Shri Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad
The Shri Ganapati Atharvashirsha (also known as Ganapati Atharvashirsha) is a revered Upanishad from the Atharva Veda, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It describes Ganesha as the ultimate reality (Brahman), the source, sustainer, and dissolver of the universe, and provides profound insights into his nature, mantras, and worship. Below is the complete text in English transliteration (The International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration (IAST) is a transliteration scheme that allows the lossless romanisation of Indic scripts ), structured with verse numbers for clarity. This is followed by a brief English translation and meaning for each section to aid understanding.Shanti Patha (Peace Invocation)Translation and Meaning:
May we hear auspicious things with our ears, O gods. May we see auspicious things with our eyes, O worshipful ones. With firm limbs and bodies, may we praise and enjoy the lifespan allotted by the gods for their service. May Indra of great fame, Pushan the knower of all worlds, Tarksya (Garuda) of unharmed wheels, and Brihaspati grant us well-being. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
(This invocation seeks divine blessings for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, invoking protection from cosmic forces.)Main Upanishad TextVerse 1:Translation and Meaning:
Om, salutations to you, O Ganapati. You alone are the manifest Tattva (ultimate essence). You alone are the sole Creator. You alone are the sole Sustainer. You alone are the sole Destroyer. You alone are all this—verily, this is Brahman. You are the direct, eternal Atman.
(Affirms Ganesha as the supreme Brahman, embodying creation, preservation, and dissolution.)Verse 2:Translation and Meaning:
I speak the Rta (cosmic order). I speak the Satya (truth).
(The seer declares the eternal truths of the universe.)Verse 3:Translation and Meaning:
Protect me, protect the speaker, the hearer, the giver, the retainer, the teacher, and the disciple. Protect from behind, from the front, from the north, from the south, from above, from below. Protect me from all sides.
(A prayer for comprehensive protection in teaching and learning the truth.)Verse 4:Translation and Meaning:
You are the essence of speech and mind. You are bliss and Brahman. You are Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, the non-dual one. You are the manifest Brahman. You are knowledge and supreme wisdom.
(Describes Ganesha's all-encompassing nature as pure consciousness and bliss.)Verse 5:Translation and Meaning:
All this universe emerges from you, exists in you, dissolves into you, and returns to you. You are earth, water, fire, air, and space. You are the four levels of speech.
(Ganesha as the origin and elements of creation.)Verse 6:Translation and Meaning:
You transcend the three gunas, states of consciousness, bodies, and times. You eternally reside in the Muladhara. You embody the three shaktis. Yogis meditate on you always. You are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, and the three worlds.
(Ganesha beyond limitations, identical to all deities and realms.)Verse 7 (Ganapati Vidya - Beeja Mantra Description):Translation and Meaning:
Uttering "ga" first, then the rest of the letters, followed by anusvara; beyond that, half-moon adorned; enriched by the nasal sound—this is your mantric form. "Ga" is the beginning, "a" the middle, anusvara the end, bindu the supreme. Nada is the union, saktis the connection. This is Ganesh Vidya: Rishi Ganaka, meter Nicrid Gayatri, deity Ganapati. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
(Details the beeja mantra "Gam" as Ganesha's essence.)Verse 8 (Dhyana Mantra):Translation and Meaning:
We know the single-tusked one; we meditate on the curved-trunked one. May that tusker inspire us.
(A dhyana sloka for meditation on Ganesha.)Verse 9 (Detailed Dhyana):Translation and Meaning:
Meditate on the one-tusked, four-armed, holding noose and goad, carrying tusk and boon-granting hand, with mouse banner; red-hued, pot-bellied, with fan-like ears, clad in red, body smeared with red sandal, worshipped with red flowers; compassionate to devotees, imperishable cause of the world, manifest at creation's dawn, beyond Prakriti and Purusha. One who meditates thus daily is the foremost yogi.
(Vivid visualization for worship.)Verse 10:Translation and Meaning:
Salutations to the lord of hosts, lord of Ganas, lord of Pramathas. Salutations to the pot-bellied, single-tusked obstacle-remover, son of Shiva, boon-giving form.
