर्वासा॥ Bhajata rāmasundara prabhudāsā. Jaga prayāga, kakarā, durvāsā.
- Meaning: The author, Ramsundar Prabhudasa, worships you, as do the great sages of this world.
- Commentary: The author names himself and invokes the names of famous pilgrimage sites and sages, placing his own devotion in a long and venerable tradition.
Verse 38:
अब प्रभु दया दीना पर कीजै। अपनी शक्ति भक्ति कुछ दीजै॥ Aba prabhu dayā dīnā para kījai. Apanī śakti bhakti kucha dījai.
- Meaning: O Lord, now show mercy on this humble one. Grant me some of your power and devotion.
- Commentary: The final personal prayer is a request not for material things, but for the divine gifts of spiritual strength (shakti) and a devoted heart (bhakti).
Verse 39:
श्री गणेश यह चालीसा, पाठ करै कर ध्यान। नित नव मंगल गृह बसै, लहे जगत सन्मान॥ Śrī gaṇeśa yaha cālīsā, pāṭha karai kara dhyāna. Nita nava maṅgala gṛha basai, lahe jagata sanmāna.
- Meaning: Whoever recites this Shri Ganesh Chalisa with devotion will have ever-new auspiciousness dwell in their home and receive respect in the world.
- Commentary: The first concluding doha states the benefits (Phalashruti) of reciting the Chalisa—constant blessings, prosperity, and respect from the world.
Verse 40:
सम्बन्ध अपने सहस्त्र दश, ऋषि पंचमी दिनेश। पूरण चालीसा भयो, मंगल मूर्ती गणेश॥ Sambandha apane sahastra daśa, ṛṣi pañcamī dineśa. Pūraṇa cālīsā bhayo, maṅgala mūrtī gaṇeśa.
- Meaning: With ten thousand recitations, on the auspicious day of Rishi Panchami, this Chalisa was completed for the auspicious Lord Ganesh.
- Commentary: This colophon gives the traditional context for the hymn’s completion, dedicating it to the “Embodiment of Auspiciousness,” Lord Ganesha.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who wrote the Ganesh Chalisa? The Ganesh Chalisa was composed by Sundardas, as mentioned in the original texts.
- What is the best day to recite the Ganesh Chalisa? Wednesday is considered the primary day for worshipping Lord Ganesha. Reciting the Chalisa on Wednesdays or during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is believed to be especially fruitful.
- Why does Lord Ganesha have an elephant head? The story is narrated within the Chalisa itself. Ganesha was born with a human head, which was severed by Lord Shiva. To save him, the head of the first creature found—an elephant—was placed upon his body, and he was brought back to life, symbolizing a new beginning and great wisdom.