Which Gaṇeśa mantra should I chant daily?

“Oṁ Gaṁ Gaṇapataye namaḥ” or the verse “Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya” — both are simple, widely used and open to all.

The short mantra “Oṁ Gaṁ Gaṇapataye namaḥ” contains Gaṇeśa’s seed syllable “gaṁ” and is drawn from the Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣa. Many people chant it 11, 21 or 108 times in the morning, or simply once before starting work.

The verse most families teach children is: “Vakratuṇḍa mahākāya sūryakoṭi samaprabha, nirvighnaṁ kuru me deva sarvakāryeṣu sarvadā” — O Lord with the curved trunk and mighty form, shining like countless suns, keep all my work free of obstacles, always. Others recite the Atharvaśīrṣa itself, especially on Caturthī, or the Saṅkaṭanāśana Gaṇeśa Stotra.

Pick one and keep it steady rather than switching often. If your family or guru has given you a particular Gaṇeśa mantra, that takes priority.

Source: Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣa · Also: Saṅkaṭanāśana Gaṇeśa Stotra

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