gaṇeśa mānasa pūja

O Lord of obstacles, having heard the wonderful hymns of your prowess sung by the bards and chroniclers, awaken now, O Elephant-faced One. At this auspicious hour of dawn, bless the world with your grace.

Thus prayed to by me, the Lord of obstacles rises in my mind and steps forth. Seeing him emerge, the gods, led by Shiva, along with the sages and I myself, offer our prostrations.

O Heramba, I mentally offer you water for your ablutions and cleanse your tusks. After wiping your lotus-like face with a cloth, I invite you to be seated in the assembly.

Honored by the twice-born and sages like Shuka, and delighted by the offerings of sweets, I gaze upon you as you rise. I prepare a beautiful pavilion and invite you to take your place within it.

I see in my mind Vinayaka, reflecting the light of brilliant jewels. Creating a throne inlaid with gold and precious stones, I invite the Lord to be seated.

O King of obstacles, accompanied by Siddhi and Buddhi, accept with love the water I offer for washing your feet. Please accept this fragrant, pleasantly warm water, offered from my heart.

Then, I mentally purify Ganesha with a fine garment and worship him with sacred Durva grass and other offerings. O Lord who loves devotion, friend of the helpless, please merge my mind into your lotus feet.

O Elephant-faced One, please accept this water I have mentally prepared, perfumed with camphor, cardamom, and other essences. After you have sipped it for purification, look upon me with a glance of your compassionate eyes.

O Dhundhi, King of the Ganas, I offer this Arghya (ceremonial offering) prepared mentally with corals, pearls, and gold. Please make this priceless offering fruitful.

O Vinayaka, Lord of the devotees, please accept this Madhuparka (offering of honey and yogurt) prepared with devotion and fragrances. Having sipped water once more for purification, O Lord, protect your devotees swiftly.

O Dhundhi (Ganesha), I have prepared fragrant oils extracted from flowers like Champaka and Jati for you. Please accept this offering; I massage your entire body with it as a gesture of my humble service.

O Dhundhi, I have brought water from many sacred pilgrimage sites and warmed it to a pleasant temperature. With a pure heart, I offer you this bath; please accept it from me.

O Ganesha of inconceivable majesty, please accept this ritual bath of milk, followed by an offering of pure water. Further, I offer you a bath of curd for your well-being, all presented through the devotion of my heart.

O Giver of boons who is worthy of infinite praise, please be pleased and accept this bath of clarified butter (ghee) derived from holy sources. I also offer you a bath of honey and pure water, all thoughtfully prepared within my mind.

O Dhundhi, please accept this bath prepared with fine sugar which I have envisioned for you. Following this, I offer you a bath of pure water to wash away all sins; O Vighnesha, please quickly remove the illusions of this world.

O Supreme Lord of all, please accept this bath of fragrant sandalwood paste, followed by anointing you with water from the sacred Kamandalu (water vessel), purified and prepared by my devotion.

Then, in my mind, I worship Ganesha by reciting sacred hymns (Suktas) and offering Durva grass and other humble tokens of devotion. I perform your ritual bathing while chanting the infinite, all-encompassing hymns dedicated to Brahmanaspati.

O Dhundhi, please accept this fine cloth which I have mentally prepared to dry you. Following this, O King of Obstacles, I offer you pure water so that you may perform your ritual sipping (Achamana).

O Mayuresha, please accept these priceless garments that I offer to you in the sacred fire of my mind. Please clothe your divine form with them, and by doing so, protect all people.

O Protector of devotees, O Vighnesha, after performing your ritual sipping, please accept the face-towel and the upper garment that I offer with my heart, accompanied by my salutations to you who are the savior of all.

O Lord of the Ganas, please accept this sacred thread, fashioned from three golden strands and adorned with a serpent, which I offer with devotion for the upliftment of all your devotees.

O Dhundhi, please accept this water I have mentally offered for your purification; then, with your divine water pot, protect this universe, for your every movement is a play of cosmic grace.

O Heramba, please accept this vermilion I offer mentally, which shines like the rising sun, and graciously apply it to your entire form to complete your divine adornment.

O Lord of Brahma and Ishvara, I mentally offer this golden crown, studded with countless precious gems, for your thousand-headed form; please accept it to grace your head.

O Supreme Lord Dhundhi, I mentally offer these various earrings crafted from gold and extraordinary gems; please accept them to adorn your large, fan-like ears.

O Lord of infinite play, please accept this golden caparison, studded with gems, which I have mentally offered to adorn your trunk; O Lord, please grant fruition to this offering.

O Supreme Lord Dhundhi, please accept these ornaments for your single tusk, crafted by me from gold and precious gems, and wear them to enhance the beauty of your tusk.

O Lord, the unborn remover of obstacles, please accept these four bracelets I have fashioned from gold and gems, and graciously adorn your four arms with them.

