Post by cnupne on Jul 12, 2012 23:43:28 GMT 5.5
The 8 Avatar of Lord Ganesha
Preamble
Preamble
According to Mudgala Purana, there are eight important avatars of Lord Ganesh. Yes, he does have an elephant trunk in every single one of these incarnations! Most of his lives seem to involve slaying demons! But each lifetime was different in some way. Each avtar is having a particular significance There are:
1. The incarnation of the Lord in the form of Vakratunda, riding a lion, is of the nature of Deha-Brahma. He takes this Avatar to subdue the demon Matsara (Rivalry).
2. The incarnation as Ekadanta is of the nature of Dehi-Brahma riding the mouse and is intended to subdue the Madasura (Conceit).
3. The incarnation as Mahodara is of the nature of Gyana-Brahma riding a mouse, which the Lord takes to overpower the Mohasura (Delusion).
4. The Gajaanana incarnation of the Lord riding a mouse, is to bless the Samkhyas (the Samkhya-Yogis) by vanquishing the Lobhasura (Greed).
5. The Lambodara incarnation riding a mouse, is of the nature of Satwic Shakti Brahma to subdue the demon Krodhasura (Anger).
6. The incarnation as Vikata riding a peacock, is of the nature of Saura-Brahma. To subdue Kamasura (Lust).
7. The incarnation as Vighnaraja riding the celestial serpent Sesha, is of the nature of Vishnu Brahma and is intended to conquer Mamaasura (Attachment).
8. The Dhoomra Varna incarnation is of the nature of Shiva Brahma to conquer the Abhimana Asura (Pride).
The symbolism employed in the above description of the Avatars is so evident that it requires no elucidation. Overcoming the six enemies of man, viz. Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha. Mada and Matsarya and their two faithful allies Mamata and Abhimana, constitutes in itself a 'package programme' of Sadhana (spiritual discipline). Here, in the Mudgala Purana, the rishis have provided eight ‘channels of contemplation’ as it were, in form of stories of the incarnations of the Lord, to draw upon His grace in overcoming the tyranny of these powerful enemies within.
I plan to post one Ganesh avtar per day, shortly.
I seek blessings of vignaharta and paramacharya for the venture