bahurūpa gaṇapati (dvātriṃśadgaṇapati) dhyāna ślokāḥ

• karasthakadalīcūtapanasekṣukamodakamholding plantain, mango, jackfruit, sugarcane, and modaka sweet in His hand
• bālasūryanibhamresembling the newly risen morning sun in effulgence
• bālagaṇādhipamthe child Lord of the Ganas (Bala Ganapati)
• devamthe divine Lord
• vandeI bow / I praise

anvaya karasthakadalīcūtapanasekṣukamodakam bālasūryanibham bālagaṇādhipam devam vande

chandas Anustubh, 8 syllables x 4 padas

bālasūryanibham the colour of the sun just risen — The red of the sun in its first minutes, which is the colour given to most of these forms.

note Thirty-two forms of Ganapati, one verse to each, saying what colour he is, how many arms he has and what he holds. These verses are what an image-maker and a worshipper both work from. Each block prints the form's name as a heading above its verse, and the word-by-word covers the verse itself.

• yaḥwho
• taruṇāruṇābhaḥhaving the radiance of the morning rising sun
• pāśāṅkuśāpūpakapitthajambūsvadantaśālīkṣumthe noose, goad, sweet cake, wood-apple, jambu fruit, his own tusk, paddy stalk, and sugarcane
• apialso
• svahastaiḥwith his own hands
• sadāalways
• dhatteholds or carries
• saḥthat
• taruṇaḥyouthful
• gaṇeśaḥlord Ganesha
• yuṣmānyou all
• pāyātmay he protect

anvaya yaḥ taruṇāruṇābhaḥ pāśāṅkuśāpūpakapitthajambūsvadantaśālīkṣum api svahastaiḥ sadā dhatte saḥ taruṇaḥ gaṇeśaḥ yuṣmān pāyāt

chandas Upajāti (mix of Indravajrā and Upendravajrā, 11 syllables × 4 pādas)

• nārikelāmrakadalīguḍapāyasadhāriṇamholding coconut, mango, banana, jaggery, and milk-rice pudding
• śaraccandrābhavapuṣamhaving a body radiant like the autumn moon
• bhaktagaṇādhipamthe Lord of the host of devotees (Bhakta-Gaṇapati)
• bhajeI worship / adore

anvaya [aham] nārikelāmrakadalīguḍapāyasadhāriṇam śaraccandrābhavapuṣam bhaktagaṇādhipam bhaje

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

pāyasa milk-rice — Rice boiled in milk with sugar, the plainest festival food in a Tamil or Telugu house.

• vetālaśaktiśarakārmukacakrakhaḍgakhaṭvāṅgamudgaragadāṅkuśanāgapāśānthe vetāla, spear, arrow, bow, discus, sword, skull-staff, hammer, club, goad, snake, and noose
• śūlamtrident
• caand
• kuntaparaśumlance and axe
• dhvajambanner
• udvahantamwielding / bearing aloft
• aruṇamdawn-red in complexion
• vīramheroic / valiant
• gaṇeśamlord Ganesha
• satatamconstantly / incessantly
• smarāmiI meditate upon / remember

anvaya vetālaśaktiśarakārmukacakrakhaḍgakhaṭvāṅgamudgaragadāṅkuśanāgapāśān śūlam ca kuntaparaśum dhvajam udvahantam aruṇam vīram gaṇeśam satatam smarāmi

chandas Vasantatilakā, 14 syllables in each of 4 pādas

vetāla the vetala — A spirit that enters a dead body and moves it. The warrior form carries it as a weapon among weapons.

khaṭvāṅga the skull-staff — A club topped with a skull, carried by Shiva and by those who follow him in his fierce forms.

• haritāṅgayaṣṭimher whose slender body is green
• devīṃthe Goddess
• āliṅgyaembracing
• parasparāśliṣṭakaṭipradeśamwhose waist region is mutually embraced
• sandhyāruṇamreddish like the evening twilight
• pāśasṛṇīa noose and a goad
• vahantamholding / bearing
• bhayāpahamthe dispeller of fear
• śaktigaṇeśamunto Śakti-Gaṇeśa
• īḍeI praise / I extol

anvaya haritāṅgayaṣṭim devīṃ āliṅgya parasparāśliṣṭakaṭipradeśam sandhyāruṇam pāśasṛṇī vahantam bhayāpaham śaktigaṇeśam [aham] īḍe

chandas Upajāti (Triṣṭubh, 11 syllables × 4 pādas)

