This document describes 32 forms of the Hindu deity Ganapati. Each form is given a name describing its attributes, appearance or symbolism. They are described as having different numbers of arms, faces, colors and symbols representing aspects of existence, wisdom, protection and the granting of blessings and boons.
This document describes 32 forms of the Hindu deity Ganapati. Each form is given a name describing its attributes, appearance or symbolism. They are described as having different numbers of arms, faces, colors and symbols representing aspects of existence, wisdom, protection and the granting of blessings and boons.
This document describes 32 forms of the Hindu deity Ganapati. Each form is given a name describing its attributes, appearance or symbolism. They are described as having different numbers of arms, faces, colors and symbols representing aspects of existence, wisdom, protection and the granting of blessings and boons.
This document describes 32 forms of the Hindu deity Ganapati. Each form is given a name describing its attributes, appearance or symbolism. They are described as having different numbers of arms, faces, colors and symbols representing aspects of existence, wisdom, protection and the granting of blessings and boons.
hue. In His hands He holds a banana, mango, Bala 1 sugar cane and jackfruit, all representing the Ganapati earth's abundance and fertility. His trunk garners His favorite sweet, the modaka.
Eight-armed, Taruna Ganapati, "the Youthful,"
holds a noose and goad, modaka, wood apple, Taruna 2 rose apple, His broken tusk, a sprig of paddy Ganapati and a sugar cane stalk. His brilliant red color reflects the blossoming of youth.
"Shining like the full moon" during harvest
season and garlanded with flowers, Bhakti Bhakti 3 Ganapati, dear to devotees, is indeed pleasant Ganapati to look upon. He holds a banana, a mango, coconut and a bowl of sweet payasa pudding.
The "Valiant Warrior," Vira Ganapati, assumes
a commanding pose. His 16 arms bristle with 4 Vira Ganapati weapons, symbols of mind powers: a goad, discus, bow, arrow, sword, shield, spear, mace, a battleaxe, a trident and more. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Four-armed and seated with one of His shaktis
on His knee, Shakti Ganapati, "the Powerful," Shakti 5 of orange-red hue, guards the householder. Ganapati He holds a garland, noose and goad, and bestows blessings with the abhaya mudra.
Four-headed Dvija Ganapati, "the Twice-born,"
is moon-like in color. Holding a noose, a goad, 6 Dvija Ganapati an ola leaf scripture, a staff, water vessel and a his japa beads, He reminds one and all of the urgency for disciplined striving.
Golden-yellow Siddhi Ganapati, "the
Accomplished," is the epitome of achievement Siddhi 7 and self-mastery. He sits comfortably holding Ganapati a bouquet of flowers, an axe, mango, sugar cane and, in His trunk, a tasty sesame sweet.
Ucchhishta Ganapati is "Lord of Blessed
Offerings" and guardian of culture. Of blue Ucchhishta 8 complexion and six-armed, He sits with His Ganapati Shakti, holding a vina, pomegranate, blue lotus flower, japa mala and a sprig of fresh paddy. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Vighna Ganapati, "Lord of Obstacles," is of
brilliant gold hue and bedecked in jewels. His Vighna 9 eight arms hold a noose and goad, tusk Ganapati and modaka, conch and discus, a bouquet of flowers, sugar cane, flower arrow and an axe.
Handsome, red-hued Kshipra Ganapati, "Quick-
acting" giver of boons, displays His broken Kshipra tusk, a noose, goad and a sprig of 10 Ganapati the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree. In His uplifted trunk He holds a tiny pot of precious jewels.
Five-faced, white in color, Heramba Ganapati,
"Protector of the Weak," rides a big lion. He Heramba 11 extends the gestures of protection and Ganapati blessing while holding a noose, japa beads, axe, hammer, tusk, garland, fruit and modaka.
Lakshmi Ganapati, pure white "giver of
success", sits flanked by Wisdom and Lakshmi Achievement. Gesturing varada mudra, He 12 Ganapati holds a green parrot, a pomegranate, sword, goad, noose, sprig of kalpavriksha and a water vessel. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Accompanied by one of His shaktis, "the
Great," Maha Ganapati, is red-complexioned Maha and three-eyed. He holds His tusk, a 13 Ganapati pomegranate, blue lily, sugar-cane bow, discus, noose, lotus, paddy sprig, mace and a pot of gems.
Four-armed, of red hue and riding His
resourceful mushika, Vijaya Ganapati is "the Vijaya 14 Victorious" bestower of success. His insignia Ganapati are the broken tusk, elephant goad, a noose and a lucious golden mango, His favorite fruit.