(Prostrations to Ganesha's aspects.)Phalashruti (Benefits of Recitation)Verses 11-14:Translation and Meaning:
One who recites this Atharvashirsha becomes fit for Brahman-realization, free from obstacles, enjoys happiness and intelligence everywhere, liberated from five great sins. Evening recitation destroys daytime sins; morning recitation destroys nighttime sins; both remove all sins. Constant recitation removes hurdles; attains dharma, artha, kama, moksha. Do not give to unworthy; giving in folly brings sin. Chanting 1,000 times fulfills desires. Abhisheka with this makes one eloquent; japa while eating makes learned. One who knows the Vedas fears nothing from Brahma onwards. Offering durva sprouts yields Kubera-like wealth; puffed rice yields fame and intellect; 1,000 modakas fulfills wishes; ghee and samidha yields everything. Teaching eight Brahmins makes one radiant as the sun; japa during eclipse or near rivers makes the mantra siddha. Freed from great obstacles, defects, and sins; becomes all-knowing. Thus ends the Upanishad.
(Outlines spiritual, material, and protective benefits of recitation and rituals.)Concluding Shanti Patha(Om Peace, Peace, Peace—invoking final harmony.)This text is chanted for obstacle removal, wisdom, and self-realization.
ōṁ bha̲draṁ karṇḗbhiḥ śr̥ṇu̲yāmá dēvāḥ |
bha̲draṁ páśyēmā̲kṣabhi̲ryajátrāḥ |
sthi̲rairaṅgaìstuṣṭu̲vāgṁ sásta̲nūbhíḥ |
vyaśḗma dē̲vahíta̲ṁ yadāyúḥ |
sva̲sti na̲ indrṓ vr̥̲ddhaśrávāḥ |
sva̲sti náḥ pū̲ṣā vi̲śvavḗdāḥ |
sva̲sti na̲stārkṣyō̲ aríṣṭanēmiḥ |
sva̲sti nō̲ br̥ha̲spatírdadhātu ||
ōṁ śānti̲ḥ śānti̲ḥ śāntíḥ ||
May we hear auspicious things with our ears, O gods. May we see auspicious things with our eyes, O worshipful ones. With firm limbs and bodies, may we praise and enjoy the lifespan allotted by the gods for their service. May Indra of great fame, Pushan the knower of all worlds, Tarksya (Garuda) of unharmed wheels, and Brihaspati grant us well-being. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
(This invocation seeks divine blessings for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, invoking protection from cosmic forces.)Main Upanishad TextVerse 1:
ōṁ namástē ga̲ṇapátayē |
tvamē̲va pra̲tyakṣa̲ṁ tattvámasi |
tvamē̲va kē̲vala̲ṁ kartā́:’si |
tvamē̲va kē̲vala̲ṁ dhartā́:’si |
tvamē̲va kē̲vala̲ṁ hartā́:’si |
tvamēva sarvaṁ khalvidáṁ brahmā̲si |
tvaṁ sākṣādātmā́:’si ni̲tyam || 1 ||
Om, salutations to you, O Ganapati. You alone are the manifest Tattva (ultimate essence). You alone are the sole Creator. You alone are the sole Sustainer. You alone are the sole Destroyer. You alone are all this—verily, this is Brahman. You are the direct, eternal Atman.
(Affirms Ganesha as the supreme Brahman, embodying creation, preservation, and dissolution.)Verse 2:
ŕ̥taṁ va̲cmi | sátyaṁ va̲cmi || 2 ||
I speak the Rta (cosmic order). I speak the Satya (truth).
(The seer declares the eternal truths of the universe.)Verse 3:
avá tva̲ṁ mām | avá va̲ktāram̀ |
avá śrō̲tāram̀ | avá dā̲tāram̀ |
avá dhā̲tāram̀ | avānūcānamáva śi̲ṣyam |
avá pa̲ścāttā̀t | avá pu̲rastā̀t |
avōtta̲rāttā̀t | avá dakṣi̲ṇāttā̀t |
avá cō̲rdhvāttā̀t | avādha̲rāttā̀t |
sarvatō māṁ pāhi pāhí sama̲ntāt || 3 ||
Protect me, protect the speaker, the hearer, the giver, the retainer, the teacher, and the disciple. Protect from behind, from the front, from the north, from the south, from above, from below. Protect me from all sides.
(A prayer for comprehensive protection in teaching and learning the truth.)Verse 4:
tvaṁ vāṅmayástvaṁ cinma̲yaḥ |
tvamānandamayástvaṁ brahma̲mayaḥ |
tvaṁ saccidānandādvítīyō̲:’si |
tvaṁ pra̲tyakṣa̲ṁ brahmā́si |
tvaṁ jñānamayō vijñānámayō̲:’si || 4 ||
You are the essence of speech and mind. You are bliss and Brahman. You are Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, the non-dual one. You are the manifest Brahman. You are knowledge and supreme wisdom.
