Sanskrit
गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे
कविं कविनामुपमश्रवस्तम् ।
ज्येष्ठराजं ब्राह्मणं ब्राह्मणस्पत
अः नः शृण्वबलौतिभिः सीद सदनम् ॥
English Transliteration
oṃ ga̱ṇānaā̎ṁn tvā ga̱ṇapa̍tigṁ havāmahe
ka̱viṁṅ ka̍vī̱nāmu̍pa̱maśra̍vastamam |
jye̱ṣṭha̱rāja̱ṁ brahma̍ṇāṁ brahmaṇaspata̱
ā na̍ḥś śṛ̱ṇvannū̱tibhi̍ssīda̱ sāda̍nam ||
Meaning – ga̱ṇānaā̎ṁn tvā ga̱ṇapa̍tigṁ
This mantra is a Vedic hymn from the Rigveda dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and it is traditionally chanted to seek the blessings and guidance of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and intellect in Hinduism. Here’s the meaning of the mantra:
- “ॐ” (Om): Om is a sacred sound and symbol in Hinduism, often considered the primordial sound of the universe, representing the essence of reality, consciousness, and the divine.
- “गणानां” (Ganānām): This refers to the “Ganas,” which are the attendants or followers of Lord Shiva. In this context, it represents the collective or devotees.
- “त्वा” (tvā): This means “You” or “to You.”
- “गणपतिं” (Ganapatiṁ): This refers to Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.
- “हवामहे” (havāmahe): This means “we invoke” or “we worship.”
- “कविं” (kaviṁ): This means “the seer” or “the poet.”
- “कवीनाम्” (kavīnām): This means “of all poets” or “of all seers.”
- “उपमश्रवस्तम्” (upamaśravastamam): This phrase signifies “most praiseworthy” or “most renowned.”
- “जेष्ठराजं” (Jeṣṭharājaṁ): This refers to Lord Ganesha as the “eldest” or “supreme king.”
- “ब्रह्मणां” (brahmaṇāṁ): This means “of the Brahmans” or “of those who embody Brahman” (the ultimate reality).
- “ब्रह्मणस्पत” (brahmaṇas-pata): This phrase signifies “the lord of Brahma” or “the protector of the Vedas.”
- “आ नः” (ā naḥ): This means “come to us” or “bless us.”
- “शृण्वत्रूतिभिः” (śṛṇvantūtibhiḥ): This means “who listens to our prayers” or “who hears with grace.”
- “सीद सादनम्” (sīda sādanam): This is an invocation asking Lord Ganesha to come and reside in the place of the worshiper, blessing their endeavors.
In essence, the mantra seeks the blessings of Lord Ganesha, acknowledging his supreme qualities and asking for his presence and guidance in the worshiper’s life. It is a common invocation at the beginning of various Hindu rituals and ceremonies to remove obstacles and ensure a successful and harmonious endeavor.