• dvijagaṇādhipateO Lord of the hosts of the twice-born!
• yaḥwhoever / he who
• pustakākṣaguṇadaṇḍakamaṇḍaluśrīvidyotamānakarabhūṣaṇamwhose hands are ornamented by book, rosary, staff and water pot
• induvarṇamhaving the white, radiant complexion of the moon
• stamberamānanacatuṣṭayaśobhamānambright with four elephant faces
• yaṃwhom
• tvāṃyou
• smaretshould remember / meditates upon
• saḥhe
• dhanyaḥfortunate / blessed

anvaya [he] dvijagaṇādhipate yaḥ pustakākṣaguṇadaṇḍakamaṇḍaluśrīvidyotamānakarabhūṣaṇam induvarṇam stamberamānanacatuṣṭayaśobhamānam yaṃ tvāṃ smaret saḥ dhanyaḥ [bhavati]

chandas Vasantatilakā, 14 syllables × 4 pādas

kamaṇḍalu the water pot — The gourd or metal pot a brahmachari and a renouncer carry. With the book, the rosary and the staff it makes the four marks of the twice-born.

• śrīsamṛddhiyutaO one endowed with divine fortune and prosperity
• hemapiṅgalaO golden-yellow complexioned one
• pakvacūtaphalapuṣpamañjarīḥripe mango fruits and flower clusters
• ikṣudaṇḍatilamodakaiḥsugarcane stalks and sesame sweetmeats
• sahatogether with
• paraśuman axe
• udvahanholding / carrying aloft
• teunto You
• namaḥsalutation
• astulet there be

anvaya [he] śrīsamṛddhiyuta [he] hemapiṅgala pakvacūtaphalapuṣpamañjarīḥ ikṣudaṇḍatilamodakaiḥ saha paraśum udvahan te namaḥ astu

chandas irregular 11-syllable (Triṣṭubh variant) metre

• nīlābjadāḍimīvīṇāśālīguñjākṣasūtrakama blue lotus, pomegranate, veena, paddy stalk, gunja berries, and rosary
• dadhatholding, bearing
• ucchiṣṭanāmānamed Ucchishta
• ayamthis
• mecakaḥdark-complexioned, dark blue
• gaṇeśaḥlord Ganesha
• pātumay he protect

anvaya nīlābjadāḍimīvīṇāśālīguñjākṣasūtrakam dadhat ucchiṣṭanāmā ayam mecakaḥ gaṇeśaḥ [asmān] pātu

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

guñjā gunja seeds — The small red-and-black seed used as the smallest weight for gold, strung here as a rosary.

• pāṇiśritaiḥheld in or resting upon his hands
• śaṅkhekṣucāpakusumeṣukuṭhārapāśacakrasvadantasṛṇimañjarikāśarādyaiḥwith conch, cane bow, flower arrow, axe, noose, disc, tusk, goad, blossom and shafts
• parisamīhitabhūṣaṇaśrīḥhe who possesses the radiant beauty of all desired ornaments
• tapanīyagauraḥgolden-yellow and brilliant like refined gold
• vighneśvaraḥthe Lord of obstacles (Vighneshvara)
• vijayatetriumphs victoriously / shines supreme

anvaya pāṇiśritaiḥ śaṅkhekṣucāpakusumeṣukuṭhārapāśacakrasvadantasṛṇimañjarikāśarādyaiḥ parisamīhitabhūṣaṇaśrīḥ tapanīyagauraḥ vighneśvaraḥ vijayate

chandas Vasantatilakā, 14 syllables × 4 pādas

• dantakalpalatāpāśaratnakumbhāṅkuśojjvalamshining with tusk, wish-fulfilling creeper, noose, jewel-pot, and goad
• bandhūkakamanīyābhampossessing a lovely radiance like the Bandhūka flower
• kṣipragaṇādhipamlord Kṣipra-Gaṇapati (the swift lord of hosts)
• dhyāyetone should meditate upon

anvaya [sādhakaḥ] dantakalpalatāpāśaratnakumbhāṅkuśojjvalam bandhūkakamanīyābham kṣipragaṇādhipam dhyāyet

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

bandhūka the bandhuka flower — A deep red midday flower, the standard measure of that shade of red.

• herambanāmānamed Heramba
• atigauraḥexceedingly fair-complexioned
• pañcamātaṅgavaktraḥhaving five elephant faces
• adhigatasiṃhaḥmounted upon a lion
• abhayavaradahastaḥhaving hands displaying the fearlessness and boon-granting gestures
• pāśadantākṣamālāsṛṇiparaśunoose, tusk, rosary, goad, and axe
• mudgarammallet
• modakamsweetmeat
• caand
• phalamfruit
• dadhānaḥholding / bearing
• gaṇapatiḥlord Ganapati
• pātumay he protect

anvaya herambanāmā atigauraḥ pañcamātaṅgavaktraḥ adhigatasiṃhaḥ abhayavaradahastaḥ pāśadantākṣamālāsṛṇiparaśu mudgaram modakam ca phalam dadhānaḥ gaṇapatiḥ [asmān] pātu

chandas irregular

pañcamātaṅgavaktraḥ with five elephant faces — Heramba is the five-faced form, and the only one of the thirty-two that rides a lion rather than a mouse.

