ॐ नमः शिवाय!
ॐ श्री महागणपतये नमः !
Ganesha Purana states four Ganesh incarnations on the earth during the different yugas.
Mahotkata- Ten arms, seated on a lion, shining like the sun, Krita Yuga to kill the demons Narantak and Devantak.
Mayureshvar with six arms, riding the peacock, killed the demon Sindhu during the Treta Yuga.
Gajanana with four arms, mounted on his rat, killed the demon Sindur during the Dwapara Yuga.
Dhumraketu is the form of Ganesh who will come in the future:Kali Yuga. Two-arms and smoke-colored Dhumraketu will ride on a blue horse; he will fight all the devils to restore peace and harmony in the world.
The eight incarnations of Ganesh
The Mudgala Purana, dated of the 16 th century tells about the eight incarnations of Ganesh.
Vakratunda, "the Lord with the curved trunk" seated on a lion killed Matsara, who is the symbol of jealousy.
Ekadanta, "the Lord who has only one tusk". destroyed Mada, the demon of drunkeness.
Mahodara, "the Lord who has a big belly", killed Moha, the demon of illusion.
Gajanana, "the Lord with an elephant face", put Lobha, the demon of greed, to death .
Lambodara, "the Lord with a protuberant belly", conquers Krodha, the demon of anger.
Vikata, subdued Kama, the demon of desire.
Vighnaraja, "the Lord King of obstacles", lying on Shesha, Ganesh destroyed Mama, the demon of ego.
Dhumravarna, riding a mouse, who got victory over Ahamkara, the demon of self-infatuation.
The twelve main names of Ganesh
The Ganesha Purana, important text of the Ganapatya, gives a list of the twelve main names of the elephant-headed-god. These names must be used before any ritual.
They are the following :
Sumukha : "The very graceful"
Ekadanta : "The one who has only one tusk"
Kapila : "The one with a tawny color"
Gajakarna : "The one with elephant ears"
Lambodara : "The one with a prominent belly"
Vikata : "The gigantic one"
Vighnanasaka : "The one destroyer of obstacles"
Ganadhipa : "The one who is the Protector of the Gana"
Dhumraketu : "The one with a smoky color" with two arms riding on a blue horse, Ruler of the Kali Yuga.
Ganadhyaksha : "The Minister of the Gana"
Bhalachandra : "The one who wears the moon crescent on his head"
Gajanana : "The one with an elephant face".
Twenty one names of GaneshDuring a puja, offerings of flowers and rice accompany the 21 Ganesh names (eka vishanti nama) as follow :
Vighnaraja : "The King of obstacles",
Gajanana : "The one who has an elephant face",
Lambodara : "The one with a prominent belly",
Shivatmaja : " son of Shiva",
Vakratunda : "The one with a twisted trunk",
Supakarna : "The one with huge ears",
Ganeshvara : "The leader of the Gana",
Vighnanashin : "The Destroyer of Obstacles",
Vikata : " The Misshapen",
Vamana : "The Dwarf",
Sarvadeva :"god of all gods",
Sarvadukhavinashi" One who destroys all pain",
Vighnarhartr : "The one who cancels the obstacles",
Dhumraja: " The king of destruction",
Sarvadevadhideva: " God of all gods",
Ekadanta : "The one who has only one tusk",
Krishnapingala : "The blue and dark one",
Bhalachandra : "The one who carries the crescent of moon on his head",
Gananatha : "The supreme Chief of the Gana",
Shankarasunav : "The son of Shankara",
Anangapujita : "The formless one" ,
The thirty one names of Ganesh
The Sritattvanidhi is a document written in the 19 th century in Karnataka, under the guidance of the Mysore Maharaja.
Bala Ganapati : "Ganapati the Child". He has four arms. His hands bear a mango, a small branch of a mango-tree, a stem of sugar-cane and a cake.
Taruna Ganapati : "Ganapati the Teenager". He has eight arms. His hands expose the single tusk, the elephant goad, the kapittha fruit, the sugar-cane, the noose, the paddy ear, the apupa cake.
Bhakta Ganapati : "Ganapati, the Perfect Worshiper". He has four arms. His hands show a banana, the small branch of a mango-tree, the bowl of sugared rice (payasapatra).
Vira Ganapati : "Ganapati the Hero". He has sixteen arms. He wears the trident, the vampire, the two-head club, the axe, the arrow, the elephant goad, the sword, the disc, the pestle, the club, the snake, the spear, the banner, the bow, the noose and the small damaru drum.
Shakti Ganapati : "Ganesh embracing the goddess Success; - Pushti". He has four arms. His low right hand shows the movement of lack of fear (abhaya); the two others wear the elephant goad and the noose; the last hand, who holds a lemon, embraces the goddess. With the top of his trunk, Shakti Ganapati holds a cake.
Ucchista Ganapati : "Ganapati devouring the remnants of the meal". He has six arms. His hands show the rosary, the pomegranate, the paddy ear (shalyagra), the nocturnal lotus, the lute (vina) ; his sixth hand sometimes bears a gunja berry, embraces the goddess. The Ucchista Ganapati trunk is placed on the goddesse's thigh.
