Ganesh Gayatri Mantra

ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि।

तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात्॥

Transliteration

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi

Tanno Dantih Prachodayat

Mantra Type	Ganesha Gayatri Mantra
Deity	Lord Ganesha (Ekadanta — one-tusked; Vakratunda — curved-trunk)
Japa Count	108 times. Best recited on Wednesdays and during Ganesh Chaturthi

Meaning

We seek to know the one-tusked Ganesha, we meditate upon the curved-trunk lord. May that tusked one (Ganesha) inspire and guide our intellect.

Word-by-Word Meaning

एकदन्ताय (Ekadantaya) — The one-tusked one (Eka = one, Danta = tusk)
विद्महे (Vidmahe) — We seek to know / we meditate
वक्रतुण्डाय (Vakratundaya) — The curved-trunk one (Vakra = curved, Tunda = trunk)
धीमहि (Dhimahi) — We meditate upon
तन्नः (Tannah) — May that
दन्तिः (Dantih) — The tusked one (Ganesha)
प्रचोदयात् (Prachodayat) — Inspire, guide, illuminate

Benefits

Removes all obstacles (Vignas) from the path of success
Invokes Ganesha’s intelligence — he is the god of intellect (Buddhi)
Grants success in all new beginnings and ventures
Activates the Muladhara (root) chakra — Ganesha’s domain
Improves memory, concentration, and problem-solving ability
Protects from misfortune and unexpected setbacks
Particularly beneficial for businesspeople and students
When chanted before any work, Ganesha himself completes it

When to Chant

Every morning before starting the day. On Wednesdays (Ganesha’s day). During Ganesh Chaturthi. Before any important task, exam, or ceremony.

Historical & Scriptural Significance

Lord Ganesha (Ganapati) is the first deity worshipped in Hinduism — no puja, ceremony, or new endeavor begins without invoking Ganesha. As Vignaharta (obstacle remover) and Buddhidata (giver of intellect), he ensures both the removal of obstacles and the bestowal of wisdom needed to overcome life’s challenges. The Mudgala Purana and Ganesha Purana detail his 32 divine forms.