Ganesh Ashtakam is an important book of eight verses composed in praise of Lord Ganesha. It has a very important place in Sanskrit literature in the field of devotion and prayer. Ashtakam means “collection of eight positions,” and this text describes the unique nature, qualities and pastimes of Lord Ganesha. This Ashtakam is a means of providing spiritual peace and fulfillment to the devotees.
Ganesha Ashtakam Importance
While reciting Ganesh Ashtakam, the glories of Lord Ganesha are extolled. Lord Ganesha is considered to be the “Disruptor” and the “Provider of Success”. It is believed that regular recitation of Ganesha Ashtakam removes all kinds of obstacles from a person’s life. This Ashtakam not only provides physical and mental peace, but also paves the way for spiritual advancement.
Composition and style of Ganesh Ashtakam
Ganesh Ashtakam is composed in simple and melodious verses, which describe the various titles of Lord Ganesha, his form and his power. Each shloka describes a particular attribute or pastime of Lord Ganesha. Every word of it has a feeling of devotion, devotion and divinity.
Ganesha Ashtakam Benifits
- Destruction of Obstacles : By reciting Ganesh Ashtakam, life’s difficulties and obstacles are removed.
- Manokamana Purti : Whoever recites it with true heart, his wishes are fulfilled.
- Peace and Happiness : This text gives peace of mind and inner happiness.
- Spiritual Development : Recitation of Ganesh Ashtakam helps in the spiritual development of a person.
Ganesha Ashtakam English
sarvē uchuḥ ।
yatō’nantaśaktēranantāścha jīvā
yatō nirguṇādapramēyā guṇāstē ।
yatō bhāti sarvaṃ tridhā bhēdabhinnaṃ
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 1 ॥
yataśchāvirāsījjagatsarvamēta-
-ttathābjāsanō viśvagō viśvagōptā ।
tathēndrādayō dēvasaṅghā manuṣyāḥ
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 2 ॥
yatō vahnibhānū bhavō bhūrjalaṃ cha
yataḥ sāgarāśchandramā vyōma vāyuḥ ।
yataḥ sthāvarā jaṅgamā vṛkṣasaṅghāḥ
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 3 ॥
yatō dānavāḥ kinnarā yakṣasaṅghā
yataśchāraṇā vāraṇāḥ śvāpadāścha ।
yataḥ pakṣikīṭā yatō vīrudhaścha
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 4 ॥
yatō buddhirajñānanāśō mumukṣō-
-ryataḥ sampadō bhaktasantōṣadāḥ syuḥ ।
yatō vighnanāśō yataḥ kāryasiddhiḥ
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 5 ॥
yataḥ putrasampadyatō vāñChitārthō
yatō’bhaktavighnāstathā’nēkarūpāḥ ।
yataḥ śōkamōhau yataḥ kāma ēva
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 6 ॥
yatō’nantaśaktiḥ sa śēṣō babhūva
dharādhāraṇē’nēkarūpē cha śaktaḥ ।
yatō’nēkadhā svargalōkā hi nānā
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 7 ॥
yatō vēdavāchō vikuṇṭhā manōbhiḥ
sadā nēti nētīti yattā gṛṇanti ।
parabrahmarūpaṃ chidānandabhūtaṃ
sadā taṃ gaṇēśaṃ namāmō bhajāmaḥ ॥ 8 ॥
śrīgaṇēśa uvācha ।
punarūchē gaṇādhīśaḥ stōtramētatpaṭhēnnaraḥ ।
trisandhyaṃ tridinaṃ tasya sarvakāryaṃ bhaviṣyati ॥ 9 ॥
yō japēdaṣṭadivasaṃ ślōkāṣṭakamidaṃ śubham ।
aṣṭavāraṃ chaturthyāṃ tu sō’ṣṭasiddhīravāpnuyāt ॥ 10 ॥
yaḥ paṭhēnmāsamātraṃ tu daśavāraṃ dinē dinē ।
sa mōchayēdbandhagataṃ rājavadhyaṃ na saṃśayaḥ ॥ 11 ॥
vidyākāmō labhēdvidyāṃ putrārthī putramāpnuyāt ।
vāñChitāँllabhatē sarvānēkaviṃśativārataḥ ॥ 12 ॥
yō japētparayā bhaktyā gajānanaparō naraḥ ।
ēvamuktvā tatō dēvaśchāntardhānaṃ gataḥ prabhuḥ ॥ 13 ॥
iti śrīgaṇēśapurāṇē upāsanākhaṇḍē śrīgaṇēśāṣṭakam ।
Ganesh Ashtakam is not only a religious recitation but also a means of purifying the soul and attaining the grace of Lord Ganesha. Reciting it regularly brings happiness, prosperity and success in the life of the devotee. This Ashtakam is a precious gem of the literary and spiritual heritage of the Sanskrit language, which every devotee should embrace.
