Ganesha Sahasranamavali: 1000 Names of Bhagwan Ganesh
Bhagwan Ganesh Sahasranamavali - Sanskrit Text (Opening Excerpt)
Note: The Ganesha Sahasranamavali contains one thousand names of Lord Ganesha. The verified opening portion (first 108 names) is reproduced below as a faithful excerpt; the complete thousand-name litany is far longer and is summarised, with focus on meaning and benefits.
॥ श्रीगणेशसहस्रनामावलिः ॥ (प्रारम्भिक १०८ नामानि - आरम्भ अंश)
ॐ गणेश्वराय नमः।
ॐ गणक्रीडाय नमः।
ॐ गणनाथाय नमः।
ॐ गणाधिपाय नमः।
ॐ एकदंष्ट्राय नमः।
ॐ वक्रतुण्डाय नमः।
ॐ गजवक्त्राय नमः।
ॐ महोदराय नमः।
ॐ लम्बोदराय नमः।
ॐ धूम्रवर्णाय नमः।
ॐ विकटाय नमः।
ॐ विघ्ननाशकाय नमः।
ॐ सुमुखाय नमः।
ॐ दुर्मुखाय नमः।
ॐ बुद्धाय नमः।
ॐ विघ्नराजाय नमः।
ॐ गजाननाय नमः।
ॐ भीमाय नमः।
ॐ प्रमोदाय नमः।
ॐ आमोदाय नमः।
ॐ सुरानन्दाय नमः।
ॐ मदोत्कटाय नमः।
ॐ हेरम्बाय नमः।
ॐ शम्बराय नमः।
ॐ शम्भवे नमः।
ॐ लम्बकर्णाय नमः।
ॐ महाबलाय नमः।
ॐ नन्दनाय नमः।
ॐ अलम्पटाय नमः।
ॐ अभीरवे नमः।
ॐ मेघनादाय नमः।
ॐ गणञ्जयाय नमः।
ॐ विनायकाय नमः।
ॐ विरूपाक्षाय नमः।
ॐ धीरशूराय नमः।
ॐ वरप्रदाय नमः।
ॐ महागणपतये नमः।
ॐ बुद्धिप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ क्षिप्रप्रसादनाय नमः।
ॐ रुद्रप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ गणाध्यक्षाय नमः।
ॐ उमापुत्राय नमः।
ॐ अघनाशनाय नमः।
ॐ कुमारगुरवे नमः।
ॐ ईशानपुत्राय नमः।
ॐ मूषकवाहनाय नमः।
ॐ सिद्धिप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ सिद्धिपतये नमः।
ॐ सिद्धये नमः।
ॐ सिद्धिविनायकाय नमः।
ॐ अविघ्नाय नमः।
ॐ तुम्बुरवे नमः।
ॐ सिंहवाहनाय नमः।
ॐ मोहिनीप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ कटङ्कटाय नमः।
ॐ राजपुत्राय नमः।
ॐ शालकाय नमः।
ॐ सम्मिताय नमः।
ॐ अमिताय नमः।
ॐ कूष्माण्ड सामसम्भूतये नमः।
ॐ दुर्जयाय नमः।
ॐ धूर्जयाय नमः।
ॐ जयाय नमः।
ॐ भूपतये नमः।
ॐ भुवनपतये नमः।
ॐ भूतानां पतये नमः।
ॐ अव्ययाय नमः।
ॐ विश्वकर्त्रे नमः।
ॐ विश्वमुखाय नमः।
ॐ विश्वरूपाय नमः।
ॐ निधये नमः।
ॐ घृणये नमः।
ॐ कवये नमः।
ॐ कवीनामृषभाय नमः।
ॐ ब्रह्मण्याय नमः।
ॐ ब्रह्मणस्पतये नमः।
ॐ ज्येष्ठराजाय नमः।
ॐ निधिपतये नमः।
ॐ निधिप्रियपतिप्रियाय नमः।
ॐ हिरण्मयपुरान्तः-स्थाय नमः।
ॐ सूर्यमण्डलमध्यगाय नमः।
ॐ कराहतिविध्वस्त-सिन्धुसलिलाय नमः।
ॐ पूषदंतभिदे नमः।
ॐ उमाङ्ककेलिकुतुकिने नमः।
ॐ मुक्तिदाय नमः।
ॐ कुलपालनाय नमः।
ॐ किरीटिने नमः।
ॐ कुण्डलिने नमः।
ॐ हारिणे नमः।
ॐ वनमालिने नमः।
ॐ मनोमयाय नमः।
ॐ वैमुख्यहत-दैत्यश्रिये नमः।
ॐ पादाहतिजितक्षितये नमः।
ॐ सद्योजात-स्वर्णमुञ्ज-मेखलिने नमः।
ॐ दुर्निमित्तहृते नमः।
ॐ दुःस्वप्नहृते नमः।
ॐ प्रसहनाय नमः।
ॐ गुणिने नमः।
ॐ नादप्रतिष्ठिताय नमः।
ॐ सुरूपाय नमः।
ॐ सर्वनेत्राधिवासाय नमः।
ॐ वीरासनाश्रयाय नमः।
ॐ पीताम्बराय नमः।
ॐ खण्डरदाय नमः।
ॐ खण्डेन्दुकृतशेखराय नमः।
ॐ चित्राङ्क-श्यामदशनाय नमः।
ॐ भालचन्द्राय नमः।
ॐ चतुर्भुजाय नमः।
(... इस सहस्रनामावली में कुल एक सहस्र (1000) नाम हैं; यहाँ प्रारम्भिक 108 नाम सत्यापित रूप में दिए गए हैं ...)
