गणेश चालीसा
Origin & Story
Hindu devotional tradition (Chalisa literature) · Unknown (folk composition in the Chalisa tradition) · Medieval period
The Ganesh Chalisa draws from multiple Puranic sources for the birth story of Lord Ganesha. The version narrated in this chalisa describes how Parvati performed severe penance for a son, and a divine Brahmin (Ganesha himself in disguise) appeared, blessed her, and then manifested as a baby on a cradle. Other versions from the Shiva Purana describe Parvati creating Ganesha from sandalwood paste. Regardless of the version, all agree that Ganesha is the firstborn son of Shiva and Parvati and holds the supreme position of being worshipped before all other deities.
✦ As told in scripture
One of the most famous miracles associated with Ganesha occurred on September 21, 1995, when millions of Ganesha statues across India and around the world were reported to be drinking milk offered by devotees. The phenomenon, known as the 'Milk Miracle,' began at a temple in New Delhi and spread worldwide within hours. Scientists and skeptics investigated but could not fully explain the phenomenon. For devotees, it was Ganesha demonstrating his living presence — the same presence invoked through prayers like the Ganesh Chalisa. The event remains one of the most widely witnessed and documented religious phenomena in modern history.
Complete Text with Meaning
दोहा: जय गणपति सदगुण सदन, कविवर बदन कृपाल। विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, जय जय गिरिजालाल॥
Doha: Jai Ganapati Sadgun Sadan, Kavivar Badan Kripal Vighna Haran Mangal Karan, Jai Jai Girijalal
Meaning:Doha: Glory to Ganapati, abode of virtues, gracious poet with a beautiful face. Remover of obstacles, bestower of auspiciousness — glory, glory to the beloved son of Girija (Parvati)!
चौपाई: जय जय जय गणपति गणराजू। मंगल भरण करण शुभ काजू॥
Chaupai: Jai Jai Jai Ganapati Ganraju Mangal Bharan Karan Shubh Kaju
Meaning:Chaupai: Victory, victory, victory to Ganapati, king of the Ganas! You fill our lives with auspiciousness and accomplish all good tasks.
जय गजबदन सदन सुखदाता। विश्व विनायक बुद्धि विधाता॥
Jai Gajbadan Sadan Sukh Data Vishwa Vinayak Buddhi Vidhata
Meaning:Glory to the elephant-faced one, giver of happiness! You are the supreme Vinayak of the world, the bestower of intelligence.
वक्र तुण्ड शुचि शुण्ड सुहावन। तिलक त्रिपुण्ड भाल मन भावन॥
Vakra Tunda Shuchi Shund Suhavan Tilak Tripund Bhal Man Bhavan
Meaning:Your curved trunk is pure and beautiful. The triple sacred mark on your forehead enchants the mind.
राजत मणि मुक्तन उर माला। स्वर्ण मुकुट शिर नयन विशाला॥
Rajat Mani Muktan Ur Mala Swarna Mukut Shir Nayan Vishala
Meaning:A garland of gems and pearls adorns your chest. A golden crown sits upon your head, and your eyes are wide and compassionate.
पुस्तक पाणि कुठार त्रिशूलं। मोदक प्रिय मूषक अनुकूलं॥
Pustak Pani Kuthar Trishulam Modak Priya Mushak Anukoolam
Meaning:In your hands you hold a book, an axe, and a trident. You are fond of modak sweets, and your mouse vehicle serves you faithfully.
सुन्दर पीताम्बर तन साजे। चरणपादुका मुनि मन राजे॥
Sundar Pitambar Tan Saje Charan Paduka Muni Man Raje
Meaning:Your beautiful body is adorned with yellow garments. The wooden sandals on your feet delight the minds of sages.
धनि शिवसुवन षडानन भ्राता। गौरी ललन विश्व विख्याता॥
Dhani Shivsuvana Shadanan Bhrata Gauri Lalan Vishwa Vikhyata
Meaning:Blessed son of Shiva, brother of the six-faced Kartikeya! Darling of Gauri, famous throughout the world!
ऋद्धि सिद्धि तव चंवर ढुलावें। मूषक वाहन सोहत द्वारे॥
Riddhi Siddhi Tav Chanvar Dhulaven Mushak Vahan Sohat Dware
Meaning:Riddhi and Siddhi wave ceremonial fans for you. Your mouse vehicle looks splendid at the gate.
कहूँ जन्म शुभ कथा तुम्हारी। अति शुचि पावन मंगलकारी॥
Kahun Janma Shubh Katha Tumhari Ati Shuchi Pavan Mangalkari
Meaning:Let me tell the auspicious story of your birth — most pure, sacred, and auspicious.
