Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 6
Gaṇeśa-pūjā-vidhiḥ
The Procedure for Worship of Gaṇeśa
लम्बोदराय विद्महे महोदराय धीमहि तन्नो दन्ती प्रचोदयात् गणपतिर्गणाधिपो गणेशो गणनायकः गणक्रीडो वक्रतुण्ड एकदंष्ट्रो महोदरः
lambodarāya vidmahe mahodarāya dhīmahi tanno dantī pracodayāt gaṇapatirgaṇādhipo gaṇeśo gaṇanāyakaḥ gaṇakrīḍo vakratuṇḍa ekadaṃṣṭro mahodaraḥ
เรารู้จัก (และสักการะ) พระลัมโบดระ; เราเพ่งฌานพระมโหทร. ขอพระทันตี (ผู้มีงา) โปรดกระตุ้นและส่องสว่างแก่เรา. พระองค์คือ คณปติ คณาธิปะ คเณศะ คณนายกะ; ผู้รื่นเริงท่ามกลางคณะ; วักรตุณฑะ; เอกทันตะ; และมโหทร.
Lord Agni (traditionally narrating to Sage Vasiṣṭha in the Agni Purana’s dialogue frame)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Stotra","secondary_vidya":"Mantra","practical_application":"Daily Gaṇapati upāsanā through a Gāyatrī-style mantra and nāma-saṅkīrtana: recite for obstacle-removal, clarity, and auspicious beginnings before rites, study, travel, or undertakings.","sutra_style":false}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Mantra","entry_title":"Gaṇapati Gāyatrī and Gaṇeśa nāmāvali (Lambodara–Mahodara–Dantī etc.)","lookup_keywords":["Gaṇapati Gāyatrī","Lambodara","Mahodara","Vakratunda","Ekadanta"],"quick_summary":"Use the Gaṇapati Gāyatrī for meditation and illumination, then reinforce devotion through a compact list of Gaṇeśa’s functional epithets."}
Alamkara Type: Anuprāsa (name-strings with phonetic echo)
Concept: Dhī (meditative intelligence) is invoked through Gaṇapati as remover of impediments and as inner guide of beginnings.
Application: Recite before initiating tasks; use ‘vidmahe–dhīmahi–pracodayāt’ structure to align knowledge, meditation, and inspired action.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Mantra-stotra and Devata-nama: Ganapati upasana)
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A devotee chants the Gaṇapati Gāyatrī before a Gaṇeśa shrine; Gaṇeśa appears with large belly, curved trunk, single tusk, surrounded by gaṇas, radiating a halo of illumination that ‘impels’ the mind.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural, Gaṇeśa with vakratunda and ekadanta, mahodara emphasized; gaṇa attendants in rows; devotee chanting with folded hands; bold outlines, earthy reds and greens, lamp-lit sanctum feel.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting, central Gaṇeśa with gold foil halo and ornaments; inscriptions of key names around the border; devotee with japa-mālā; rich maroon background, heavy gilding.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore painting, serene Gaṇeśa with clear iconographic features labeled Lambodara, Vakratunda, Ekadanta; devotee seated in meditation posture; soft gradients and fine detailing suitable for instructional devotion.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature, intimate devotional scene: small shrine with Gaṇeśa idol, devotee reciting from a manuscript; gaṇas as playful attendants; delicate architectural arch, detailed textiles, subdued jewel tones."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"medium","voice_tone":"devotional"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: तन्नो = तत् + नः; गणपतिर्गणाधिपो = गणपतिः + गणाधिपः; (final -ः before g becomes -र् by visarga-sandhi); other epithets are in apposition.
Related Themes: Agni Purāṇa 71 (Gaṇeśa pūjā, nyāsa, kavaca, nāma)
FAQs
It provides a Gaṇapati-Gāyatrī-style dhyāna-mantra (vidmahe–dhīmahi–pracodayāt) and a compact nāma-kīrtana (listing of epithets) used for invocation at the start of pūjā, japa, and auspicious rites to secure siddhi and remove obstacles (vighna-śānti).
Alongside subjects like polity, medicine, and warfare, the Agni Purana also preserves practical liturgical material—mantras, deity-names, and worship-formulas—showing that its ‘encyclopedia’ includes ritual technology (mantra-prayoga) used in daily and temple practice.
Meditation on Gaṇapati as the lord of the gaṇas and recitation of his names is traditionally held to purify intention, remove impediments to dharma and undertakings, and orient karma toward successful, auspicious completion through clarity (buddhi) and divine prompting (pracodana).