Vinayakashtakam  

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Namad-Deva-Vrundham = position where hosts of gods (Deva Vrundham) bow down (Namad).

• Lasad-Veda-Kandham = The shining (Lasad) root/source (Kandham) of the holy Vedas.

• Shirah-Shreemad-Indhum = The one whose head (Shirah) is adorned with the beautiful, crescent moon (Shreemad Indhum).

• Shrita-Shree-Mukundham = The one who is sought after/sheltered (Shrita) by Lord Vishnu (Shree Mukundham).

• Bruhac-Chaaru-Shundham = The one who possesses a large (Bruhat) and beautiful (Chaaru) trunk (Shundham).

• Stuta-Shree-Sanandham = The one who is praised (Stuta) by the great sage Sanandha (Shree Sanandham).

• Jataa-Heendhra-Kundham = The one whose matted hair (Jataa) is adorned with the king of serpents (Heendhra) and white jasmine flowers (Kundham).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Abheeshta-Sandham = The one who bestows (Sandham) all desired boons (Abheeshta).

Summary of the Verse / English Translation 

"I worship and meditate upon Lord Ganesha, who is reverently bowed down to by hosts of celestial gods, and who is the radiant root source of all the Vedas. He adorns the beautiful crescent moon upon His head, and even Lord Mukunda (Vishnu) seeks refuge in Him. Possessing a majestic, beautiful trunk, He is praised by divine sages like Sanandha. With the king of serpents and white jasmine flowers adorning His matted hair, He is the supreme bestower of all cherished desires."

Word-by-Word Meaning (പദാനുപദ അർത്ഥം)

• Kilad-Deva-Gotram = The one who is the joy/exaltation (Kilad) of the lineage of gods (Deva Gotram).

• Kanad-Dhema-Gaatram = The one whose sacred body (Gaatram) shines brightly like molten gold (Kanad Dhema).

• Sadaanandham-Maatram = The one who is the embodiment of pure, eternal bliss (Sadaanandham) alone.

• Mahaa-Bhakta-Mitram = The supreme friend (Mitram) of great devotees (Mahaa Bhakta).

• Sharac-Chandra-Vaktram = The one whose face (Vaktram) is as beautiful and luminous as the autumnal full moon (Sharac Chandra).

• Trayee-Pootha-Paatram = The holy vessel (Paatram) purified (Pootha) by the three Vedas (Trayee - Rig, Yajur, and Sama).

• Samasthaarthi-Dhaatram = The one who cuts asunder/destroys (Dhaatram) all kinds of miseries and afflictions (Samastha Arthi).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Shakthi-Putram = The divine son (Putram) of Goddess Parvati/Shakthi.

Summary of the Verse / English Translation (വരികളുടെ സാരം)

"I worship and meditate upon Lord Ganesha, the divine son of Goddess Shakthi (Parvati). He is the pride and joy of the celestial gods, and His majestic form glows radiantly like shining gold. He is the embodiment of absolute eternal bliss and the truest friend to His great devotees. With a face as beautifully luminous as the autumn full moon, He is the sacred vessel purified by the triple Vedas, and the ultimate destroyer of all earthly miseries and afflictions."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Galad-Daana-Maalam = The one from whose temples streams of rut/ichor (Daana) flow down continuously like a garland (Maalam).

• Chalad-Bhogi-Maalam = The one who wears moving (Chalad) serpents (Bhogi) as garlands.

• Galaambhodha-Kaalam = The one whose body has the dark complexion (Kaalam) of a moisture-laden, raining cloud (Galaambhodha).

• Sadaa Daana-Sheelam = The one whose nature (Sheelam) is always (Sadaa) to bestow boons and gifts upon devotees.

• Suraaraathi-Kaalam = The one who is the very death (Kaalam) to the enemies of the gods (Sura-Araathi / Asuras).

• Maheshaatma-Baalam = The divine son (Baalam) born of Lord Shiva (Mahesha).

• Lasat-Pundhra-Phaalam = The one whose forehead (Phaalam) is adorned with a shining, sacred mark (Lasat Pundhra / Tilakam).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Loka-Moolam = The primal root / source (Moolam) of the entire universe (Loka).

