32 Forms of Ganapathi
| Name English Meaning | Image | Description atha dvātriṁshadgaṇapatInāṁ dhyānaṁ || mudgalapurāṇe || |
|---|---|---|
| Bāla Gaṇapati "Childlike Ganapati" |  | tatra bālagaṇapatidhyānaṁ karasthakadalīcūta | panasekṣucamodakaṁ | bālasūryanibhaṁ vaṁde || Adorned with a garland of tender flowers, having plantain (banana), mango, jack fruit, sugarcane and sweets (modaka) in His hands and who is effulgent like the rising sun [17] (red color). |
| Taruṇa Gaṇapati "Youthful Ganapati" |  | atha taruṇagaṇapatidhyānaṁ || mudgalapurāṇe || pāshāṁkushāpūpakapitthajaṁbū |
(According to the Mudgala Purana version, kadubu - an edible specific to Lord Ganapati is mentioned instead of rice-cake). |
| Bhakti Gaṇapati "Devotee (Devotion) Ganapati" |  | atha bhaktagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE | nArikELAmrakadaLI | Described as “ the Lord of His devotees and who shines like the autumn moon, with coconut, mango, plantain (banana), jaggery and sweets in his hands."[19] (White Colour) |
| Vīra Gaṇapati "Valiant Ganapati" |  | atha vIragaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || bhEtALashaktisharakAr^mukacakraKaDga | "Armed with Bhetala, the weapon of power(shakti), arrow, bow, wheel(Chakra or discus), sword, club, hammer, mace, hook, nagapasha (serpent noose), spear, plough, and the shining axe."[20] (Red Colur). (According to the Mudgala Purana version, flag is mentioned instead of plough). |
| Śakti Gaṇapati The "Powerful" Ganapati |  | atha shaktigaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || AliMgya dEvIM haritAMgayaShTiM | He is red in colour. 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. |
| Dvija Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Twice-Born" |  | atha dvijagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || yaM pustukAkShaguNadaMDakamaMDala shrIvidyOtamAnakarabhUShaNa miMduvarNaM | He has four heads and four arms. He is white in colour. His hands hold the rosary, the washing pot (kamandalu), the walking-stick of an ascetic or the ritual spoon (sruk) and the manuscript on palm-leaves (pustaka). |
| Siddhi Gaṇapati Ganapati bestowing success(Siddhi) or "The Accomplished Ganapati" |  | atha siddhagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || pakvacUtaPalapuShpamaMjarI | Fond of the sesame cake. He has four arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the axe, the noose, the sugar-cane stem and the mango. |
| Ucçhishṭa Gaṇapati "Ganapati devouring the remnants of the meal" |  | atha uCiShTagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || nIlAbjadADimIvINA | graMthAMtare | nArIyOnirasAsvada | He has six arms. He is blue in colour. His hands show the rosary, the pomegranate, the paddy ear (shalyagra), the nocturnal lotus, the lute (vîna); his sixth hand sometimes bears a guñja berry, embraces the goddess. The Ucchista Ganapati trunk is placed on the goddess's thigh |
| Vighna Gaṇapati Ganapati - "Lord of Obstacles" | | atha viGnagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || shaMKEkShucApakusumEShukuThArapAsha | He has eight arms. He is golden in colour. 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 (pushapamañjari) |
| Kshipra Gaṇapati "Ganapati who is easy to Appease" or "Quick-acting Ganapati" |  | atha kShipragaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || daMtakalpalatApAsha | He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands show the single tusk, the elephant goad, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalatâ), the noose. With the end of his trunk, he carries the stone cup full of precious stones (ratnakumbha). |
| Heramba Gaṇapati "Mother's Beloved Son" Ganapati |  | atha hEraMbagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || abhayavaradahastaM pAshadaMtAkShamAlAsRuNiparashudadhAnaM mudgaraM mOdakaM ca | The five-headed Ganapati riding the lion. He has ten arms. He is dark in colour. 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 (varada). |
