On this page
Lyrics with meaning
The complete Ganesh Chalisa – two opening dohas, forty chaupais, and a closing doha. A short English meaning sits below every verse. Toggle the script to read in Devanagari, romanized, or both side-by-side.
जय गणपति सदगुण सदन। करिवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण। जय जय गिरिजा लाल॥
Jai Ganpati sadguna sadan, karivar badan kripal. Vighna haran mangal karan, jai jai Girija Lal.
Hail Ganpati, abode of all virtues, with the gracious face of an elephant. Remover of obstacles, bringer of all that is auspicious – hail, hail, son of Girija (Parvati). The Chalisa opens by naming the two roles by which Ganesha is most loved: vighna-harta (obstacle remover) and mangal-karta (giver of auspiciousness).
जय जय जय गणपति गणराजू। मंगल भरण करण शुभ काजू॥
Jaya jaya jaya Ganpati Ganaraju. Mangala bharana karana shubha kaju.
Hail, hail, hail Ganpati, king of the ganas (Shiva's attendants). You fill all auspicious work with success and bring it to good completion.
जय गजबदन सदन सुखदाता। विश्व विनायक बुद्धि विधाता॥
Jai gajbadan sadan sukhdata. Vishva Vinayaka buddhi vidhata.
Hail elephant-faced one, abode and giver of happiness. Vinayaka of the whole world, you are the giver of intellect.
वक्र तुण्ड शुचि शुण्ड सुहावन। तिलक त्रिपुण्ड भाल मन भावन॥
Vakra-tunda shuchi shunda suhavan. Tilak tripund bhal man bhavan.
Your curved trunk is pure and beautiful. The triple tilak across your forehead pleases the mind.
राजत मणि मुक्तन उर माला। स्वर्ण मुकुट शिर नयन विशाला॥
Rajat mani muktan ur mala. Swarna mukut shir nayan vishala.
A garland of gems and pearls graces your chest. A golden crown rests on your head, and your eyes are wide and large.
पुस्तक पाणि कुठार त्रिशूलं। मोदक भोग सुगंधित फूलं॥
Pustak pani kuthar trishulam. Modak bhog sugandhit phoolam.
In your hands you hold a book, an axe, and a trident. Modaks (sweet dumplings) are offered to you along with fragrant flowers.
सुन्दर पीताम्बर तन साजित। चरण पादुका मुनि मन राजित॥
Sundar pitambar tan sajit. Charan paduka muni man rajit.
Your body is adorned with a beautiful yellow silk garment. Your sacred sandals shine in the heart of every sage who meditates on you.
धनि शिवसुवन षडानन भ्राता। गौरि ललन विश्व विख्याता॥
Dhani Shivasuvan Shadanan bhrata. Gauri lalan vishva vikhyata.
Blessed is the son of Shiva, brother of Shadanan – the six-faced Kartikeya. Beloved son of Gauri (Parvati), known across the world.
ऋद्धि सिद्धि तव चँवर सुधारे। मूषक वाहन सोहत द्वारे॥
Riddhi Siddhi tav chamvar sudhare. Mushak vahan sohat dware.
Riddhi and Siddhi (your two consorts, prosperity and accomplishment) wave the chamara fly-whisks for you. The mouse, your vehicle, sits beautifully at your door.
कहौ जन्म शुभ कथा तुम्हारी। अति शुचि पावन मंगलकारी॥
Kahau janma shubha katha tumhari. Ati shuchi pavan mangalkari.
Now I shall tell the auspicious story of your birth – a tale most pure, holy, and bringing of blessings.
एक समय गिरिराज कुमारी। पुत्र हेतु तप कीन्हा भारी॥
Ek samay Giriraj kumari. Putra hetu tap kinha bhari.
Once, the daughter of the mountain king (Parvati) performed great penance for the boon of a son.
भयो यज्ञ जब पूर्ण अनूपा। तब पहुँच्यो तुम धरि द्विज रूपा॥
Bhayo yajna jab purna anupa. Tab pahuncho tum dhari dwij rupa.
When her remarkable yajna was complete, you arrived in the form of a brahmin.
अतिथि जानि कै गौरि सुखारी। बहुविधि सेवा करी तुम्हारी॥
Atithi jani kai Gauri sukhari. Bahuvidhi seva kari tumhari.
Knowing you as her guest, Gauri was delighted, and offered you service in many ways.
अति प्रसन्न ह्वै तुम वर दीन्हा। मातु पुत्र हित जो तप कीन्हा॥
Ati prasanna hwai tum var dinha. Matu putra hit jo tap kinha.
Highly pleased, you granted her a boon for the penance she had done for the sake of motherhood.
मिलहि पुत्र तुहि बुद्धि विशाला। बिना गर्भ धारण यहि काला॥
Milahi putra tuhi buddhi vishala. Bina garbh dharan yahi kala.
