Ganapati Atharvashirsha: The Ultimate Vedic Prayer

The Peace Invocation (Shanti Path)

ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः शृणुयाम देवाः ।
भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः ।

Om Bhadram Karnebhih Shrinuyama Devah |
Bhadram Pashyema-Akshabhir-Yajatrah ||

Meaning: Om, O Gods, may we hear with our ears what is auspicious. O ones worthy of worship, may we see with our eyes what is auspicious. May we enjoy the life allotted to us by the Gods with strong limbs and bodies.

1. The Truth (Tattva)

ॐ नमस्ते गणपतये ।
त्वमेव प्रत्यक्षं तत्त्वमसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं कर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं धर्ताऽसि ।
त्वमेव केवलं हर्ताऽसि ।

Om Namaste Ganapataye |
Twameva Pratyaksham Tattvam-Asi |
Twameva Kevalam Karta-Asi |
Twameva Kevalam Dharta-Asi |
Twameva Kevalam Harta-Asi |

Meaning: Om, Salutations to Lord Ganapati.
You are the visible manifestation of the Divine Reality (Tattva).
You are the sole Creator (Karta).
You are the sole Sustainer (Dharta).
You are the sole Destroyer (Harta).

2. The Omni-Presence

त्वं ब्रह्मा त्वं विष्णुस्त्वं
रुद्रस्त्वं इन्द्रस्त्वं अग्निस्त्वं
वायुस्त्वं सूर्यस्त्वं चन्द्रमास्त्वं
ब्रह्म भूर्भुवः स्वरोम् ॥

Twam Brahma Twam Vishnus-Twam
Rudras-Twam Indras-Twam Agnis-Twam
Vayus-Twam Suryas-Twam Chandramas-Twam
Brahma Bhur Bhuva Svarom ||

Meaning: You are Brahma, You are Vishnu, You are Rudra (Shiva). You are Indra, Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind), Surya (Sun), and Chandrama (Moon). You are the Earth, Space, and Heaven.

3. The Beeja Mantra (The Secret Code)

गणादिं पूर्वमुच्चार्य वर्णादिं तदनन्तरम् ।
अनुस्वारः परतरः । अर्धेन्दुलसितम् ।
तारेण ऋद्धम् । एतत्तव मनुस्वरूपम् ।

Ganadim Purvam-Uchcharya Varnadim Tadanantaram |
Anusvarah Paratarah | Ardhendu-Lasitam |
Tarena Riddham | Etat-Tava Manu-Svarupam |

Meaning: (This verse describes the formation of the Ganesha Beeja Mantra “GAM”).
Utter ‘Ga’ (the first letter of Gana), followed by ‘A’ (the first letter of the alphabet). Add the Anusvara (nasal sound ‘M’) and the crescent moon (Bindu).
Thus is formed “GAM” (गं). This is your true Mantra form.