Adhyaya 64
The Hymn to Gaṇapati (Gaṇa-aṣṭaka) and Its Merit
In PP.1.64, Vyāsa proclaims a pure hymn to Gaṇapati that bestows siddhi. A sequence of invocatory bows (namas) then portrays Gaṇeśa’s sacred form and emblems: Ekadanta, vast-bodied and golden-radiant, wearing a serpent as the yajñopavīta, and bearing the crescent moon as a crest. He is praised as Vighneśvara, remover of obstacles, and as the battle-ready leader of the gaṇas, revered by many semi-divine orders. The chapter then gives its phalaśruti: devoted recitation—and even hearing—brings accomplishments, honor in Rudra’s world, kingly eminence, influence across the three worlds, and protection from poverty for seven births. It closes with a formal colophon naming it “The Hymn to Gaṇapati.”
Shlokas
Verse 1
व्यास उवाच । पुनरन्यत्प्रवक्ष्यामि स्तोत्रं गणाधिपस्य च । सर्वसिद्धिकरं पूतं सर्वाभीष्टफलप्रदं
Vyāsa said: I shall again proclaim another hymn—one to Gaṇādhipa (Gaṇeśa)—pure and sacred, bestowing all accomplishments and granting every desired result.
Verse 2
एकदंतं महाकायं तप्तकांचनसन्निभम् । लंबोदरं विशालाक्षं वंदेहं गणनायकं
I bow to Gaṇanāyaka (Gaṇeśa), the One-tusked, vast-bodied Lord, radiant like molten gold—pot-bellied and large-eyed.
Verse 3
मुंजकृष्णाजिनधरं नागयज्ञोपवीतकम् । बालेंदुकलिकामौलिं वंदेहं गणनायकं
I bow to Gaṇanāyaka (Gaṇeśa), who wears a muñja-girdle and a black antelope-skin; whose sacred thread is a serpent, and whose crest is adorned with the tender crescent moon.
Verse 4
सर्वविघ्नहरं देवं सर्वविघ्नविवर्जितम् । मूषकोत्तममारुह्य देवासुरमहाहवे
That God who removes all obstacles, himself free from all obstacles—mounting the excellent mouse—(appeared) in the great battle between the gods and the asuras.
Verse 5
योद्धुकामं महाबाहुं वंदेहं गणनायकम् । अंबिकाहृदयानंदं मातृकापरिवेष्टितम्
I bow to Gaṇanāyaka (Gaṇeśa)—eager for battle, mighty-armed; the delight of Ambikā’s heart, and surrounded by the Mother-goddesses (Mātṛkās).
Verse 6
भक्तिप्रियं मदोन्मत्तं वंदेहं गणनायकम् । चित्ररत्नविचित्रांगं चित्रमालाविभूषणम्
I bow to Gaṇanāyaka (Gaṇeśa), who is dear to devotees and delightfully exuberant; whose body is wondrous with brilliant, many-colored jewels, and who is adorned with a splendid garland.
Verse 7
कामरूपधरं देवं वंदेहं गणनायकम् । गजवक्त्रं सुरश्रेष्ठं चारुकर्णविभूषितम्
I bow to the divine leader of the gaṇas, who assumes forms at will—elephant-faced, the foremost among the gods, adorned with beautiful ears.
Verse 8
पाशांकुशधरं देवं वंदेहं गणनायकम् । यक्षकिन्नरगंधर्वैः सिद्धविद्याधरैस्सदा
I bow to the divine Gaṇanāyaka, leader of the hosts, who bears the noose and the goad—ever revered by Yakṣas, Kinnaras, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and Vidyādharas.
Verse 9
स्तूयमानं महादेहं वंदेहं गणनायकम् । गणाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं भक्तितो यः पठेन्नरः
I bow to the leader of the Gaṇas—Mahādeva—who is praised by all. This sacred “Gaṇa-aṣṭaka” is meritorious; the person who recites it with devotion…
Verse 10
सर्वसिद्धिमवाप्नोति रुद्रलोके महीयते । न निःस्वतां तथाभ्येति सप्तजन्मसु मानवः
He attains every siddhi and is honored in Rudra’s world; and that human being does not fall into poverty for as many as seven births.
Verse 11
य इदं पठते नित्यं महाराजो भवेन्नरः । वश्यं करोति त्रैलोक्यं पठनाच्छ्रवणादपि । स्तोत्रं परं महापुण्यं गणपस्य महात्मनः
Whoever recites this daily becomes a great king among men; by recitation—even by merely hearing it—he brings the three worlds under his influence. This is a supreme, greatly meritorious hymn to the great-souled Gaṇapa (Gaṇeśa).
Verse 64
इति श्रीपाद्मपुराणे प्रथमे सृष्टिखंडे गणपतिस्तोत्रं नाम । चतुष्षष्टितमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the Śrī Padma Purāṇa, in the first book, the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa, concludes the chapter entitled “The Hymn to Gaṇapati”—the sixty-fourth chapter.