The Many Forms of Ganesha

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By Tanushree Midha

13 min read

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    Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Shree Ganeshay Namah!

    I bow to Lord Ganesha

    Ganapati, Ganesha, Pillaiyar, Vinayaka, Vighnaharta- these are just a few of the names that the beloved Lord Ganesha is known by. Revered as an important member of the Hindu pantheon, he is one of the only deities that has a cult of his own- the Ganapatya cult. Known across the Indian subcontinent, and even in South East Asia, by various names and in various forms, this elephant-headed god is one of the most popular and beloved deities in the Hindu culture.

    Born to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha was initially considered to be a malevolent deity known as ‘Vighnakarta’ or the Lord of Obstacles, before becoming the ‘Vighnaharta’ or the Remover of Obstacles as he is widely known. Also known as the God of new beginnings and luck, Lord Ganesha’s name is taken at the start of every new venture, beginning, or blog, such as this one, which starts with a sacred Sanskrit chant to invoke Lord Ganesha, an auspicious symbol of new beginnings.

    Lord Ganesha, like most other Hindu deities, is also associated with multiple incarnations or avatars and forms. The Mudgala Purana and the Ganesha Purana are two Upapuranas that are dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, and mention some of these forms and avatars. Let's take a look at some of the most popular ones and their significance.

    Parvati Ganesha In Mysore by Raghavendra B B

    Ashtavinayaka- The Eight Avatars of Lord Ganesha

    The Mudgala Purana mentions the stories of Lord Ganesha taking eight incarnations of avatars to save the world from human shortcomings, which are personified in the form of demons. Each of these names also signify his physical attributes. These eight forms are: Vakratunda, Ekadanta, Mahodara, Gajavaktra, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja and Dhumravarna.

    Ashtavinayak Phad Painting by Kalyan Joshi

    Lord Vakratunda’s Trial of Envy

    The first form of Lord Ganesha is Vakratunda, which means ‘twisting or curved trunk’. The story begins with the birth of the demon Matsarasura, personifying envy and selfishness, due to the carelessness of Lord Indra. Following severe penance and a boon of fearlessness from Lord Shiva, the demon and his two sons create havoc and conquer the three worlds. Then Lord Ganesha is called upon, in his form as Lord Vakratunda, sitting atop his vahana, the lion. He kills the two sons of Matsarasura, after which the demon asks for his forgiveness, and balance is restored.

    Lord Ekadanta’s Almighty Tusk

    The second form of Lord Ganesha is Ekadanta, which means ‘single tusked’. The story begins with the arrogant and alcohol addicted demon Madasura, who receives powers from the Goddess after severe penance and starts conquering the three realms. Lord Ganesha in his form as Lord Ekadanta, sitting atop his vahana, the mushaka or mouse, is invoked and the demon surrenders to him, asking for his forgiveness. The defeat of Madasura, whose name is literally derived from ‘madira’ or alcohol, is a lesson against arrogance and substances like alcohol, that can make you arrogant and power hungry.

    There are many stories revolving around Lord Ganesha’s singular tusk, going from a conflict with the moon to a tussle with Lord Parashurama. However, one of the more popular stories pertaining to the singular tusk goes back to the writing and compilation of the Mahabharata. Sage Ved Vyasa wanted someone who could understand and write the Mahabharata at the same speed as he would orate it, and Lord Ganesha was the perfect writer for this role. While writing, the pen or quill being used by Lord Ganesha broke and without hesitation, he broke his tusk off to use it as a writing device, signifying how his sacrifice also led to the creation of one of the biggest gifts of knowledge. 

    Lord Mahodara and Divine Delusion

    The third form of Lord Ganesha is Mahodara, which means ‘big bellied’. There are two versions of his story, both of which deal with the demon of delusion and confusion, Mohasura. One version considers Mohasura to be the discarded alluring form of Goddess Pravati, which she used to bring Lord Shiva out of his deep meditative state, at the behest of the other gods. Another version makes him out to be the king of the asuras, due to his devotion to the sun god, Lord Surya. In both versions, Mohasura goes on a rampage to conquer the three worlds, only to be stopped by Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahodara, sitting atop the mushaka once more. The story ends with Mohasura’s surrender and his eternal devotion to Lord Mahodara.

    Lord Gajavaktra and the Destruction of Greed

    In his fourth incarnation, Lord Ganesha takes the form of Gajavaktra or Gajanana, which means ‘elephant faced’. The antagonist of this story is Lobhasura, the embodiment of Lord Kubera’s greed and lust from when he visited Kailasa, and stared at Goddess Parvati with lustful eyes. After studying under the spiritual guru of the asuras, Shukracharya, he gains enough power to conquer the three realms, after which Lord Mahodara is invoked, accompanied by his mushaka vahana. The presence of Lord Mahodara consumes Lobhasura with enough guilt to make him ask for mercy. The defeat of Lobhasura is the decimation of indulgence and is symbolic of how greed and desire in excess can destroy the soul.

