ganeshaganeshekadantaheramba

Ekadantam Mahakayam

एकदन्तं महाकायं in English · English

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

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हिन्दी / देवनागरी తెలుగు தமிழ்ಕನ್ನಡ മലയാളം ગુજરાતી বাংলা ଓଡ଼ିଆ ਪੰਜਾਬੀEnglishසිංහල 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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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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Ekadantam🔊The single-tusked one (Ekadanta)

mahakayam🔊Of great / mighty body

lambodara🔊The large-bellied one (Lambodara)

gajananam🔊The elephant-faced one (Gajanana)

vighnanashakaram🔊The one who destroys obstacles (vighna-nashaka)

devam🔊The shining Lord / God

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

pranamamyaham🔊I bow down (in salutation)

Benefits of Chanting एकदन्तं महाकायं

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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 एकदन्तं महाकायं

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

This page shows the complete एकदन्तं महाकायं written in the English script — the same Sanskrit/Hindi verses, transliterated character-by-character so you can read and chant comfortably. Tap any line (or the ▶ button) to hear it recited aloud.

Yes — only the script changes; the words and their meaning are the original. The verse-by-verse meaning, benefits and how-to-chant guidance on this page apply exactly the same.

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.