12 Powerful Names of Lord Ganesha from Narada Purana
In Narada Purana, Sage Naradha introduces the 12 names and forms of Lord Ganesha that are deeply connected to the 12 Zodiac signs through a sloka called Sankata Nashak Stotram.
- Vakratunda – Lord Ganesha with a Curved Trunk. Sign – Aries,
- Ekadanta -Lord Ganesha who has a Single Tusk. Sign – Taurus,
- Krishna Pingaksha – Lord Ganesha who has Dark Brown Eyes. Sign – Gemini,
- Gajavaktra – Lord Ganesha who has an elephant face. Sign- Cancer,
- Lambodara – Lord Ganesha who has a Large belly. Sign- Leo,
- Vikata- Lord Ganesha who has a massive body. Sign- Virgo,
- Vighnaraja – Lord Ganesha who is the best at smashing obstacles. Sign -Libra,
- Dhoomravarna – Lord Ganesha who resembles the grey colored elephant. Sign – Scorpio),
- Balachandra – Lord Ganesha who has Moon on the Forehead. Sign – Sagittarius,
- Vinayaka- Lord Ganesha who has the power to remove bad karma. Sign – Capricorn,
- Ganapathi – The chief of Ganas or the celestial beings. Sign – Aquarius,
- Gajanana- Lord Ganesha who is has the face of an elephant. Sign- Pisces.
This Sankata Nashak Stotram holds many benefits as narrated by Sage Naradha. He goes on to explain,
“He Who recites these Twelve Names of Lord Ganesha during the three Sandhya kalas (twilight) of the day (dawn, noon, and evening) To him, there will be no fear of obstacles and success be accomplished by the Grace of Sri Ganesha.
By reciting these 12 glorious names, the seekers of Knowledge will be blessed with Knowledge, the seekers of wealth will obtain grand wealth, the seekers of progeny will be blessed with lucky progeny and the seekers of Moksha -Liberation will attain enlightenment. They will never have to fear failure and there will only be good fortune in their life. Reciting this divine hymn of Lord Ganesha for six continuous months, one will start reaping the fruits, and by reciting for one full year, a devotee will be blessed with the desired result or fulfilment of their wish, and there is no doubt about this. He says that every devotee should bow their head and worship Lord Ganesha, ask for longevity and instant clearance of all problems”
Narad Uvaach
Pranamy Shirsa Devam Gauri Putram Vinayakam
Bhaktavasam Smarennityam Aayuhkamartha Siddhaye
Prathamam Vakratundam Cha Ekdantam Dwitiyakam
Trutiyam Krishna Pingaksham Gajvaktram Chaturthakam
Lambodaram Pancha Mancha Shastham Vikatameva Cha
Saptamam Vighnarajendram Dhoomravarnam Tathaashtamam
Navamam Bhalchandram Cha Dashamam Tu Vinayakam
Ekadasham Ganpatim Dwadasham Tu Gajananam
Dwadashaitani Namani Trisandhyam Yah Pathennarah
Na Cha Vighnabhyam Tasya Sarvasiddhikaram Prabho
Vidyarthi Labhte Vidyam Dhanarthi Labhte Dhanam
Putrarthi Labhte Putranmoksharthi Labhte Gatim
Japet Ganpati Stotram Shadbhairmasaihi Phalam Labhet
Samvatsaren Siddhim Cha Labhte Natra Sanshayah
Ashtabhyo Brahmanebhyascha Likhitwayah Samarpayet
Tasya Vidya Bhavetsarva Ganeshasya Prasadatah
Iti Shri Naradpurane Sankashtanashanam Naam
Shri Ganeshstotram Sampoornam