The Birth of Ganesha
Om Shree Ganeshaya Namah
In Hinduism, this one mantra dedicated to Lord Ganesha holds a powerful blessing: it is considered a cure-all, capable of removing every hindrance, attracting fortunes and brightening life’s path. A marriage, entry into a new home, before any major enterprise or other important occasion is incomplete without reverence of Lord Ganesha. Remembering him before any significant event grants the worshipper strength and protection ensuring their success. There is so much to Lord Ganesha that he continues to hold sway over many hearts and minds!
The story of Ganesha’s birth is as fascinating as the mantra’s potent blessing.
Story of Ganesha: Kalamkari Painting by Harinath.N
A popular narrative surrounding the birth of Ganesha links him to the generative prowess of Shiva’s consort, Goddess Parvati. As per the story described in Shiv Purana, Parvati sculpted a boy out of her body scrub before her ritual bathing and breathed life into him naming him her son and endowing him with strength. She instructed him to guard the door while she bathed. Unaware, Ganesha was about to face Shiva, his mother’s consort. When Shiva arrived and found himself barred from entry, he engaged in a battle with the young lad, oblivious that he was fighting his son. In the heat of the battle, Shiva severed Ganesha’s head from the torso. Upon realising his mistake, Shiva placed the head of a young elephant on the body of the child Ganesha.
Ganesha Chaturthi is among the most widespread festivals celebrated during monsoons across India. In the end, the idols are carried to the local rivers. What characterises the whole procession is the thunderous drumming, singing and energetic dancing that surge from the wave of worshippers.
Ganesha Chalisa in Phad by Kalyan Joshi
The Iconography of Ganesha- Decoding his representation in paintings
Lord Ganesha is a confluence of symbolism, he is a melting point of all the wisdom humans need to know to live a balanced life. Such is the iconography of Ganesha, every element of his form, from his large ears and elephant head to his small eyes and potbelly, carries profound explanations highlighting his diverse teachings. In traditional iconography, the lord of abundance and happiness is often depicted with his two wives Riddhi or Buddhi and Siddhi. As per the GaneshaPurana, Riddhi and Siddhi were conceived by Brahma’s mind. Riddhi represents prosperity and knowledge while Siddhi embodies perfection and fruition of one’s endeavour. One version of the story tells that when Ganesha became too playful for the other gods to manage, Brahma created Riddhi and Siddhi so Ganesha could marry them and find contentment. Indeed, Ganesha’s divine presence comes more alive when he is worshipped with his two beloved wives.
Divine entity – Lord Ganesh’s Benediction, Sea foam Art by Harsh Verdhan Chhajed
Elephant Head:
Out of the many names ascribed to Ganesha, he is also dearly referred to as Gajanan, meaning one possessing the head of an elephant. The big head of an elephant represents the value of thinking big, making the utmost use of one’s intelligence and committing to lifelong learning. The head also stands for power and prosperity.
Ganesha: A Zari Zardozi Marvel by Mohd. Bilal
Small Eyes:
The small yet sharp pair of eyes signify the power concentration, the ability to see beyond the ordinary, persuading the observer to use other senses to achieve the best outcomes.
Long wide ears and small mouth:
A reminder to listen more and speak less.
Left-facing trunk and Right-facing trunk:
The trunk represents high efficiency and adaptability. Equally important is Ganesh’s trunk. If the trunk is placed left, it is called GaneshaVaastu or Riddhi Ganesh, symbolising the peaceful aspects of Ganesha. Householders often prefer this orientation to promote tranquillity and enhance inner peace. Conversely, when the trunk faces the right direction, it is Dakshinmukhi or Siddhi-Vinayak. The rules governing the prayers of this form of Ganesha are highly rigid. This aggressive form of Ganesha generates powerful energy and is favoured for achieving success and getting tasks done efficiently.
