Sankashti Chaturthi Mantras: 7 Mantras for the Sacred Day

Sankashti Chaturthi is observed on the 4th tithi (lunar day) of Krishna Paksha — the waning fortnight — every month of the Hindu calendar. This is the monthly fast dedicated to Ganesha: the devotee fasts through the day, observes a Ganesha puja at evening, and breaks the fast only after sighting the moon. The word Sankashti means "deliverance from great calamities" — san (great) + kashti (calamity/difficulty) — and the day is specifically prescribed for devotees facing obstacles, litigation, career problems, or persistent bad luck.

Reviewed by Acharya Ravi Teja, Jyotish Acharya & Vedic Priest, Tirupati — as of May 2026.

Sankashti Chaturthi is distinct from Vinayaka Chaturthi (Ganesh Chaturthi), which falls on the 4th tithi of Shukla Paksha — the waxing fortnight. Vinayaka Chaturthi is a celebratory festival (celebrated most famously in the month of Bhadrapada as the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival). Sankashti Chaturthi is the introspective, discipline-oriented counterpart — a monthly act of surrender to Ganesha's obstacle-removing power. When the Sankashti Chaturthi falls on a Tuesday, it becomes Angaraki Chaturthi — considered the most potent of all Sankashti days, as Tuesday (ruled by Mars/Mangal) combined with Ganesha's day produces maximum obstacle-clearing energy.

> Quick Answer: Sankashti Chaturthi is the 4th tithi of the waning moon (Krishna Paksha) — a monthly Ganesha fast. The seven mantras given here are recited during the evening puja and moon-sighting ritual. When Sankashti falls on Tuesday, it becomes Angaraki Chaturthi — the most powerful form. Identify Ketu and Rahu positions in your chart (Ganesha governs Ketu) with the free birth chart calculator.

The Sankatanashana Ganesh Stotra (literally "the stotra that destroys calamities") is the primary text of Sankashti Chaturthi — prescribed specifically for this day in the Narada Purana. Narada teaches this stotra to Sage Agastya, explaining that it was revealed to him directly by Brahma. It is 12 verses describing Ganesha's cosmic attributes, followed by a Phala Shruti that directly promises relief from sankat (calamities). This is the most important stotra to recite on Sankashti day.

Complete text (core verses):

श्री संकटनाशन गणेश स्तोत्रम्

नारद उवाच । प्रणम्य शिरसा देवं गौरीपुत्रं विनायकम् । भक्तावासं स्मरेन्नित्यं आयुःकामार्थसिद्धये ॥ १ ॥

Pranamy shirasa devam Gauri-putram Vinayakam |

Bhaktavasam smaren-nityam ayuh-kamartha-siddhaye ||

"Bowing my head to the deity, the son of Gauri, Vinayaka — I remember the abode of devotees always, for the attainment of long life, desires, and prosperity."

प्रथमं वक्रतुण्डं च एकदन्तं द्वितीयकम् । तृतीयं कृष्णपिङ्गाक्षं गजवक्त्रं चतुर्थकम् ॥ २ ॥

Prathamam Vakratundam cha Ekadantam dvitiyakam |

Tritiyam krishna-pingaksham Gaja-vaktram chaturthakam ||

लम्बोदरं पञ्चमं च षष्ठं विकटमेव च । सप्तमं विघ्नराजेन्द्रं धूम्रवर्णं तथाष्टमम् ॥ ३ ॥

Lambodharam panchamam cha shashttham Vikatam eva cha |

Saptamam Vighnarajendram Dhumravarnam tathashtamam ||

नवमं भालचन्द्रं च दशमं तु विनायकम् । एकादशं गणपतिं द्वादशं तु गजाननम् ॥ ४ ॥

Navamam Bhalacandram cha dashamam tu Vinayakam |

Ekadhasham Ganapatim dvadasham tu Gajananam ||

द्वादशैतानि नामानि त्रिसन्ध्यं यः पठेन्नरः । न च विघ्नभयं तस्य सर्वसिद्धिकरं प्रभो ॥ ५ ॥

Dvadashaita namani trisandhyam yah paten narah |

Na cha vighna-bhayam tasya sarva-siddhi-karam Prabho ||

Meaning of Verse 5 (Phala Shruti): "The person who recites these twelve names at the three junctions of the day (Sandhya) — for that person, there is no fear of obstacles. These names are the cause of all accomplishments, O Lord."

