Ganesha Pancharatnam: Mudakaratta Modakam ( गणेशपञ्चरत्नम् – मुदाकरात्तमोदकं )
Sri Ganesha
मुदाकरात्तमोदकं सदा विमुक्तिसाधकं
कलाधरावतंसकं विलासिलोकरक्षकम् ।
अनायकैकनायकं विनाशितेभदैत्यकं
नताशुभाशुनाशकं नमामि तं विनायकम् ॥१॥
Mudaa-Karaatta-Modakam Sadaa Vimukti-Saadhakam
Kalaa-Dhara-Avatamsakam Vilaasi-Loka-Rakssakam |
Anaayakai[a-E]ka-Naayakam Vinaashitebha-Daityakam
Nata-Ashubha-Ashu-Naashakam Namaami Vinaayakam ||1||
Meaning:
1.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) Who Holds the Divine Joy in His Hand as Modaka (a sweetmeat) and Who Always strives to Accomplish the Liberation of His Devotees towards that Divine Joy,
1.2: Who Holds the Digit of the Moon as His Ornament and with a Joyful Spirit Protects the World,
1.3: Who is without any Master but is Himself the only Master for His Devotees, and Protects them by Destroying the (inner) Demons,
1.4: To those who Surrender to Him, He Destroys the Inauspicious tendencies Quickly; I Bow to Sri Vinayaka and surrender to Him.
नतेतरातिभीकरं नवोदितार्कभास्वरं
नमत्सुरारिनिर्जरं नताधिकापदुद्धरम् ।
सुरेश्वरं निधीश्वरं गजेश्वरं गणेश्वरं
महेश्वरं तमाश्रये परात्परं निरन्तरम् ॥२॥
Nate[a-I]tara-Ati-Bhiikaram Navo[a-U]dita-Arka-Bhaasvaram
Namat-Sura-Ari-Nir-Jaram Nata-Adhika-Apad-Uddharam |
Sure[a-Ii]shvaram Nidhi-[I]ishvaram Gaje[a-Ii]shvaram Ganne[a-Ii]shvaram
Mahe[a-Ii]shvaram Tama-Ashraye Paraatparam Nir-Antaram ||2||
Meaning:
2.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) To those who do not Bow down to God out of arrogance, He takes a Frightening form; His benign however form is like a Newly-Risen Sun,
2.2: Who is always Fresh without any Decay, and is Saluted Reverentially by the Devas and the Devoted Persons; Who Extricates those who Surrender to Him from Difficult Calamities,
2.3: Who is the God of the Devas (Sureshvara), Who is the God of Prosperity (Nidhishvara), Who is the God with an Elephant Face (Gajeshvara) and Who is the God of the Ganas (celestial attendants) (Ganeshvara),
2.4: Who is the Great God (Maheshvara); To His Refuge, Who is Superior than the Best, I Continually place myself in devotional surrender.
समस्तलोकशंकरं निरस्तदैत्यकुञ्जरं
दरेतरोदरं वरं वरेभवक्त्रमक्षरम् ।
कृपाकरं क्षमाकरं मुदाकरं यशस्करं
मनस्करं नमस्कृतां नमस्करोमि भास्वरम् ॥३॥
Samasta-Loka-Shamkaram Nirasta-Daitya-Kun.jaram
Dare[a-I]taro[a-U]daram Varam Varebha-Vaktram-Akssaram |
Krpaa-Karam Kssamaa-Karam Mudaa-Karam Yashas-Karam
Manas-Karam Namas-Krtaam Namas-Karomi Bhaasvaram ||3||
Meaning:
3.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) Who is the Auspicious Power behind All the Worlds and Who Removes the Mighty (inner) Demons,
3.2: Whose Huge Body signifies Prosperity and Boon-Giving and Whose Most Excellent Face reflects His Imperishable Nature.
3.3: Who Showers Grace (Kripakara), Who Showers Forgiveness (Kshamakara), Who Showers Joy (Mudakara) and who Showers Glory (Yashaskara) to His Devotees,
3.4: Who Bestows Intelligence and Wisdom (Manaskara) to those Who Bow to Him with Reverence; I Bow to His Shining Form.