• śrīauspiciousness / Lakshmi
• lakṣmīgoddess Lakshmi
• gaṇapatiḥlord Ganapati
• śukabījapūrakamilanmāṇikyakumbhākuśānthe parrot, citron fruit, radiant ruby vessel, and goad
• pāśamthe noose
• kalpalatāmthe wish-fulfilling creeper
• caand
• bibhrāṇaḥholding / bearing
• khaḍgavilasajjyotiḥwhose lustre shines like a sword
• sudhānirjharaḥa cascade / stream of nectar
• śyāmenaby a dark-hued [hand]
• āttasaroruheṇaholding a lotus flower
• sahitamaccompanied by
• devīdvayamthe pair of goddesses
• caand
• antikenearby / at His side
• gaurāṅgaḥfair-complexioned in body
• varadānahastasahitaḥendowed with a hand granting boons
• lakṣmīgaṇeśaḥLakshmi Ganesha
• avatātmay He protect [us]

anvaya śrī lakṣmī gaṇapatiḥ śukabījapūrakamilanmāṇikyakumbhākuśān pāśam kalpalatām ca bibhrāṇaḥ khaḍgavilasajjyotiḥ sudhānirjharaḥ śyāmena āttasaroruheṇa sahitam devīdvayam ca antike gaurāṅgaḥ varadānahastasahitaḥ lakṣmīgaṇeśaḥ [naḥ] avatāt

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables in each of 4 pādas

• svāṅkasthayāby her who is seated on His lap
• sapadmakarayāby her who holds a lotus in her hand
• priyayāby His beloved consort
• rasātout of deep affection and delight
• santatamconstantly / continuously
• āśliṣṭamwho is embraced
• hastīndrānanamhaving the face of a lordly elephant
• inducūḍamadorned with the crescent moon on His crown
• aruṇacchāyamhaving a reddish hue like the rising sun
• trinetrampossessing three eyes
• hastaiḥwith His hands
• bījāpūragadekṣukārmukalasaccakrābjapāśotpalavrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇaratnakalaśāncitron, mace, cane bow, disc, lotus, noose, lily, rice ear, tusk and jewelled pot
• vahantamholding / bearing
• bhajeI adore / worship

anvaya [aham] svāṅkasthayā sapadmakarayā priyayā rasāt santatam āśliṣṭam hastīndrānanam inducūḍam aruṇacchāyam trinetram hastaiḥ bījāpūragadekṣukārmukalasaccakrābjapāśotpalavrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇaratnakalaśān vahantam bhaje

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas

note Maha Ganapati is the fullest of the thirty-two: ten things held, three eyes, and the goddess on his lap.

• pāśāṅkuśasvadantāmraphalavānpossessing a noose, a goad, his own tusk, and a mango fruit
• ākhuvāhanaḥhaving a mouse as his vehicle
• raktavarṇaḥred-complexioned
• vināyakaḥlord Vinayaka
• naḥour / for us
• sarvamall / entire
• vighnamobstacle
• nihantumay he destroy

anvaya pāśāṅkuśasvadantāmraphalavān ākhuvāhanaḥ raktavarṇaḥ vināyakaḥ naḥ sarvam vighnam nihantu

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

• kalpataroḥof the wish-fulfilling tree
• adhasthamstanding underneath
• pāśāṅkuśāpūpakuṭhāradantacañcatkarākluptavarāṅgulīkamwhose moving hands hold noose, goad, cake, axe and tusk
• pītaprabhamhaving a golden-yellow radiance
• nṛttopapadamhaving 'Nrtta' as His epithet
• gaṇeśamlord Ganesha
• bhajāmiI worship

anvaya [aham] kalpataroḥ adhastham pāśāṅkuśāpūpakuṭhāradantacañcatkarākluptavarāṅgulīkam pītaprabham nṛttopapadam gaṇeśam bhajāmi

chandas Upajāti, 11 syllables in each of 4 pādas

kalpataru the wishing tree — The tree of heaven that gives whatever is asked of it. The dancing form stands under it.