Transliteration (Roman/IAST)
oṁ gaṇeśvarāya namaḥ · oṁ gaṇakrīḍāya namaḥ · oṁ gaṇanāthāya namaḥ · oṁ gaṇādhipāya namaḥ · oṁ ekadaṁṣṭrāya namaḥ · oṁ vakratuṇḍāya namaḥ · oṁ gajavaktrāya namaḥ · oṁ mahodarāya namaḥ · oṁ lambodarāya namaḥ · oṁ dhūmravarṇāya namaḥ · ... · oṁ vighnarājāya namaḥ · oṁ gajānanāya namaḥ · oṁ herambāya namaḥ · oṁ vināyakāya namaḥ · oṁ mahāgaṇapataye namaḥ · oṁ siddhivināyakāya namaḥ. (Each of the one thousand names is offered with oṁ before and namaḥ after.)
Meaning
The Ganesha Sahasranamavali offers one thousand salutations to Lord Ganesha. The opening names hail him as Ganeshvara and Gananatha (lord of the ganas), Ekadanta (the single-tusked), Vakratunda (the curved-trunk), Gajavaktra and Gajanana (the elephant-faced), Lambodara and Mahodara (the great-bellied), Dhumravarna (smoke-hued), Vighnaraja and Vighnanashaka (king and destroyer of obstacles), Heramba, Vinayaka, Mahaganapati, and Siddhivinayaka (giver of accomplishment). As the litany unfolds it ranges across his cosmic, philosophical, and tantric names, ultimately identifying him with Brahman, the Vedas, and the very source of creation.
About this Sahasranama
The Ganesha Sahasranama is found in the Ganesha Purana and is among the most revered of the thousand-name litanies. Where a shorter ashtottara gives 108 names, the sahasranama offers a full thousand, weaving together Ganesha's mythological forms (elephant-faced, mouse-riding, single-tusked), his role as Vighnaharta the remover of obstacles, and profound Vedantic and tantric identifications in which he is the pranava (Om), Brahman, and the ground of all knowledge. Because of its great length, only the verified opening 108 names are reproduced here as an excerpt; the complete text should be obtained from authoritative editions of the Ganesha Purana.
Significance & Spiritual Benefits
Ganesha is worshipped first, before any deity or undertaking, as the remover of obstacles and the lord of beginnings, wisdom, and success. Reciting his thousand names is held to clear every hindrance, bestow intelligence (buddhi) and accomplishment (siddhi), grant prosperity and protection, and fulfil righteous desires. The sahasranama is a complete sadhana in itself, immersing the devotee in every facet of the elephant-faced Lord's grace.
Astrological Relevance
Ganesha is connected in Vedic astrology with Ketu, the shadow planet that governs spiritual insight, sudden obstacles, and their removal; his worship is the foremost remedy for an afflicted Ketu and for the obstacle-causing effects of the nodes. As Buddhi-pati, lord of intellect, he also strengthens Budha (Mercury), the planet of intelligence, speech, and learning. Reciting his names removes the vighnas (obstacles) that malefic placements can create in any house, and is universally prescribed at the start of remedial worship to ensure its success. Wednesday, the day of Mercury, and Chaturthi are especially favoured for his propitiation.
How to Chant (Vidhi)
After bathing, sit before an image of Ganesha with a lit lamp. Offer durva grass (his favourite), red flowers, and modaka or laddu. Begin with a prayer for the removal of obstacles, then recite the names - the full thousand for a complete observance, or the opening portion daily - offering durva or akshata at each name where possible. Conclude with "Om Gam Ganapataye Namah."
Best Day & Time
Wednesday (the day of Mercury) and every Chaturthi - especially Sankashti Chaturthi and Vinayaka Chaturthi - are the most auspicious, with Ganesha Chaturthi in Bhadrapada being the supreme occasion. The predawn and morning hours are recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many names are in the Ganesha Sahasranamavali?
It contains one thousand names of Lord Ganesha, drawn from the Ganesha Purana. This article reproduces the verified opening 108 names as an excerpt.
What are the benefits of reciting it?
It is held to remove all obstacles, bestow wisdom and accomplishment, grant prosperity and protection, and fulfil righteous wishes.
When should it be recited?
Wednesdays and Chaturthi days are ideal, with Ganesha Chaturthi being the most powerful occasion.
A thousand doors into the boundless nature of Ganapati
The Ganesha Sahasranamavali, drawn from the Ganesha Purana, is far more than an extended inventory of epithets: each of the thousand names is understood as a doorway into a distinct quality or dimension of Lord Ganesha's nature. Names pointing to his elephant form evoke his memory, steadiness, and ancient wisdom; names referencing his single tusk recall the story of his sacrifice for the sake of writing the Mahabharata; names like Siddhivinayaka and Vighneshwara concentrate the mind on his specific function as remover of obstacles and bestower of accomplishment. In the tradition of nama-japa, repetition of the divine name is considered itself a form of contemplation - each name quietly dissolving the ego's pretensions and opening the practitioner to a more receptive state.
The Sahasranamavali is traditionally recited in full on Ganesh Chaturthi and on Wednesdays, which are sacred to Ganesha in the Hindu almanac and are also associated in Jyotish with Budha (Mercury), the planet of intellect and communication - two qualities Ganesha supremely embodies. Devotees who complete the thousand-name recitation regularly believe it strengthens mental clarity, creative intelligence, and the capacity to begin and sustain any meaningful endeavor without being derailed by inner or outer obstacles. The opening one hundred and eight names offered in this post provide a spiritually complete entry point for those beginning this practice, carrying within them the essence of the full litany.