Ganesha, Kerala Mural Painting by V.M Jijulal
Broken tusk:
In his incarnation as Ekdanta, meaning ‘someone having one tusk, he is said to have conquered Madasura, who, swollen with pride, tormented the smaller gods. The Shiv Purana narrates that when Shiva accidentally severed the head of Ganesha, he later replaced it with the head of the single-tusked elephant calf bringing Ganesha back to life. However, the most widely recounted tale is about Ganesha’s role as the steadfast scribe of the Mahabharata for the Ved Vyasa. In this story, Ganesha breaks off his tusk to use it as a stylus when it snaps just as he is about to complete the epic.
Hands:
Often depicted with four arms, Ganesha is also shown with 2, 6, 8, 10 and even 16 arms in various forms or mudras, each holding objects or weapons that symbolise special purposes. Let’s explore some common hand gestures of Ganesha.
- Modak- The Modak is a reward born out of Sadhna and perseverance. It is sweet, like the fruit of a job well done.
- Axe (Prashu)- The axe has dual meanings: the most obvious is removing obstacles while it also serves as a reminder of the detachment necessary for achieving ultimate tranquillity.
- Blessings- Lord Ganesha never runs out of blessings, he is always there protecting those on their path to Supreme.
- Rope- The rope to bring the seeker closer to the highest goal.
Lord Ganesha in Miniature Painting by Mohan Prajapati
Big Stomach:
A potbelly is a signature feature of Ganesha. His potbelly is a symbol of affluence and abundance. The big belly also serves as a reminder to digest every aspect of life, good or bad, without complaint.
Mouse:
The mount or the vahana of Ganesha is a mouse. The mouse is a symbol of the restless mind and worldly desires that need to be kept in control so that wisdom and intellect can prevail.
Forms of Ganesha
Ganesha, Phad painting by Kalyan Joshi
The name Ganesha is a compound of two words. The first part, “gana”, refers to the troops of guards, warriors, or lesser gods, particularly those attendants who have devoted themselves to Shiva and Parvati. The second component, “-ish” or “-esh”, stands for someone in authority- lord, master, or ruler. In this context, “Ganesh” simply translates to the “lord of Shiva’s followers. Other commonly endearing names for Ganesha include Ekdanta (One Tusked), Ganapati (Lord of Ganas), Lambodara (One with a dangling belly), Vighneshwara (Lord of Obstacles), and Vinayaka (Remover of Obstacles). It is necessary to note that the elephant-headed God has as many forms, just as he has many names. The Ganesha Purana mentions 32 forms of Ganapati. Let’s uncover these forms:
Bal Ganapati
Bal Ganapati is a “child-like” form of Ganesha. The depiction emphasises his playful nature and innocence. He often holds banana, sugarcane, mango and jackfruit, all representing the generative nature of Mother Earth. He even appears to hold a modak in his trunk. Bal Ganesha shines with the gorgeous, golden hue of the rising sun.
Taruna Ganapati
Taruna Ganapati with a vibrant, red skin tone, is depicted with eight arms. Taruna Ganapati is the “youthful form” of Ganesh. In his right hands, he is often seen holding a tusk, wood apple, a sprig of paddy and an elephant goad. While his left-hand holds modak, rose-apple, noose and sugarcane branch.
Bhakti Ganapati
Garlanded with flowers, Bhakti Ganapati is dear to many devotees. He is depicted in the colour of a shining full moon. He is four-armed. Bhakti Ganapati, common in South India, is seen holding a banana, a mango, a coconut and a bowl of sweet payasam (milk pudding).
Veera Ganapati
The word Veera stands for “a valiant warrior”. In this form, he assumes a commanding position. He is seen in red, hence representing the fiercest form among all forms of Ganesha. His 16 arms are often equipped with gada (mace), noose, chakra (discus), sword, shield, mace, trident and more.
Shakti Ganapati
Seated with one of his Shakti on his knees, Shakti Ganapati is a four-armed Ganesha. He is often presented with a noose in one hand, and a garland of flowers in another, one hand is in Abhaya mudra, showering blessings to his devotees.