• kalhāraśālikamalekṣukacāpabāṇadantaprarohakagadīholding a blue water-lily, paddy-stalk, lotus, sugarcane bow, arrow, tusk, shoot, and mace
• kanakojjvalāṅgaḥwhose limbs shine brightly like pure gold
• haritāṅgayaṣṭyāwith [the Goddess] whose slender creeper-like body is green in hue
• devyāby/with the Goddess (his consort)
• āliṅganodyatakaraḥwhose hand is raised in an embrace
• ūrdhvagaṇādhipaḥlord Urdhva-Ganapati (the Elevated Lord of Ganas)
• mefor me / unto me
• śubhamauspiciousness / spiritual and material well-being
• karotumay he give

anvaya [yaḥ] kalhāraśālikamalekṣukacāpabāṇadantaprarohakagadī kanakojjvalāṅgaḥ haritāṅgayaṣṭyā devyā āliṅganodyatakaraḥ [saḥ] ūrdhvagaṇādhipaḥ me śubham karotu

chandas Vasantatilakā, 14 syllables × 4 pādas

• raktaḥred in complexion
• raktāṅgarāgāṅkuśakusumayutaḥadorned with red body-cosmetics, goad, and red flowers
• tundilaḥwith a full round belly
• candramauliḥbearing the crescent moon upon his crown
• caand
• tribhiḥwith three
• netraiḥeyes
• yuktaḥendowed
• vāmanakaracaraṇaḥhaving dwarfed or short hands and feet
• bījapūrama citron fruit
• dadhānaḥholding
• hastāgrāklupta-hastāgrāklupta-pāśāṅkuśaradavaradaḥwhose hand-tips are adorned with the noose, goad, tusk, and boon-granting posture
• nāgavaktraḥhaving the face of an elephant
• ahibhūṣaḥadorned with serpents
• padmāsanasthaḥseated in the lotus posture
• devaḥthe divine Lord
• vighnarājaḥvighnarāja (king of obstacles)
• bhūtayefor prosperity and spiritual elevation
• sukhakaraḥgiver of happiness
• bhavatumay he be

anvaya raktaḥ raktāṅgarāgāṅkuśakusumayutaḥ tundilaḥ candramauliḥ ca tribhiḥ netraiḥ yuktaḥ vāmanakaracaraṇaḥ bījapūram dadhānaḥ hastāgrāklupta-pāśāṅkuśaradavaradaḥ nāgavaktraḥ ahibhūṣaḥ padmāsanasthaḥ devaḥ vighnarājaḥ bhūtaye sukhakaraḥ bhavatu

chandas Sragdharā, 21 syllables × 4 pādas (pauses at 7, 7, 7)

ekākṣara of the single syllable — The syllable is gam. This form belongs to that one-syllable mantra, which is why its name counts letters rather than arms.

• aniśamunceasingly, constantly
• sādhupiously, devoutly, well
• sindūrābhamhaving a luster red like vermilion
• ibhānanamhaving the face of an elephant
• trinayanamthree-eyed
• indumaulimhaving the crescent moon on his crown
• hastein his hand
• pāśāṅkuśauthe noose and the goad
• caand
• madhumatkapālama skull-vessel filled with sweet liquor or honey
• bibhrāṇamholding, bearing
• dhvajāgrakarayāby Her who holds a flag at the tip of her hand
• padmollasaddhastayāby Her whose hand shines with a lotus
• puṣṭyāby goddess Puṣṭi
• āśliṣṭatanumwhose body is embraced
• tadyonyāhitapāṇimwho has placed his hand upon her lap or origin
• āttavasumatpātrollasatpuṣkaramwhose trunk tip shines holding a vessel filled with jewels
• bhajeI worship, I adore

anvaya [aham] aniśam sādhu sindūrābham ibhānanam trinayanam indumaulim haste pāśāṅkuśau ca madhumatkapālam bibhrāṇam dhvajāgrakarayā padmollasaddhastayā puṣṭyā āśliṣṭatanum tadyonyāhitapāṇim āttavasumatpātrollasatpuṣkaram bhaje

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas

puṣṭi Pushti — Nourishment made a goddess, and the consort of this form. Her name means the fullness that comes of being well fed.

• sākṣātdirectly, manifestly
• calatkarṇasucāmaramwhose moving ears are like splendid fly-whisks
• hemavarṇamgolden-complexioned
• caturbāhumfour-armed
• pāśāṅkuśadharamholding a noose and a goad
• varamthe excellent one / boon-giver
• dakṣiṇein the right
• hastehand
• svadantamhis own tusk
• tuwhereas, but
• savyein the left [hand]
• tathālikewise
• āmrapalama mango fruit (variant reading for āmraphalam)
• puṣkaraiḥwith the tip of the trunk
• caand
• evaindeed
• modakama sweetmeat
• dhārayantamholding, bearing
• gajendravadanamlord Ganesha (the elephant-faced lord)
• anusmaretone should continuously meditate upon

anvaya sākṣāt calatkarṇasucāmaram hemavarṇam caturbāhum pāśāṅkuśadharam varam dakṣiṇe haste svadantam tu savye [haste] tathā āmrapalam puṣkaraiḥ ca eva modakam dhārayantam gajendravadanam anusmaret

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

tryakṣara of the three syllables — The three are a, u and m, which make up Om.

