Incarnations & Forms of Lord Sri Maha Ganapathi
Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!
INCARNATIONS
The stories and legends of Lord Ganesha are referred in many pauranic texts out of which two Puranas viz. Ganesha Purana and Mudgala Purana (Upa Puranas) are totally dedicated to Lord Ganesha. As per these puranas it is said that Lord Ganesha got manifested in several forms out of which eight are considered to be most important referred to as his incarnations. These incarnations which have taken place in different cosmic ages are Vakratunda, Ekadantha, Mahodara, Gajavaktra (Gajaanana), Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja and Dhoomravarna.
In all these incarnations Lord Ganesha was depicted as having an elephant trunk. In five out of eight incarnations Lord Ganesha is symbolized with Mouse as his vehicle. In the other three incarnations he is said to have used Lion, Peacock, and Serpent as his vehicle (Vahana). In each incarnation a philosophical concept is highlighted as the main theme apart from the other. Lord Ganesha is said to have fought in each incarnation with a demon symbolized with a weakness.
First incarnation of Vakratunda defeated the demon Matsaraasura and his weakness Matsara (Jealousy/enviousness) when he used Lion as his mount (vehicle)
Second incarnation as Ekadantha, defeated the demon Madaasura and his weakness Mada (drunkenness, arrogance) when he used Mouse as his mount.
Third incarnation as Mahodara defeated the demon Mohaasura and his weakness Moha (delusion) when he used Mouse as his mount.
Fourth incarnation as Gajaanana defeated the demon Lobhaasura and his weakness Lobha (Greed) when he used Mouse as his mount.
Fifth incarnation as Lambodara defeated the demon Krodhaasura and his weakness Krodha (anger) when he used Mouse as his mount
Sixth incarnation as Vikata (deformed), defeated the demon Kamaasura and his weakness Kama (lust) when he used Peacock as his mount.
Seventh incarnation as Vighnaraja (Remover of obstacles), defeated the demon Mamaasura and his weakness Ego (Possessiveness) when he used Serpent as his mount.
Eighth incarnation as Dhoomravarna (smoke coloured) Lord Ganesha defeated the demon Ahankaraasura and his weakness pride, attachment, infatuation, aham (ego) when he used Mouse as his mount.
Above incarnations indicate the need for human beings to overcome these weaknesses in order to lead a happy and peaceful life and for realization of the ultimate reality.
It is said that the incarnations of Lord Ganesha as per Ganesha Purana are Mahotkata with Lion as his mount, Mayuresvara with Peacock as his mount, Gajaanana with Mouse as his mount and Dhoomrakethu with Mouse as his mount. It is believed and said that Lord Ganesha was in existence in all the Yugas.
Thirty-Two Forms of Ganesha
As per Mudgala Purana it is said that, in addition to the above eight, Lord Ganesha has manifested in 32 different forms as given below worshipped by his devotees.
1. Bala Ganapathi (Child like God),
2. Tharuna Ganapathi (Eight armed, Astabhuja)
3. Bhakti Ganapathi (Chaturbhuja/four armed)
4. Veera Ganapathi (Valiant warrior with shodasabhuja – 16 arms)
5. Shakti Ganapathi (Along with his female energy)
6. Dvija Ganapathi (Twice born)
7. Siddhi Ganapathi (the accomplished)
8. Ucchhishta Ganapathi (Six armed)
9. Vighna Ganapathi (Lord of obstacles)
10. Kshipra Ganapathi (Quick in action)
11. Heramba Ganapathi (Five faced/ten armed)
12. Lakshmi Ganapathi (Varada Mudra)
13. Maha Ganapathi (The Great)
14. Vijaya Ganapathi (Victorious)
15. Nritya Ganapathi (Dancing)
16. Urdhva Ganapathi (Left hand elevated)
17. Ekaakshara Ganapathi (Gam - Ganapathi)
18. Varada Ganapathi (Boon giver)
19. Tryakshara Ganapathi (Lord of three letters AUM)
20. Kshipra Prasada Ganapathi (Quick rewarder)
21. Haridra Ganapathi (Yellow coloured)
22. Ekadantha Ganapathi (Single Tusk)
23. Srushti Ganapathi (Manifestation)
24. Uddanda Ganapathi (Enforcer of Dharma)
25. Rinamochana Ganapathi (Liberator of bondage)
26. Dhundi Ganapathi (Sought after)
27. Dvimukha Ganapathi (Two divergent faces)
28. Trimukha Ganapathi (Three faced)
29. Simha Ganapathi (Mounted on Lion)
30. Yoga Ganapathi (Meditating)
31. Durga Ganapathi (Invincible)
32. Sankatahara Ganapathi (Dispeller of sorrow)
It is believed and said that Lord Ganesha has also manifested in his 33rd form as Subha Drishti Ganapathi (destroyer of evil forces) depicted in a rare form. We find people exhibiting a picture/image of Subha Drishti Ganapathi in front of their houses/offices to ward off the evil influences.
Lord Ganapathi has taken four different forms in four Yugas. In Krita Yuga he was known as Mahotkata Ganapathi having 10 arms riding on a Lion. In Treta Yuga he was white-coloured, eight-armed and was known as Mayura Ganapathi riding on Peacock. In Dwapara Yuga he was red-coloured, manifested from the clay on the body of Goddess Parvathi riding on a mouse (Mooshika vahana) and chaturbhuja with four arms known as Gajaanana Ganapathi. In Kali Yuga he is known as Dhoomrakethu Ganapathi.
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