Life Lessons to learn from Ganesh

 

 

Symbolisms of Lord Ganesha

Lord Ganesha is loved by children for his elephant head, large ears, huge stomach and more! Explain to your child the meaning and symbolism behind each part of Lord Ganesha and his adornments.

GNESH ANGEY MOON

 

Ganesha also has something of a reputation for greediness. One day, after eating a few too many modakas (sacrificial cakes), Ganesha decided to take a ride on his giant rat, Kroncha, to aid his digestion. However, the rat was surprised when he came across a large snake and, jumping back with fear, he threw off his mount. Ganesha landed on his full belly and it burst on hitting the ground. The cakes from his stomach rolled left, right and centre but Ganesha, unperturbed, carefully gathered them in, stuffed them all back into his belly and wound the snake around his midriff to keep it closed. Symbolic of Ganesha’s ability to overcome all obstacles, the snake, the cause of the accident in the first place, therefore provided the remedy for the damage it had caused.

Continuing on his night-ride, Ganesha suddenly heard a thunderous noise from the heavens. This was the laughing of the Moon and his wives, the twenty seven Constellations, unable to contain themselves on seeing Ganesha wrapped in a snake. Outraged, Ganesha broke off the end of one of his tusks and hurled it at the laughing Moon who, hit full in the face, was struck black. Without the light of the moon, the dark nights became the haunt of thieves and villains until honest people had had enough and pleaded with the gods to restore the silver light. The gods asked Ganesha to forgive the Moon but only a partial forgiveness was given. Consequently, only periodically, on one night, would the Moon give his full light and then he would slowly waste away. 

An alternative explanation of Ganesha’s broken tusk is that of Krishna throwing his axe at Ganesha after he blocked his entrance to the private apartments of his parents Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha allowed the axe to hit and break his tusk so that no-one could say that the axe, which was in fact his father’s, was not a fearsome weapon. Yet another but less picturesque explanation of Ganesha’s broken tusk was that he snapped it off in order to transcribe the epic poem Mahabharata, dictated by the sage Vyasa who wished to preserve the story for all time.  This version explains Ganesha’s association with writers and intellectuals.

108 Lord Ganesha Names and Their Meanings

We encounter a very common question. How many names do Lord Ganesha have and what are their meanings? Lord Ganesha is famous for his 108 names and different meanings associated with them. In this article, we will explore his 108 different names of their meanings.  All the meanings generally come from different ways of praying to  Lord Ganesha or Ganesh and actually highlights many aspects of his personality and his greatness.

At different Yuga’s (Yuga in Hinduism is an epoch or era within a four-age cycle) Lord Ganesha believed to have taken different names.

It is widely believed that in different ages he comes to earth with different names to kill one or other demon. The demons and symbolic and often they are the common vices of people.

At these different ages or Yuga’s devotees has prayed him in different forms and they actually got added as names. So, all the 108 names of Lord Ganesha came into popular lore from different centuries to create the repertoire of 108 names.

List of 108 Names of Lord Ganesha along with their meanings:

1. Akhuratha: One whose chariot is pulled by a mouse. This is a reference to his “Vahana” the mouse, who was actually an “Asura”- the Mushikasura, defeated and mounted by the Lord.
2. Alampata: The One who is eternal.
3. Ambika: The Lord who hails from the mountains of the world.
4. Anantachidrupamayam: The one who is the personification of the infinite consciousness.
5. Avaneesh: Master of the universe
6. Avighna: The remover of obstacles, one of the main feat associated with Lord Ganesha.
7. Balaganapati: His child version, who is beloved by all. This emphasizes the close bond of Lord Ganesha to his parents.
8. Bhalchandra: The one who has a moon on his “Vaal” or crest.
9. Bheema: The one who is gigantic and powerful.
10. Bhupati: The lord of the earth.
11. Bhuvanpati: The Lord of heaven.
12. Buddhinath: The God of wisdom.
13. Buddhipriya: One who bestows knowledge and intellect among all.
14. Buddhividhata: The God of knowledge.
15. Chaturbhuj: The four-armed deity.
16. Devadeva: The Lord of lords and the Gods.
17. Devantakanashakarin: Destroyer of evils and demons.
18. Devendrashika: The one who protects all gods.
19. Dharmik: The one who is righteous and charitable.
20. Dhoomravarna: The one with smoke-hued skin color.
21. Durja: The one who is invincible.
22. Dvaimatura: The one who has two mothers.
23. Ekaakshara: The one who is a single syllable in his name. This refers to the seed mantra of Lord Ganesha or “Gaam”.
24. Ekadanta: The one who is with a single tusk, because he broke off his one tusk to write the epic “Mahabharata” and it is an epitome of sacrifice to do a great task.
25. Ekadrishta: Single-focused.
26. Eshanputra: The son of Shiva.
27. Gadadhara: The one who uses a mace as his weapon.
28. Gajakarna: The one who has ears of an elephant.
29. Gajanana: The one who has an elephantine face.
30. Gajananeti: The one who has the looks of an elephant
31. Gajavakra: The one with the trunk of an elephant.
32. Gajavaktra: The one who has an elephantine mouth.
33. Ganadhakshya: The lord of people.
34. Ganadhyakshina: The Leader of all celestial bodies and Heaven
35. Ganapati: The Lord of lords and People.
36. Gaurisuta: The son of Devi Gauri.
37. Gunina: The Lord of virtues.
38. Haridra: The one who is golden-hued.
39. Heramba: Mother’s most beloved son
40. Kapila: The one who is yellowish-brown.
41. Kaveesha: The lord of poets.
42. Kirti: The lord of music.
43. Kripalu: The merciful Lord
44. Krishapingaksha: The one who has yellowish-brown eyes.
45. Kshamakaram: The one who is an epitome of forgiveness.
46. Kshipra: The one who is easy to pacify.
47. Lambakarna: The one who has large ears. This symbolizes the importance of listening power. We need to listen to every detail and grasp the concept well so that we can be a good performer.
48. Lambodara: The One who has a big belly. Lord Ganesha belly symbolizes the digestion of everything good and bad, so that we are not affected by emotions of joy and sorrow.
49. Mahabala: The one who is enormously strong.
50. Mahaganapati: The Supreme Lord.
51. Maheshwaram: The Lord of the universe
52. Mangalamurti: The all-auspicious Lord.
53. Manomay: The winner of hearts and mind.
54. Mrityuanjaya: The one who has conquered death.
55. Mundakarama: The abode of happiness.
56. Muktidaya: The one who provides “Mukti” or freedom into the land of eternal bliss.
57. Musikvahana: The one who rides a mouse, who snips and nibbles away at ropes that bind us to the mere illusions of the world. Thus the mouse represents the mantra that goes through the cover of ignorance and removes it.
58. Nadapratithishta: The one who appreciates music. He is associated with the primordial sound and all other sounds that originate from it. So, he is often regarded as the first connoisseur of music.
59. Namasthetu: The Destroyer of evils and sins.
60. Nandana: Son of the Supreme God or Lord Shiva.
61. Nideeshwaram: The bestower of wealth.
62. Omkara: The one who has the form of ‘Om’ symbol.
63. Pitambara: The one who has yellowish skin.
64. Pramoda: Lord of all dwellings.
65. Prathameshwara: To state that He is the first among the Gods to be worshipped.
66. Purush: The omnipotent personality.
67. Raktim: The one who is blood-hued.
68. Rudrapriya: The one who is the beloved of Shiva.
69. Riddhesh: The God who resides in the heart of all people.
70. Sarvadevatman: The one who accepts all celestial offerings.
71. Sarvasiddhanta: The bestower of skills and knowledge.
72. Sarvatman: The protector of the universe.
73. Shambhavi: The son of Parvati.
74. Shashivarnam: The one who has a moon-like complexion.
75. Shaswata: The unchanging one.
76. Shoorpakarna: The one who is large-eared.
77. Shubhagunakanan: The one who is The Master of All Virtues.
78. Shweta: The one who is white and pure.
79. Siddhidhata: The bestower of accomplishments and successes.
80. Siddhipriya: The giver of wishes and boons.
81. Siddhivinayaka: The bestower of success.
82. Skandapurvaja: Elder of “Skanda” or LordKartikya
83. Sumukha: The one who has an auspicious face.
84. Sureshwaram: The Lord of lords and heaven.
85. Swaroop: The lover of beauty.
86. Tarun: The one who is eternally young.
87. Uddanda: The nemesis of evils and vices.
88. Umaputra: The son of Goddess Uma, another name of Devi Parvati.
89. Vakratunda: The one with a curved trunk.
90. Varaganapati: The bestower of boons.
91. Varaprada: The one who grants wishes.
92. Varadavinayaka: The bestower of success.
93. Veeraganapati: The fearless and vigorous lord.
94. Vidyavaridhi: The God of wisdom.
95. Vighnahara: The remover of obstacles.
96. Vignaharta: The destroyer of all obstacles.
97. Vighnaraja: The lord of all obstacles.
98. Vighnarajendra: The Lord of all obstacles.
99. Vighnavinashanaya: The destroyer of all obstacles.
100. Vigneshwara: The Lord of all obstacles.
101. Vikat: The one who is huge.
102. Vinayaka: The Supreme Lord.
103. Vishwamukha: Master of the universe.
104. Vishwaraja: The king of the world.
105. Yagnakaya: The one who accepts sacrificial offerings.
106. Yashaskaram: The bestower of fame and fortune.
107. Yashvasin: The beloved and ever popular lord.
108. Yogadhipa: The lord of meditation.

Thus, all these names together along with their meanings coming from different ages have built the rich symbols around Lord Ganesha. We believe the different names play a major role in creating the personality and image of Lord Ganesha in peoples mind.

Why Does Lord Ganesha Have Two Wives? What does it mean?

The whole idea of Ganesha having two wives simply indicates a spiritual idea that Riddhi and Siddhi are two basic necessities of life. When they come together they bring about auspiciousness, prosperity along with satisfaction. 

The right planning along with Right execution brings success, prosperity and hence divine satisfaction. This is all the mythology of Ganesha’s wives and children try to tell us. These are not just stories about Ganesha and his family live, but actually points out the power and attributes of the elephant-head God Ganesha.

This is all about it from us. Do let us know if you like it. Even if you do not, please make it a point to let us know. We will try and valued add as much and possible.