• śrīthe mark of good fortune
• kṣipraprasādaswiftly giving grace
• gaṇapatiḥlord Ganesha
• dhṛtapāśāṅkuśakalpalatāholding a noose, a goad, and a wish-yielding creeper
• svaradaḥholding his own tusk
• caand
• bījapūrayutaḥendowed with a citron fruit
• śaśiśakalakalitamauliḥwhose crown is adorned with a crescent moon
• trilocanaḥthree-eyed
• aruṇaḥdawn-red in complexion
• caand
• gajavadanaḥelephant-faced
• bhāsurabhūṣaṇadīptaḥradiant with gleaming ornaments
• bṛhadudaraḥhaving a large belly
• padmaviṣṭarollasitaḥbright on his lotus seat
• vighnapayodharapavanaḥthe wind that disperses clouds of obstacles
• karadhṛtakamalaḥholding a lotus in his hand
• sadāalways
• astumay he be present
• mefor me
• bhūtyaifor prosperity and spiritual elevation

anvaya śrī kṣipraprasāda gaṇapatiḥ dhṛtapāśāṅkuśakalpalatā svaradaḥ ca bījapūrayutaḥ śaśiśakalakalitamauliḥ trilocanaḥ aruṇaḥ ca gajavadanaḥ bhāsurabhūṣaṇadīptaḥ bṛhadudaraḥ padmaviṣṭarollasitaḥ vighnapayodharapavanaḥ karadhṛtakamalaḥ sadā me bhūtyai astu

chandas Irregular; counted by beats rather than by syllables

vighnapayodharapavanaḥ a wind against the clouds of obstacles — Obstacles are clouds and he is the wind that clears them. The image is worth keeping in English because the verse turns on it.

• haridrābhamhaving the golden-yellow lustre of turmeric
• caturbāhumfour-armed
• karīndravadanamhaving the face of a lordly elephant
• prabhumthe supreme lord
• pāśāṅkuśadharamholding the noose and goad
• modakamthe modaka sweet
• dantamthe tusk
• evaindeed / also
• caand
• bhaktābhayapradātāramgiver of fearlessness upon devotees
• vighnavināśanamdestroyer of obstacles
• devamthe divine deity
• vandeI bow to / praise

anvaya [aham] haridrābham caturbāhum karīndravadanam prabhum pāśāṅkuśadharam modakam dantam eva ca [dadhānam] bhaktābhayapradātāram vighnavināśanam devam vande

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 6 pādas

• ūrdhvagātramhaving an elevated body or upper limbs
• lambodaramhaving a large belly
• śyāmatanumhaving a dark-complexioned body
• kuṭhāraman axe
• akṣasrajama rosary of beads
• adhaḥlower, below
• vāmetarābhyāmby the left and the other
• karābhyāmby the two hands
• caand
• salaḍḍukamalong with a sweetmeat
• dantamthe tusk
• dadhānamholding, bearing
• gaṇeśamlord Ganesha
• īḍeI praise

anvaya [aham] ūrdhvagātram lambodaram śyāmatanum kuṭhāram akṣasrajam adhaḥ vāmetarābhyām karābhyām ca salaḍḍukam dantam dadhānam gaṇeśam īḍe

chandas Upajāti, 11 syllables × 4 pādas

• śoṇaḥcrimson-red in complexion
• sṛṣṭidakṣaḥskilled in the act of creation
• pāśāṅkuśasvadantāmraphalavānholding a noose, a goad, his own tusk, and a mango fruit
• ākhuvāhanaḥhaving a mouse as his vehicle
• vināyakaḥlord Vinayaka
• naḥour
• vighnamobstacle
• nihantumay he destroy

anvaya śoṇaḥ sṛṣṭidakṣaḥ pāśāṅkuśasvadantāmraphalavān ākhuvāhanaḥ vināyakaḥ naḥ vighnam nihantu

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

note The verse is the same as the one for Vijaya Ganapati except for two words, which is how the two forms are told apart.

