These two short verses are said before any puja, exam, journey or new business. They are the quickest way to begin with a prayer to Ganesh.
Ganesh Shlokas: Vakratunda and Shuklambaradharam: full text
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा॥
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्।
प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये॥
In Roman letters
Vakratunda mahakaya surya koti sama prabha
Nirvighnam kuru me deva sarva karyeshu sarvada
Shuklambaradharam Vishnum shashivarnam chaturbhujam
Prasanna vadanam dhyayet sarva vighnopashantaye
Meaning in simple words
"Vakratunda" says: O curved-trunked, big-bodied Lord, bright as a crore of suns, make all my work free of obstacles, always. "Shuklambaradharam" says: we meditate on the Lord who wears white, is all-pervading, moon-coloured, four-armed and cheerful-faced, so that every obstacle is calmed.
How to recite it
Bathe, sit in a clean place, light a diya and read with a calm mind. For an aarti, sing together and ring the bell. Check today's panchang for the best day and time. Today's panchang.
Questions people ask
When should I recite the Ganesh Shlokas: Vakratunda and Shuklambaradharam?
Before starting any work, and on Wednesdays. You can also read it on any day with faith.
Who wrote the Ganesh Shlokas: Vakratunda and Shuklambaradharam?
Traditional shlokas.