śrī gaṇeśa cālīsā

Victory to Ganapati, home of all good qualities, the kind-faced one, greatest of poets. He removes obstacles and brings blessings. Victory, victory to Girija's dear son.

Victory, victory, victory to Ganapati, king of the ganas. You fill life with blessings and make every good work succeed.

Victory to the elephant-faced one, the home of happiness, who gives happiness to all. You are Vinayaka of the whole world, the giver of wisdom.

Your curved face and pure trunk look lovely. The three-line tilak on your forehead is a joy to see.

A necklace of jewels and pearls shines on your chest. A gold crown sits on your head, and your eyes are large.

You hold a book, an axe and a trident in your hands. You are offered modaks and sweet-smelling flowers.

A beautiful yellow cloth adorns your body, and the sandals on your feet shine in the minds of sages.

Blessed son of Shiva and brother of six-faced Kartikeya, you are Gauri's darling and famous all over the world.

Riddhi and Siddhi wave the fly-whisk for you, and your mouse stands ready at the door.

Let me tell the holy story of your birth. It is pure and sacred, and it brings blessings.

Once, Parvati, the daughter of the mountain king, did long and hard penance, praying for a son.

When her sacred ritual was complete, you came to her dressed as a brahmin.

Gauri welcomed you as a guest and happily served you in every way.

You were very pleased and gave her a blessing: Mother, because of the penance you did for a son,

you will have a very wise son, right now, without carrying him in your womb.

He will lead the ganas, he will be full of goodness and knowledge, and he will be worshipped first, as God himself.

Saying this, you disappeared, and appeared as a baby in the cradle.

When you began to cry as a baby, Gauri looked at your face and was happier than she had ever been.

Everyone was lost in joy and sang happy songs, and the gods rained flowers from the sky.

Shambhu and Uma gave away gifts freely, and gods and sages came to see the child.

Seeing all this joy and celebration, Lord Shani also came to see the baby.

But Shani knew his gaze could bring harm, so in his heart he did not want to look at the child.

Girija felt hurt and said: Shani, are you not happy at my celebration?

Shani hesitated and said: Why do you want to show me the child?

Uma did not believe him, and she asked Shani to look at the child.

As soon as Shani glanced at him from the corner of his eye, the child's head flew off into the sky.

Girija fell to the ground in grief. Her sorrow was too great for words.

Cries of grief filled Kailasa, because Shani's look had destroyed the child.

At once Vishnu rode off on Garuda, cut off an elephant's head with his discus, and brought it back.

He placed it on the child's body, and Shankara brought the child back to life with a mantra.

Then Shambhu named him Ganesha, and blessed him to be worshipped first and to be full of wisdom.

When Shiva wanted to test how wise his sons were, he asked them to go around the whole world.

Six-faced Kartikeya set off and wandered far, but you sat down and thought of a clever plan.

You bowed at the feet of your mother and father, and walked around them seven times.

Shiva was delighted and said, Well done, Ganesha! and the gods rained down flowers from the sky.

Even Shesha, the serpent with a thousand mouths, cannot fully sing of your glory and your great wisdom.

I am foolish, impure and unhappy. How can I even pray to you?

Ramsundar, the Lord's servant, sings your praise from Kakara near Prayag, the land of the sage Durvasa.

Now, Lord, please be kind to this poor devotee, and give me some of your strength and devotion.

Whoever reads this Shri Ganesh Chalisa with full attention will have new blessings in their home every day and will be respected in the world.

This Chalisa was completed on Rishi Panchami, a Sunday, in the year the poet gives here. Ganesha is the form of all that is auspicious.