• kalhārāmbujabījapūrakagadādantekṣucāpamwhite lily, lotus, citron, mace, tusk and cane bow
• sumama flower
• bibhrāṇaḥcarrying
• maṇikumbhaśālikalaśaua jewelled pot and a pot of paddy
• pāśama noose
• sṛṇima goad
• caand
• abjakama lotus
• gaurāṅgyāby the fair-bodied
• rucirāravindakarayāwhose hand is a lovely lotus
• devyāby the goddess
• samāliṅgataḥheld close
• śoṇāṅgaḥred of body
• śubhamgood
• ātanotumay he spread
• bhajatāmover those who worship him
• uddaṇḍavighneśvaraḥUddanda Vighneshvara

anvaya kalhārāmbujabījapūrakagadādantekṣucāpam sumam bibhrāṇaḥ maṇikumbhaśālikalaśau pāśam sṛṇim ca abjakam gaurāṅgyā rucirāravindakarayā devyā samāliṅgataḥ śoṇāṅgaḥ śubham ātanotu bhajatām uddaṇḍavighneśvaraḥ

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas

• pāśāṅkuśauthe noose and the goad
• dantajambu[his] tusk and a rose-apple fruit
• dadhānaḥholding, wearing
• sphāṭikaprabhaḥpossessing a crystal-like radiance
• raktāṃśukaḥclad in red garments
• ṛṇamocakaḥthe liberator from debts
• gaṇapatiḥlord Ganapati
• mudefor joy / delight
• syātmay [he] be

anvaya pāśāṅkuśau dantajambu [ca] dadhānaḥ sphāṭikaprabhaḥ raktāṃśukaḥ ṛṇamocakaḥ gaṇapatiḥ mude syāt

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

• akṣamālāmrosary of rudrākṣa beads
• kuṭhāramaxe / hatchet
• caand
• ratnapātramvessel filled with jewels
• svadantakamhis own broken tusk
• karaiḥwith His hands
• dhatteholds / bears
• ḍhuṇḍhināmānamed Dhundhi
• vighnarājaḥthe King of obstacles
• naḥfor us
• mudefor joy / happiness
• astumay [He] be

anvaya akṣamālām kuṭhāram ca ratnapātram svadantakam karaiḥ dhatte ḍhuṇḍhināmā vighnarājaḥ naḥ mude astu

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

• karaiḥwith hands
• svadantapāśāṅkuśaratnapātramhis own tusk, a noose, a goad, and a jewel-vessel
• dadhānaḥholding
• harinīlagātraḥwhose body has a greenish-blue hue
• raktāṃśukaḥclad in red garments
• ratnakirīṭamālīwearing a jewelled crown and garland
• dvimukhaḥthe two-faced one
• gaṇeśaḥlord Ganesha
• meunto me
• bhūtyaifor welfare and prosperity
• sadāalways

anvaya karaiḥ svadantapāśāṅkuśaratnapātram dadhānaḥ harinīlagātraḥ raktāṃśukaḥ ratnakirīṭamālī dvimukhaḥ gaṇeśaḥ me bhūtyai sadā [bhavatu]

chandas Upajāti (mixture of Indravajrā and Upendravajrā), 11 syllables × 4 pādas

• śrīglorious / auspicious
• trimukhathree-faced
• gaṇapatiḥlord of Ganas
• dakṣeon the right side
• karaiḥwith [his] hands
• śrīmattīkṣṇaśikhāṅkuśākṣavaradānthe glorious sharp-pointed goad, rosary, and boon-granting gesture
• dadhānaḥholding
• vāmeon the left side
• pāśamnoose
• caand
• amṛtapūrṇakumbhamthe pot filled with nectar
• abhayamthe fearlessness-granting gesture
• mudāwith joy
• dadhānaḥholding
• svarṇamayāravindavilasatsatkarṇikābhāsurebright at the fine centre of a golden lotus
• pīṭheon the seat / pedestal
• svāsīnaḥcomfortably seated
• palāśaruciraḥradiant red like a palāśa blossom
• trimukhaḥthree-faced
• nāgānanaḥelephant-faced
• pātumay he protect
• naḥus

anvaya śrī trimukha gaṇapatiḥ dakṣe karaiḥ śrīmattīkṣṇaśikhāṅkuśākṣavaradān dadhānaḥ vāme [karaiḥ] pāśam ca amṛtapūrṇakumbham abhayam mudā dadhānaḥ svarṇamayāravindavilasatsatkarṇikābhāsure pīṭhe svāsīnaḥ palāśaruciraḥ trimukhaḥ nāgānanaḥ naḥ pātu

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas

palāśa the palasha flower — The flame-of-the-forest, which turns a whole tree orange-red in spring.

