Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah: Meaning and When to Chant It

Introduction

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah (ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः) is the simplest and most often spoken mantra of Lord Ganesha. It means “Om, salutations to the revered Lord Ganesha,” or, as the book Loving Ganesha puts it, “Praise to Lord Ganesha.”

It is the mantra of invocation, adoration and worship. Because Ganesha is worshipped before every beginning, these four words begin pujas, prayers, journeys and new work in Hindu homes everywhere.

The Mantra

ॐ श्री गणेशाय नमः

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah

It is also written Om Shri Ganeshaya Namah, Om Sri Ganesaya Namah and Aum Shri Ganeshaya Namah. All are the same mantra.

Word-by-Word Meaning

Sanskrit	Transliteration	Meaning
ॐ	Om (Aum)	the primal sound, with which every mantra begins
श्री	shree	revered, auspicious; a word of honour
गणेशाय	ganeshaya	to Ganesha
नमः	namah	salutations; I bow

Ganesha joins gana, the hosts of beings who serve Lord Shiva, with isha, lord: he is the Lord of the hosts. The ending -aya means “to,” so ganeshaya namah is “salutations to Ganesha.”

When Is It Chanted?

Loving Ganesha describes it in its chapter Mantra Recitation: it is repeated at the beginning of pujas, and it can be used for japa, to invoke Ganesha’s blessings for the auspicious beginning of a task, a project, a change of life or a community undertaking, or simply to offer him praise.

For the same reason, many families write Shri Ganeshaya Namah at the top of the first page of a new account book, a letter or a wedding invitation, so that whatever follows begins with Ganesha.

How to Chant It

Said once with attention, it is a complete prayer. For japa, the book’s guidance for Ganesha mantras is to wash before sitting, take a few slow breaths, chant one full mala of 108 repetitions, and chant at the same time each day.

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah and Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Loving Ganesha names these two as the Ganesha mantras most used in Hindu worship and meditation. Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah is the mantra of invocation and worship, said at the start of pujas. Om Gam Ganapataye Namah is Ganesha’s root, or bija, mantra, used for meditation.

Neither is the Ganesh Gayatri Mantra, which is a three-line verse: Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Dantih Prachodayat.

Conclusion

Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah is a short mantra that carries a whole tradition: Ganesha comes first. Begin a puja, a task or a day with it. For the verse that asks him to keep every undertaking free of obstacles, see Vakratunda Mahakaya, or pray to Ganesha online.