अकिंचनार्तिमार्जनं चिरन्तनोक्तिभाजनं
पुरारिपूर्वनन्दनं सुरारिगर्वचर्वणम् ।
प्रपञ्चनाशभीषणं धनंजयादिभूषणम्
कपोलदानवारणं भजे पुराणवारणम् ॥४॥
Akincana-[A]arti-Maarjanam Cirantano[a-U]kti-Bhaajanam
Pura-Ari-Puurva-Nandanam Sura-Ari-Garva-Carvannam |
Prapan.ca-Naasha-Bhiissannam Dhananjaya-[A]adi-Bhuussannam
Kapola-Daana-Vaarannam Bhaje Puraanna-Vaarannam ||4||
Meaning:
4.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) Who Wipes out the Sufferings of the Destitutes who take His Refuge; Who is the Receptacle of the Words of Praises of the Ancients,
4.2: Who is the Former Son (the latter being Kartikeya) of the Enemy of Tripurasuras (i.e. Lord Shiva), and Who Chews down the Pride and Arrogance of the Enemies of the Devas,
4.3: Who wields Terrible Power to Destroy the delusion of the Five Elements constituting the World (from the mind of His Devotees); Who Himself is Adorned with the Powers (behind the Five Elements) like Fire etc,
4.4: From Whose Cheeks flow down the Juice of Grace; Obeisance to Him Whose Praise similarly flows down like Juice from the Puranas.
नितान्तकान्तदन्तकान्तिमन्तकान्तकात्मजं
अचिन्त्यरूपमन्तहीनमन्तरायकृन्तनम् ।
हृदन्तरे निरन्तरं वसन्तमेव योगिनां
तमेकदन्तमेव तं विचिन्तयामि सन्ततम् ॥५॥
Nitaanta-Kaanta-Danta-Kaantim-Antaka-Antaka-[A]atmajam
Acintya-Ruupam-Anta-Hiinam-Antaraaya-Krntanam |
Hrd-Antare Nirantaram Vasantam-Eva Yoginaam
Tam-Eka-Dantam-Eva Tam Vicintayaami Santatam ||5||
Meaning:
5.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) Whose Beautiful Form of Ekadanta is very much Dear to His Devotees, and Who is the Son of the One (referring to Lord Shiva) Who Put an End to (i.e. restrained) Antaka (i.e. Yama).
5.2: Whose essential Form is Inconceivable and without any Limit, and which Cuts through the Obstacles of His Devotees,
5.3: Who Continually Abides in the Cave of the Heart of the Yogis.
5.4: I Continually Reflect upon Him, the Ekadanta (another name of Sri Vinayaka).
महागणेशपञ्चरत्नमादरेण योऽन्वहं
प्रजल्पति प्रभातके हृदि स्मरन् गणेश्वरम् ।
अरोगतामदोषतां सुसाहितीं सुपुत्रतां
समाहितायुरष्टभूतिमभ्युपैति सोऽचिरात् ॥६॥
Mahaa-Gannesha-Pan.ca-Ratnam-Aadarenna Yo[ah-A]nvaham
Prajalpati Prabhaatake Hrdi Smaran Ganne[a-Ii]shvaram |
Arogataam-Adossataam Su-Saahitiim Su-Putrataam
Samaahita-Ayur-Asstta-Bhuutim-Abhy-Upai[a-E]ti So[ah-A]ciraat ||6||
Meaning:
6.1: (Obeisance to Sri Vinayaka) Those who Read the Great Ganesha Pancharatnam (five Jewels in praise of Sri Ganesha) with Devotion …
6.2: … and Utter this in the Early Morning Contemplating on Sri Ganeshvara in their Hearts …
6.3: … will get Free from Diseases and Vices, will get Good Spouses and Good Sons, ….
6.4: … and with it He will get Long Life and the Eight Powers soon.
Ganesha Pancharatnam – Five Jewels of Wisdom and Auspicious Grace
Ganesha Pancharatnam is a sacred devotional hymn that praises Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, the giver of wisdom, and the lord of auspicious beginnings. The word “Pancharatnam” suggests five precious jewels, and each jewel may be understood as devotion, wisdom, humility, strength, and surrender. For a sincere devotee, this hymn is not only praise, but a prayer for clarity, purity, right action, and divine protection.