Dvija Ganapati
The twice-born Dwija Ganapati is represented by four heads (Chaturmukha). He shines with a gentle hue of moonlight. In his hands, he often holds a noose, a goad, a scripture, japa beads, a kamandala (water vessel), and a danda (a staff). He reminds the observer of the importance of striving with discipline.
Siddhi Ganapati
The golden-yellow Siddhi Ganapati is a four-armed Ganesha who personifies achievements and self-mastery. He is often seen holding richly hued flowers, an axe, mango, and sugarcane. In his trunk, he holds a sesame sweet.
Ucchishta Ganapati
Ucchishta Ganapati is the eighth form of Ganesha, the “Lord of Blessed Offerings” and guardian of culture. He is blue, and some scriptures describe him as black-complexioned. While he holds Shakti in one hand, his other hands are often occupied with Veena, japa mala, a sprig of fresh paddy, pomegranate, and a blue lotus flower.
Vighna Ganapati
He is the “Lord of Obstacles”. The golden hue image of Vighna Ganapati is bedecked with ornaments. His eight arms often hold a noose and an elephant goad, a broken tusk and modaka, conch and discuss, a bouquet, sugar cane and an axe.
Kshipra Ganapati
This form of Ganapati is believed to relieve the devotees immediately. Red-hued Shipra Ganapati is a giver of boons. The trunk of Ksshipra Ganapati holds ratnakumbha, a pot containing precious gold.
Herambha Ganapati
Herambha Ganapati is a ten-armed Ganapati. This is a rare form of Ganapati that is seen in the Kashi Vishwanath temple of Benaras. He is the “Protector of the Weak”. His first hand is posed in abhaya mudra, while the other hands hold an array of things like, japa beads, an axe, a hammer, a tusk, a garland, fruit, modaka, and noose.
Lakshmi Ganapati
Lakshmi Ganapati is a giver of the successor. He is white-hued, eight-armed, and is depicted sitting flanked by his consorts Riddhi and Siddhi. While Goddess Siddhi is responsible for achievement, Goddess Riddhi is responsible for wisdom. On the other hand, he often carries a pomegranate, a green parrot, a sword, an elephant goad, a noose, a sprig from Kalpavriksha, and a Kamanadala ( a water vessel).
Ganesha with Riddhi-Siddhi Oleograph by Raja Ravi Varma
Maha Ganapati
The Great Ganapati is red-complexioned. He is three-eyed. He often possesses a tusk, pomegranate, blue lily, sugar cane bow, discus, noose, lotus, paddy sprig, mace, a pot of gems, and discus. In addition, he is accompanied by one of his Shaktis - Riddhi or Siddhi.
Vijaya Ganapati
Vijaya Ganapati or the “Victorious Ganapati” is mounted on his mushika, or vehicle - the Mushaka. He is the bestower of success and four-armed. He often bears a golden mango, noose, elephant goad and tusk. Worshipping this form of Ganapati brings an auspicious outcome to the worshippers in all their ventures.
Ganesha Vandana, Phad Painting by Kalyan Joshi
Nritya Ganapati
He is one of the most fascinating forms of Ganapati. This happy dancer is four-armed. He often holds tusk, goad, noose, and modak (sweet). He appears in a dancing posture often with one leg under the Kapilavriksha tree. This form of exuberant Ganapati grants proficiency in fine art to the devotees.
Dancing Ganesha, Tanjore Painting by Sanjay Tandekar
Urdhava Ganapati
Presented in a golden hue, the Urdhava Ganapati or “the Elevated Ganapati” is seated holding one of his Shakti (his consort) resting on his left thigh. In his six hands, he often grasps a sprig of paddy, a lotus, a blue lily, an arrow, a maze, and his ivory tusk. He removes the hurdles and elevates the lives of his devotees.
