32forms
 

32 Forms of Lord Ganesha

 

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| 32 Forms of Ganesha |

 

After having understood the concept, if the method of worship is also understood, it will be even more beneficial to us. Because the Divine phenomenon is multifaceted and acts in innumerable ways, it is impossible to symbolise all the aspects in one single form. Therefore the sages have mentioned 32 different forms of Ganapati for the convenience of seekers.

Why only 32? The number 32 reminds us of the number of teeth. The word tooth reminds us of the solitary tooth of Vinayaka. To symbolically indicate Ganapati who eliminated plurality (of teeth) and established oneness by exactly the same number of forms (as that of teeth) is indeed an indication of the wonderful skill of our Maharshis.

It was Chandrawho gave a curious twist to the story of Ganapati. He has Shiva's head as his place. It is the sixteenth Kala (the sixteenth phase). He has a total of 31 phases -15 from the bright half of a month and 15 from the dark half. Ganapati is of the form of the Kala which has transcended these 31 Kalas. Therefore the rishis of yore have enumerated 32 forms of Ganapati. Let us acquaint ourselves with the 32 names and what each form signifies.

 

 Form

  Significance

 Bala Ganapati Wholesome mental disposition to children
 Bhakta Ganapati  Protection of devotees
 Taruna Ganapati Compassionate attitude
 Veera Ganapati Abundance of strength
 Shakti Ganapati Achieving aims
 Dwija(Dhwaja) Ganapati Accomplishing victory
 Siddha Ganapati Eight supernatural accomplishments
 Uchchishta Ganapati Protection of the state
 Vighna Ganapati Removing the obstacles

 
 Kshipra Ganapati Quick accomplishments of tasks
 Heramba Ganapati Destroying of enemies
 Lakshmi Ganapati Enhanced prosperity
 Maha Ganapati Various glorious things.
 Vijaya Ganapati Success in battle
 Nritya Ganapati  Excellence in arts
 Urdhwa Ganapati Spiritual outlook
 Ekakshara (Akshara) Ganapati Knowledge accomplishment
 Runa Mochaka Ganapati Freedom from (the three) debts
 Pratyaksha Ganapati Educational accomplishment

 
 Prasada Ganapati Peace of mind
 Haridra Ganapati Accomplishment of auspicious endeavours
Ekadanta Ganapati Overcoming desire/lust
Srishti Ganapati Power of discrimination
Uddanda Ganapati Presence of mind which gives an edge over others
Dunthi Ganapati Destruction of internal enemies
Dvimukha Ganapati Accomplishment of happiness
Trimukha Ganapati Blessings of Dattatreya
Simha Ganapati Destruction of evil qualities
Yoga Ganapati Accomplishment of Dhyana

 
Durga Ganapati Protection while travelling
Sankashta Ganapati Eradication of hardship
Vara Ganapati Fulfilment of desires

('Baalaka priyane baala Ganapati' , a composition by Sri Swamiji describes the 32 Ganapati forms and their significance.)

 

 

1

ganesh01g_epsBala Ganapati

 

Bala Ganapati is "the Childlike" God of golden hue. In His hands He holds a banana, mango, sugar cane and jackfruit, all representing the earth's abundance and fertility. His trunk garners His favorite sweet, the modaka.



2

ganesh02g_epsTaruna Ganapati

Eight-armed, Taruna Ganapati, "the Youthful," holds a noose and goad, modaka, wood apple, rose apple, His broken tusk, a sprig of paddy and a sugar cane stalk. His brilliant red color reflects the blossoming of youth.



3

ganesh03g_epsBhakti Ganapati

 

Shining like the full moon during harvest season and garlanded with flowers, Bhakti Ganapati, dear to devotees, is indeed pleasant to look upon. He holds a banana, a mango, coconut and a bowl of sweet payasa pudding.



4

ganesh04g_epsVira Ganapati

The "Valiant Warrior," Vira Ganapati, assumes a commanding pose. His 16 arms bristle with weapons, symbols of mind powers: a goad, discus, bow, arrow, sword, shield, spear, mace, a battleaxe, a trident and more.