• dakṣeon the right side
• karaiḥwith hands
• vīṇāmlute
• kalpalatāmwish-fulfilling creeper
• arimdiscus / weapon wheel
• caand
• varadamboon-granting gesture
• vidatteholds / displays
• vāmeon the left side
• tāmarasamred lotus flower
• caand
• ratnakalaśampot filled with jewels
• sanmañjarīmfine flower cluster
• caand
• abhayamfear-dispelling gesture
• śuṇḍādaṇḍalasanmṛgendravadanaḥwhose lion-face shines with a staff-like trunk
• śaṅkhendugauraḥwhite like a conch and the full moon
• śubhaḥauspicious / benevolent
• dīvyadratnanibhāṃśukaḥwearing garments resembling glowing gems
• saḥthat
• gaṇapatiḥlord Gaṇapati
• naḥus
• apāyatfrom calamity / danger
• pāyātmay he protect

anvaya dakṣe karaiḥ vīṇām kalpalatām arim ca varadam vidatte vāme tāmarasam ca ratnakalaśam sanmañjarīm ca abhayam śuṇḍādaṇḍalasanmṛgendravadanaḥ śaṅkhendugauraḥ śubhaḥ dīvyadratnanibhāṃśukaḥ saḥ gaṇapatiḥ naḥ apāyat pāyāt

chandas Śārdūlavikrīḍita, 19 syllables × 4 pādas

note In this form the face is a lion's, with the trunk on it.

• yogārūḍhaḥseated in a yogic posture
• yogapaṭṭābhirāmaḥsplendid with a meditation band
• bālārkābhaḥradiant like the rising morning sun
• caand
• indranīlāṃśukāḍhyaḥadorned with garments blue as sapphire
• pāśekṣvakṣānthe noose, sugarcane, and rosary beads
• yogadaṇḍamthe yogic staff
• dadhānaḥholding
• yogavighneśvaraḥyoga-Vighnesvara (Ganesha as the lord of yoga)
• naḥus
• nityamconstantly
• pāyātmay he protect

anvaya yogārūḍhaḥ yogapaṭṭābhirāmaḥ bālārkābhaḥ ca indranīlāṃśukāḍhyaḥ pāśekṣvakṣān yogadaṇḍam dadhānaḥ yogavighneśvaraḥ naḥ nityam pāyāt

chandas Śālinī, 11 syllables in each of 4 pādas

yogapaṭṭa the yoga band — The strap tied round the knees and back to hold a seated posture through a long sitting.

• taptakāñcanasaṅkāśaḥshining like heated gold
• caand
• aṣṭahastaḥhaving eight hands
• mahattanuḥpossessing a massive body
• dakṣeon the right side
• karaiḥwith [his] hands
• dīptāṅkuśama shining goad
• śaraman arrow
• caand
• akṣama rosary
• dantuthe tusk
• vahanbearing
• vāmeon the left side
• karaiḥwith [his] hands
• pāśama noose
• kārmukama bow
• caand
• latāma creeper
• jambua jambu fruit
• dadhatholding
• raktāṃśukaḥclad in red garments
• durgāgaṇapatiḥlord Durga-Ganapati
• sadāalways
• mudefor [our] joy
• bhūyātmay he be

anvaya [yaḥ] taptakāñcanasaṅkāśaḥ ca aṣṭahastaḥ mahattanuḥ dakṣe karaiḥ dīptāṅkuśam śaram ca akṣam dantu vahan vāme karaiḥ pāśam kārmukam ca latām jambu dadhat raktāṃśukaḥ [asti] [saḥ] durgāgaṇapatiḥ sadā mude bhūyāt