(Describes Ganesha's all-encompassing nature as pure consciousness and bliss.)Verse 5:
sarvaṁ jagadidaṁ tváttō jā̲yatē |
sarvaṁ jagadidaṁ tváttasti̲ṣṭhati |
sarvaṁ jagadidaṁ tvayi layámēṣya̲ti |
sarvaṁ jagadidaṁ tvayí pratyē̲ti |
tvaṁ bhūmirāpō:’nalō:’nílō na̲bhaḥ |
tvaṁ catvāri vā̀kpadā̲ni || 5 ||
All this universe emerges from you, exists in you, dissolves into you, and returns to you. You are earth, water, fire, air, and space. You are the four levels of speech.
(Ganesha as the origin and elements of creation.)Verse 6:
tvaṁ gu̲ṇatráyātī̲taḥ |
tvamavasthātráyātī̲taḥ |
tvaṁ dē̲hatráyātī̲taḥ |
tvaṁ kā̲latráyātī̲taḥ |
tvaṁ mūlādhārasthitṓ:’si ni̲tyam |
tvaṁ śaktitráyātma̲kaḥ |
tvāṁ yōginō dhyāyánti ni̲tyam |
tvaṁ brahmā tvaṁ viṣṇustvaṁ rudrastvamindrastvamagnistvaṁ
vāyustvaṁ sūryastvaṁ candramāstvaṁ brahma̲ bhūrbhuva̲ḥ sva̲rōm || 6 ||
You transcend the three gunas, states of consciousness, bodies, and times. You eternally reside in the Muladhara. You embody the three shaktis. Yogis meditate on you always. You are Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, Indra, Agni, Vayu, Surya, Chandra, and the three worlds.
(Ganesha beyond limitations, identical to all deities and realms.)Verse 7 (Ganapati Vidya - Beeja Mantra Description):
ga̲ṇādìṁ pūrvámuccā̲rya̲ va̲rṇādī̀ṁstadana̲ntáram |
anusvāraḥ párata̲raḥ | ardhḕndula̲sitam |
tārḗṇa r̥̲ddham | ētattava manúsvarū̲pam |
gakāraḥ pū̀rvarū̲pam | akārō madhyámarū̲pam |
anusvāraścā̀ntyarū̲pam | binduruttárarū̲pam |
nādáḥ sandhā̲nam | sagṁhítā sa̲ndhiḥ |
saiṣā gaṇḗśavi̲dyā | gaṇáka r̥̲ṣiḥ |
nicr̥dgāyátrīccha̲ndaḥ |
gaṇapatírdēva̲tā | ōṁ gaṁ ga̲ṇapátayē namaḥ || 7 ||
Uttering "ga" first, then the rest of the letters, followed by anusvara; beyond that, half-moon adorned; enriched by the nasal sound—this is your mantric form. "Ga" is the beginning, "a" the middle, anusvara the end, bindu the supreme. Nada is the union, saktis the connection. This is Ganesh Vidya: Rishi Ganaka, meter Nicrid Gayatri, deity Ganapati. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
(Details the beeja mantra "Gam" as Ganesha's essence.)Verse 8 (Dhyana Mantra):
ēkada̲ntāyá vi̲dmahḗ vakratu̲ṇḍāyá dhīmahi |
tannṓ dantiḥ pracō̲dayā̀t || 8 ||
We know the single-tusked one; we meditate on the curved-trunked one. May that tusker inspire us.
(A dhyana sloka for meditation on Ganesha.)Verse 9 (Detailed Dhyana):
ēkada̲ntaṁ cáturha̲sta̲ṁ pā̲śamáṅkuśa̲ dhāríṇam |
radáṁ ca̲ varádaṁ ha̲stai̲rbi̲bhrāṇáṁ mūṣa̲kadhvájam |
raktáṁ la̲ṁbōdáraṁ śū̲rpa̲ka̲rṇakáṁ rakta̲vāsásam |
raktága̲ndhānúliptā̲ṅga̲ṁ ra̲ktapúṣpaiḥ su̲pūjítam |
bhaktā́nu̲kampínaṁ dē̲va̲ṁ ja̲gatkā́raṇa̲macyútam |
āvírbhū̲taṁ cá sr̥̲ṣṭyā̲dau̲ pra̲kr̥tḕḥ puru̲ṣātpáram |
ēváṁ dhyā̲yatí yō ni̲tya̲ṁ sa̲ yōgī́ yōgi̲nāṁ váraḥ || 9 ||
Meditate on the one-tusked, four-armed, holding noose and goad, carrying tusk and boon-granting hand, with mouse banner; red-hued, pot-bellied, with fan-like ears, clad in red, body smeared with red sandal, worshipped with red flowers; compassionate to devotees, imperishable cause of the world, manifest at creation's dawn, beyond Prakriti and Purusha. One who meditates thus daily is the foremost yogi.