"You shall have a son of vast intellect," you said, "and he shall come to you without a womb's pregnancy, in this very age."
गणनायक गुण ज्ञान निधाना। पूजित प्रथम रूप भगवाना॥
Gananayaka guna gyan nidhana. Pujit pratham roop Bhagwana.
He shall be the leader of the ganas, a treasury of virtue and wisdom – the form of the Lord who is worshipped first of all.
अस कहि अन्तर्धान रूप ह्वै। पलना पर बालक स्वरूप ह्वै॥
As kahi antardhan roop hwai. Palna par balak swaroop hwai.
Saying this, you became invisible, and there in the cradle appeared the form of a child.
बनि शिशु रुदन जबहिं तुम ठाना। लखि मुख सुख नहिं गौरि समाना॥
Bani shishu rudan jabahin tum thana. Lakhi mukh sukh nahin Gauri samana.
When as an infant you began to cry, the joy on Gauri's face on seeing you had no equal.
सकल मगन सुखमंगल गावहिं। नभ ते सुरन सुमन वर्षावहिं॥
Sakala magan sukha-mangala gavahin. Nabh te suran suman varshavahin.
Everyone, lost in joy, sang songs of celebration. From the skies, the gods rained down flowers.
शम्भु उमा बहु दान लुटावहिं। सुर मुनिजन सुत देखन आवहिं॥
Shambhu Uma bahu dan lutavahin. Sur munijan sut dekhan avahin.
Shiva and Uma (Parvati) showered gifts in great measure. Devas and sages came to see the new-born son.
लखि अति आनन्द मंगल साजा। देखन भी आये शनि राजा॥
Lakhi ati anand mangal saja. Dekhan bhi aaye Shani raja.
Seeing the great celebration, even Shani the king (Saturn) came to look.
निज अवगुण गुनि शनि मन माहीं। बालक देखन चाहत नाहीं॥
Nij avgun guni Shani man mahin. Balak dekhan chahat nahin.
Knowing the harm that his sidelong glance could cause, Shani in his heart did not wish to look at the child.
गिरिजा कछु मन भेद बढ़ायो। उत्सव मोर न शनि तुहि भायो॥
Girija kachhu man bhed badhayo. Utsav mor na Shani tuhi bhayo.
Girija (Parvati) felt some hurt in her mind: "My celebration does not please you, Shani?"
कहन लगे शनि मन सकुचाई। का करिहौं शिशु मोहि दिखाई॥
Kahan lage Shani man sakuchai. Ka karihaun shishu mohi dikhai.
Hesitating, Shani began to speak: "What harm shall I cause if you show the child to me?"
नहिं विश्वास उमा उर भयौ। शनि सों बालक देखन कह्यौ॥
Nahin vishvas Uma ur bhayau. Shani son balak dekhan kahyau.
Uma was not convinced by his hesitation, and asked Shani to look at the child.
पड़तहिं शनि दृग कोण प्रकाशा। बालक सिर उड़ि गयो अकाशा॥
Padatahin Shani drig kon prakasha. Balak shir udi gayo akasha.
As soon as Shani's sidelong glance fell on the boy, the child's head flew off into the sky.
गिरिजा गिरीं विकल ह्वै धरणी। सो दुख दशा गयो नहिं वरणी॥
Girija girin vikal hwai dharani. So dukh dasha gayo nahin varani.
Girija collapsed onto the ground, distraught – that grief is beyond description.
हाहाकार मच्यो कैलाशा। शनि कीन्हो लखि सुत को नाशा॥
Hahakar machyo Kailasha. Shani kinho lakhi sut ko nasha.
A great cry rose across Kailash – Shani, by his mere glance, had brought ruin to the son.
तुरत गरुड़ चढ़ि विष्णु सिधाये। काटि चक्र सों गज शिर लाये॥
Turat Garud chadhi Vishnu sidhaye. Kati chakra son gaj shir laye.
Vishnu mounted Garuda at once and went forth. With his chakra he cut off the head of an elephant and brought it back.
बालक के धड़ ऊपर धारयो। प्राण मन्त्र पढ़ि शंकर डारयो॥
Balak ke dhad upar dharyo. Pran mantra padhi Shankar dharyo.
He placed the elephant's head onto the boy's body. Shankara (Shiva), reciting the prana-mantra, restored life into the child.
नाम गणेश शम्भु तब कीन्हे। प्रथम पूज्य बुद्धि निधि वर दीन्हे॥
Nam Ganesh Shambhu tab kinhe. Pratham pujya buddhi nidhi var dinhe.
Shambhu (Shiva) then gave him the name Ganesha. He granted him the boon of being worshipped first of all, and of being a treasury of intellect.
