श्री गणेश प्रश्नावलीGanesh Prashnavali from the twelve names of the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra

What Is the Ganesh Prashnavali?

Ganesha is remembered before every beginning, so a Ganesh Prashnavali is the natural place to ask about something you are about to start. This one is built on the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra from the Narada Purana, the short hymn that names Ganesha twelve times and promises that whoever recites the twelve names morning, noon and evening will have no fear of obstacles.

The chart has 36 numbers. The number you choose leads to one of the twelve names, each appearing three times among the numbers, so every answer has an equal chance. Each name is shown with the line of the stotra it comes from, what the name means, and a reading of whether your matter is favourable.

It is also searched for as the Ganpati Prashnavali, Vinayak Prashnavali or Bappa Prashnavali; it is the same chart. With every name explained, the page also serves as the twelve names of the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra with their meaning.

Read the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra with meaning

The Twelve Names and Their Answers

1. वक्रतुण्ड
   प्रथमं वक्रतुण्डं च
   Vakratunda, the one with the curved trunk: first of the twelve names. He bends what is crooked back to the straight path.
   Begin. The crooked road straightens for those who start with his name. Yes. (Yes)
2. एकदन्त
   एकदन्तं द्वितीयकम्
   Ekadanta, the one with a single tusk: the second name. He broke his own tusk to write the Mahabharata, the sign of one-pointed effort and of a sacrifice made for a greater work.
   The task needs one-pointed attention and a small sacrifice. Decide what you are willing to give up for it; then it goes through. Wait until you have. (Wait)
3. कृष्णपिङ्गाक्ष
   तृतीयं कृष्णपिङ्गाक्षं
   Krishnapingaksha, the one with dark, tawny eyes: the third name. Eyes that see through appearances to what lies behind them.
   Something is not as it appears. Look at the matter again, and at the people in it, before you commit. Not now. (Not now)
4. गजवक्त्र
   गजवक्त्रं चतुर्थकम्
   Gajavaktra, the elephant-faced: the fourth name. The elephant stands for strength that is patient and a memory that forgets nothing.
   Strength and patience together. Yes; carry it through the long way, and remember what you learnt the last time. (Yes)
5. लम्बोदर
   लम्बोदरं पञ्चमं च
   Lambodara, the one with the great belly: the fifth name. The belly that holds the whole universe and digests everything, sweet and bitter alike.
   Whatever comes will be absorbed and turned to good. Accept the whole of it, not only the pleasant part. Yes. (Yes)
6. विकट
   षष्ठं विकटमेव च
   Vikata, the formidable one, of fearsome form: the sixth name. The face he shows when the way is hard.
   The road is harder than you think it is. Not now; prepare more, gather what you lack, and ask again. (Not now)
7. विघ्नराज
   सप्तमं विघ्नराजेन्द्रं
   Vighnaraja, the king of obstacles: the seventh name. He places obstacles and he removes them; both are his.
   An obstacle stands here, and it stands on purpose. Do not fight it. Wait, and it will be lifted by the same hand that placed it. (Wait)
8. धूम्रवर्ण
   धूम्रवर्णं तथाष्टमम्
   Dhumravarna, the smoke-coloured one: the eighth name. A form seen as if through haze, where the outlines are not yet clear.
   Things are hazy and the shape of the matter is not yet clear. Wait for the smoke to clear before you act; it will. (Wait)
9. भालचन्द्र
   नवमं भालचन्द्रं च
   Bhalachandra, the one with the moon on his brow: the ninth name. The moon is coolness, a mind that stays calm.
   Keep a cool head and it is yours. Decide calmly, speak calmly, and say yes. (Yes)
10. विनायक
    दशमं तु विनायकम्
    Vinayaka, the supreme leader, the one with no master above him: the tenth name.
    Take the lead yourself. Yes; do not wait for someone else's permission to do what is yours to do. (Yes)
11. गणपति
    एकादशं गणपतिं
    Ganapati, lord of the ganas, of the hosts and groups: the eleventh name. Work that is done together.
    Not alone. With the right people beside you, yes. Choose them well and share the work. (Yes)
12. गजानन
    द्वादशं तु गजाननम्
    Gajanana, the elephant-faced one: the twelfth and last name. Here the stotra ends and promises that whoever recites the twelve names has no fear of obstacles and gains what he seeks.
    The full round is complete. Success, with the obstacles gone. Yes. (Yes)

Rules of the Prashnavali

• Ask one question at a time.
• Do not ask the same question repeatedly.
• No more than three questions in a day.
• Read the answer with faith and reflect on it. For important decisions, also use your own judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ganesh Prashnavali free?

Yes. It is free, with no sign-up and no login.

Where do the twelve names come from?

From the Sankat Nashan Ganesh Stotra of the Narada Purana, which lists them in order from Vakratunda to Gajanana.

Is this the Ganpati prashnavali?

Yes. Ganesh, Ganpati, Vinayak and Bappa are names of the same Lord, and this is the one prashnavali for all of them.

Does it give a yes or no answer?

Each answer ends with Yes, Wait or Not now, along with the name and its meaning.

Can I ask the same question again?

By tradition, not on the same day. Ask once, with faith, and reflect on the answer.

Are the answers true?

A prashnavali is a devotional practice. Devotees read the answers with faith and find guidance in them. It is not a guarantee of any outcome.

More prashnavalis on this site

• Ram Shalaka Prashnavali: 225 letters from Shri Ramcharitmanas leading to nine chaupais
• Hanuman Prashnavali: a chakra of 49 numbers with a yes or no answer
• Sai Baba Prashnavali: 720 numbered answers
• Shiv Prashnavali: the eight verses of the Rudrashtakam and its closing verse
• Durga Prashnavali: the nine forms of Navadurga
• Khatu Shyam Prashnavali: eleven names of Shyam Baba