O Supreme Lord Ganesha, please accept and wear these golden rings set with variegated gems, which I have mentally offered to adorn your fingers.

O Lord of the Pramathas, please accept these golden armlets set with diverse precious gems, which I have mentally fashioned and offered to be worn upon your arms.

O Lord of Obstacles, I offer You these necklaces made of coral, pearls, and precious gems, strung on golden threads. Created by my mind, may these varied garlands grace Your chest and torso.

O Lord of the Ganas, place the full, primordial moon upon Your forehead—the moon that knows no waxing or waning. Adorn Yourself with this supreme blessing and reveal Your nature as one who is ever fond of devotion.

O Supreme Lord, who grants all desired boons, place the radiant Chintamani jewel within my heart. O Lord of Obstacles, Savior of the distressed, protect me with this gem that bestows eternal bliss and happiness.

O Lord of the Ganas, place the thousand-headed serpent king around Your navel as an adornment. Adorn Your devotee with Your grace, and make the fulfillment of the boons You grant effective, O Supreme Lord.

O Lord of Obstacles, Ocean of Compassion, I mentally offer You a golden girdle set with gems to be worn around Your waist, which shines with a divine, illuminating light. Please be pleased and accept me as Your devotee.

O Heramba, I offer You these anklets made of gold and gems, resounding with the sweet tinkling of tiny bells. May they grace Your feet, which I have adorned with my deepest devotion.

O Dhundhi, according to my own desire and imagination, I have mentally adorned every part of Your divine form with these varied ornaments created from manifold precious elements.

O Ekadanta, I offer You this fine, potent red sandalwood paste, expertly ground with the eight principal fragrances. Please accept this, which I have mentally prepared for the anointing of Your divine body.

With these eight fragrances, I decorate Your limbs in varied and beautiful patterns. O Vinayaka, be pleased in Your heart, and permit me to apply the radiant red vermilion mark upon Your forehead.

O Leader of the Ganas, I offer You these red-colored grains of rice, prepared with ghee and kumkum, to be placed upon Your forehead. O Friend of the distressed and Lover of devotion, please accept this offering and protect Your devotees.

O Lord, please accept these Champaka and Malati flowers, along with lotus flowers from the water and from the land. Within my heart, I offer you these Jasmine flowers and blossoms from various other trees.

O Heramba, with your mind, please accept these Mandara flowers and Shami leaves which I have lovingly arranged for you, O embodiment of the primordial sound Om.

O Lord of Obstacles, O Vakratunda, please accept these tender blades of Durva grass, which I offer mentally, adorned with three or five leaves, and which are beyond counting in their abundance.

O Ganesa, O Dhundhi, O Protector of devotees, I mentally offer this ten-fold incense unto you. O Supreme Lord, please accept this fragrance along with Siddhi and Buddhi.

O Ganesa of infallible vision, I offer you this lamp, with its fine wick, prepared with love and devotion. Please accept this light fueled by ghee and various oils.

O Lord of the Ganas, O magnanimous Lord of Prosperity, please accept this offering of food that I have prepared for you, consisting of various dishes that are to be eaten, licked, sipped, and sucked, enriched with all six tastes.

O Ganesha, please accept this fragrant water I have offered to accompany your meal. O you who satisfy the entire universe, drink this water which I have mentally placed in a Kamandalu.

O Dhundhi, please accept this scented paste I have prepared for you to cleanse your hands and face, made with fragrant ingredients and pure holy water.

O Vighnesha, after you have sipped this scented holy water I have offered, please accept this, as I then proceed to wipe your hands and face.

O Dhundhi, please accept these delicious fruits I have offered to you, including grapes, bananas, mangoes, dates, jujubes, and pomegranates.

O Ganesha, Supreme Lord, in my mind, I wash your hands and feet with pure water. Please accept and drink this fragrant water which I offer to you through my devotion.

O Lord of the Ganas, I offer you this betel leaf preparation containing the eight auspicious ingredients, created in my mind. O Remover of Obstacles, please accept this offering made with devotion, meant for the purification of your mouth.

O Ganesha, be pleased with this grand throne I have imagined for you, adorned with gold and jewels, and covered with priceless, soft garments woven from Mandara flowers and cotton.

O Supreme Lord, friend of the helpless, I now worship your surrounding attendants in my mind, just as prescribed, offering them various pleasing services for the sake of your joy.

O Lambodara, please accept the countless offerings I give you in my mind as sacrificial gifts, including gold coins and other precious items. O Ganesha, O Lord, please protect this entire universe.

O Gan-natha, O Dhundhi, please graciously accept the royal honors I offer you in my mind, such as elephants, horses, and parasols, along with an infinite variety of all moving and non-moving things.

O Heramba, please accept the various gifts I offer you in my mind, encompassing all substances and beings, both stationary and moving. Please deliver me from the bondage of worldly delusion.

O Heramba, O Lambodara, protector of the distressed, I offer you Mandara flowers, Shami leaves, and sprouts of Durva grass in my mind. Please accept me and keep me at your feet.

