ganeshaganeshekadantaheramba

Ekadantam Mahakayam

एकदन्तं महाकायं

🕉️ hindu·📿 3× repetitions·🕐 Morning after bath; before worship, study or new work; Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti·📜 Traditional Sanskrit dhyana/salutation verse to Ganesha

Also known as: ekadantam mahakayam lambodara gajananam · herambam pranamamyaham · ekadantam mahakayam shloka · heramba ganesha sloka

📜 Complete Lyrics 📖 Word-by-Word Meaning ✨ Benefits & How to Chant ⬇️ PDF Download

Read in your language / script

हिन्दी / देवनागरीతెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ English සිංහල 𑌗𑍍𑌰𑌨𑍍𑌥

✦ Meaning

Ekadantam Mahakayam is a beloved single-verse salutation to Lord Ganesha, naming him by his most familiar epithets — Ekadanta (single-tusked), Mahakaya (mighty-bodied), Lambodara (large-bellied), Gajanana (elephant-faced) — and bowing to him as the obstacle-destroying God, Heramba, protector of the weak. Short and easy to memorise, it is widely recited as an opening prayer before worship, study or any new undertaking.

Origin & Story

Traditional Sanskrit dhyana/salutation verse to Ganesha · Unknown (traditional) · Traditional

Ekadantam Mahakayam is among the most popular short salutations to Ganesha, recited at the opening of worship alongside 'Vakratunda Mahakaya' and 'Shuklambaradharam'. In two lines it gathers the Lord's best-known epithets — Ekadanta, Mahakaya, Lambodara, Gajanana — and bows to him as the obstacle-destroying Heramba, the protector of all who are weak and seek his shelter.

✦ As told in scripture

Devotees hold that even this single verse, offered with sincere devotion at the start of any task, draws the grace of Heramba — the mighty yet tender protector — to clear away obstacles and shelter those who turn to him.

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The Mantra

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एकदन्तं महाकायं लम्बोदरगजाननम् । विघ्ननाशकरं देवं हेरम्बं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥

Ekadantam mahakayam lambodara-gajananam Vighnanashakaram devam herambam pranamamyaham

Meaning:I bow to the single-tusked Lord of mighty body, the large-bellied elephant-faced one; the shining God who destroys all obstacles — to Heramba (Ganesha), the protector of the helpless, I offer my salutations.

Word-by-Word Meaning

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एकदन्तम्🔊EkadantamThe single-tusked one (Ekadanta)

महाकायम्🔊mahakayamOf great / mighty body

लम्बोदर🔊lambodaraThe large-bellied one (Lambodara)

गजाननम्🔊gajananamThe elephant-faced one (Gajanana)

विघ्ननाशकरम्🔊vighnanashakaramThe one who destroys obstacles (vighna-nashaka)

देवम्🔊devamThe shining Lord / God

हेरम्बम्🔊herambamHeramba — a name of Ganesha meaning the protector of the weak / the mighty one dear to his Mother

प्रणमाम्यहम्🔊pranamamyahamI bow down (in salutation)

Benefits of Chanting Ekadantam Mahakayam

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A short, easily memorised salutation to invoke Ganesha at the start of any worship or new work

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Names Ganesha as Vighna-nashaka — the direct destroyer of obstacles

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Invokes the gracious form of Heramba, the protector of the weak and helpless

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Brings the Lord's auspicious image — Ekadanta, Lambodara, Gajanana — vividly to mind in devotion

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Recited before examinations, journeys, business and ceremonies for an auspicious beginning

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Suitable as a daily prayer and as a first Ganesha verse for children to learn

How to Chant Ekadantam Mahakayam

Repetitions3times

Best TimeMorning after bath; before worship, study or new work; Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti

Sit facing an image of Lord Ganesha, fold the hands and recite the verse with devotion, picturing the mighty, large-bellied, elephant-faced Lord. It may be chanted once or three times as an opening prayer (dhyana) before puja, study, examinations or any new undertaking, bowing at 'Herambam pranamamyaham' for an auspicious, obstacle-free start.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a single famous Sanskrit verse of salutation to Lord Ganesha. It addresses him by his well-known names — Ekadanta (single-tusked), Mahakaya (mighty-bodied), Lambodara (large-bellied) and Gajanana (elephant-faced) — and bows to him as Heramba, the obstacle-destroying Lord and protector of the weak.

Heramba is a name of Ganesha. It is traditionally understood to mean 'the protector of the weak (and helpless)' and 'the mighty one dear to his Mother'. The five-headed Heramba form, mounted on a lion, is a benevolent, protective aspect of Ganesha.

It is recited in the morning and at the beginning of any worship, study, examination or new venture, as a short prayer to invoke Ganesha and the removal of obstacles for an auspicious, successful start.

Yes. Being short, rhythmic and built from Ganesha's most familiar names, the verse is ideal for daily recitation and is often among the first Ganesha prayers taught to children.