(Vivid visualization for worship.)Verse 10:
namō vrātapatayē | namō gaṇapatayē | namaḥ pramathapatayē |
namastē:’stu laṁbōdarāyaikadantāya vighnanāśinē śivasutāya varadamūrtayē̲ namáḥ || 10 ||
Salutations to the lord of hosts, lord of Ganas, lord of Pramathas. Salutations to the pot-bellied, single-tusked obstacle-remover, son of Shiva, boon-giving form.
(Prostrations to Ganesha's aspects.)Phalashruti (Benefits of Recitation)Verses 11-14:
ētadatharvaśīrṣáṁ yō:’dhī̲tē |
sa brahmabhūyā́ya ka̲lpatē |
sa sarvavighnaìrna bā̲dhyatē |
sa sarvatra sukhámēdha̲tē |
sa pañcamahāpāpā̀t pramu̲cyatē |
sā̲yamádhīyā̲nō̲ divasakr̥taṁ pāpáṁ nāśa̲yati |
prā̲tarádhīyā̲nō̲ rātrikr̥taṁ pāpáṁ nāśa̲yati |
sāyaṁ prātaḥ práyuñjā̲nō̲ pāpō:’pā́pō bha̲vati |
sarvatrādhīyānō:’pavíghnō bha̲vati |
dharmārthakāmamōkṣáṁ ca vi̲ndati |
idamatharvaśīrṣamaśiṣyāyá na dē̲yam |
yō yadi mṓhāddā̲syati | sa pāpī́yān bha̲vati |
sahasrāvartanādyaṁ yaṁ kāmámadhī̲tē |
taṁ tamanḗna sā̲dhayēt || 11 ||
anēna gaṇapatimábhiṣi̲ñcati | sa vā́gmī bha̲vati |
caturthyāmanáśnan ja̲pati sa vidyā́vān bha̲vati |
ityatharváṇa vā̲kyam |
brahmādyā̲varáṇaṁ vi̲dyānna bibhēti kadā́canē̲ti || 12 ||
yō dūrvāṅkúrairya̲jati sa vaiśravaṇōpámō bha̲vati |
yō lā́jairya̲jati sa yaśṓvān bha̲vati | sa mēdhā́vān bha̲vati |
yō mōdakasahasrḗṇa ya̲jati sa vāñchita phalamávāpnō̲ti |
yaḥ sājya samídbhirya̲jati sa sarvaṁ labhatē sa sárvaṁ la̲bhatē || 13 ||
aṣṭau brāhmaṇān samyag grā́hayi̲tvā sūryavarcásvī bha̲vati |
sūryagrahē máhāna̲dyāṁ pratimā sannidhau vā ja̲ptvā siddhamántrō bha̲vati |
mahāvighnā̀t pramu̲cyatē | mahādōṣā̀t pramu̲cyatē |
mahāpratyavāyā̀t pramu̲cyatē |
sa sarvavidbhavati sa sarvávidbha̲vati |
ya ḗvaṁ vē̲da | ityúpa̲niṣát || 14 ||
One who recites this Atharvashirsha becomes fit for Brahman-realization, free from obstacles, enjoys happiness and intelligence everywhere, liberated from five great sins. Evening recitation destroys daytime sins; morning recitation destroys nighttime sins; both remove all sins. Constant recitation removes hurdles; attains dharma, artha, kama, moksha. Do not give to unworthy; giving in folly brings sin. Chanting 1,000 times fulfills desires. Abhisheka with this makes one eloquent; japa while eating makes learned. One who knows the Vedas fears nothing from Brahma onwards. Offering durva sprouts yields Kubera-like wealth; puffed rice yields fame and intellect; 1,000 modakas fulfills wishes; ghee and samidha yields everything. Teaching eight Brahmins makes one radiant as the sun; japa during eclipse or near rivers makes the mantra siddha. Freed from great obstacles, defects, and sins; becomes all-knowing. Thus ends the Upanishad.
(Outlines spiritual, material, and protective benefits of recitation and rituals.)Concluding Shanti Patha
ōṁ śānti̲ḥ śānti̲ḥ śāntíḥ ||
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