Siddhi Ganapati : "Ganapati bestowing success", fond of the sesame cake. He has four arms. His hands hold the axe, the noose, the sugar-cane stem and the mango.
Dvija Ganapati : "Ganapati the Twice-Born". He has four heads and four arms. His hands hold the rosary, the washing pot the walking-stick of an ascetic or the ritual spoon and the manuscript on palm-leaves.
Vighna Ganapati : "Ganapati removing the obstacles". He has eight arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the disc, the arrow-flowers, the hatchet, the conch, the sugar-cane stem, the noose, the elephant goad. With the tip of his trunk, he carries a bunch of flowers.
Kshipra Ganapati : He has four arms. His hands show the single tusk, the elephant goad, the creeper of the votive tree, the noose. With the end of his trunk, he carries the stone cup full of precious stones (ratnakumbha).
Heramba Ganapati : "The five-heads Ganapati riding the lion". He has ten arms. His first hand shows the movement of lack of fear (abhaya), the others hold the rosary, the citron, the club, the elephant goad, the noose, the axe, the kadabu cake, the single tusk; his tenth hand shows the movement which bestows boons.
Lakshmi Ganapati : "Ganapati the Fortunate" embracing his wives Siddhi and Buddhi. He has eight arms. His hands hold a pomegranate, a sword, the the creeper of the votive tree, the elephant goad, the parrot, the noose, the jewels pot; his eighth hand bestows boons (varada).
Mahaganapati : "The Great Ganapati" with the goddess Wealth - Pushti. He has ten hands. His hands hold the single tusk, the pomegranate, the club, the sugar-cane bow, the disc, the conch, the noose, the nocturnal lotus, the paddy ear, the jewels pot.
Vijaya Ganapati : "Ganapati the Victorious", riding a rat which trots at a smart pace. He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango.
Nrtya Ganapati : "The Dancing Ganapati" under the boon-tree. He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose, the axe (parashu) or the hatchet.
The dhyana sloka specifies that one of the four hands can show a cake apupa.
Urdhva Ganapati : "The Rising Ganapati", seated with his Shakti on his left thigh. He has eight arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the arrow-flower, the daylight lotus, the blue lily, the sugar-cane bow, the paddy ear, the club; his last hand claps the goddess. The extremity of his trunk is rolled around the right breast of the goddess.
Vara Ganapati : "The Delightful Ganapati" with the goddess Wealth - Pushti, seated on his left thigh. He has four arms. His first three hands hold the elephant goad, the skull filled with liquor (madhumatkapala) and the noose. The fourth hand creeps between the thighs of the goddess who holds a lotus and a banner.
Ekakshara Ganapati : "Ganapati identified with the word OM". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka. Somtimes, he wears, with the extremity of his trunk (bijapura).
Tryakshara Ganapati : "The Three-letters A+U+M Ganapati". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango. He holds the cake modaka with the trunk end.
Kshipraprasada Ganapati : "Ganapati bestowing quickly his mercy". He has six arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the lotus, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalata), the noose, the lemon.
Haridra Ganapati : "The curcuma-colored Ganapati". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka.
Ekadanta Ganapati : "The Single Tusk Ganapati". He has four arms. His hands hold a large tusk, a rosary, a hatchet (kuthara) and the small ball of sweets (laddu).
Shristi Ganapati : "Ganapati the Creator", riding a big rat. His has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango.
Uddanda Ganapati : "Ganapati the Unchained", with his Shakti seated on his left thigh. He has twelve arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the club, the nocturnal lotus, the noose, the paddy ear, the elephant goad, the washing pot (kamandalu), the sugar-cane bow, the disc, the daylight lotus, the conch and the pomegranate.
Sankatahara Ganapati : "Ganapati seated on a large lotus with his Shakti "; he removes the impediments. He has four arms. His first hand show the movement to bestow boons (varada) ; the three others hold the elephant goad, the noose and the bowl of sugared rice.
Dundhi Ganapati : "The Ganapati which we have to look for". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the rosary, the hatchet (kuthara) and the pot of jewels (ratnapatra).
Trimukha Ganapati : "The Tree-Head Ganapati". He has six arms. His first hand shows the movement which gives boons (varada), the four others hols a very sharp elephant goad, a rudrâksha grain of the rosary, the noose and the ambrosia pot (amritakumbha) ; the sixth hand removes the fear (abhaya).
Simha Ganapati : "The Lion-face Ganapati". He has eight arms. His first hand shows the movement which bestow boons (varada). The following hold the disc, the bunch of flowers, the lute, the daylight lotus, the jewels pot, the creeper of the votive tree; the last hand shows the movement which removes fear (abhaya).
Yoga Ganapati : "Ganapati the Ascetic". He has four arms. His legs are surrounded with the meditation girdle (yogapatta). His hands hold the rosary, the elbow-rest or the walking-stick, the noose and the sugar-cane.
