32 Forms of Ganapati: Shakti Ganapati - The 5th Form

Introduction to Lord Ganapati

Ganapati or Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He is hailed as a remover of obstacles and a harbinger of success and is both loved and venerated. He has an elephant face, but also has a primordial form with a human head. He is celebrated as a hero of strength, as a happy dancer, as a sweet child and many more. It is considered a good custom to seek his blessings while starting any endeavor or undertaking any venture. Ganapati veneration is done from very ancient times, and Ganapatyam, the Ganapati worship, has been established by Saint Adi Shankara, as one of the six fundamental forms of worship in Hindu religion.

Significance of Shakti Ganapati

Shakti Ganapati is regarded as the 5th among the 32 different forms of Ganapati. ‘Shakti’ means power. Shakti Ganapati is no doubt powerful, but he is so called, also for a different reason. He has his consort Shakti Devi seated on his left lap, who is the power-provider to all, and this Ganapati form appearing along with his Shakti denotes Shakti Ganapati. This lord is in a tantric seated position, is reddish brown in color, and has four hands. The lower right hand is in Abhaya mudra posture, giving protective blessings, and his two upper hands hold the noose and the goad, while his lower left is holding a lemon and is also fondly embracing his consort who is green in color. In some places, this Ganapati is also depicted as holding a sweet cake in his trunk.

This form of Ganesha can be seen as a painting in the Kerala capital Thiruvananthapuram and as a sculpture in some temples in Mysore region, where all the 32 Ganapati forms are on display. He can be worshipped also as an idol in the famous Lord Muruga temple at Thirupparankundram in Madurai, in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Blessings of Worshipping Shakti Ganapati

Shakti Ganapati represents the primordial element Akash, the space. It is believed that worshipping him with faith can help to have control over the senses to act with concentration and focus, and achieve objectives with ease. Shakti Ganapati also remains as the vanquisher of evil and the protector of households and hence is believed to bring harmony and peace in family life.

Mantra for Shakti Ganapati

The mantra, which reads as under in Sanskrit, describes the form of this power-personified Ganapati in detail and prays for his grace and blessings.

Chanting the Shakti Ganapati Mantra with faith, can be an effective means of propitiating this powerful Lord.