Ekakshara Ganapati
Here we see a form of Ganesha comfortably sitting on a lotus. Ekakshara which translates to “Single Syllable Ganapati”. He is three-eyed with a crescent moon like his father, Lord Shiva; he has a reddish complexion. From one hand he bestows blessings, with the other four hands, he often clasps elements such as a pomegranate, a noose and a goad.
Ganesha in Kangra Miniature by Anshu Mohan
Varda Ganapati
“The Boon-giver” is a four-armed Vinayaka, depicted with a third eye and crescent moon. With his consort sitting on his left lap, Varda Ganapati is often depicted clutching a dish made from honey, a noose, elephant goad (ankusa), with ratnakumbha (pot of jewels) on his trunk. Next to him is his Shakti.
Thrayakshara Ganapati
“The Lord of three letters” (A-U-M) is depicted in gold. His big floppy ears and fly whisks add an interesting touch to the illustration. His hands are often equipped with a broken tusk, a noose, a mango, a goad and we see a sweet modak in his trunk. Meditating upon his beej mantra every day bestowes the meditator with spiritual knowledge.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati
Which is equivalent to “the Quick Rewarder” is depicted as crimson-coloured. He is six-armed Vinayaka. His big belly embodies the manifestation of the universe. In his six hands, he often holds a noose, goad, tusk, a white lotus, pomegranate, and twig of kalpavriksha ( a wish-fulfilling tree).
Haridra Ganapati
Haridra Ganapati gleams with a golden hue, he sits tranquilly in his regal throne. He appears in an eye-catching bright yellow vestment. Along with his broken tusk and his favourite modak, Haridra Ganapati is often seen wielding a noose to hold devotees close and a sharp goad to propel them forward.
Ekadanta Ganapati
The blue-coloured illustration of “the Single-tusked Ganapati” is often captured gripping a broken tusk, japa mala (Rudraksha), axe, and Laddu (sweets) in his four arms. Ekadana Ganapati is the bestower of success.
Srishti Ganapati
Srishti Ganapati is the lord of “Happy Manifestation". He is depicted sitting placidly in his mushika mount. This vibrant and red-complexioned form of Ganapati often holds a noose, a goad, a mango and a tusk in his four arms.
Uddhanda Ganapati
He is the “Enforcer of Dharma”. Goddess Shakti is shown seated on his left thigh. Red-hued and ten-armed, he is often depicted holding a pot of gems, Kamadala, blue-lily, a sugarcane bow, the mace, the noose, a nocturnal flower, a sprig of paddy, the elephant goad, a pomegranate.
Divine Presence: Tales of Ganesha's Benevolence in Usta Miniature by Pankaj Kumar
Runamochana Ganapati
In this form, Ganesha is “the Liberator of Humanity”. He sits on a large lotus and often bears a goad, a noose, a white tusk, and a rose apple.
Dhundhi Ganapati
The red-hued Dhundhi Ganapati is described as the one who is sought after. He often holds a strand of Rudraksha beads, his broken tusk, an axe and a small pot of precious gems.
Dwimukha Ganapati
Dwimukha Ganapati, or “the Two-Faced Ganapati,” is red in complexion. His azure green form is dressed in red silk and encrusted with a golden crown. He often holds a noose, tusk, goad, and pot of gems.
Trimukha Ganapati
Seated on a golden lotus, “the Three-Faced Ganapati” is featured with his six arms. He is seen holding a noose, a goad, a golden lotus and a vessel of nectar. With his right hand, he offers protection while he grants blessing with his left hand.
Ganapati in Zardozi by Md. Bilal
Simha Ganapati
The ivory-complexioned Simha Ganapati rides a lion as well as holds a lion in one hand. The lord has eight arms. Simha Ganapati is an embodiment of strength. Additionally, he holds a kalpavriksha sprig, vina, a lotus blossom, some flowers and a pot of jewels.