chandas Anuṣṭubh, 8 syllables × 4 pādas

• śrīholy / auspicious
• saṅkaṣṭahararemover of distress
• gaṇapatiḥlord Gaṇeśa
• bālārkāruṇakāntiḥhaving red lustre like the rising sun
• vāmeon the left
• bālāmyoung goddess / maiden
• vahancarrying / holding
• aṅkeon the lap
• lasadindīvarahastāmholding a shining blue lotus in her hand
• gaurāṅgīmfair-complexioned
• ratnaśobhāḍhyāmrich in jewel splendour
• dakṣeon the right [hand]
• aṅkuśavaradānama goad and boon-granting gesture
• vāmeon the left [hand]
• pāśamnoose
• caand
• pāyasamsweet rice pudding
• pātramvessel
• nīlāṃśukalasamānaḥshining in blue garment
• pīṭheon a throne
• padmāruṇered lotus
• tiṣṭhanseated / standing
• saṅkaṭaharaṇaḥdispeller of afflictions
• pāyātmay he protect
• saṅkaṭapūgātfrom the multitude of distresses
• gajānanaḥthe elephant-faced Lord
• nityamalways / constantly
• śrīholy
• vallabhavallabha
• gaṇapatiGaṇapati
• bījāpūrapomegranate
• gadekṣukārmukabhujācakrābjamace, sugarcane bow, arms, disc, lotus
• pāśanoose
• utpalablue lotus
• vrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇarice-ear, own tusk
• ratnakalaśajewel pot
• prodyatkarāmbhoruhaḥwhose lotus-hands shine forth with [these objects]
• dhyeyaḥto be meditated upon
• vallabhayāby Goddess Vallabhā
• caand
• padmakarayāhaving a lotus in her hand
• āśliṣṭaḥembraced
• jvaladbhūṣayāhaving radiant ornaments
• viśvotpattivināśasaṃsthitikaraḥcausing creation, dissolution, and sustenance of the universe
• vighnaḥthe Lord of obstacles
• viśiṣṭārthadaḥgranting specific desired ends
• śrīholy
• siddhidevīgoddess Siddhi
• pītavarṇāmyellow-complexioned
• dvinetrāmtwo-eyed
• tāmher
• ekavaktrāmbujadvayāmhaving one lotus face and two hands
• navaratnakirīṭāmwearing a crown of nine jewels
• caand
• pītāmbarasudhāriṇīmwearing beautiful yellow garments
• vāmahastein her left hand
• mahāpadmama great lotus
• dakṣein her right [hand]
• lambakarānvitāmhaving her hand extended downwards
• jājīcampakamālāmwearing a garland of jasmine and champaka
• caand
• tribhaṅgīmin thrice-bent posture
• lalitāṅgikāmwith delicate limbs
• gaṇeśadakṣiṇeon Gaṇeśa's right
• bhāgeside
• guruḥthe teacher / preceptor
• siddhimgoddess Siddhi
• tuindeed
• bhāvayetshould meditate upon
• śrīholy
• buddhidevīgoddess Buddhi
• dvihastāmtwo-handed
• caand
• dvinetrāmtwo-eyed
• tāmher
• ekavaktrāmsingle-faced
• tribhaṅgikāmin thrice-bent posture
• muktāmaṇikirīṭāmwearing a pearl-and-gem crown
• caand
• dakṣein her right
• hastehand
• mahotpalama great lotus
• vāmein her left [hand]
• pralambahastāmhaving her hand extended down
• caand
• divyāmbarasudhāriṇīmwearing divine raiment
• śyāmavarṇanibhāmhaving a dark complexion
• bhāsvatsarvābharaṇabhūṣitāmadorned with all glowing ornaments
• pārijātotpalāmālyāmwearing a garland of pārijāta and lotus flowers
• gaṇeśaḥGaṇeśa
• vāmapārśvakeon the left side
• dhyātvāhaving meditated
• buddhimgoddess Buddhi
• surūpāmbeautiful
• samarcayetshould worship
• deśikottamaḥthe best of spiritual teachers

anvaya [atha] śrī saṅkaṣṭahara gaṇapatiḥ vāme aṅke lasadindīvarahastām gaurāṅgīm ratnaśobhāḍhyām bālām vahan bālārkāruṇakāntiḥ dakṣe aṅkuśavaradānam vāme pāśam ca pāyasam pātram [dadhānaḥ] nīlāṃśukalasamānaḥ padmāruṇe pīṭhe tiṣṭhan saṅkaṭaharaṇaḥ gajānanaḥ nityam saṅkaṭapūgāt [naḥ] pāyāt [atha] śrī vallabha gaṇapati bījāpūra gadekṣukārmukabhujācakrābja pāśa utpala vrīhyagrasvaviṣāṇa ratnakalaśa prodyatkarāmbhoruhaḥ padmakarayā jvaladbhūṣayā vallabhayā ca āśliṣṭaḥ viśvotpattivināśasaṃsthitikaraḥ viśiṣṭārthadaḥ vighnaḥ dhyeyaḥ [atha] śrī siddhidevī guruḥ gaṇeśadakṣiṇe bhāge pītavarṇām dvinetrām ekavaktrāmbujadvayām navaratnakirīṭām ca pītāmbarasudhāriṇīm vāmahaste mahāpadmam [dahānām] dakṣe lambakarānvitām jājīcampakamālām ca tribhaṅgīm lalitāṅgikām tām siddhim tu bhāvayet [atha] śrī buddhidevī deśikottamaḥ gaṇeśaḥ vāmapārśvake dvihastām ca dvinetrām ekavaktrām tribhaṅgikām muktāmaṇikirīṭām ca dakṣe haste mahotpalam [dahānām] vāme pralambahastām ca divyāmbarasudhāriṇīm śyāmavarṇanibhām bhāsvatsarvābharaṇabhūṣitām pārijātotpalāmālyām tām surūpām buddhim dhyātvā samarcayet

chandas Irregular; the block holds verses in more than one metre

tribhaṅgī bent in three places — The standing pose of Indian sculpture, with the weight on one leg so that the body curves at knee, hip and neck.

siddhi buddhi Siddhi and Buddhi — His two consorts: the thing achieved and the wit that achieves it. They stand to his right and his left.

note The printing puts four pieces in one block: the last of the thirty-two forms, then Vallabha Ganapati, then how to picture Siddhi and Buddhi on either side of him.