Test 3

= Symbolism of Gaṇapati =

This ṛgveda verse marks that Gaṇapati was invoked as Brahmaṇaspati or Bṛhaspati, the creator of the world, in the Vedas. Gaṇapati’s iconography sometimes assigns to him the attributes of Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Rudra. His identification with praṇava svarūpa (personification of Omkāra) allows him to be represented as a meditative and cosmic principle rather than a sectarian deity. Most Gaṇapati representations show sixteen characteristics: kharva (dwarfed in height), mahākāya (rotund), gūḍhagulpha (with hidden ankles), lambodara (pot-bellied), vikaṭa (unappealing in appearance), vakratuṇḍa (curve-trunked), gajamukha (elephant-faced), khalvāṭa (bald), śurpakarṇa (with large winnow-like ears), hrasvanetra (small-eyed), śyāmadanta (black-toothed), dhūmravarṇa (smokey gray in color), carvaṇalālasa (fond of eating), digambara (sky-clad), kamaṇḍaludhāra (holding a pot of water), and vibhum (all pervading).

The representation of Gaṇapati changes across sects and regions. He is generally depicted with a single large head or in his pañcamukhī form across Asia. However, sometimes he is depicted in a three-headed form in Japan, while his four-headed form is commonly observed in Nepal. Usually represented with four arms, his icon can also have six, eight, ten, or even sixteen arms. The iconography of Gaṇapati allows humans to see and understand the spiritual and divine symbolization through artistic and symbolic representation.

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