Then, O Lord of the Vedas, I offer you turmeric, perfumed powders, red gulal, and vermilion. Please accept these beautifully scented items for your auspicious adornment.

Thereafter, sages like Shuka, along with Shiva, Vishnu, Indra, Shesha, and other divine beings, all filled with a spirit of service, bow down to the Lord Dhundhi seated upon his throne.

On His left side sits Siddhi, who is the embodiment of Maya and the ultimate reality; she serves Lord Ganesha with deep devotion, endowing Him with various types of spiritual perfections.

On His right side stands Buddhi, who serves the Supreme Lord by illuminating His knowledge, arts, and profound wisdom, representing the intellect that grants enlightenment through the various paths of spiritual inquiry.

Behind Him, Pramoda, Moda, and others worship Lord Ganesha with great devotion, while in front of Him, the greatest of devotees, such as Mudgala, Shambhu, and Shuka, offer their worship.

The foremost Gandharvas sing beautiful hymns to Lord Ganesha in various styles, while the Apsaras perform diverse and artistic dances before Him.

Thus, I worship the Lord of Obstacles, who is served in such diverse and devotional ways, meditating upon Him within my mind as the stainless one, and offering Him a variety of lights.

I meditate upon the four-armed Ganesha, who holds the noose and the goad, carries a tusk, possesses three eyes, grants fearlessness, and is adorned with a large belly and an elephant face.

I meditate upon the Supreme Lord Ganesha, who wears a snake as His sacred thread, has elephant ears, whose lotus feet are served by the divine potencies, and who is worshipped in many ways.

Then, I mentally perform the Japa of His root mantra according to the prescribed rites, and I offer the infinite merit of this practice into the hands of the Lord of the Ganas; O Dhundhi, please accept it.

I offer You a complete Arati with camphor and countless lights, mentally presented to You, O Lambodara; please accept this, for it dispels the darkness of ignorance and the sins of Your devotees.

I offer You these abundant flower petals, consecrated with sacred mantras from the Vedas; O Lord of Obstacles, please accept this Mantra-Pushpa which I offer mentally with boundless devotion.

O Ganesha, Lord of all, please accept this hymn composed in my mind, which is inspired by the Vedas, Smritis, and Puranas, and offered to You with boundless devotion.

O Lambodara (the Pot-bellied One), please accept these countless mental circumambulations offered with deep devotion; in their varied forms, they are beyond number, so please protect Your devotees forever from the ocean of worldly existence.

O Lord of Obstacles, please accept these various mental prostrations, including the full-body obeisance, which are infinite in number; I pray that You protect me quickly along with Siddhi and Buddhi.

O Lord of Obstacles, if there has been any deficiency or excess in my worship, please accept my mental offering of Durva grass and make my worship complete.

O Lord of Obstacles, please forgive all the various offenses I have committed; I pray to You with all my heart to make my devotion fruitful.

Then, bowing my head, I receive the grace bestowed by the pleased Elephant-faced Lord; I hold it upon my head and bow down to Vighneshwara with all my heart.

Having arisen, Vighneshwara disappeared by His divine power; I meditate with a focused mind upon Him, to whom even Shiva and the other gods bow down.

After offering my respects to all, I worship the Lord of the Ganas in my heart; having returned to my own place, I delight in the company of the great devotees of Ganesha.

Thus, I worship the Lord of the Ganas in my mind daily at all three times of day; may the Lord of the Universe, being pleased with this, grant me devotion filled with divine love.

May I consume the water that has washed Ganesha’s feet, apply the fragrant remnants of His sandalwood paste, wear the flowers offered to Him, and partake of the sacred leftovers of His meal.

Whatever actions I perform, O Lord of the Ganas, may they be an initiation dedicated to You. O Ganesha, O merciful Lord of the Vedas, always be pleased with me, Your devotee, and grant me Your grace.

I now prepare a bed for You, adorned with Mandara flowers and soft cotton garments. It is decorated with fragrant blossoms; O King of obstacles, please accept this and grant Yourself rest.

Seeing You, O Ganesha, peacefully asleep in the company of Siddhi and Buddhi, I myself go to my own dwelling to rest, meditating upon You, the Lord of the Vedas, within my heart.

O Lord of unfailing power, Ganesha, grant me this joy born of the mind. By this alone, I, longing for the nectar of devotion, shall become fulfilled.

Gargya said: Thus, O great King, the highly renowned Gritsamada, who was himself a teacher among the greatest of yogis, performed this mental worship daily.

That supreme among men who performs this mental worship and recites it constantly will become a true devotee of Ganesha.

That mortal who causes others to hear it, or listens to it with sincere devotion, will gradually attain the state of Brahman, O King.

Whatever that person desires will certainly be fulfilled, and at the end of life, he will attain the realm of supreme bliss and become revered even by yogis.