1. ANKUSHA (GOAD) - UPPER RIGHT HAND
The goad is a traditional tool used to direct elephants. It is symbolic of how one should steer their spirit away from ignorance and is also used by Ganesha to smite obstacles away.
2. PASHA (NOOSE) – UPPER LEFT HAND
The noose is used to draw his flock closer to him and to prevent them from straying too far from the righteous path.
3. MODAKAPATRA (BOWL OF SWEETS) – LOWER LEFT HAND
Although Ganesha is known to have a sweet tooth, the bowl of sweets (usually modakas and laddus) actually represents moksha, liberation from suffering, the sweetest of all things. It is also a reminder to his devotees about the sweetness of spiritual gifts of enlightenment.
4. ABHAYA MUDRA (GESTURE OF PROTECTION/FEARLESSNESS) – LOWER RIGHT HAND
Ganesha raises his free hand to offer his blessings on anyone willing to receive – conferring protection, care and guidance through challenging obstacles, and freely given without judgment – a hallmark of why Ganesha is the deity of the everyman.
Lord Ganesha Lithophane, a handy mood light that comes with a dimmable rechargeable LED Kit (right).
GANESH CHATURTHI
Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday of Ganesha, which starts on the fourth day of the Bhadrapada (the Hindu luni-solar calendar), typically falling in the month of August or September of the Gregorian Calendar (19 September in 2023). Depending on texts, he was either created by Shiva, Parvati, both of them, or born from the elephant-headed goddess Malini after drinking Parvati’s bath water thrown into the river. He is also the adopted son of Lakshmi; click here to learn more about their duality and why they are worshipped together.
Ganesha and Lakshmi is often seen worshipped together as depicted in these Ganesha and Lakshmi Decorative Plates.
For this 10-day celebration, devotees place clay idols both in private and in public spaces on elaborate pandals (temporary stages) and for ten days devotees bring offerings of flowers and alms to the statue and perform religious fasting. At the end of the tenth day, a procession carries the clay statue to be immersed in the most convenient body of water where the clay statues melts, symbolising Ganesha’s return to his celestial abode.
THE RELATABLE DOMAINS OF GANESHA
Ganesha appeals to many devotees due to his domains:
The Eternal Light Ganesha figurine (right) emphasises the simplicity and recognisability of Ganesha's form.
1. Remover of Obstacles
Ganesha is believed to remove physical and spiritual obstacles from the path of his devotees. This is seen when he helped the Pandavas defeat the Kauravas in the Mahabharata. To reclaim their kingdom, Ganesha assisted them in finding their way through the forest, defeating the demons standing in their way, and win the final battle against the Kauravas.
The sacred elephant is also usually path makers in forests. When they pass through thick woods, a clear path is made for other animals to follow and use
Madhuri Dixit's Mumbai home features a heritage Ganesha Sculpture retired in 2002 flanked by a Bansuri Ganesha Figurine and a Lord Ganesha Figurine surrounded by paintings by her favourite artist the late Maqbool Fida Husain. Dixit is a renown Indian actress who have been in over 70 Hindi films, playing a huge role in shaping Indian popular culture through her dance and performances. (Image source: Architectural Digest India).
2. God of New Beginnings
Ganesha is often depicted as sitting on a lotus flower – a symbol of new beginnings and purity. This is why he is often worshipped before starting any new venture such as a new business or job, a new relationship, or shifting phase from adolescence to adulthood.
There is also a fable of Ganesha fighting with his brother Karthikeya about who was wiser. Their parents settled the predicament by having them race around the world three times. Knowing that he could not outspeed his brother’s mount Paravani (Peacock) with his Mushika (Mouse), he instead circled around his parents three times and declared himself the winner, explaining that his parents are the world to him. Shiva was happy with his son’s wisdom that he granted a boon to Ganesha that he would be worshipped at the start of any ceremony or puja.
Ganesha is often depicted in the act of dancing or playing musical instruments such as the bansuri (flute), mrindangam (drums), and veena (guitar) because he is also the patron of arts.
3. Patron of Knowledge, Learning and the Arts
When sage Vyāsa decided to compose the Mahabharata, he selected Ganesha to scribe the epic with one condition – that he has to do it non-stop until the end. It was the longest dictation ever, culminating in 200,000 verses and about 1.8 million words total – roughly 10 times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined, and about four times the length of the Ramayana.
Vyāsa barely stopped, which is why Vedic Sanskrit has no commas. He did not pause when finishing sentences, but Ganesha was wise enough to add a full stop at the end of every verse. He also broke the feather quill at one point and through sheer determination broke off one of his tusks to use as a pen. This is why Ganesha is popular amongst scholars and intellects.
4. God of Wisdom and Mastery Over Ego
Ganesha’s Mushika also symbolises ego and unending cravings and requires Ganesha’s wisdom and enlightenment to fully keep in control. His broken left tusk represents emotions, whereas his unbroken right tusk represent wisdom – signifying you need to have wisdom over your emotions to surpass the mind-body duality to achieve bliss and tranquillity.
LLADRÓ’S TRIBUTE TO LORD GANESHA
Lladro’s collection of the Hindu pantheon will not be complete without Lord Ganesha himself. Ernest Massuet and the design team at Lladró took great care to include all significant features so that Lord Ganesha is depicted as accurately within their high porcelain creation: Lord Ganesha Sculpture Limited Edition. Limited to 1800 numbered units, this piece features an astounding flower garland containing over 206 delicate flowers, all handcrafted petal by petal. The matt porcelain piece is also embellished with glossy accents, enamel work, and 24K gold lustre finishes. The single-firing high-temperature allows for the piece to achieve the softest of pastel tones, thus be fully uv- and fade-resistant to last a lifetime.