    Lord Lambodara’s Lesson on Anger Management

    Lord Ganesha’s fifth incarnation takes the form of Lord Lambodara, which means ‘pendulous or drooping bellied’. This episode starts with the Samudra Manthan, or the churning of the celestial ocean where Lord Vishnu takes the form of Mohini to trick the asuras with beauty and charm, unknowingly also enchanting Lord Shiva. When Lord Vishnu reverts back to his original form, Lord Shiva’s anger takes the form of a demon called Krodhasura, personifying anger and wrath, who studies under Shukracharya and becomes powerful enough to yet again try to conquer the three realms. Lord Lambodara, accompanied by his vahana mushaka, is able to subdue Krodhasura, by accommodating all his anger in his potbelly and restoring balance. This story talks about the destructive power of an emotion like anger and the importance of securing liberation and control over it.

    Lord Vikata and Deadly Desire

    In his sixth incarnation, Lord Ganesha takes the form of Lord Vikata, which means ‘misshapen’ or ‘unusual form’. The story like all others starts with a demon who wants to wreak havoc and conquer the three realms. The demon here is Kamasura, the embodiment of Lord Vishnu’s lust and trickery, who studies under Shukracharya, performs severe penance for Shiva and receives a boon. He is defeated by Lord Vikata, this time with the peacock as his vahana, who is called by the rest of the gods. The defeat of Kamasura at the hands of Lord Vikata, shows the consequences of uncontrolled lust and that desire, if left unwatched, has no end.

    Lord Vighnaraja’s Taming of Attachment

    Lord Ganesha’s penultimate incarnation takes the form of Lord Vighnaraja, meaning the ‘King of Obstacles’. This episode deals with the demon Mamasura, the personification of attachment, who is born from Parvati’s laughter and named after her attachment to him, with ‘Mama’ signifying ‘mine’. Although initially on the right path, Mama is lured by the demon Sambara into the world of the asuras, after which he becomes Mamasura. His goals remain similar to the other- to conquer the three realms- which he successfully accomplishes. The gods, having been thrown out of Swargaloka, turn to Lord Ganesha for help, who takes on the form of Lord Vighnaraja. Accompanied by the great serpent Sheshnaag as his vahana, he is able to subdue Mamasura, thereby restoring peace and order. The destruction of Mamasura signifies the destruction of worldly attachment and freedom from illusions.

    Lord Dhumravarna and the Defeat of Ego

    The last form of Lord Ganesha is Lord Dhumravarna, meaning the ‘smoky or grey coloured one’. This last form of Lord Ganesha deals with Ahamkarasura, also known as Abhimanasura, the embodiment of pride and ego. Born from a sneeze at the moment of the sun god, Lord Surya’s pride, Ahamkarasura was named due to his birth as a symbol of the sun god’s pride. Like all the others before him, his goal is to conquer the three worlds, and his growing powers scare the other gods, who turn to Lord Ganesha in their time of need. Accompanied by the returning mushaka, Lord Ganesha takes the extremely angry form of Lord Dhumravarna, defeats Ahamkarasura and symbolically shows how ego and pride are the root cause of destruction.

    However, many sources claim that Lord Ganesha’s role as Lord Dhumravarna will re- emerge when Lord Vishnu takes his last incarnation as Lord Kalki. In some stories, instead of mushaka, he is accompanied by a blue horse, which is said to accompany him when he joins the white horse riding Lord Kalki in his quest to restore power and balance in the Kali Yuga.

    The Thirty Two Forms of Lord Ganesha

    The Mudgala Purana, apart from being a major source to understand the life and incarnations of Lord Ganesha, is also one of the earliest sources that mentions 32 different forms of Lord Ganesha, with a variety of ages, iconographies, sects and attributes, ranging from childlike innocence, to joyful dancing and tantric esoterism. The 19th century Kannada treatise, Sritattvanidhi, also mentions detailed descriptions of each of these forms. Let us look at some of the most fascinating manifestations of Lord Ganesha, and what they focus on.

    Bala Ganapati

    Bala Ganapati or Bal Ganesh, is one of the more innocent forms of Lord Ganesha. He is usually shown either with his parents Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, or on his own, four handed, holding a mango, a plantain, a jackfruit and a sugarcane, although some sources vary on his attributes. Adorned with flower garlands, his complexion is considered to match the bright red colour of the rising sun, although he is also shown to have a golden complexion by some. The attributes he holds are meant to signify prosperity, fulfillment, abundance and joy, which is why this form of Lord Ganesha becomes a popular choice during the annual 11 day celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi across states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.

