Ganesha
Pranamya Shirasa — Sankata Nashana opening
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम् । भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यमायुष्कामार्थसिद्धये ॥
Simple reading
Pra-nam-ya shi-ra-saa de-vam, gau-ree-pu-tram vi-naa-ya-kam, bhak-taa-vaa-sam sma-ren nit-yam, aa-yush-kaa-maar-tha sid-dha-ye
Praṇamya śirasā devaṁ gaurīputraṁ vināyakam, bhaktāvāsaṁ smaren nityam āyuṣ-kāmārtha-siddhaye
About this mantra
The opening verse of the Sankata-Nashana Ganesha Stotra, recited to remove distress and for the fulfilment of life's rightful aims.
Meaning
Bowing my head to the god Vinayaka, son of Gauri, dwelling-place of his devotees, one should remember him daily, for long life and the fulfilment of wish and means. The verse is practical about devotion: ayuh, kama and artha, meaning life-span, desire and prosperity, are named without embarrassment, because the tradition holds that the remover of obstacles may be asked for worldly ground as well as inner light.
Learn it by heart
Say the first line until it comes without reading, then add the next line and say both, until the whole mantra comes on its own.
Line 1 of 2
प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम् ।
Praṇamya śirasā devaṁ gaurīputraṁ vināyakam, bhaktāvāsaṁ smaren nityam āyuṣ-kāmārtha-siddhaye
0not said yet
Aim for eleven before the next line. Move on when the line comes without reading.
Progress stays on this device.
When to recite it
A verse for daily remembrance, recited each morning for the household's long life and provision, and before ventures where both means and blessings are being asked.
Word by word
- प्रणम्य शिरसाpraṇamya śirasā
- bowing with the head
- गौरीपुत्रंgaurīputraṁ
- son of Gauri (Parvati)
- विनायकम्vināyakam
- Vinayaka, the supreme guide
- भक्तावासंbhaktāvāsaṁ
- who dwells with his devotees
- स्मरेन्नित्यम्smaren nityam
- one should remember daily
- आयुष्कामार्थसिद्धयेāyuṣ-kāmārtha-siddhaye
- for long life and the fulfilment of aims
Source: Saṅkaṭa-nāśana Gaṇeśa Stotra 1 (Nārada Purāṇa)