Ganapathi Atharvashirsha

About this stotra

The Ganapathi Atharvasirsha Upanishad is a Sanskrit text and a minor Upanishad of Hinduism. It is a late Upanishadic text dedicated to Ganesha, the deity representing intellect and learning. It asserts that Ganesha is same as the eternal underlying reality, Brahman. Ganapati Atharva Shirsham (also called Ganapati Upanishad ) is part of the Atharva Veda. ‘Tharva’ means trembling. ‘A-tharva’ is that which never trembles or is fearless. The study of the Atharva Veda would make us fearless – gain the non-dual Truth which is fearless. An Upanishad comes as the conclusion of Vedas that serve as an essence of a Vedic truth. This Upanishad extols and describes Lord Ganesha as Para-Brahman ( Absolute consciousness - God). It also speaks and expounds on the secret formula - GAM that invokes Ganesha's energy. The mantra 'Om Gang Ganapataye Namaha' has its origin from this Upanishad. The text is also referred to as the Sri Ganesha Atharvasirsha, Sri Ganapati Atharva Sirsha, the Ganapati Atharvashirsha, the Ganapati Atharvasirsa, or the Ganapati Upanishad. The text exists in several variants, but with the same message. Lord Ganesha is described to be same as other Hindu gods, as ultimate Truth and Reality (Brahman), as Satcitananda, as the soul in oneself (Atman) and in every living being, as Om.
The translation is by Swami Tejomayananda. For a commentary on the Ganapati Atharvasirsha Upanishad please purchase this book: Ganapati Atharvashirsha Upanishad by Swami Tejomayananda
The audio rendering is by Swami Purnachaitanya from the Netherlands.
For an alternate audio source by S Prakash Kaushik use the below.
Phala Shruti
The second half of this Upanishad talks on the merits and benefits of its recitation and study (known as Phala Shruti ). Note that the merits described are from the Veda itself and not a mere imaginative concoction.
One who studies and chants this Upanishad becomes Brahman (realising God - attaining enlightenment ). As the Vedas declare through the Mundaka Upanishad of Atharva Veda - Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati. One who realises Brahman (God) becomes Brahman.
He will not be affected or tied up by any obstacles.
He experiences bliss at all times.
He is released from the five great sins.
When one recites this upanishad in the evening, the sins committed during the day are destroyed.
When one recites this upanishad in the morning, the sins committed at night are destroyed.
With double recitation (morning and evening), he becomes free from all sins.
When read in any situation and anywhere, one becomes free of all obstacles.
One attains all four goals of life;
(1) Righteousness ( dharma)
(2) Wealth (Artha)
(3) Rightful Desire (kaama)
(4) Liberation (Moksha)
If one recites and meditates on this Upanishad 1000 times, he attains siddhi (mastery)
One who does Abhisheka to Lord Ganapati with this Upanishad (while reciting this Upanishad ) becomes a renowned orator (fluent speaker)
One who fasts on Chaturthi ( 4th day from new moon / full moon ) and recites this Upanishad becomes filled with knowledge (becomes a Vidvan )
His consciousness raises to understand and experience Brahman (God-consciousness). As a result, he becomes totally fearless.
One who worships Lord Ganapati with blades of Durva grass becomes as prosperous as the God of wealth (Kubera).
One who offers parched grains (rice/wheat flakes) to Ganapati becomes a person of name and fame.
He would also become a medhavan ( genius).
One who offers a thousand modakas for worship gets his desires fulfilled.
One who offers ghee and firewood to the fire-sacrifice (Yagna) attains everything.
One who enables eight qualified people to absorb these teachings of the Atharva Veda becomes dazzling like the Sun.
By undertaking Japa (continuous recitation ) on the banks of a great river during a solar eclipse or by sitting in front of the idol of Lord Ganapati, one gets the siddhi of this mantra (mantra siddhi).