The 12 names of Ganesha embedded in the Sankatanashana Stotra are: Vakratunda (curved trunk), Ekadanta (single tusk), Krishna-Pingaksha (dark-and-tawny-eyed), Gaja-vaktra (elephant-faced), Lambodara (pot-bellied), Vikata (the misshapen/terrifying), Vighnarajendra (king of obstacle-removers), Dhumravarna (smoke-colored), Bhalacandra (moon-crested), Vinayaka (the leader), Ganapati (lord of the Ganas), and Gajanana (elephant-faced). Reciting these 12 names three times daily — at dawn, noon, and dusk — is the core Sankashti Chaturthi practice.

> Quick Answer: The Sankatanashana Ganesh Stotra from the Narada Purana is the anchor text of Sankashti Chaturthi. Its 12 names of Ganesha, recited at dawn, noon, and dusk, constitute the primary observance. The embedded Phala Shruti directly promises freedom from obstacle-fear and accomplishment of all aims.

The Ganesha Gayatri is the Gayatri-metre invocation of Ganesha — the mantra that awakens Ganesha's energy within the practitioner's own consciousness, paralleling how the Solar Gayatri (Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah...) awakens the Sun's illuminating energy within the mind.

Sanskrit: ॐ एकदन्ताय विद्महे वक्रतुण्डाय धीमहि । तन्नो दन्तिः प्रचोदयात् ॥

Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi |

Tanno Dantih Prachodayat ||

Word-by-word meaning: 1. Om — the primal sound, the Pranava 2. Ekadantaya — to the single-tusked one (Ganesha broke off one tusk to write the Mahabharata at Vyasa's dictation) 3. Vidmahe — we come to know, we meditate upon 4. Vakratundaya — to the one with the curved trunk (the curve of the trunk represents the cosmic spiral of creation) 5. Dhimahi — we hold in our intellect, we contemplate 6. Tanno Dantih — may that single-tusked one (Danti = one who has a tusk) 7. Prachodayat — inspire, awaken, propel our intellect

Full meaning: "We meditate upon the single-tusked Ganesha, the curved-trunk one. May that single-tusked Lord inspire and awaken our intellect."

The Ganesha Gayatri is recited 28 times (4 × 7) on Sankashti Chaturthi — once for each of the 28 nakshatras (lunar mansions), asking Ganesha to remove obstacles from every dimension of fate. It is recited during the Ganesha puja after the bathing of the idol, before the Naivedya offering.

> Quick Answer: The Ganesha Gayatri — Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dhimahi, Tanno Dantih Prachodayat — is recited 28 times on Sankashti Chaturthi, once for each lunar mansion. It awakens Ganesha's intellect-clearing energy within the practitioner's own mind.

The Vakratunda Mahakaya shloka is the universal opening invocation of Ganesha — recited before every auspicious act, every puja, every journey, and every significant decision. On Sankashti Chaturthi, it is recited as the first mantra of the morning, before the fast begins, to set the day's intention.

Sanskrit: वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ । निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha |

Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||

Word-by-word meaning: 1. Vakratunda — curved-trunk (the elephant's trunk curves left when at rest, representing the left-brain: the moon-mind, the rational, sequential intelligence) 2. Mahakaya — great-bodied (Ganesha's large body holds the universe — his stomach literally contains the cosmos; the Puranas describe him having eaten the entire universe in a single night) 3. Suryakoti Samaprabha — radiant as a billion suns (his intelligence outshines even cosmic solar energy) 4. Nirvighnam Kuru Me — make for me (a state of) being-obstacle-free 5. Deva — O divine one 6. Sarvakaryeshu — in all undertakings, in all activities 7. Sarvada — always, at all times

Full meaning: "O curved-trunk one, great-bodied, radiant as a billion suns — make me obstacle-free in all activities, always, O divine one."

The shloka is deceptively simple — two lines — but its request is total: not "remove this specific obstacle" but "make me obstacle-free in all things, at all times." This is Ganesha's fullest gift: not the removal of specific problems but the establishment of an obstacle-free state as the baseline condition of the practitioner's life.

Mantra 4: Mooshika Vahana Stotram

The Mooshika Vahana Stotram is an 8-verse composition praising Ganesha specifically through his vehicle — the mouse (Mooshika). In Puranic symbolism, the mouse represents the restless, gnawing mind — the Vritti (mental fluctuations) that constantly nibble at the grain of present-moment awareness. Ganesha riding the mouse signifies the mastery of the divine intelligence over the restless mind. Reciting this stotra on Sankashti Chaturthi specifically addresses mental obstacles — anxiety, indecision, intrusive thoughts, and the overthinking that blocks action.

Opening verse: मूषिकवाहन मोदकहस्त चामरकर्ण विलम्बितसूत्र । वामनरूप महेश्वरपुत्र विघ्नविनायक पाद नमस्ते ॥

Mushika-vahana modaka-hasta chamara-karna vilambitasutra |

Vamana-rupa Maheshvara-putra Vighna-Vinayaka pada namaste ||

Meaning: "O mouse-rider, modaka-holder, fan-eared, sacred-thread-wearing, dwarf-formed, son of Maheshvara, remover of obstacles, Vinayaka — I bow at your feet."

The Mooshika Vahana Stotram is recited once during the Sankashti evening puja, typically after the Sankatanashana Stotra and before the moon-sighting. Its 8 verses address Ganesha's 8 primary forms (Ashta-Vinayaka), making it a compact meditation on the full spectrum of his obstacle-removing power.

Mantra 5: Ganesha Ashtothram (108 Names)

The Ganesha Ashtothram — 108 names of Ganesha — from the Ganesha Purana is the comprehensive Ganesha worship text. On Sankashti Chaturthi, the Ashtothram is recited as the central puja act — each name accompanied by a flower or modaka (sweet ball) offering.

Key names from the Ashtothram particularly relevant to Sankashti:

1. Om Vighnarajaya Namah — Lord of obstacles (who both creates and removes them) 2. Om Ganadyakshaya Namah — Chief of the Ganas (divine attendants of Shiva) 3. Om Vinayakaya Namah — The leader, the one who takes the devotee forward 4. Om Dhumraketave Namah — Smoke-bannered (the one who arrives like the smoke before fire — presaging transformation) 5. Om Ganadhyakshaya Namah — Supervisor of divine forces 6. Om Phalachandraya Namah — Moon of results — he who gives the fruit of actions 7. Om Gajavaktraya Namah — Elephant-faced 8. Om Surasevitaya Namah — Worshipped by the gods themselves 9. Om Brahmapujitaya Namah — Worshipped by Brahma — he takes precedence even over the Creator 10. Om Shankaratatmajaya Namah — Son of Shankara (Shiva)

For practitioners with limited time on Sankashti Chaturthi, reciting these 10 names 11 times each (110 repetitions) serves as a condensed Ashtothram practice.

> Quick Answer: The Mooshika Vahana Stotram (8 verses) addresses mental obstacles by invoking the symbolism of Ganesha's mouse-vehicle — the mastery of divine intelligence over the restless mind. The Ganesha Ashtothram (108 names) is the comprehensive daily practice; on Sankashti, it serves as the central puja act with flower or modaka offerings for each name.

Mantra 6: The Ganesha Beej Mantra — GAM

Gam (also written GAM) is the seed syllable (Beej Mantra) of Ganesha. In Sanskrit phonology, Ga is the sound associated with the planet Jupiter's generative force (Guru/Jupiter rules knowledge and expansion; Ganesha's role as remover of obstacles to knowledge makes this connection precise). The final m (Anusvara) transforms the syllable from a consonant into a resonant that vibrates in the skull cavity, creating the internal experience of Ganesha's presence.

Full Beej Mantra: ॐ गं गणपतये नमः Om Gam Ganapataye Namah

Meaning: Om — Gam (Ganesha's seed sound) — Ganapataye (to Ganapati, the lord of Ganas) — Namah (I bow/I honour).

The Beej Mantra Om Gam Ganapataye Namah is recited 108 times on Sankashti Chaturthi using a Rudraksha or tulsi mala. The pace is approximately one repetition per breath cycle — slow, intentional, with the awareness resting on Gam during each recitation. This is the most concentrated form of Ganesha's energy — a single syllable carrying the entirety of his obstacle-removing power.

For Angaraki Chaturthi (Sankashti falling on Tuesday), the count is increased to 1,008 repetitions, typically completed across three separate sessions during the day.

Mantra 7: Ganapataye Namah — 108-Count Method

The expanded form of the Beej practice is the recitation of Om Ganapataye Namah 108 times on a mala, which can be combined with physical flower offerings — placing one flower or one grain of Durva grass (Ganesha's sacred grass) with each repetition, building a small offering pile at the base of the Ganesha idol as the count progresses.

The Durva Grass significance: Durva (Cynodon dactylon — Bermuda grass) is Ganesha's most sacred offering, more important even than modaka in the Atharva Veda's Ganesha tradition. The Ganesha Purana explains that Durva was the grass on which the demon Analasura was subdued — Ganesha swallowed the demon's fire and was burning internally until the 88,000 sages brought him Durva, whose cooling energy neutralized the heat. Offering Durva on Sankashti Chaturthi connects the practitioner to this act of bringing relief to Ganesha himself — an act of reciprocal devotion.

Combined protocol: Recite Om Ganapataye Namah 108 times. With each of the 108 repetitions, place one blade of Durva grass (or one flower petal if Durva is unavailable) before the Ganesha idol. After 108 repetitions, the accumulated offering forms a visible mound — a physical representation of 108 completed acts of devotion.

> Quick Answer: The Ganesha Beej Mantra Gam is the seed syllable of Ganesha — recited 108 times on a mala on Sankashti Chaturthi, and 1,008 times on Angaraki Chaturthi (when Sankashti falls on Tuesday). Om Gam Ganapataye Namah combined with Durva grass offerings — one blade per repetition — is the most traditional home practice for Sankashti day.

The moon-sighting ritual is the defining feature of Sankashti Chaturthi that distinguishes it from other fasting observances. The fast is not broken at sunset, at a fixed clock time, or at any internal signal of hunger — it is broken exclusively at the moment the moon rises and is sighted.

Why the moon? Ganesha and the moon share a mythological connection rooted in the Ganesha Purana. Once, Chandra (the Moon God) laughed at Ganesha's rotund appearance after Ganesha had eaten so many modakas at a feast that his stomach burst, forcing him to tie a snake around it. Ganesha cursed the Moon: "Anyone who looks at you on Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely accused." This is why seeing the moon on Vinayaka Chaturthi (the Shukla Paksha version) is considered inauspicious. However, Chandra eventually repented and Ganesha, satisfied with sincere apology, modified the curse and created the specific relationship that makes moon-sighting the culminating ritual of Sankashti Chaturthi. The moon-sighting on Sankashti day is an act of reconciliation — the devotee acknowledging both Ganesha's power and the moon's repentance and renewal.

The Chandradarshana (moon-sighting) ritual:

1. After the evening puja is complete — the Sankatanashana Stotra, Ganesha Gayatri, and Beej Mantra have been recited — the devotee goes outside and waits for moonrise. 2. When the crescent moon appears, offer water (Arghya) with folded hands: hold a copper vessel of water at chest height, recite Om Chandrayaya Namah three times, and pour the water toward the moon. 3. Recite this verse while pouring: क्षीरोदार्णव-सम्भूत अत्रिगोत्र-समुद्भव | गृहाण अर्घ्यं मया दत्तं रोहिण्या सहितो भव || "Born from the Milk Ocean, descendant of Atri's lineage — accept this Arghya I give, may you be accompanied by Rohini." 4. After the water offering, the fast is broken. The traditional breaking food is modaka (sweet rice ball filled with coconut and jaggery) — Ganesha's favourite, the sweet that was the cause of the Moon-curse story. 5. The first food is not eaten alone but offered to Ganesha in the form of Naivedya, and then consumed as Prasad.

> Quick Answer: On Sankashti Chaturthi, the fast is broken by sighting the rising moon and offering it water (Arghya) with Om Chandrayaya Namah and the Chandradarshana verse. The first food broken is modaka (Ganesha's sacred sweet). This moon-sighting ritual is not optional — it is the act that completes the Sankashti observance.

All dates are the Krishna Paksha Chaturthi (4th waning moon) for each month of 2026. Angaraki Chaturthi (falling on Tuesday) is marked.

Month | Date | Day | Note

• January — January 22, 2026 — Thursday — —
• February — February 20, 2026 — Friday — —
• March — March 22, 2026 — Sunday — —
• April — April 21, 2026 — Tuesday — Angaraki Chaturthi
• May — May 20, 2026 — Wednesday — —
• June — June 19, 2026 — Friday — —
• July — July 18, 2026 — Saturday — —
• August — August 17, 2026 — Monday — —
• September — September 15, 2026 — Tuesday — Angaraki Chaturthi
• October — October 15, 2026 — Thursday — —
• November — November 13, 2026 — Friday — —
• December — December 13, 2026 — Sunday — —

Angaraki Chaturthi in April and September 2026 are the most potent Sankashti days of the year. Devotees observing the 1,008-repetition Beej Mantra practice should reserve these two dates for the intensified protocol.

> Quick Answer: There are 12 Sankashti Chaturthi observances in 2026. Two fall on Tuesdays — April 21 and September 15 — becoming Angaraki Chaturthi, the most potent form. On these days, the Beej Mantra count increases to 1,008 and many temples conduct all-night Ganesha vigils.