Vakratunda Mahakaya — Ganesh Shloka Meaning — Line by Line

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय — गणेश श्लोक

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

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Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Vakratunda Mahakaya — Ganesh Shloka with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

Verse 1#

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ। निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada

MeaningO Lord Ganesha of curved trunk and massive body, whose brilliance equals a billion suns — remove all obstacles from my endeavors, always.

Verse 2#

शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥

Shuklambaradharam Vishnum Shashivarnam Chaturbhujam Prasannavadanam Dhyayet Sarvavighnopashantaye

MeaningMeditate on the one wearing white garments, all-pervading, moon-complexioned, four-armed, with a pleasant face — for the pacification of all obstacles.

Verse 3#

अगजानन पद्मार्कं गजाननं अहर्निशम्। अनेकदन्तं भक्तानां एकदन्तं उपास्महे॥

Agajanana Padmarkam Gajaananam Aharnisham Anekadantam Bhaktanam Ekadantam Upasmahe

MeaningWe worship the elephant-faced one, son of Parvati, day and night. He who has many tusks for devotees but is the single-tusked one — we worship him.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

वक्रतुण्ड

Vakratunda

Curved trunk

महाकाय

Mahakaya

Massive body

सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ

Suryakoti Samaprabha

Brilliance equal to a billion suns

निर्विघ्नं

Nirvighnam

Free from obstacles

कुरु मे देव

Kuru Me Deva

Make for me, O God

सर्वकार्येषु

Sarvakaryeshu

In all endeavors

सर्वदा

Sarvada

Always

शुक्लाम्बरधरं

Shuklambaradharam

Wearing white garments

शशिवर्णं

Shashivarnam

Moon-colored/complexioned

चतुर्भुजम्

Chaturbhujam

Four-armed

प्रसन्नवदनं

Prasannavadanam

With a cheerful/pleasant face

सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये

Sarvavighnopashantaye

For the pacification of all obstacles

अगजानन

Agajanana

Son of the mountain's daughter (Parvati)

एकदन्तं

Ekadantam

Single-tusked one

उपास्महे

Upasmahe

We worship

Origin & History

Source: Traditional Sanskrit devotional verse (found across multiple texts)

Author: Ancient tradition

Period: Ancient

This shloka is so ancient and universal that its specific origin is impossible to trace — it appears in multiple Puranas and devotional texts. The 'Vakratunda Mahakaya' verse is the quintessential Ganesha invocation, encoding his complete form (curved trunk, massive body, solar brilliance) and his primary function (obstacle removal) in just 2 lines. It is the most memorized Sanskrit verse in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Vakratunda Mahakaya so popular?▼

It is the shortest, most universal Ganesha prayer — just one shloka that directly asks for obstacle removal in ALL endeavors, ALWAYS. Every Hindu knows it. It is chanted before exams, weddings, business deals, journeys, and any new venture.

Why chant Ganesha first?▼

Lord Shiva declared that Ganesha must be worshipped before all other gods. This is because Ganesha is Vighnaharta — the remover of obstacles. Starting any activity with his invocation ensures a smooth, obstacle-free path.

Can children chant this?▼

This is typically the FIRST shloka taught to Hindu children. Its simplicity (just 2 lines) and universal applicability make it perfect for children. Many schools in India begin the day with this shloka.

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