Worshipped as the bestow-er of boons and god of wisdom, Lord Ganesha is one of the supreme gods of Hindu mythology and religion.
He has quite many anecdotes revolving around him and he makes appearances in most of the mythological stories. One such very interesting instance is when maha-muni Veda Vyasa asked Lord Ganesha to pen down the great epic of Mahabharata.
Lord Ganesha agreed to do so on the condition that once Veda Vyasa begins to narrate the story, he would not stop and if he fails to do so, Lord Ganesha would walk away from the project. Veda Vyasa being aware of the Lord’s supreme abilities put forth another condition that Lord Ganesha would not take down any narration unless he fully understood it. That way, whenever maha-muni needed some rest, he would phrase a complex sentence that would need some time for Lord Ganesha to decipher.
Thus, began the writing of one of the greatest epics of all time- The Mahabharata. This instance is a fine example of how a guru’s tactfulness can bring to order a finicky mind.
Tale also has it that as Lord Ganesha was writing Mahabhrata, the nib of his pen broke off. He did not waste another moment and broke off his tusk to continue the task.
This is just one of the many instances of the wonders and glories of the Lord.
He is also known as the Lord who removes obstacles and puts one in the path of success. It is for this reason that at least one idol or painting of the Lord is found in every Hindu household, especially in the entrance hall to ward off any evil energy. A brief puja of the Lord is also performed before commencing any function or event to ensure fruitful results.
Did you know that there are several representations of Lord Ganesha and each has its own meaning and purpose? Read further to find out.
Sitting posture:
An often-depicted pose of the Lord is him sitting in Lalita Aasana. He is seated either on a Lotus or a throne with one leg folded and the other resting on the ground. This pose symbolises his interest in the worldly affairs of his devotees.
Standing posture:
With Ganesh Chaturthi just around the corner, you are sure to find this posture of the Lord in a number of Pandals. This posture is called Abhanga Aasana which literally means “not-bent”. It represents agility and attitude.
Sleeping posture:
This one depicts the Lord in a luxurious state where he is shown reclining against a pillow on a grand throne/sofa. This posture represents immense prosperity and is often found in workspaces and offices.
Dancing posture:
The Lord here is shown merrily dancing to his music. Such idols are said to bring in vibes of joy, happiness and vibrance.
Not just his posture but the position of his trunk also holds great significance.
Trunk turned right:
Called the Siddhi Vinayaka, such an idol where the trunk of the Lord is turned right is said to invoke the energy of the sun. Such idols are often found in temples as these need to be properly worshipped following all rituals and procedures.
Trunk turned left:
Contrary to Siddhi Vinayaka, this idol is said to invoke the energies of the moon and represents Ida Nadi. These are the type of idols often found in households as they are said to bring in peace and serenity.
Trunk being straight:
Such idols are a rare kind and they symbolise that the central axis of the human body is open. It conveys the message of alignment with oneself.
