GANESHA

Ganesha, the son of the Hindu deities Siva and Durga (or Siva and Parvati, depending on the region of India) is a god of luck and of “opening the way.” Rotund and generally jolly, he is distinguied from other Hindu deities because he has the head of an elephant. His image appears on numerous Hindu products, such as incense and foods. His symbol is the swastika, which he bears in the palm of his hand. His identifying weapon is an elephant goad, to move stubborn people, but he is not always shown bearing it. Sometimes he carries a conch shell, holds a book, or receives offerings of sweet foods. Usually, one of his tusks is broken, a reference to a tale set in his childhood, when his father accidentally hit him too hard. His vehicle is a rat, who may be shown stealing one of the food offerings placed at his feet.

Ganesha can be represented reclining hedonistically, as befits a bringer of good luck, wealth, fine foods, and luxury. He also may be seen seated on a throne or in the form of an infant, especially as Siva and Parvati’s beloved son. However, as the son of Siva, who is sometimes called Nataraja (“Lord of the Dance”), Ganesha sometimes assumes the same dancing pose taken by his father when Siva dances to destroy the world. In this form, Ganesha is an opener of the way and remover of all obstacles. Another common depiction of Ganesha is in tandem with Laksmi, the goddess of wealth, or as part of a trio with Laksmi and Sarasvati, the goddess of music. This latter grouping arises from a tale of the goddess Durga, in which she is said to be the mother of all three of these fortune-bringing deities. Finally, in depictions of Siva and Parvati as “the happy couple,” Ganesha may be accompanied by his many-headed brother Kartikeya, also known as Skanda.

Ganesha is sometimes represented as an elephant and is identified with the “sacred white elephant” of Thailand. As such he has been exported to Europe and the Americas as a “lucky elephant” amulet.

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