The happy "Dancer," Nritya Ganapati, is four-
armed and golden, with rings on His fingers, Nritya holding a tusk, goad, noose 15 Ganapati and modaka sweet. He prances under the kalpavriksha tree, epitomizing exuberant activity and joy.
Seated with one of His shaktis on His left knee,
Urdhva Ganapati is "the Elevated" Lord of Urdhva 16 golden hue. In His six hands He holds a sprig of Ganapati paddy, a lotus, the sugar cane bow, an arrow, His ivory tusk and a blue water lily. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Ekakshara, of "Single-Syllable" (gam), is three-
eyed, of red complexion and attire. Crescent Ekakshara 17 moon on His crown, He sits in lotus pose upon Ganapati Mushika, offers the boon-giving gesture and holds a pomegranate, noose and goad.
Varada Ganapati, "the Boon-Giver" with
prominent third eye of wisdom, holds a dish of Varada 18 honey, the noose and goad and encloses a pot Ganapati of jewels in His trunk. His shakti is at His side, and the crescent moon adorns His crown.
Tryakshara Ganapati, "the Lord of Three
Letters" (A-U-M), is gold in color and has fly Tryakshara whisks in His big floppy ears. He carries the 19 Ganapati broken tusk, goad, noose and mango and is often seen grasping a sweet modaka in His trunk.
Kshipra Prasada Ganapati, "the Quick
Rewarder," presides from a kusha-grass Kshipra throne. His big belly symbolizes the manifest 20 Prasada universe. He holds a noose, goad, tusk, lotus, Ganapati pomegranate and a twig of the wish-fulfilling tree. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Haridra Ganapati, the "golden one dressed in
bright yellow vestments", sits calmly on a Haridra 21 posh, regal throne. Along with His tusk and Ganapati a modaka, He wields a noose to hold devotees close and a sharp goad to spur them onward.
Ekadanta, of "Single Tusk," is distinguished by
His blue color and sizeable belly. The Ekadanta 22 attributes of this murti are an axe for cutting Ganapati the bonds of ignorance, prayer beads for japa, a laddusweet and the broken right tusk.
Riding on His docile and friendly mouse, Srishti
Ganapati is the lord of happy "Manifestation." Srishti 23 This active God, of red complexion, holds His Ganapati noose a goad, a perfect mango, and His tusk, representing selfless sacrifice.
Uddanda Ganapati is the bold "Enforcer of
Dharma," the laws of being. His ten hands hold Uddanda 24 a pot of gems, a blue lily, sugar cane, a mace, Ganapati lotus flower, sprig of paddy, a pomegranate, noose, garland and His broken tusk. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Rinamochana Ganapati is "humanity's
liberator" from guilt and bondage. His figure Rinamochana 25 of alabaster skin is apparelled in red silks. He Ganapati bears a noose and a goad, His milk-white tusk and a favorite fruit, the rose apple.
Red-hued Dhundhi Ganapati, "the Sought
After," holds a strand of rudraksha beads, His Dhundhi broken tusk, an axe and a small pot of 26 Ganapati precious gems thought to represent the treasury of awakenings He saves for all ardent devotees.
Dvimukha Ganapati, called "Janus" by the
Romans, with two divergent faces, sees in all Dvimukha directions. His blue-green form is dressed in 27 Ganapati red silk. He wears a bejeweled crown and holds a noose, goad, His tusk and a pot of gems.
Trimukha Ganapati, the contemplative "three-
faced" Lord of red hue, sits on a golden lotus, Trimukha 28 telling His beads, holding a noose, goad and Ganapati vessel of nectar. He gestures protection with a right hand and blessings with a left. 32 FORMS OF GOD GANAPATHY
Sinha Ganapati, white in color, rides a lion and
displays another lion in one hand, symbolizing Sinha 29 "strength and fearlessness". He also holds Ganapati a kalpavriksha sprig, the vina, a lotus blossom, flower bouquet and a pot of jewels.
Yoga Ganapati is absorbed in "mantra
japa", His knees strapped in meditative pose, Yoga 30 hands holding a yoga staff, sugar cane stalk, a Ganapati noose and prayer beads. His color is like the morning sun. Blue garments adorn His form.
Durga Ganapati, the "Invincible," waves the
flag of victory over darkness. This Durga splendid murti is of deep gold hue, dressed in 31 Ganapati red, holding a bow and arrow, noose and goad, prayer beads, broken tusk and a rose apple.
Sankatahara Ganapati, "the Dispeller of
Sorrow," is of sunlike hue, dressed in blue, and Sankatahara 31 seated on a red lotus flower. He holds a bowl Ganapati of pudding, a goad and a noose while gesturing the boon-granting varada m