GANESHA OUR ELEPHANT GOD

THE 32 POSES OF GANAPATI

As Hindus, we are often posed with a question, Why do we worship an elephant-headed, pot-bellied, broken-tusked god who travels on a mouse? As strange as it seems, every little oddity of Lord Ganesha's has a deep spiritual significance.

Ganesha popularly held to be the son of Shiva and Parvati, the Puranic myths give different versions about his birth. In some he was created by Parvati,in another he was created by Shiva and Parvati.

Lord Ganesha is invoked as Vighneswara in the launch of an event or business by majority of the Hindus as he is believed to be the obstacle remover. Lord Ganesha is also considered as the God of auspicious beginnings and bestower of fortune in abundance. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Hindu Goddess Parvati. The GaneshaPurana describes the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha and among them, Mahaganapathi is widely worshiped. The first 16 forms of Ganesha are known by the name "Shodasa Ganapati" and the later ones are known as "Ekavimsathi". Here, let us have a look at all the 32 forms of Lord Ganesha

1.BalaGanapathi: It depicts the child like form of Ganesha and represents earth.

2.Bhakti Ganapati: It is the devotee form of Lord Ganesha. He is portrayed to have four arms holding coconut, Mango, Banana and sweet made of Jaggery (Cup of Payasam)

3.Dhundhi Ganapati: He is known as the sought after Ganapati as he helps his devotees to attain moksha through spiritual studies

4.Durga Ganapati: He is the invincible Ganapati paying attribute to Mother Durga and is depicted with 8 arms

5.Dvija Ganapati: The word "Dvija" means born twice. It reminds us the story of Lord Shiva beheading Ganesha and resurrecting Him with an elephant's head.

6.Dvimukha Ganapati: It is a unique form of Ganapati with two heads, sees in all directions and in His 4 arms the goad, noose, a pot of gems and his tusk

7.Ekadanta Ganapati: As the name suggest "single tusked" Ganapati.

8.Ekakshara Ganapati: In this form Ganapati identified with Single Syllable, third eye and crescent moon.

9.Haridra Ganapati: The kumkumacoloured Ganapati and is seated on a posh royal throne with calm face.

10.Heramba Ganapati: He is the Mother's beloved son and a rare form in which the Lord appears with five heads and ten hands.

11.Kshipra Ganapati: He is also known as Ganapati who is easy to appease and gives quick reward to the devotees

12.KshipraPrasada Ganapati: As the name suggest Ganapati the quick rewarder. He sits on a Kusha grass throne

13.Lakshmi Ganapati: Commonly known as Ganapati the fortunate. He is depicted to have the Goddess Siddhi (Achievement) and Goddess Budhi (Wisdom) on both thighs.

14.Maha Ganapati: The great Ganapati is popularly worshipped and seated majestically with one of his shaktis on his knee.

15.Nritya Ganapati: It is vibrant form of Ganapati the happy dancer. He has four arms and all the fingers have rings.

16.Rinamochana Ganapati: Ganapati the liberator from debts, grants moksha to His devotees.

17.Sankatahara Ganapati: He is the dispeller of sorrow . He is seated on a lotus.

18.Shakti Ganapati: As the name suggest it is the powerful form of Lord Ganesha and is a Tantric worship form

19.Siddhi Ganapati: It is the accomplished form of Lord Ganesha, where He is in a relaxed form as he masters intellect.

20.Sinha Ganapati: He is known as the fearless Ganapati and has 8 arms. He is seated on a tiger

21.Srishti Ganapati: Ganapati in this form is the creator or as the Lord of happy manifestations.

22.Taruna Ganapati: It is the youthful form of Ganesha and is believed that he blesses his devotee with young and beautiful looks.

23.Trimukha Ganapati: The three faced Ganapati with 6 arms holding prayer beads, clasp a goad, noose and a pot of nectar

24.Tryakshara Ganapati: Also known as Lord of the three letters (A-U-M). Lord has 3 eyes and 4 hand

25.Ucchhishta Ganapati: It means "the lord of blessed offering and the lord of superiority". The Lord is sitting posture with Shakti Devi on His left thigh.

26.Uddanda Ganapati: He is the enforcer of Dharma and has ten arms well equipped with weapons.

27.Urdhva Ganapati: It is the elevated Ganapati and is depicted in sitting posture with His consort and has six arms

28.Varada Ganapati: Also known as the boon giver Ganapati with 3 eyes, crescent, crown and 4 arms.

29.Vighna Ganapati: He is also known as the "Lord of Obstacles" as He is the one who removes all the obstacles from the life of His devotees.

30.Vijaya Ganapati: Ganapati the victorious one.

31.Vira Ganapati: It is the Valiant form of Lord Ganesha and has 16-arms.

32.Yoga Ganapati: He is a yogic posture with his knees trapped and in complete meditation. His hands hold a stalk of sugar cane, a staff, prayer beads and a noose.