बुद्धि परीक्षा जब शिव कीन्हा। पृथ्वी कर प्रदक्षिणा लीन्हा॥
Buddhi pariksha jab Shiv kinha. Prithvi kar pradakshina linha.
When Shiva tested the intelligence of his sons, the contest was to circumambulate the earth.
चले षडानन भरमि भुलाई। रचे बैठि तुम बुद्धि उपाई॥
Chale Shadanan bhrami bhulai. Rache baithi tum buddhi upai.
Shadanan (Kartikeya) set off – wandering, lost. You, sitting still, devised a wiser plan.
चरण मातु पितु के धर लीन्हें। तिनके सात प्रदक्षिण कीन्हें॥
Charan matu pitu ke dhar linhen. Tinke sat pradakshin kinhen.
You took your steps to the feet of mother and father, and circumambulated them seven times – holding that the parents are the whole world.
धनि गणेश कहि शिव हिय हरषे। नभ ते सुरन सुमन बहु बरसे॥
Dhani Ganesh kahi Shiv hiy harshe. Nabh te suran suman bahu barse.
"Blessed Ganesh," Shiva said, his heart delighting. From the heavens, the gods showered down many flowers.
तुम्हरी महिमा बुद्धि बड़ाई। शेष सहस मुख सकैं न गाई॥
Tumhari mahima buddhi badai. Shesh sahas mukh sakain na gai.
Your glory, your wisdom, your greatness – even Sheshnag with his thousand mouths cannot finish singing them.
मैं मति हीन मलीन दुखारी। करहुँ कौन विधि विनय तुम्हारी॥
Main mati hin malin dukhari. Karahun kaun vidhi vinay tumhari.
I am dull of mind, impure, and full of sorrow. By what means can I offer worthy prayer to you?
भजत राम सुन्दर प्रभुदासा। लख प्रयाग ककरा दुर्वासा॥
Bhajat Ram Sundar Prabhudasa. Lakh Prayag Kakra Durvasa.
Ram Sundar Prabhu Das, the devotee, sings your praise – staying near Prayag, at Kakra, the place of the sage Durvasa. This is the composer's signature line, the one verse that names the author of the Chalisa.
अब प्रभु दया दीन पर कीजै। अपनी शक्ति भक्ति कुछ दीजै॥
Ab prabhu daya din par kije. Apni shakti bhakti kuchh dije.
Now, Lord, show mercy to this poor one. Grant me a little of your power and a little of your devotion.
श्री गणेश यह चालीसा। पाठ करै धर ध्यान। नित नव मंगल गृह बसै। लहे जगत सन्मान॥
Shri Ganesh yah Chalisa, path karai dhar dhyan. Nit nav mangal grih basai, lahe jagat sanman.
Whoever recites this Shri Ganesh Chalisa with focused mind – fresh blessings will dwell in their home each day, and they will earn the regard of the world.
सम्बन्ध अपने सहस्र दश। ऋषि पंचमी दिनेश। पूरण चालीसा भयो। मंगल मूर्ति गणेश॥
Sambandh apne sahasra dash, Rishi Panchami Dinesh. Puran Chalisa bhayo, mangal murti Ganesh.
On the day of Rishi Panchami, on a Sunday, this Chalisa was completed – in praise of the auspicious form of Ganesha. This colophon doha records the day of the Chalisa's composition; the year is read differently across published copies, so the Chalisa is conventionally placed in the 19th century.
Why this chalisa
What the Ganesh Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.
Auspicious start to any new venture
Verse 1 names Ganesha as the one who fills shubh kaaj (auspicious work) with success. This is why so many homes recite the Chalisa before exams, business openings, weddings, naming ceremonies, and the start of a new financial year. The Siddhi Vinayak Chalisa is a closely related text often paired with this one for major undertakings.
Removal of obstacles
Ganesha's most loved name is vighna-harta (remover of obstacles), which the opening doha names directly. Verses 30 and 35 in particular are recited when a path feels blocked. The Chalisa works less as an outside charm and more as a daily reminder that obstacles are part of the path, and that wisdom is what clears them.
Wisdom and clarity in study
Verse 30 names Ganesha as buddhi nidhi (treasury of intellect), and verse 32-33 narrates the contest in which Ganesha's wisdom outwit raw effort. Many students recite the Chalisa during exam preparation, and many homes begin a child's schooling with a Ganesh paath. For deeper study, devotees pair it with the Saraswati Chalisa.
Daily discipline before any task
At seven minutes, the Chalisa is short enough to fit before the working day. The brand of discipline it builds is sankalp – starting with a quiet pause, naming the obstacle, and then beginning. This is why so many traditional families never start the day's work without one paath, and why even very small puja routines include a Ganesh smaran.