Lord Ganesha is worshipped before every noble beginning because He prepares the path and purifies the mind. Outer obstacles may appear as delays, difficulties, confusion, or lack of support, but inner obstacles are often more powerful. Fear, laziness, pride, anger, doubt, and distraction can block progress more than anything outside. Devotion to Ganesha helps the seeker face these obstacles with patience and faith.
Ganesha Pancharatnam teaches that wisdom is the first blessing needed in life. Without wisdom, success may increase ego, and power may be used wrongly. Lord Ganesha’s large head symbolizes broad understanding, His small eyes suggest concentration, and His big ears remind us to listen deeply. Every part of His form becomes a spiritual lesson for daily living.
The broken tusk of Ganesha teaches sacrifice and dedication. It reminds the devotee that true knowledge requires discipline, patience, and willingness to give up comfort for a higher purpose. A seeker cannot grow while holding tightly to ego and selfish desire. When life is offered to the Divine, even sacrifice becomes sweet.
The large belly of Lord Ganesha shows the ability to digest all experiences of life. Praise and blame, success and failure, joy and sorrow must be handled with balance. A mature devotee does not become proud in success or broken in difficulty. Through prayer and discrimination, the heart learns to remain steady.
Ganesha Pancharatnam is also a reminder that devotion must be joined with effort. A person should not pray for success while remaining careless, lazy, dishonest, or confused. Divine grace supports sincere action. The devotee should work honestly, think clearly, control the senses, speak truthfully, and keep intentions pure.
The mouse at Ganesha’s feet is a powerful symbol. It represents restless desire, which can quietly enter the mind and disturb peace. If desire is uncontrolled, it leads to distraction and bondage. But when it is placed under divine guidance, the same energy can serve a noble purpose. This teaches self-mastery.
The hymn inspires humility before the Divine. The ego often wants quick results, recognition, praise, and control. But true progress begins when the heart bows and accepts guidance. Humility does not weaken a person; it makes the mind open, the heart soft, and the path clearer.
Ganesha Pancharatnam can be recited before study, work, travel, worship, meditation, or any important beginning. It is especially helpful when the mind feels uncertain, restless, or burdened. The devotee may sit quietly, remember Lord Ganesha, and offer all fear and confusion at His feet. Such remembrance brings confidence and inner order.
This sacred hymn also supports concentration. A scattered mind creates many unnecessary problems, even when outer conditions are favorable. Through chanting, prayer, discipline, and reflection, the mind becomes steady. When the mind is steady, decisions become wiser, speech becomes calmer, and actions become more effective.
Lord Ganesha is also the guardian of learning. Students, teachers, writers, artists, workers, and spiritual seekers all seek His blessing for memory, understanding, creativity, and clear expression. But learning should never become pride. True knowledge makes a person humble, respectful, disciplined, and compassionate.
Ganesha Pancharatnam reminds the seeker that auspiciousness begins within. A clean heart, honest speech, peaceful thought, and noble action create a sacred atmosphere around life. Temples and rituals are valuable, but daily conduct is also worship. Kindness, truthfulness, patience, forgiveness, and service are living offerings to Lord Ganesha.
The deeper blessing of Ganesha is not merely the removal of outer difficulty. The greater blessing is the removal of ignorance. When ignorance is removed, the seeker understands what is right, what is harmful, what is temporary, and what is truly valuable. This inner clarity leads to maturity, peace, and spiritual freedom.
The five jewels of this hymn can be practiced in simple ways. Devotion keeps the heart connected with God. Wisdom gives right direction. Humility removes pride. Strength helps one face challenges. Surrender brings peace. When these qualities grow together, life becomes balanced, meaningful, and spiritually bright.
In the end, Ganesha Pancharatnam is a sacred hymn of wisdom, devotion, humility, and auspicious grace. Through sincere recitation, pure conduct, steady effort, self-control, and faith, the devotee receives the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Such worship removes inner obstacles, strengthens understanding, and guides the soul toward peace, success, and liberation.
Vishnu Shatpadi Stotram