Ganesha Ashtakam: Lyrics & Meaning in English 

Shri Ganesha Ashtakam

The religion Hinduism favours the worship of many demigods. According to Hinduism, there are 33 million demigods, and each demigod is assigned a particular task to carry out in the cosmic world. Lord Ganesha is the chief among the demigods. He is always worshipped at the beginning of any activity, whether you do business, buy a new house, perform puja, etc.

The Vedic tradition states that Lord Ganesha should approve and grant permission to do any activity. For example, to approach other demigods, you should worship Lord Ganesha first, or else your performing puja for other demigods could not be completed. Suppose there are obstacles or evil interference in performing and conducting the puja, in that case, if you worship Lord Ganesha, He would remove all the barriers hindering in performing the puja and destroy all the evil interference. 

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Origin of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha has many names such as Ganesh, Ganapathi, Vinayaka, Vigneshwara, Vigna Vinayaka, Gajapathi, Gajamukha, etc. He is the most worshipped than any other demigod as He is given respect at the beginning of any rituals or functions.

As per the Vedas, Lord Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and has a younger brother (Lord Karthikeya). There is an exciting story about the birth of Lord Ganesha. Once Goddess Parvathi wanted to take a bath, she wouldn't like to be disturbed while taking a bath. So out of clay, she created a beautiful boy and asked him to guard the door. When Lord Shiva entered the door, the boy stopped the Lord from entering as he was unaware of the Lord. Lord Siva became wild with anger and chopped the boy's head which fell into the ocean. When Goddess Parvati saw that the boy was lying down without his head, she became upset. Then Lord Siva, to console Goddess Parvathi, attached the elephant's head to the boy lying down. Thus, He is called 'Gajamukha.'

The Appearance of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha usually appears with his elephant head, human body, huge belly, and four arms. Each arm carries a pasha (noose), a goad (ax), Abhay Mudra, and a Modak, respectively. He has a mouse that serves him as his vehicle (Vagana). Some Hindus worship him as a celibate, but Siva Purana states that Lord Ganesha is married to Buddhi (Intelligence), Siddhi (Success), and Riddhi (Prosperity) and has two sons named Shubh and Labh.

How to worship Lord Ganesha

Ganesha Ashtakam is a powerful mantra to worship Lord Ganesha. It has eight verses that glorify and praise Lord Ganesha and an additional verse of Phalasruthi. Lord Ganesha grants success, prosperity, wealth, wisdom and destroys all the sins of the sincere devotees chanting Ganesha Ashtakam.

Here is the Ganesha Ashtakam Lyrics in English with Meanings:

Ekadantham mahakayam tapta kanchana sannibham 
Lambodaram vishalaksham vandeham Gananayakam (1)

O the one who is with a single tusk and with a strong body that looks resplendent like that of molten gold. 
Who has a huge belly, pleasant and broad eyes, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of the Ganas.

Mounjee krishnajina-Dharam Naga-yagnopaveetinam
Baalendhu sakalam maulim vandeham Gananayakam (2)

The Lord, who has a Mounjee grass thread around his waist and wearing the skin of a deer, The one who has a snake as the sacred thread (Yagnopaveetha)
Having adorned the moon on his forehead, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Chitra ratna vichitrangam chitra maala vibhushitam
Kama rupa dharam devam vandeham Gananayakam (3)

The one who adorns with precious gems and jewels on his body parts, which looks glorious with the adorned garlands
The Lord, Who can take the form of his interests, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Gaja vaktram sura-sreshtam karna chamara bhushitam
Pashankusha-dharam devam vandeham Gananayakam (4)

O the one with the face of an elephant, esteemed among the suras, who adorned with ear ornaments
The Lord who holds a noose (Pasha) and a goad (Ankusha) in his hands, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Mushikottama maaruhya devaasura mahaahave
Yoddu kamam mahaveeryam vandeham Gananayakam (5)

Who mounts on a great mouse (Mushika), worshipped by Devas and Asuras
Who displays incredible energy and immense bravery, I bow to you, Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Yaksha Kinnara Gandarva Siddha Vidhyadharai ssada
Sthuya maanam mahabahum vandeham Gananayakam (6)

O the Lord who is worshipped all the time by the Yakshas(beings and spirits with immense powers), Kinnaras(celestial attendants and musicians), Gandharvas (divine singers and dancers), Siddhas (Supreme scholars and masters), and Vidhyadharas (heavenly beings, demigods with immense powers)
The one with strong arms and body, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Ambika hrudayanandam maatrubihi pariveshtitham
Bhaktha priyam madonmattham vandeham Gananayakam (7)

The one who delights the heart of divine mother Ambika (Goddess Parvati), who is always looked after by his mother
Who shows his love and care to the devotees, intoxicated and excited in wars, I bow to you, Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Sarva vighnam haram devam sarva vighna vivarjitham
Sarva siddhi pradataram vandeham Gananayakam (8)

Lord Ganesha, the one Who removes all the obstacles, who frees and exempts from all the obstacles
Who can bestow all the siddhis, I bow to you Lord Ganesha, the leader of Ganas.

Ganashtaka midam punyam yah pateth satatam naraha
Siddyanthi sarva kaaryani vidyavaan dhanavaan bhaveth (9)

One who recites this blissful Ganashtakam frequently, for those beings
all their desires will be satisfied, and they will be full of knowledge and wealth.

Conclusion

Every day chant Ganesha Ashtakam to get blessings from the Lord. Chanting with constant devotion pleases Lord Ganesha, and he will bestow success, knowledge, wealth, prosperity, remove fears, and destroy all the sins committed in the previous births.