Help during Sankashti and Sade Sati
Sankashti Chaturthi falls once a month, on the fourth day after the full moon, and is the most loved Ganesh fast. Many devotees recite the Chalisa daily during a difficult period or stretch of Shani sade sati, holding the Ganesh-Shani link the Chalisa itself names in verses 20-30 – the very episode in which Shani's glance is followed by the boon of being worshipped first.
Family and parental bond
Verse 33 – Ganesha circumambulating his parents instead of the earth – is the verse most often pointed to for filial duty. The Chalisa is recited during shradh for parents, on parents' birthdays, and in households where elders are unwell. The Parvati Chalisa is the natural companion text for the mother's side of the same bond.
Origin
The Ganesh Chalisa is popularly attributed to Ram Sundar Prabhu Das, a saint-poet whose name appears in chaupai 37 of the text itself: "Bhajat Ram Sundar Prabhudasa, lakh Prayag Kakra Durvasa". The reference suggests the composer lived near Prayag (modern Prayagraj), at a place called Kakra associated with the sage Durvasa. Beyond this signature line, very little biographical detail survives about the author, and several published copies attribute the text to "tradition" or simply "anonymous" – an honesty worth preserving.
The text does not record a date of composition. The closing colophon (Doha 2) names a day of completion – Rishi Panchami, on a Sunday, in some Samvat year – but the year reading is uncertain across published copies. By language and style the Ganesh Chalisa is generally placed in the 19th century CE, written in the Awadhi-Braj Bhasha that was the everyday language of north India in that period. It is younger than the Hanuman Chalisa by Tulsidas, which it follows in form: forty-odd verses of praise framed by opening and closing dohas.
Ganesha himself is the elder son of Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Kartikeya. The Chalisa narrates the well-known story of his birth across chaupais 9 to 30: Parvati's penance, the boon, the infant's cradle, the shani-drishti (the harming glance of Saturn) that takes the child's head, Vishnu's journey on Garuda to bring the head of an elephant, Shiva's prana-mantra that restores life, and the boon of being worshipped first of all. Chaupais 31 to 33 then narrate the contest of intelligence with Kartikeya, in which Ganesha circumambulates his parents instead of the earth – an act that the tradition holds as the very definition of buddhi.
The Chalisa's wider Ganesh-form companions are the Siddhi Vinayak Chalisa (the wish-fulfilling Maharashtrian form, recited especially during Sankashti), the Ekadanta Chalisa (focused on the one-tusked form, the form Ganesha took when writing the Mahabharata), and the Ashtavinayaka Chalisa (covering the eight self-manifested Ganesh temples of Maharashtra). The Parvati Chalisa is the natural mother's text alongside this one. All of these are recited within the same Wednesday and Sankashti rhythm.
How to recite
A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.
-
Preparation
Bathe and wear clean clothes if you can. Sit in a clean space facing east or north, or before your home Ganesha murti or picture if you have one. The traditional offerings are durva grass (eleven blades, in the form of durva-mala), red or yellow flowers, modaks or laddoos, and a small diya with til oil or ghee. None of these are required. The Chalisa was written for everyday recitation, with or without samagri, and many people recite it at the desk before the workday begins.
-
Posture and start
Sit cross-legged on a mat, or in a chair, with your spine comfortably straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence, then offer a brief sankalp – simply naming the date, the place, and the wish or task at hand. Begin with the opening doha (Jai Ganpati sadguna sadan...), slowly. Saying it aloud has its own merit because the sound itself is an offering, but silent reciting works just as well in offices and on commutes.
-
Recitation
Move through the thirty-eight chaupais without rushing. The verses have a steady rhythm – let the rhythm carry you rather than reading word by word. The birth-story chaupais (9 to 30) are the most loved, and many people pause briefly at chaupai 33 (the parents' circumambulation). End with both closing dohas. The full recitation takes about seven minutes spoken aloud at a comfortable pace. Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation – the Chalisa was written in everyday Awadhi-Braj Bhasha, not Sanskrit kept aside for scholars.
-
After
Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. Offer the modak or sweet you have prepared (or simply touch the offering to the deity), then distribute it as prasad. Many people end with Ganpati Bappa Morya, mangal murti morya or with the short Ganesh aarti Jai Ganesh deva. If you have a wish or a difficulty in mind, mentally offer the punya of the recitation toward it before getting up.
-
Daily practice and special days
One paath a day – morning or before any new task – is enough for steady daily practice. Wednesdays are especially auspicious. Sankashti Chaturthi, the fourth day of the dark half of every month, is the major monthly day, kept as a fast that breaks after moonrise with one or more paaths. Ganesh Chaturthi in Bhadrapada (late August or early September) is the ten-day household festival, when many recite the Chalisa twice daily before the clay murti. For specific wishes, traditions suggest 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths – often beginning on a Sankashti and ending on the next one.