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| Author(s) | dubey Shukla |
| Platform | Bharatiya Jnana Sarita |
| Categories | Speech and Linguistics |
| Year | 2026 |
| Type of Article | Original Beginner |
| Difficulty Level | Beginner |
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Worshiped at the start of all rituals, journeys, and sacred undertakings, Gaṇapati - as the younger son of Devī Pārvatī and Bhagavān Śiva - is regarded as the ‘Lord of Obstacles’ or Vighnarāja. His other popular names are Gaṇeśa, Vināyaka, and Vighneśvara.
Paurānika Legends of Gaṇapati
Gaṇapati’s various aspects, which establish him to be the most revered deity in Sanātana Dharma, are reflected in names like Vināyaka, Dvaimātura, Gaṇādhipa, Ekadanta, Heramba, Lambodara, and Gajānana; as listed in the Amarakośa [1]. According to paurāṇika lore, Bhagavān Śiva willed Gaṇapati to facilitate the devas, or hinder the asuras in performing yajñas, sacrifices, and other rituals to gain boons.
Gaṇapati, endowed with intelligence as buddhidātā and with a bountiful nature as siddhidātā, is commonly shown with a single elephant head. As Śurpakarna, he is depicted with large ears. Except in rare cases, he is usually adorned with two small eyes. As Vakratuṇḍa, he is depicted with a trunk that usually curves to the left, and his form with a right-curving trunk is rare. One of his tusks is broken, earning him the epithet Ekadanta. There are two popular paurāṇika versions of how he broke this tusk. The first states that he hurled it to humble Candra Deva, who had mocked him for eating too much and bursting his belly in a subsequent fall [2]. The second narration relates to how he stood guard during his father’s rest and refused Paraśurāma’s request for an audience with Bhagavān Śiva. Enraged at the denial, Paraśurāma hurled his divine axe at Gaṇapati. Out of respect for the weapon created by Bhagavān Śiva, Gaṇapati allowed the axe to strike his tusk, which broke upon impact [3].
Iconography and Symbols
The iconographic form of Gaṇapati, the ‘Lord of All Creation’, is shaped over time through vaidika, paurāṇika, and tāntrika traditions. As Lambodara, his large belly denotes the ability to contain and absorb the experiences of the universe. The mouse, as his vāhana, represents the restless human desires brought under spiritual control. A majority of the sculptures represent him in the four-armed form. Of his three hands, one holds a modaka or laḍḍu (Indian sweets) to denote bliss through the pursuit of knowledge, another holds an aṅkuśa (goad) to guide and direct, a third holds a pāśa (noose) to showcase restraint, and the fourth hand is usually depicted in abhaya mudrā, blessing the devotee. However, sometimes he is depicted with other sacred objects in his hands like a stylus, a jackfruit, a coconut, etc. Usually depicted in lalitāsana or mahārājalīlā with the left leg folded, Gaṇapati is shown seated with royal ease. When he is represented in the standing form, it is in dvibhaṅga (two bends) or tribhaṅga (three bends) form.
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References:
- Source Article: Chodavarapu, S. P. (2026 February 12).. Symbolism of Gaṇapati. Brhat. https://www.brhat.in/dhiti/iconographyofganapati
[1] Shastri A. R. (1964). Amarakosha with translation [Amarakośa 1.1.40–41]. Digital Library of India. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.446136/page/n223/mode/2up
[2] Mudgala Purana Sanskrit (Vol. 4 Gajananacharitam, adhyaya 6 Chandradoṣaharaṇacharita p. 12). (1976, October). Mudgala Purana Prakashana Mandala in collaboration, with Nirnaya Sagara Press. https://archive.org/details/mudgala-purana-s/page/n423/mode/2up
[3] Brahma Vaivarta Purana (p. 407). (2018). Gita Press, Gorakhpur.