5

ganesh05g_epsShakti Ganapati

 

Four-armed and seated with one of His shaktis on His knee, Shakti Ganapati, "the Powerful," of orange-red hue, guards the householder. He holds a garland, noose and goad, and bestows blessings with the abhaya mudra.



6

ganesh06g_epsDvija Ganapati

 

Four-headed Dvija Ganapati, "the Twice-born," is moon-like in color. Holding a noose, a goad, an ola leaf scripture, a staff, water vessel and a his japa beads, He reminds one and all of the urgency for disciplined striving.



7

ganesh07g_epsSiddhi Ganapati

 

Golden-yellow Siddhi Ganapati, "the Accomplished," is the epitome of achievement and self-mastery. He sits comfortably holding a bouquet of flowers, an axe, mango, sugar cane and, in His trunk, a tasty sesame sweet.



8

ganesh08g_epsUcchhishta Ganapati

 

Ucchhishta Ganapati is "Lord of Blessed Offerings" and guardian of culture. Of blue complexion and six-armed, He sits with His Shakti, holding a vina, pomegranate, blue lotus flower, japa mala and a sprig of fresh paddy.



9

ganesh09g_epsVighna Ganapati

 

Vighna Ganapati, "Lord of Obstacles," is of brilliant gold hue and bedecked in jewels. His eight arms hold a noose and goad, tusk and modaka, conch and discus, a bouquet of flowers, sugar cane, flower arrow and an axe.



10

ganesh10g_epsKshipra Ganapati

 

Handsome, red-hued Kshipra Ganapati, "Quick-acting" giver of boons, displays His broken tusk, a noose, goad and a sprig of the kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling) tree. In His uplifted trunk He holds a tiny pot of precious jewels.



11

ganesh11g_epsHeramba Ganapati

 

Five-faced, white in color, Heramba Ganapati, "Protector of the Weak," rides a big lion. He extends the gestures of protection and blessing while holding a noose, japa beads, axe, hammer, tusk, garland, fruit and modaka.



12

ganesh12g_epsLakshmi Ganapati

 

Lakshmi Ganapati, pure white giver of success, sits flanked by Wisdom and Achievement. Gesturing varada mudra, He holds a green parrot, a pomegranate, sword, goad, noose, sprig of kalpavriksha and a water vessel.



13

ganesh13g_epsMaha Ganapati

 

Accompanied by one of His shaktis, "the Great," Maha Ganapati, is red-complexioned and three-eyed. He holds His tusk, a pomegranate, blue lily, sugar-cane bow, discus, noose, lotus, paddy sprig, mace and a pot of gems.



14

ganesh14g_epsVijaya Ganapati

 

Four-armed, of red hue and riding His resourceful mushika, Vijaya Ganapati is "the Victorious" bestower of success. His insignia are the broken tusk, elephant goad, a noose and a lucious golden mango, His favorite fruit.



15

ganesh15g_epsNritya Ganapati

 

The happy "Dancer," Nritya Ganapati, is four-armed and golden, with rings on His fingers, holding a tusk, goad, noose and modaka sweet. He prances under the kalpavriksha tree, epitomizing exuberant activity and joy.



16

ganesh16g_epsUrdhva Ganapati

 

Seated with one of His shaktis on His left knee, Urdhva Ganapati is "the Elevated" Lord of golden hue. In His six hands He holds a sprig of paddy, a lotus, the sugar cane bow, an arrow, His ivory tusk and a blue water lily.



17

ganesh17g_epsEkakshara Ganapati

 

Ekakshara, of "Single-Syllable" (gam), is three-eyed, of red complexion and attire. Crescent moon on His crown, He sits in lotus pose upon Mushika, offers the boon-giving gesture and holds a pomegranate, noose and goad.



18

ganesh18g_epsVarada Ganapati

 

Varada Ganapati, "the Boon-Giver with prominent third eye of wisdom, holds a dish of honey, the noose and goad and encloses a pot of jewels in His trunk. His shakti is at His side, and the crescent moon adorns His crown.



