Ganesha Pancharatnam (With Meaning)

"Ganesha Pancharatnam," composed by Adi Shankaracharya.

This prayer is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the one who bestows wisdom and success. Here is the meaning of each verse:

Verse 1:

मुदा करात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं

कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् ।

अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं

नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥ १ ॥

Meaning:

I bow to Lord Vinayaka, who delights in the fragrance of the Modakas, who is ever ready to grant liberation, who adorns the crescent moon, and who playfully protects the world. He is the unique and peerless leader, destroying the pride of the demons. Salutations to the remover of inauspiciousness.

Verse 2:

नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं

नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् ।

सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं

महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥ २ ॥

Meaning:

I bow to Him, who is not terrified by anyone, who shines like the newly risen sun, who is beyond the control of foes, and who lifts those in distress to a higher state. He is the Lord of gods, the Lord of wealth, the Lord of elephants, and the Lord of all Ganas. I take refuge in that supreme, eternal, and unparalleled Lord.

Verse 3:

समस्तलोकशङ्करं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं

दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् ।

कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं

मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥ ३ ॥

Meaning:

I bow to the source of auspiciousness for all the worlds, who destroyed the demons led by Taraka, who has an excellent belly, a beautiful face, and an imperishable tusk. He is compassionate, forgiving, bestows joy, fame, and is adored by the minds of the worshippers. I bow to the effulgent Lord.

Verse 4:

अकिञ्चनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं

पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् ।

प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनञ्जयादिभूषणं

कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥ ४ ॥

Meaning:

I worship the ancient one, who removes the suffering of the destitute, who enjoys the recitation of ancient scriptures, who brought joy to Parvati's heart, who crushes the pride of demons, who eradicates the fear of worldly existence, and who is adorned with various jewels. I seek the protection of the one who uplifts the ancient stories.

Verse 5:

नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं

अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।

हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां

तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥ ५ ॥

Meaning:

I constantly contemplate upon that Lord Ganesha, who is the eternal bliss, the endearing son of Lord Shiva, with an inconceivable form and beyond thought. He resides within the hearts of yogis continuously, and I meditate upon the single-tusked deity.

Verse 6:

महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं

प्रजल्पति प्रभातके हृदि स्मरन्गणेश्वरम् ।

अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां

समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥ ६ ॥

Meaning:

With devotion, I repeatedly chant the great Ganesha Pancharatnam. Whoever recites it in the morning with a pure heart, remembering Lord Ganesha, will attain freedom from diseases, flaws, accompanied by well-being, good children, and a focused life, quickly.

Thus, these verses extol the virtues and divine attributes of Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings and grace. 

Adi Shankaracharya was a renowned Indian philosopher and theologian who lived in the early 8th century CE. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of Hindu philosophy and is credited with consolidating and revitalizing the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.

Here are some key points about Adi Shankaracharya:

• Life and Birth: Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have been born in Kalady, Kerala, India, around 788 CE, although exact dates vary. His parents were Sivaguru and Aryamba. According to tradition, he showed early signs of spiritual wisdom and proficiency in the Vedas.
  
  
• Travels and Teachings: Shankaracharya is known for extensive travels throughout India. He engaged in debates with scholars of various philosophical traditions, including those following Mimamsa, Buddhism, and Jainism. His debates and discourses were instrumental in promoting Advaita Vedanta.
  
  
• Advaita Vedanta: Adi Shankaracharya's most significant contribution is to Advaita Vedanta, a non-dualistic school of Hindu philosophy. Advaita teaches that the ultimate reality (Brahman) is devoid of any multiplicity and that the individual self (Atman) is identical to Brahman. Shankara's commentaries on the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Brahma Sutras are central to Advaita Vedanta.
  
  
• Commentaries and Works: Shankaracharya wrote extensive commentaries (Bhashyas) on major Hindu scriptures. Some of his notable works include commentaries on the Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and the Vivekachudamani.
  
  
• Mathas: Adi Shankaracharya established four mathas (monastic institutions) in different regions of India: Sringeri (in the south), Dwarka (in the west), Puri (in the east), and Badrinath (in the north). These mathas continue to play a significant role in the preservation and propagation of Advaita Vedanta.
  
  
• Bhakti and Devotional Works: While Shankaracharya is primarily associated with Advaita Vedanta, he also composed devotional hymns and prayers. His composition "Bhaja Govindam" is well-known and emphasizes the importance of devotion to God.
  
  
• Legacy: Adi Shankaracharya's teachings have had a profound impact on Hindu philosophy and spirituality. His synthesis of the Vedantic tradition helped re-establish the importance of Vedanta as a leading philosophical system within Hinduism. His legacy continues through the mathas he founded, and he is revered as a spiritual giant in the history of India.

It's important to note that while many details about Adi Shankaracharya's life and activities are found in traditional hagiographies, historical accuracy can be challenging to establish given the ancient nature of the events.

Listen to the stotra here :