Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam — Ganesh Mantra with Meaning
This well-known verse to Lord Ganesh is sung at the start of puja and on Ganesh Chaturthi. It describes his elephant face, the ganas who serve him, the fruits he loves, and his being the son of Mother Uma (Parvati). It ends by bowing at the lotus feet of Vighneshwar, who removes sorrow.
Gajananam bhuta-ganadi-sevitam kapittha-jambu-phala-charu-bhakshanam | uma-sutam shoka-vinasha-karakam namami vighneshvara-pada-pankajam ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Gajananam bhuta-ganadi-sevitam kapittha-jambu-phala-charu-bhakshanam | uma-sutam shoka-vinasha-karakam namami vighneshvara-pada-pankajam ||
He has an elephant face and is served by the ganas; he happily eats wood-apple and jamun fruits; he is the son of Uma and destroys sorrow. I bow at the lotus feet of Vighneshwar, the lord of obstacles.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
Read next
Frequently asked questions
When should Gajananam Bhutaganadi Sevitam be recited?
At the start of any puja, on Wednesdays, and on Ganesh Chaturthi and Sankashti Chaturthi.
How many times should it be recited?
Once or three times in puja is common. Many devotees also chant it 11 or 108 times.
What are 'kapittha' and 'jambu' fruits?
'Kapittha' is the wood-apple (kaith) and 'jambu' is the jamun (Indian blackberry). Tradition holds these as Ganesh's favourite fruits.