वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥
Vakratunda Mahakaya
Va-kra-tun-da Ma-ha-ka-ya Sur-ya-ko-ti Sa-ma-pra-bha, Nir-vigh-nam Ku-ru Me De-va Sar-va-kar-ye-shu Sar-va-da
Listen & Chant Along
Listen & chant along — performed by Deva Premal & Miten
"O curved-trunk, mighty-bodied one, radiant as ten million suns — make my path free of obstacles"
Meaning & Translation
Sanskrit
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥
Transliteration
Va-kra-tun-da Ma-ha-ka-ya Sur-ya-ko-ti Sa-ma-pra-bha, Nir-vigh-nam Ku-ru Me De-va Sar-va-kar-ye-shu Sar-va-da
Pronunciation
vah-krah-TOON-dah mah-hah-KAH-yah SOOR-yah-KOH-tee sah-mah-PRAH-bhah, neer-VEEG-num KOO-roo may DAY-vah sar-vah-KAR-yay-shoo sar-vah-DAH
Deity / Quality Invoked
Ganesha
Full Translation
This classical Sanskrit shloka addresses Ganesha as Vakratunda ("the one with the curved trunk") and Mahakaya ("the mighty-bodied one"), whose brilliance equals ten million suns. It then asks: "O Lord, make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always." It is among the most widely recited Ganesha verses in all of Hinduism.
Spiritual Significance
Unlike a seed-syllable mantra, this is a complete prayer — praise followed by petition. Reciting it before study, travel, work, or practice is a way of consciously dedicating the effort and asking that inner and outer obstacles be cleared. In chant practice its stately meter naturally slows and steadies the mind.
Cultural Context & History
The verse comes from the traditional Ganesha invocations recited at the opening of pujas and ceremonies across India, and generations of schoolchildren learn it as their first Sanskrit shloka. Deva Premal's setting on her album "Deva" (2018) brought it into Western mantra practice.
For Leaders
Chords and structure for leading this chant on harmonium or guitar — transcribed from the linked recording. New to leading? Read our guide to leading kirtan →
Original key
G
Tempo & feel
Bright walking pace (~117 bpm); confident and square
Chord Chart
Strumming & rhythm (4/4)
D = downstrum, U = upstrum, · = let it ring. bright and square: confident down-ups; accent 1, keep corners crisp.
Call & Response Structure
The Ganesha shloka as a two-line loop: both lines start home on G and lift to C, and only the final Sarvada picks up D for a full cadence. Sung in unison — a natural obstacle-clearing set opener.