19

ganesh19g_epsTryakshara Ganapati

 

Tryakshara Ganapati, "the Lord of Three Letters" (A-U-M), is gold in color and has fly whisks in His big floppy ears. He carries the broken tusk, goad, noose and mango and is often seen grasping a sweet modaka in His trunk.



20

ganesh20g_epsKshipra Prasada Ganapati

Kshipra Prasada Ganapati, "the Quick Rewarder," presides from a kusha-grass throne. His big belly symbolizes the manifest universe. He holds a noose, goad, tusk, lotus, pomegranate and a twig of the wish-fulfilling tree.



21

ganesh21g_epsHaridra Ganapati

 

Haridra Ganapati, the golden one dressed in bright yellow vestments, sits calmly on a posh, regal throne. Along with His tusk and a modaka, He wields a noose to hold devotees close and a sharp goad to spur them onward.



22

ganesh22g_epsEkadanta Ganapati

 

Ekadanta, of "Single Tusk," is distinguished by His blue color and sizeable belly. The attributes of this murti are an axe for cutting the bonds of ignorance, prayer beads for japa, a laddu sweet and the broken right tusk.



23

ganesh23g_epsSrishti Ganapati

 

Riding on His docile and friendly mouse, Srishti Ganapati is the lord of happy "Manifestation." This active God, of red complexion, holds His noose a goad, a perfect mango, and His tusk, representing selfless sacrifice.



24

ganesh24g_epsUddanda Ganapati

Uddanda Ganapati is the bold "Enforcer of Dharma," the laws of being. His ten hands hold a pot of gems, a blue lily, sugar cane, a mace, lotus flower, sprig of paddy, a pomegranate, noose, garland and His broken tusk.



25

ganesh25g_epsRinamochana Ganapati

 

Rinamochana Ganapati is humanity's liberator from guilt and bondage. His figure of alabaster skin is apparelled in red silks. He bears a noose and a goad, His milk-white tusk and a favorite fruit, the rose apple.



26

ganesh26g_epsDhundhi Ganapati

 

Red-hued Dhundhi Ganapati, "the Sought After," holds a strand of rudraksha beads, His broken tusk, an axe and a small pot of precious gems thought to represent the treasury of awakenings He saves for all ardent devotees.



27

ganesh27g_epsDvimukha Ganapati

 

Dvimukha Ganapati, called Janus by the Romans, with two divergent faces, sees in all directions. His blue-green form is dressed in red silk. He wears a bejeweled crown and holds a noose, goad, His tusk and a pot of gems.



28

ganesh28g_epsTrimukha Ganapati

 

Trimukha Ganapati, the contemplative "three-faced" Lord of red hue, sits on a golden lotus, telling His beads, holding a noose, goad and vessel of nectar. He gestures protection with a right hand and blessings with a left.



29

ganesh29g_epsSinha Ganapati

 

Sinha Ganapati, white in color, rides a lion and displays another lion in one hand, symbolizing strength and fearlessness. He also holds a kalpavriksha sprig, the vina, a lotus blossom, flower bouquet and a pot of jewels.



30

ganesh30g_epsYoga Ganapati

 

Yoga Ganapati is absorbed in mantra japa, His knees strapped in meditative pose, hands holding a yoga staff, sugar cane stalk, a noose and prayer beads. His color is like the morning sun. Blue garments adorn His form.



31

ganesh31g_epsDurga Ganapati

 

 

Durga Ganapati, the "Invincible," waves the flag of victory over darkness. This splendid murti is of deep gold hue, dressed in red, holding a bow and arrow, noose and goad, prayer beads, broken tusk and a rose apple.

 


32ganesh32g_eps

Sankatahara Ganapati

 

Sankatahara Ganapati, "the Dispeller of Sorrow," is of sunlike hue, dressed in blue, and seated on a red lotus flower. He holds a bowl of pudding, a goad and a noose while gesturing the boon-granting varada mudra.