Om Gam Ganapataye Namah – Scriptural Reference and Meaning
The mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namah is one of the most widely recited mantras to worship Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the giver of wisdom. Many people know the mantra, but very few know its exact reference in the scriptures.
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📖 Scriptural Reference
1. Sri Ganapati Atharvashirsha (Atharva Veda Upanishad)
This Upanishad is the most authoritative text on Lord Ganesha. It directly mentions the bija mantra “Gam” and the full mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namah.
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Verse 7 – Explaining the bija “Gam”
Sanskrit
गकारः पूर्वरूपम् ।
अकारो मध्यरूपम् ।
अनुस्वारश्चान्त्यरूपम् ।
बिन्दुरुत्तररूपम् ।
नादः संधानम् ।
सैषा गणेशविद्या ।
Transliteration
Gakara purvarupam
Akaro madhyarupam
Anusvaraschantyarupam
Binduruttararupam
Nada samdhanam
Saisa Ganeshavidya
Meaning
“Ga” is the first form
“A” is the middle form
“M” (nasal sound) is the final form
The dot (bindu) is the higher form
Their connection is sound (nada)
➡️ This verse shows how the bija Gam is formed.
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Verse 9 – Full Mantra with Viniyoga
Sanskrit
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः ।
ऋषिः गणक ऋषिः ।
छन्दः निचृत्गायत्री ।
देवता श्रीमहागणपतिः ।
बीजं गं ।
शक्तिः लं ।
कीलकं ॐ ।
सिद्ध्यर्थे जपे विनियोगः ॥
Transliteration
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Rishih Ganaka Rishih
Chandah Nichrit Gayatri
Devata Sri Mahaganapatih
Bijam Gam
Shaktih Lam
Kilakam Om
Siddhyarthe Jape Viniyogah
Meaning
Om – the primordial sound of creation
Gam – the bija (seed syllable) of Ganesha
Ganapataye – to Lord Ganapati, leader of all beings
Namah – I bow down, I offer salutations
The verse further declares:
Seer (Rishi): Ganaka
Meter (Chandas): Nichrit Gayatri
Deity (Devata): Sri Mahaganapati
Bija (seed): Gam
Shakti (power): Lam (Muladhara root energy)
Kilaka (key): Om
Viniyoga (purpose): To attain success through mantra japa
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2. Other References
Ganesha Purana (Upasana Khanda) – describes Ganesha’s bija as “Gam” and prescribes this mantra for worship.
Mudgala Purana – also mentions Ganesha’s bija mantras, with “Gam” as the primary one.
Ganapati Tantra – recommends “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah” as the mula mantra (root mantra) for daily practice.
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🌸 Essence of the Mantra
Om Gam Ganapataye Namah means:
“I bow to Lord Ganesha, invoked by the sacred sound Gam, the remover of obstacles and leader of all beings.”
Chanting this mantra removes obstacles from life.
It awakens wisdom and clarity.
It connects the devotee to Ganesha’s energy in the Muladhara (root chakra).
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✅ In short:
The direct Vedic reference is Sri Ganapati Atharvashirsha – Verses 7 & 9.
The Puranas and Tantras further confirm its use.
This makes Om Gam Ganapataye Namah an authentic and powerful mantra rooted in scripture.