| Lakshmī Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Fortunate" similar to GoddessLakshmi |  | atha lakShmIgaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || bibhrANashshukabIjapUrakamiLanmANikyakuMbhAMkushA | Embracing his wives Siddhi(Achievement) and Buddhi(Wisdom). He is white (fair) in colour. He has eight arms. His hands hold a pomegranate, a sword, the creeper of the votive tree, the elephant goad, the parrot, the noose, the jewel pot; his eighth hand bestows boons (varada). |
| Mahā Gaṇapati "The Great Ganapati" |  | atha mahAgaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE|| hastIMdrAnanamiMducUDamaruNaCAyaM triNEtraM rasAdAshliShTaM priyayA sapadmakarayA svAMkastayA saMtataM| With a shakti, He has ten hands. He is red in colour. 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 Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Victorious" |  | atha vijayagaNapatidhyAnaM ||mudgalapurANE || pAshAMkushasvadaMtAmraPalavAnAKuvAhanaH viGnaM nihaMtu nassarvaM | Riding a rat which trots at a smart pace, He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango. |
| Nṝitya Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Dancer" |  | atha nRuttagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || pAshAMkushApUpakuThAradaMta caMcatkarAkluptavarAMguLIyakaM | Dancing under the boon-tree, He has four arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose, the axe (parashu) or the hatchet (kuthâra). The dhyâna sloka specifies that one of the four hands can show a cake apûpa. |
| Ūrdhva Gaṇapati "The Elevated Ganapati" |  | atha UrdhvagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || kalhArashAlikamalEkShukacApabANa | Seated with his Shakti on his left thigh, He has eight arms. He is golden in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the arrow-flower, the daylight lotus, the blue lily (kalhara), 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. |
| Ekākshara Gaṇapati Ganapati identified with "Single Syllable"(gaṃ). |  | atha EkAkSharagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || raktO raktAMgarAgAMshukakusumayutastuMdilashcaMdramauLe | He has four arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka. Sometimes, he wears, with the extremity of his trunk (bîjapûra). |
| Vara Gaṇapati The "Boon-giver" Ganapati |  | atha varagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || siMdUrAbhamibhAnanaM triNayanaM hastE ca pAshAMkushau | With a shakti seated on his left thigh, He has four arms. He is red in colour. His first three hands hold the elephant goad, the skull filled with liquor (madhumatkapâla) and the noose. The fourth hand creeps between the thighs of the goddess who holds a lotus and a banner. |
| Tryakshara Gaṇapati Lord "of the Three-lettersA+U+M" Ganapati |  | atha tryakShagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || gajEMdravadanaM sAkShAccalatkarNaM sacAmaraM | 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. |
| Kshirpra Prasāda Gaṇapati Ganapati the "Quick-Rewarder" |  | atha kShipraprasAdagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || dhRutapAshAMkushakalpalatAsvaradashca bIjapUrayutaH | He has six arms. He is red in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the lotus, the creeper of the votive tree (kalpalatâ), the noose, the lemon. |
| Haridrā Gaṇapati "The curcuma-colored Ganapati". |  | atha haridrAgaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE|| haridrAbhaM caturbAhuM | He has four arms. He is yellow in colour. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the cake modaka |
| Ekdanta Gaṇapati "The Single Tusked Ganapati". |  | atha EkadaMtagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE| laMbOdaraM shyAmatanuM gaNEshaM | He has four arms. He is blue in colour. His hands hold a large tusk, a rosary, a hatchet (kuthâra) and the small ball of sweets (laddu). |
| Sṝishṭi Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Creator", |  | atha sRuShTigaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE|| pAshAMkushasvadaMtAmra| Riding a big rat, He is red in colour. He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the elephant goad, the noose and the mango. |