"I worship and meditate upon Lord Ganesha, the primal source of the entire universe. He is the divine son of Lord Shiva, and His dark complexion resembles a moisture-laden rain cloud. Adorned with a shining sacred mark on His forehead, He wears moving serpents as garlands, while streams of holy ichor flow from His temples. He is ever-benevolent, constantly bestowing boons upon His devotees, and acts as the ultimate destruction to the demonic enemies of the gods."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Uras-Thaara-Haaram = The one whose chest (Uras) is adorned with a necklace (Haaram) of shining pearls or stars (Thaara).

• Sharac-Chandra-Heeram = The one who is as pure and radiant as diamonds (Heeram) or the autumn full moon (Sharac Chandra).

• Sura-Shree-Vichaaram = The one who constantly thinks of and protects the prosperity and well-being (Shree) of the celestial gods (Sura).

• Hrithaarthaari-Bhaaram = The one who removes (Hritha) the heavy burden of miseries (Bhaaram) of those who are afflicted (Aartha).

• Kate Daana-Pooram = The one from whose temples (Kate) flows an abundance of sacred ichor/rut (Daana Pooram).

• Jataa-Bhogi-Pooram = The one whose matted hair (Jataa) holds a multitude of serpents (Bhogi Pooram).

• Kalaa-Bindhu-Thaaram = The one who shines like the crescent moon (Kalaa) and the star-like dot (Bindhu) of the sacred Pranava Mantra (Aum).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Shaiva-Veeram = The heroic warrior son of Lord Shiva (Shaiva Veeram).

"I worship and meditate upon the heroic son of Lord Shiva, who wears a brilliant necklace of star-like pearls upon His chest, and whose radiance is as pure as the autumn moon and diamonds. He is the eternal protector of the gods' prosperity and the compassionate redeemer who lifts the heavy burden of grief from the afflicted. With streams of sacred ichor flowing from His temples and a multitude of serpents adorning His matted hair, He shines beautifully like the crescent moon and the mystical bindu of the cosmic sound Aum."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Karaaroodha-Moksham = The one who holds liberation (Moksham) readily available in His very palm (Kara-Aaroodha).

• Vipadh-Bhangga-Daksham = The one who is highly skillful (Daksham) in shattering (Bhangga) all dangers and calamities (Vipadh).

• Chalassaara-Saaksham = The one whose eyes (Aksham) are as beautiful and gently moving as a blowing lotus flower (Chala-Saarasa).

• Paraashakthi-Paksham = The one who is always on the side (Paksham) of His mother, the Supreme Goddess (Paraashakthi).

• Shritaamartthya-Vruksham = The one who is like the celestial wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpavriksha - Amartthya Vruksham) to those who seek refuge (Shrita) in Him.

• Suraari-Dhrutha-Ksham = The one who is capable of instantly destroying (Ksham) the fast-moving (Dhrutha) demonic enemies of the gods (Suraari).

• Paraanandha-Paksham = The one who is the personification of absolute supreme bliss (Paraanandha).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Shree-Shivaaksham = The auspicious son born of Lord Shiva's divine glance/grace (Shree Shiva-Aksham).

"I worship and meditate upon Lord Ganesha, the auspicious manifestation of Lord Shiva's grace. He holds liberation readily in the palm of His hand and is supremely expert at shattering all obstacles and calamities. With eyes as beautifully expressive as a moving lotus, He is ever-devoted to the Supreme Goddess Parvati. To those who take refuge in Him, He acts as the celestial wish-fulfilling tree, while remaining the ultimate destroyer of the swift demonic enemies. He is the eternal abode of absolute, supreme bliss."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Sadaasham = The one who is the eternal hope / refuge for the virtuous (Sat-Aasham).

• Suresham = The Lord of the celestial gods (Sura-Esham).

• Sadaa Paathum Eesham = The Supreme Lord (Eesham) who always (Sadaa) protects (Paathum) His devotees.

• Nidhānodh Bhavam = The primal source from which the entire universe originates (Nidhāna-Udbhavam).