For the full collection of Ganesha pieces, click here.
Bansuri Ganesha Figurine (left). Ganesha Figurine (middle). Lord Ganesha Figurine (right).
Learn more about other Hindu deities:
- Why Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha Are Worshipped Together
- Lord Balaji: The Lord of Manifestation
- Drawing Parallels: Are All the Monkey Gods Incarnations of Lord Hanuman?
- The Goddess Lakshmi: Grantor of Divine Wealth and Power
- Radha Krishna - The Benchmark of Eternal Love
FAQS ABOUT GANESHA
1. Why does Lord Ganesha have an elephant head?
According to the Puranas, Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from the sweat and scurf of her body to guard her home while she bathed. When Lord Shiva returned and was denied entry by the boy, he decapitated him in a fit of rage. To appease the grieving Parvati, Shiva replaced the head with that of the first living being found, an elephant.
2. What is the symbolic meaning of Ganesha's elephant head?
The head symbolizes the Atman (soul), the ultimate supreme reality, while his human body signifies Maya (earthly existence). Specifically, the large head represents high intelligence and wisdom.
3. Why is Ganesha called Vighnaharta?
The name translates to Remover of Obstacles. He is worshipped at the start of any new venture to ensure a path free of hurdles. Interestingly, he was originally also seen as Vignakarta (the creator of obstacles), used to test the resolve of devotees.
4. Why is Ganesha worshipped first before other gods?
Legend says Ganesha and his brother Skanda (Kartikeya) competed to circle the universe. While Skanda flew around the world on his peacock, Ganesha simply circled his parents, Shiva and Parvati, stating they were his universe. Impressed by his wisdom, Shiva granted him the boon of being worshipped first.
5. Why does Ganesha have only one tusk?
Known as Ekadanta, Ganesha is often depicted with a broken tusk. The most famous legend states he broke it off to use as a pen to transcribe the epic Mahabharata as it was dictated by the sage Vyasa, symbolizing sacrifice for knowledge.
6. Why is Ganesha's vehicle (vahana) a tiny mouse?
The mouse (mūșika) represents ego, desire, and agricultural pests that disturb crops. By riding the mouse, Ganesha symbolizes his ability to control these base instincts and protect prosperity.
7. What do the items in Ganesha's four hands represent?
Goad (Ankusha): Used to propel mankind forward on the path of righteousness.
Noose (Pasha): Used to capture and steer away difficulties.
Modak (Sweet): Symbolizes the sweetness of the Atman or the reward of spiritual path.
Broken Tusk/Rosary: Symbolizes sacrifice or the continuous pursuit of knowledge.
8. Why are Ganesha's ears so large?
His fan-like ears signify that He is all ears to the petitions of his devotees. They also symbolize the importance of listening more to gain wisdom.
9. What is Ganesha Chaturthi?
It is the primary ten-day festival celebrating Ganesha's birth. It involves installing clay idols in homes and public pandals, culminating in the immersion (visarjan) of the idol in water, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.
10. Is Ganesha married or a bachelor?
Traditions vary. In North India, He is often depicted with two wives: Riddhi (Prosperity) and Siddhi (Spiritual Power). In South India, He is predominantly viewed as a Bala Brahmachari (celibate bachelor).
11. What is the significance of the Om symbol and Ganesha?
The shape of Ganesha’s trunk and head is said to resemble the Sanskrit letter for Om (ॐ), the primordial sound of the universe.
12. Why does Ganesha have a large belly?
The protuberant belly symbolizes prosperity and the ability to digest all the good and bad experiences of life with equanimity.
13. What is the significance of the snake around Ganesha's waist?
The snake represents energy in all forms, specifically the Kundalini energy that resides at the base of the spine.
14. What are Ganesha's most common names?
He has over 108 names, but the most popular include Ganapati (Lord of the Ganas by Shiva's attendants), Vinayaka (Supreme Leader), Gajanana (Elephant-faced), and Lambodara (Big-bellied).
15. Why is red the colour associated with Ganesha?
Red (specifically vermilion or sindoor) symbolizes energy and activity. He is often depicted as red-complexioned or smeared with red paste to signify his role as a protector.
16. What is the Ganesha-Gita?
Similar to the Bhagavad-Gita, this is a sacred text for the Ganapatyas (a sect that worships Ganesha as the Supreme Being), where Ganesha explains the path to salvation.
17. Can Ganesha be found outside of India?
Yes. Historically, Ganesha's worship spread to Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia) and East Asia (Japan, where He is known as Kangiten) via trade and cultural exchange.
18. What is Ganesha's favourite food?
His favourite food is the Modak, a sweet dumpling made of rice flour and filled with coconut and jaggery. It represents the inner joy of spiritual wisdom.
19. What is the relationship between Ganesha and the Muladhara Chakra?
In Yoga, Ganesha is associated with the Muladhara Chakra (root chakra), which represents preservation, survival, and health. He guards the gate to the spiritual spine.
20. Why is Ganesha called the Lord of Letters?
Because he is the patron of arts and sciences and the god of intellect, traditional students in India invoke Him before starting their studies.