Yoga Ganapati
Yoga Ganapati is depicted in a yogi posture. He is absorbed in Mantra Japa. What is interesting about this yogi is how his knees are strapped in a meditative pose. He echoes the shade of a morning sun. Yoga Ganapati often holds a yoga staff, a sugarcane stalk, a noose, and a prayer bead.
Durga Ganapati
Durga Ganapati waves a flag of victory, indicating his invincible nature. His body has a brilliance of burnished gold. He is often seen holding a bow and an arrow, a noose and goad, prayer beads, a broken tusk and a rose apple.
Sankatahara Ganapati
He is “the Dispeller of Sorrow”. He is known to remove devotees' sorrows and grant them prosperity and well-being. He is seen seated with his consorts. Sankathara Ganapati often holds a bowl of pudding, a goad and a noose while presenting the boon-granting varda mudra.
Different poses of Ganesha:
Standing
Standing Ganesha is often, but not always, depicted with four arms, holding symbolic objects like a lotus, an axe, a noose, and a modak. Standing Ganesha is the epitome of power and an eliminator of hurdles. An office or a workplace is a perfect site for keeping this painting or idol.
Ganesha: Pattachitra painting by Gitanjali Das
Sitting
When Ganesha is seen in a sitting position, he exudes a sense of calmness. He is aligned and at peace with his environment. A sitting Ganesha painting is perfect for homes. His poised energy is known for stabilising the environment, and ensuring a harmonious connection within the family members.
Ganesha in Mata Ni Pachedi by Sanjay Chittara
Reclining
Vinayaka Chaturthi pandals give significance to the reclining Ganesh. He is one of the rare forms of Ganesh. In such paintings and murtis, Ganesha is seen reclining on a pillow. He is the ultimate model of serenity and surrender and is most preferable at home. This gorgeous minimalist Ganesha Gond art aptly justifies the harmony of the aura.
Ganesha Gond painting by Venkat Shyam
Dancing
Dancing Ganesha is sometimes called the Nataraj form of Ganesha. In this form, he blesses his devotees with skill and efficiency in dance, music and art. The famous Mukteshwar temple at Bhubaneswar in Odisha has a fine sculpture of dancing Ganesha.
Ganesha: Kalamkari Painting by Harinath.N
Reading
Ganesha is a well-known scribe of the heavily themed text of Mahabharata. He is the source of right knowledge and conduct. For centuries he has been associated with ethical behaviour. It is best suited for students or anyone with a keen interest in wisdom.
Ganesha, Tanjore Painting by Sanjay Tandekar
Four Reasons to keep Ganesha at your homes or offices:
When Goddess Parvati, feeling deeply infuriated, demands Shiva to restore their son’s life, Shiva commands his gana to head north and bring back the head of the first animal they encounter. This act establishes Ganesha as the ruler of the North. According to Vastu's principles, placing his idol or painting in the North or North-East direction is considered highly rewarding. Let us look into the reasons for bringing Ganesha paintings into your home.
Ganesha is the bringer of abundance and fortune:
Lord Ganesha is called Vighnaharta, “the remover of obstacles”. Inevitably having his painting in your space will give you the strength to face hard times and enhance your fortune.
Ganapati is the ultimate source of wisdom:
Lord Ganesha’s large head is a metaphor for intellect, clarity and creativity. The “ Guardian of Wisdom” enhances the seekers' clarity and gives them a wealth of creative ideas.
He is the symbol of peace and harmony:
As the son of the Supreme meditator and as the God of Wisdom, Lord Ganesha is the master of operating peacefully. He is the ultimate balance between tranquillity and action. Keeping his painting will enhance your interaction and relationship with the outer world.
The inherent aesthetic quality of Ganesha:
Ganesha's well-bedecked attire and interesting features add an unparalleled aesthetic quality to his features, lending him an aura of divine grace.
PLEASE NOTE: Since Ganesha is worshipped in numerous forms across the country, the elements in the hands of Ganesha are also different regionally.
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