| Uddaṇḍa Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Unchained", |  | atha uddaMDagaNapatidhyAnaM ||mudgalapurANE || kalhArAMbuja bIjapUraka gadAdaMtEkShucApaM sumaM | With his Shakti seated on his left thigh, He has twelve arms. He is red in colour. 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. His trunk is placed on the top of the goddesse's breast or, sometimes, maintains a jewels pot (manikumbha). |
| Ṝiṇamochana Gaṇapati "Ganapati the liberator from depts" |  | atha RuNamOcanagaNapatidhyAnaM ||mudgalapurANE|| pAshAMkushau daMtajaMbU | Ganapati seated on a large lotus with his Shakti. He removes the impediment. He has four arms. He is white in colour. 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 (pâyasapâtra). |
| Ḍhuṇḍhi Gaṇapati "The Ganapati Sought After" |  | dhuMDigaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || akShamAlAM kuThAraM ca | He has four arms. His hands hold the single tusk, the rosary (rudrAkSha), the hatchet (kuthâra) (an axe ) and the pot of jewels (ratnapâtra). (Red Color). |
| Dvimukha Gaṇapati "Two-faced Ganapati" |  | atha dvimuKagaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANE | svadaMtapAshAMkusharatnapAtraM | He holds in his hands his own tusk, a noose, a hook and a pot full of gems. His body complexion is greenish blue and he is wearing a red colored robe. A gem studded crown embellishes his head. |
| Trimukha Gaṇapati "Three-faced Ganapati" |  | atha trimuKagaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANe | shrUmattIkShNa shiKAMkushAkSha varadAndakShE dadhAnaH karaiH | He has six arms. He carries in two of his right hands very sharp elephant goad, a rudrâksha rosary and is holding another hand in boon bestowing gesture (varada). He carries in two of his left hands a noose, a urn full of celestial nectar (amruta) - ambrosia pot (amritakumbha) and is holding the another hand in gesture of bestowing fearlessness (abhaya). He is seated on shining golden throne with lotus in the center. He has three eyes with elephantine face and he effulgent like the flame of forest flower (bastard teak/butea frondosa). (Red color). |
| Siṇha Gaṇapati "The Lion Ganapati". |  | atha siMhagaNapatidhyAnaM | mudgalapurANE | vINAM kalpalatAmariM ca varadA dakShE vidhattE karai
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| Yoga Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Ascetic". |  | atha yOgagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANe || yOgArUDhO yOgapaTTAbhirAmO| He has four arms. He is red in colour. His legs are surrounded with the meditation girdle (yogapatta). He is engrossed inyoga and is strapped in a yoga posture. He looks beautiful and shines like the rising morning sun. He is adorned with a colored robe which is shining like blue sapphire. His hands hold the rosary, the elbow-rest or the walking-stick (a yoga wand), the noose and the sugar-cane stalk. |
| Durga Gaṇapati "Ganapati the Invincible" similar the Goddess Durgâ. |  | atha durgAgaNApatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || taptakAMcanasaMkAsha | His body glows like burnished gold (Golden Color). He has eight hands and massive body. He is holding a shining hook (Ankush), an Arrow, a rosary and a tusk with the four hands on the right side. He is holding a noose, a bow, a wish bestowing creeper and Rose Apple (Eugenia Jambolana) with the four hands on the left side. He is dressed in red clothes. (According to another version, the Arrow is replaced by a noose) |
| Saṇkaṭahara Gaṇapati "Ganapati - Dispeller of Troubles". |  | atha saMkaTaharagaNapatidhyAnaM || mudgalapurANE || bAlArkAruNakAMtirvAmEbAlAMvahannaMkE | He has four arms. He is effulgent like the rising red sun (Red in Color). He has his wife (shakti) - who is carrying a beautiful lotus, glowing with radiance and bejeweled - sitting on his left lap. He is carrying in one of his right hand a hook (Ankusha) and with the other bestowing boon(varada). He is carrying in one of his left hand a rope(noose) and with the other a vessel brimming with sweet soup (Payasam). He is seated on a Red Lotus and wearing a blue robe. (According to another version, the varada gesture and vessel of Payasam is replaced by the broken tusk and the rose-apple fruit.) |
Source : wikipedia.org
