Agajanana Padmarkam — Word-by-Word Meaning
अगजानन पद्मार्कम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अगजा
Agaja
Agaja — 'born of the mountain', i.e. Parvati (Gauri), daughter of Himavan
आनन
anana
Face (here, the lotus-face of Parvati)
पद्म
padma
Lotus
अर्कम्
arkam
The sun (whose rays open the lotus)
अगजानन पद्मार्कम्
Agajanana-padmarkam
The sun to the lotus-face of Parvati — whose presence makes his mother's face bloom with joy
गजाननम्
gajananam
The elephant-faced one (Gajanana)
अहर्निशम्
aharnisham
Day and night, always
अनेकदम्
anekadam
The giver of many (boons) to his devotees; (also read as) the many-toothed / many-giving
तं भक्तानाम्
tam bhaktanam
Him, (the giver) for the devotees
एकदन्तम्
ekadantam
The single-tusked one (Ekadanta)
उपास्महे
upasmahe
We worship / we contemplate
Complete Translation
As the sun makes the lotus bloom, so does the sight of Gajanana, the elephant-faced Lord, day and night make the lotus-face of his mother Parvati blossom with joy. We worship that single-tusked Lord (Ekadanta), who grants endless boons to his devotees.
Origin & History
Source: Traditional Sanskrit dhyana verse to Ganesha
Author: Unknown (traditional)
Period: Traditional
Agajanana Padmarkam is one of the best-loved short meditation verses on Ganesha, recited at the threshold of worship alongside 'Shuklambaradharam' and 'Vakratunda Mahakaya'. Its single verse turns on a graceful pun and image — 'Agaja-anana-padma-arka', the sun to the lotus-face of the mountain-born Parvati — picturing how the very sight of the elephant-faced son makes his mother's face bloom, before bowing to him as Ekadanta, the giver of endless boons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Agajanana Padmarkam' mean?▼
'Agaja' means 'born of the mountain' — Parvati; 'anana' is face; 'padma' lotus; 'arka' the sun. The phrase means Ganesha is like the sun that makes the lotus-face of his mother Parvati bloom with joy. The verse then worships him as Ekadanta, the single-tusked giver of boons.
Why is Ganesha called Ekadanta here?▼
Ekadanta means 'the one with a single tusk'. By tradition Ganesha broke off one of his tusks (in some accounts to write the Mahabharata, in others in battle), and 'Ekadanta' became one of his most beloved names, invoked in this verse.
When is the Agajanana Padmarkam recited?▼
It is recited in the morning and at the beginning of any worship, study, examination or new venture, as a short dhyana (meditation) verse to invoke Ganesha's grace and an auspicious, obstacle-free start.
Is this verse suitable for children?▼
Yes. Being short, melodious and built on the sweet image of a mother delighting in her child, it is often among the first Ganesha prayers taught to children and is easy to memorise.
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