The Ganesha Experience 0 Report post Posted June 27, 2013 Every God in Hindu mythology is believed to have different forms or incarnations or avatars. Every avatar symbolises something unique. The elephant-headed God, has displayed himself in 32 forms of Ganesha, each form having special powers and characteristic features. Two shaktis of Ganesha, Siddhi and Riddhi, are often depicted on images of the mighty God’s forms. The 32 forms of Lord Ganesha are as follows: 1. Bala Ganapati 2. Taruna Ganapati 3. Bhakthi Ganapati 4. Vira Ganapati 5. Shakti Ganapati 6. Dwija Ganapati 7. Siddhi Ganapati 8 . Ucchhishta Ganapati 9. Vighna Ganapati 10. Kshipra Ganapati 11. Heramba Ganapati 12. Lakshmi Ganapati 13. Maha Ganapati 14. Vijaya Ganapati 15. Nritya Ganapati 16. Urdhva Ganapati 17. Ekakshara Ganapati 18. Varada Ganapati 19. Tryakshara Ganapati 20. Kshipra Prasada Ganapati 21. Haridra Ganapati 22. Ekadanat Ganapti 23. Sristhi Ganapati 24. Uddanda Ganapati 25. Rinamochana Ganapati 26. Dhundhi Ganapati 27. Dwimukha Ganapati 28. Trimukha Ganapati 29. Sinha Ganapati 30. Yoga Ganapati 31. Durga Ganapati 32. Sankatahara Ganapati In the Every avatar is depicted as a red, golden, blue or white image. The names of these 32 forms of Ganesha suggest what each of them symbolises. For example, ‘Bala’ means child-like,‘Bhakti’ means devotion and ‘Nritya’ means dance and ‘Lakshmi Ganapati’ is the Giver of Success. While some say Ganesha was an unmarried bachelor, others say that he was married to Siddhi (spiritual power) and Buddhi or Riddhi (intellectual power). But Lakshmi Ganapati has two consorts –Saraswati, goddess of culture and arts and Lakshmi, goddess of luck and prosperity. Vighna Ganapati is the Lord of Obstacles. Destruction of obstacles for those who are on their way to glory is one of Ganesha’s important tasks. On the other hand, Bhakti Ganapati is calm. Hence, each name of Ganapati has a specific quality attached to it. From these 32 forms of Ganesha, we can observe that Ganesha switched from one form to another to show his greatness. From being a valiant warrior (Veera Ganapati) to fulfilling his duties as a protector of the weak (Heramba Ganapati) to enforcing Dharma (Uddanda Ganapati), Lord Ganesha has many magical incarnations.Ganesha’s might is displayed through these 32 forms. Even though he was blessed with so many powers and incarnations, he did not misuse them. Instead, he always put them to good use. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites