gaṇeśa bhujaṃga stotram

Shri Ganesha Bhujangam

I praise that Lord of the Ganas (Ganesha), the son of Ishana (Shiva), who is charming with the sweet sound of tinkling little bells, whose lotus-like feet keep rhythm in the vigorous Tandava dance, and who wears a serpent as a garland over his shining, large belly.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, whose face rejoices in the rhythm of the lute (veena) that destroys discordant sounds, whose twitching trunk delightfully holds a pomegranate, and who is surrounded by a hovering swarm of bees attracted by the sweet fragrance of the rut exuding from his temples.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, whose unique radiance is like the morning sun, shining red like the Japa (hibiscus) flower, ruby, and coral. He has a prominent belly, a curved trunk, and a single tusk.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, who wears a crown adorned with a wonderful garland of sparkling gems, whose crown is further ornamented by a shining crescent moon, who is the ultimate ornament of all ornaments, and who is the cause of the destruction of the cycle of worldly existence.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, who is seen with his creeper-like arms raised gracefully, whose eyes shine with the playful movement of his creeper-like eyebrows, and who is being served by celestial maidens fanning him with chowries.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, whose rolling, reddish-brown eyes sparkle fiercely, yet whose playful incarnation is tender and generous with compassion. He resides in the Bindu (the supreme focal point) and the Kalas, and is constantly sung of by the greatest of yogis.

I praise that Lord of the Ganas, the son of Shiva, whom the wise proclaim as the single imperishable syllable (Om), pure, free from modifications, beyond the gunas, the embodiment of bliss, formless, the supreme beyond the beyond, the sacred Omkara, the very essence of the Vedas, the profound and ancient one.

Salutations to You, who are dense with pure consciousness and bliss, and who are ever peaceful. Salutations to You, the creator and the destroyer of the universe. Salutations to You of infinite divine play, who shine with absolute liberation. Salutations to You, the seed of the universe. O son of Lord Shiva, be pleased with me!

That mortal who, having risen early in the morning, recites this beautiful hymn with devotion, will attain all his desires. By the grace of Lord Ganesha, all spoken words become true. When the all-powerful Lord Ganesha is pleased, what indeed is difficult to attain?

Thus ends the Ganesha Bhujangaprayata Stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya.