The Jaya Ganesha Chant

The Jaya Ganesha chant is usually incorporated at the beginning of satsang (a spiritual gathering) within yoga communities of the Sivananda tradition. As a lively, happy and joyous melody, its intention is to open the heart, accentuate humility of spirit, create vibrations of gratitude and proclaim a state of blissful togetherness.

This type of spiritual chanting is known as Kirtan. Customarily, it is led by one person or small group of people, involves the participation of the audience and is accompanied by drums, accordions, harmoniums, cymbals and other musical instruments. As a form of Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion), it expels darkness and creates a heightened state of consciousness.

Kirtan is usually chanted in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. The reason why it is so powerful is because its phonetics, syllables and sound patterns contain mystical energies that directly correspond to the nadis, or subtle nerve channels of the astral body. Therefore, it is essential to sing with the correct pronunciation, have an attitude of devotion and be aware of what the words actually mean.

“One can realize God through kirtan alone.”
—Swami Sivananda

The Jaya Ganesha chant begins by invoking the divine virtues of the elephant-headed Ganesha, one of the most widely adored deities in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. It goes on to pay tribute to various other gods and goddesses who are all, in fact, representations of one supreme being: God. Or as some may call it, the Higher Self. The song also praises the teachings and legacies of Swami Sivananda, whose efforts made it possible for people around the world to experience this authentic style of Yoga.

Listen, join in and feel the waves of rejoicing in your body, mind and spirit!

Jaya Ganesha

Jaya Ganesha, Jaya Ganesha, Jaya Ganesha Pāhimām
Sri Ganesha, Sri Ganesha, Sri Ganesha Rakshamām
Hail Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, protect me.
Dear Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, rescue me.

Sharavanabhava, Sharavanabhava, Sharavanabhava Pāhimām
Subramanya, Subramanya, Subramanya Rakshamām
Sharavanabhava, son of Shiva, protect me.
Subramanya, son of Shiva, rescue me.

Jaya Saraswati, Jaya Saraswati, Jaya Saraswati Pāhimām
Sri Saraswati, Sri Saraswati, Sri Saraswati Rakshamām
Hail Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, protect me.
Dear Saraswati, goddess of wisdom, rescue me.

Jaya Guru, Shiva Guru, Hari Guru Rām
Jagat Guru, Param Guru, Sadguru Shyām
Hail to my Teacher, in the form of Shiva, Vishnu and Rama
Guru of the world, supreme guru, the true guru of Krishna

Om Ādi Guru, Advaita Guru, Ānanda Guru Om
Chid Guru, Chidghana Guru, Chinmaya Guru Om
The original guru, the guru of non-duality, the guru of bliss,
The guru of absolute knowledge who embodies pure consciousness

Haré Rāma, Haré Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Haré Haré
Haré Krishna, Haré Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Haré Haré
(The Great Mantra, or “Maha Mantra”)
Praise to Rama, king of morality and virtue.
Praise to Krishna, lord of love, knowledge and beauty.

Sadguru Nātha, Sri Guru Nātha
Jaya Guru Nātha, Sivananda
The true master guru, dear master guru
Hail master guru, Sivananda.

Sivananda Sivananda
Sivananda Sadguru Deva
Sivananda, the true divine master.

Vishnudevananda Vishnudevananda
Vishnudevananda Sri Guru Nātha
Vishnudevananda, dear master guru.

Haré Rāma, Haré Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Haré Haré
Haré Krishna, Haré Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Haré Haré
(The Great Mantra, or “Maha Mantra”)
Praise to Rama, king of morality and virtue.
Praise to Krishna, lord of love, knowledge and beauty.

Om Namah Shivāya Om Namah Shivāya
Om Namah Shivāya Om Namah Shivāya
Om, I bow to the auspicious and benevolent Shiva,
who is, in fact, my divine higher self.

Om Namo Nārāyanāya Om Namo Nārāyanāya
Om Namo Nārāyanāya Om Namo Nārāyanāya
Om, I bow to Narayana, the state of peace and rest.

Om Namo Bhagavaté Vāsudevāya
Om Namo Bhagavaté Vāsudevāya
Om, I bow in reverence to the supreme Vasudevaya,
who lives in all beings.

Om Namo Bhagavaté Sivanandaya
Om Namo Bhagavaté Sadguru Nāthāya
Om, I bow in reverence to Master Sivananda.
Om, I bow in reverence to the true divine master.

Om Namo Bhagavaté Vishnudevanandaya
Om Namo Bhagavaté Sri Guru Nāthāya
Om, I bow in reverence to Swami Vishnudevananda.
Om, I bow in reverence to the dear master guru.

Sri Rām Jaya Rām Jaya Jaya Rām Om
Sri Rām Jaya Rām Jaya Jaya Rām Om
Hail dear Rama, king of righteousness and divine conduct.

Anjaneya Anjaneya Anjaneya Pāhimām
Hanumanta Hanumanta Hanumanta Rakshamām
Anjaneya, the master of perfect devotion, protect me.
Hanuman, the master of perfect devotion, rescue me.

Dattātreya Dattātreya Dattātreya Pāhimām
Dattaguru Dattaguru Dattaguru Rakshamām
Dattatreya, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, protect me.
Guru Dattatreya, the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, rescue me.

Shankarachārya Shankarachārya Shankarachārya Pāhimām
Advaita Guru Advaita Guru Advaita Guru Rakshamām
Shankarachārya, the great master, protect me.
Guru of non-duality, rescue me.

Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum
Shri Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum
Salutations Krishna, the dear guru of the world,
it’s to you that we owe all knowledge.

Ānandoham Ānandoham Ānandam Brahmānandam
I am bliss, I am bliss; bliss absolute, bliss I am.

Om Namah Shivāya Om Namah Shivāya
Om Namah Shivāya Om Namah Shivāya
Om, I bow to the auspicious and benevolent Shiva,
who is, in fact, my divine higher self.