Test 3

= Iconography of Gaṇapati =

Gaṇapati got the title of ‘Lord of Obstacles’ after his father told him to help the devatas and hinder the asuras in yajña, sacrifices, or virtuous acts done to gain boons. Amarakośa lists Vināyaka, Vighnarāja, Dvaimātura, Gaṇādhipa, Ekadanta, Heramba, Lambodara, and Gajānana as epithets assigned to Gaṇapati [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.446136/page/n223/mode/2up <u>[1]</u>]. Each name reflects various symbolisms associated with the deity. As Prathama Pūjya, he is the first deity to be invoked to bless rituals, ceremonies, journeys, or acts of learning.

Vaidika iconography has ādhibhautika, ādhidaivika, and ādhyātmika layers, which make it rich in philosophy and symbolism. Gaṇapati’s large head signifies wisdom and expansive cognition. The broken tusk, reason behind the Ekadanta epithet, symbolises sacrifice. His vāhana of a mouse represents the need to stabilize earthly desires and human consciousness through spiritual discipline. His rotund form, as expressed by his name Mahākāya, reflects the containment of manifested existence within divine consciousness.

'''''Gaṇānāṁ tvā gaṇapatiṁ havāmahe kaviṁ kavīnāmupamaśravastamam ।'''''

'''''गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे कविं कवीनामुपमश्रवस्तमम् ।'''''

'''''Jyeṣṭharājam brahmaṇām brahmaṇas pata ā naḥ śṛṇvannūtibhiḥ sīda sādanam॥'''''

'''''ज्येष्ठराजं ब्रह्मणां ब्रह्मणस्पत आ नः शृण्वन्नूतिभिः सीद सादनम् ॥ (Ṛgveda - 2.23.1)'''''

हे ब्रह्मणस्पति! आप गणों के गणपति हैं और कवियों में श्रेष्ठ कवि भी हैं। आप अनुपमेय, श्रेष्ठ, और तेजस्वी मंत्रों के स्वामी हैं; हमारी प्रार्थना स्वीकार करें और हमें रक्षा प्रदान कर हम लोगों के सादनम् के में स्थान ग्रहण करें।[https://archive.org/details/RigvedInHindi/page/n321/mode/2up <u>[2]</u>]

We invoke the Brahmaṇaspati, the leader of the living beings! O, sage of sage! O, lord of prayers and mantra; hearing our invocations, protect us and take a seat within this chamber of sacrifice. [https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/rig-veda-english-translation/d/doc831301.html <u>[3]</u>]

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