Durga Ganapati : "Ganapati similar to the Goddess Durga". He has eight arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the arrow, the rosary, the noose, the bow, the creeper of the votive tree and the rose-apple fruit.
Rnamocaka Ganapati : "Ganapati who discharges from debts". He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the rose-apple fruit.
One Hundred and Eight Names of Ganesha
Akhuratha---One who has Mouse as his Chariot/Vehicle
Alampata---Ever Eternal Lord
Amit---Incomparable Lord
Anantachidrupamayam---Infinite and Consciousness Personified
Avaneesh---Lord of the whole World
Avighna---Remover of Obstacles
Balaganapati---Beloved and Lovable Child
Bhalchandra---Moon-Crested Lord
Bheema---Huge and Gigantic
Bhupati--Lord of the Gods
Bhuvanpati---God of the Gods
Buddhinath---God of Wisdom
Buddhipriya--Knowledge Bestower
Buddhividhata---God of Knowledge
Chaturbhuj---One who has Four Arms
Devadeva---Lord of All Lords
Devantakanashakarin---Destroyer of Evils and Asuras
Devavrata---One who accepts all Penances
Devendrashika---Protector of All Gods
Dharmik---One who gives Charity
Dhoomravarna---Smoke-Hued Lord
Durja---Invincible Lord
Dvaimatura---One who has two Mothers
Ekaakshara---He of the Single Syllable
Ekadanta---Single-Tusked Lord
Ekadrishta---Single-Tusked Lord
Eshanputra---Lord Shiva's Son
Gadadhara---One who has The Mace as His Weapon
Gajakarna---One who has Eyes like an Elephant
Gajanana---Elephant-Faced Lord
Gajananeti---Elephant-Faced Lord
Gajavakra---Trunk of The Elephant
Gajavaktra---One who has Mouth like an Elephant
Ganadhakshya---Lord of All Ganas
Ganadhyakshina---Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
Ganapati---Lord of All Ganas
Gaurisuta---The Son of Gauri
Gunina---One who is The Master of All Virtues
Haridra---One who is Golden Colored
Heramba---Mother's Beloved Son
Kapila---Yellowish-Brown Colored
Kaveesha---Master of Poets
Kirti---Lord of Music
Kripalu---Merciful Lord
Krishapingaksha---Yellowish-Brown Eyed
Kshamakaram---The Place of Forgiveness
Kshipra---One who is easy to Appease
Lambakarna---Large-Eared Lord
Lambodara---The Huge Bellied Lord
Mahabala---Enormously Strong Lord
Mahaganapati---Omnipotent and Supreme Lord
Maheshwaram---Lord of The Universe
Mangalamurti---All Auspicious Lord
Manomay--Winner of Hearts
Mrityuanjaya---Conqueror of Death
Mundakarama--Abode of Happiness
Muktidaya-Bestower of Eternal Bliss
Musikvahana---One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
Nadapratithishta--One who Appreciates and Loves Music
Namasthetu---Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and SinsNandanaLord Shiva's Son
Nideeshwaram---Giver of Wealth and TreasuresOmkaraOne who has the Form Of OM
Pitambara---One who has Yellow Colored Body
Pramoda--Lord of All Abodes
Prathameshwara---First Among All
Purush---The Omnipotent Personality
Rakta---One who has Red Colored Body
Rudrapriya---Beloved Of Lord Shiva
Sarvadevatman---Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
Sarvasiddhanta---Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
Sarvatman---Protector of The Universe
Shambhavi---The Son of Parvati
Shashivarnam---One who has a Moon like Complexion
Shoorpakarna---Large-Eared Lord
Shuban---All Auspicious Lord
Shubhagunakanan---One who is The Master of All Virtues
Shweta---One who is as Pure as the White Color
Siddhidhata---Bestower of Success and Accomplishments
Siddhipriya---Bestower of Wishes and Boons
Siddhivinayaka---Bestower of Success
Skandapurvaja---Elder Brother of Skanda
Sumukha---Auspicious Face
Sureshwaram---Lord of All Lords
Swaroop----Lover of BeautyTarunAgeless
Uddanda---Nemesis of Evils and Vices
Umaputra---The Son of Goddess
UmaVakratunda---Curved Trunk Lord
Varaganapati---Bestower of Boons
Varaprada---Granter of Wishes and Boons
Varadavinayaka---Bestower of Success
Veeraganapati---Heroic Lord
Vidyavaridhi---God of Wisdom
Vighnahara---Remover of Obstacles
Vignaharta---Demolisher of Obstacles
Vighnaraja---Lord of All Hindrances
Vighnarajendra---Lord of All Obstacles
Vighnavinashanaya---Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments
Vigneshwara---Lord of All Obstacles
Vikat---Huge and Gigantic
Vinayaka---Lord of All
Vishwamukha---Master of The Universe
Vishwaraja---King of The World
Yagnakaya---Acceptor of All Sacred and Sacrificial Offerings
Yashaskaram---Bestower of Fame and Fortune
Yashvasin---Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
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