    Baal Ganesh: Kavad Painting by Dwarka Prasad

    Nritya Ganapati

    Nritya Ganapati is the joyous dancing form of Lord Ganesha. Although he is usually described with eight hands, his depictions restrict that number to four. Like Bala Ganapati, this version of Lord Ganesha is also golden in complexion and in order to show the dancing pose, his left leg is bent touching the ground, while his right leg is bent up in the air. His four hands usually hold an axe or a noose, a goad, his broken tusk and a modak, which is considered to be Lord Ganesha’s favourite sweet. The goad signifies his guidance for his devotees while the noose or axe signifies the bonds of attachment. The broken tusk is reminiscent of his sacrifice and the modak is placed to show his joy, all which exemplify his divine dance as a metaphor to encourage happiness and growth.

    Nritya Ganesha (Dancing Ganesha), Madhubani by Ambika devi

    Maha Ganapati

    Perhaps the most all encompassing form of Lord Ganesha, Maha Ganapati literally translates to Ganapati the Great. This form of Lord Ganesha is described as having ten arms, red in complexion, with his consort, Riddhi or Siddhi, white in complexion, sitting on his lap holding a lotus. In his ten arms, he holds a lotus flower, a pomegranate, a mace (gada), a disc (chakra), his broken tusk, a noose, a jewelled water vessel, a sugarcane bow, a sprig of rice and a blue lotus or lily. Some of these attributes might be gifts from other deities, such as the disc and chakra from Lord Vishnu and his avatars, the rice sprig from Goddess Prithvi, the earth goddess and the sugarcane bow from Lord Kamadeva, the god of love. Others such as the jewelled vessel and the noose, signify abundance and guidance, respectively, for his devotees. Being considered as the Supreme Being, Maha Ganapati is also one of the most prominent and revered deities for the Ganapatya sect.

    Maha Ganapati

    Ucchista Ganapati

    Ucchista Ganapati is one of the Tantric forms of aspects of Lord Ganesha, whose name derives from leftovers, specifically contaminated food, which might be ritually impure.Red or dark in colour, this form of Lord Ganesha is described as having four or six arms, holding a lotus, a pomegranate, a veena, a sprig of rice and a rosary (akshmala). One of his consorts in the form of Shakti, sits in his lap with Lord Ganesha’s trunk around her or on her thigh. His consort is usually shown to be nude, contributing to its erotic iconography, along with the pomegranate, which is often considered a sign of fertility. Lord Ganesha, in his form as Ucchista Ganapati is worshipped as a giver of boons and desires, especially when the devotee is in a sacrilegious state, and is also considered to help devotees gain control over their senses.

    Ucchista Ganapati

    The God of the People

    Ultimately, how can one describe Lord Ganesha? Is he a child, is he the Supreme Being, is he the writer of the Mahabharata, or is he the slayer of demons like Krodhasura? The answer lies in one very simple truth: Lord Ganesha is who one needs him to be. He is the same Bal Ganapati that someone may bring into their homes to mark a new beginning, or the huge Maha Ganapati murti at the pandal during Ganesh Chaturthi who devotees flock to for fulfilling their wishes. He can also be remembered as the god who teaches one to control shortcomings like anger, desire and attachment and also the deity who dances with immense joy, savouring the moment. So this Ganesh Chaturthi, if you are starting something new or are just in need of some luck, you know who to look towards!

    References

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q1) Who is Lord Ganesha and how many forms does he have?

    Lord Ganesha is the elephant headed god of good luck and new beginnings in the Hindu pantheon, who is also the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He has numerous forms including eight avatars called the Ashtavinayaka and 32 other forms mentioned in a text called the Mudgala Purana

    Q2) What is the purpose of the Ashtavinayaka?

    The Ashtavinayaka are eight avatars of Lord Ganesha, which he takes on to defeat demons who are the personifications of human shortcomings. These shortcomings include envy, arrogance, delusion, greed, anger, lust/ desire, attachment and ego. He defeats these demons signifying that any of these shortcomings in excess are dangerous and destructive for the soul.

    Q3) What is the Mudgala Purana?

    The Mudgala Purana, is an Upapurana, which is one of the only Puranas dedicated to Lord Ganesha, along with the Ganesha Purana. These two texts mention the various forms and stories of Lord Ganesha, such as the Ashtavinayaka and the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha.

    Q4) What is Ganesh Chaturthi?

    Ganesh Chaturthi is an eleven day celebration dedicated to Lord Ganesha, which is primarily celebrated in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. The celebrations include bringing idols of Lord Ganesha home, making sweets like modaks, dancing, prayers, as well as the construction of huge pandals with grand murtis, for public viewing.

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