Traditional prayer · Traditional Ganesha prayer

Vakratunda Mahakaya

Editorial Trust

Needs editorial reviewLast updated 1/7/2026

This record is not presented as fully authoritative until editorial verification is complete. Traditional accounts are labeled as tradition and should not be read as confirmed history unless sources support that claim.

Sanskrit

वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ।

Transliteration

Vakratunda mahakaya suryakoti samaprabha.

English meaning

O curved-trunk, great-bodied one, radiant like millions of suns...

Context

A widely used opening prayer before study, worship, and new work.

Relevance to Lord Ganesha

Invokes Ganesha to remove obstacles from undertakings.

Authenticity notes

Popular traditional prayer; do not classify as Vedic without a verified source. Translations may vary by edition, lineage, and translator.