• Shaangkara-Prema-Kosham = The very treasure house (Kosham) of Lord Shiva's (Shaangkara) deep love (Prema).

• Dhrutha-Shree-Nisheesham = The one who holds the beautiful crescent moon (the lord of the night - Nisheesham) which radiates auspiciousness (Shree).

• Lasadh-Dhantha-Kosham = The one with beautifully shining (Lasadh) tusks (Dhantha-Kosham).

• Chalac-Choola-Paasham = The one who wields the moving trident (Shoola) and the noose (Paasham).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Kruttha-Paasham = The one who cuts asunder (Kruttha) the bonds of worldly attachments and ignorance (Paasham).

"I worship and meditate upon Lord Ganesha, who cuts asunder the bonds of worldly attachments and ignorance. He is the eternal refuge of the virtuous, the Lord of all celestial gods, and the Supreme Protector who ever guards His devotees. As the ultimate source of all creation and the treasure house of Lord Shiva’s boundless love, He bears the auspicious crescent moon and displays radiantly shining tusks, while majestically wielding the moving trident and noose."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Thathaaneka-Santham = The one who is stretched out and manifested (Thatha) as the infinite variety of living beings (Anekasantham).

• Sadaa Dhaanavantham = The one from whose temples ichor/rut (Dhaana) flows continuously, and who is always bestowing gifts.

• Budha-Shree-Karantham = The one who brings prosperity, wisdom, and joy (Shree) to the wise and enlightened (Budha).

• Gajaasyam = The elephant-faced Lord (Gaja-Aasyam).

• Vibhaantham = Luminous / Shining brilliantly.

• Karaatmeeya-Dhantham = The one who holds His own broken tusk (Aatmeeya Dhantham) in His hand (Kara).

• Thrilokaika-Vruntham = The sole support and stalk (Vruntham) of the three worlds (Thriloka).

• Sumandham = The one with a beautiful, gentle smile (or the one with a majestic, slow gait).

• Parantham = The Supreme Ultimate Reality / The boundless one.

• Bhaje-Ham Bhavantham = I (Aham) worship and surrender unto You (Bhavantham).

"I worship and surrender unto You, O Supreme Lord Ganesha! You are the brilliant, elephant-faced Lord who is manifested as the infinite variety of beings in this universe. Holding Your own tusk in Your hand, You are the sole support and anchor of all the three worlds. Radiating a gentle smile, You bring ultimate wisdom and prosperity to the enlightened, while sacred ichor flows from Your temples. You are the boundless, ultimate reality, and I bow down to You."

Word-by-Word Meaning 

• Shiva-Prema-Pindham = The very embodiment (Pindham) of Lord Shiva's divine love (Shiva-Prema).

• Param = The Supreme Ultimate Reality.

• Svarnna-Varnnam = The one who possesses a beautiful golden complexion (Svarnna-Varnnam).

• Lasadh-Dhantha-Khandham = The one with a brilliantly shining (Lasadh) broken tusk (Dhantha-Khandham).

• Sadaanandha-Poornnam = The one who is completely filled (Poornnam) with eternal, absolute bliss (Sadaanandha).

• Vivarnna-Prabhaasyam = The one whose face (Aasyam) radiates a unique, indescribable, and multi-colored splendor (Vivarnna-Prabhaa).

• Dhrutha-Svarnna-Bhaandham = The one who holds a golden vessel or pot (filled with modakas/sweets - Dhrutha-Svarnna-Bhaandham).

• Chalac-Chaaru-Shundham = The one who has a beautifully (Chaaru) moving (Chalat) trunk (Shundham).

• Bhaje = I worship / I meditate upon.

• Dhanthi-Thundham = The elephant-faced Lord (Dhanthi-Thundham).

"I worship and meditate upon the elephant-faced Lord Ganesha, who is the absolute embodiment of Lord Shiva's divine love and the Supreme Reality. Glowing with a majestic golden hue, He is filled with eternal, absolute bliss. His radiant face shines with an indescribable, brilliant splendor, and He holds a beautiful golden vessel in His hand. Adorned with a gracefully moving trunk and a brilliantly shining broken tusk, I bow down to Him."