एक समय गिरिराज कुमारी। पुत्र हेतु तप कीन्हों भारी॥
Ek Samay Giriraj Kumari Putra Hetu Tap Keenhon Bhari
Meaning:Once, the daughter of the Mountain King (Parvati) performed severe penance for the sake of a son.
भयउ यज्ञ जब पूर्ण अनूपा। तब पहुँचे तुम धरि द्विज रूपा॥
Bhayau Yagya Jab Purna Anoopa Tab Pahunche Tum Dhari Dvij Roopa
Meaning:When the magnificent yajna was complete, you arrived in the form of a Brahmin.
अतिथि जानि कै गौरी सुखारी। बहुविधि सेवा करी तुम्हारी॥
Atithi Jani Kai Gauri Sukhari Bahu Vidhi Seva Kari Tumhari
Meaning:Recognizing you as a guest, Gauri was delighted and served you in many ways.
अतिप्रसन्न ह्वै तुम वर दीन्हा। मातु पुत्र हित जो तप कीन्हा॥
Ati Prasanna Hvai Tum Var Dinha Matu Putra Hit Jo Tap Kinha
Meaning:Greatly pleased, you granted a boon: the penance the mother performed for a son would bear fruit.
मिलहि पुत्र तुहि बुद्धि विशाला। बिना गर्भ धारण यह बाला॥
Milahi Putra Tuhi Buddhi Vishala Bina Garbh Dharan Yah Bala
Meaning:A son of vast intelligence would be born to her — this child, without being carried in the womb.
गणनायक गुण ज्ञान निधाना। पूजत प्रथम रूप भगवाना॥
Gananayak Gun Gyan Nidhana Pujat Pratham Roop Bhagwana
Meaning:Leader of the Ganas, treasure of virtues and knowledge — worshipped first among all forms of God.
अस कहि अन्तर्धान रूप ह्वै। पालना पर बालक स्वरूप ह्वै॥
As Kahi Antardhan Roop Hvai Palna Par Balak Swaroop Hvai
Meaning:Saying this, you vanished from sight and appeared as a baby on a cradle.
बनि शिशु रुदन ठान्हि तुम तब ही। गिरिजा उत्सव मनावें गृह ही॥
Bani Shishu Rudan Thanhi Tum Tab Hi Girija Utsav Manaven Grih Hi
Meaning:Becoming an infant, you began to cry. Girija celebrated with great joy in her home.
लेकर शिशु गोद में किया। बहुत चुमन तब नैन भरी या॥
Lekar Shishu God Mein Kiya Bahut Chuman Tab Nain Bhari Ya
Meaning:Taking the baby in her lap, she kissed him many times with tears of joy in her eyes.
शम्भु उमा बहु दान लुटावें। सुर मुनि जन सुत देखन आवें॥
Shambhu Uma Bahu Dan Lutaven Sur Muni Jan Sut Dekhan Aaven
Meaning:Shambhu and Uma distributed lavish gifts. Gods, sages, and people came to see the child.
लखि अति आनन्द मंगल गावें। नभ ते सुरन सुमन वर्षावें॥
Lakhi Ati Anand Mangal Gaven Nabh Te Suran Suman Varshaven
Meaning:Seeing this great joy, they sang auspicious songs. From the sky, the gods showered flowers.
दोहा: जय जय जय गणपति गणनायक। करत सदा जग जन हित लायक॥
Doha: Jai Jai Jai Ganapati Gannayak Karat Sada Jag Jan Hit Layak
Meaning:Doha: Victory, victory, victory to Ganapati, the leader of Ganas! You always work for the welfare of the world.
विश्व विनायक देव बड़ भारी। संकट मोचन कृपा तुम्हारी॥
Vishwa Vinayak Dev Bad Bhari Sankat Mochan Kripa Tumhari
Meaning:O Vishwa Vinayak, the great and mighty God! Your grace liberates us from all troubles.
Word-by-Word Meaning
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Benefits of Chanting गणेश चालीसा
Removes all obstacles from the path of the devotee
Bestows wisdom, intelligence, and clarity of thought
Ensures success in new ventures, examinations, and business endeavors
Brings auspiciousness and good fortune to the household
Ganesha is worshipped first before all other gods — this chalisa invokes his primary blessing
Removes fear and anxiety related to upcoming challenges
Grants spiritual knowledge and the ability to discriminate between right and wrong
How to Chant गणेश चालीसा
Sit before a Ganesha idol or image. Offer modak, durva grass, and red flowers. Light a diya and incense. Recite the Ganesh Chalisa with devotion and concentration. It is traditional to begin any new project, journey, or important task with this chalisa. Reciting it on Wednesdays (Ganesha's day) and during Ganesh Chaturthi is especially auspicious.