Lord Ganesha is one of the 5 major Hindu deities and the son of Shiva and Parvati. People worship him on all auspicious occasions, as his blessings are believed to bring success. It is customary to worship him before launching a new business venture, starting a new job, buying a new vehicle, etc. He is also the first deity to be worshipped during any Pooja or ritual.
The elephant-headed deity has the power to bestow intellect, wisdom, prosperity, good fortune, and abundance. His birthday is celebrated as
Ganesh Chaturthi.
Ganesha’s birth is an interesting tale.
Birth of Ganesha
Once, Parvati decided to take a bath after Shiva had gone out. Not wanting to be disturbed while she was bathing, she created a boy with some turmeric and sandalwood paste that she had used as a scrub on her body and gave him life. She told him to keep watch outside while she went for her bath and not to allow anyone inside her chamber. After a while, Shiva arrived there. However, Ganesha did not allow him to enter Parvati’s chamber. Soon, an argument ensued, and Shiva, in a fit of anger, severed the boy’s head.
Hearing the commotion, Parvati rushed out to see what was happening. On seeing the headless body of her son, the boy she had created, she flew into a rage. She demanded that Shiva restore the boy’s life immediately. Realizing that his wife was capable of great destruction unless her anger was assuaged, Shiva left, saying that he would return with the head of the first living being he encountered and replace Ganesha’s severed head. However, he found only a calf elephant, returned with its head, and attached it to Ganesha’s torso. Shiva also told Parvati that people would worship
Ganesha first during Poojas and other ceremonies.
Ganesha signifies auspiciousness and new beginnings. There is hardly a Hindu home or shop without a Ganesha idol. His blessings are deemed necessary for success and prosperity.
Ganesha has the power to remove obstacles in our life. Often, such obstacles which prevent us from progressing in life are due to our bad karma. Hence, devotees believe that Ganesha can eradicate their bad karma, thereby ensuring a smooth life.
Ganesha symbolizes many things. His mount is the mouse. His form is similar to the word ‘Om’ in the Devanagari script, so he is also called Omkara.
Ganesha has several attributes, and his many names reflect these attributes. His 108 names in Sanskrit comprise the Ganesha Ashtottara Shatanamavali. The most popular of these are Ganapati (Lord of the Ganas), Vinayaka (Lord of all), and Vighneshwara (Lord of all obstacles).
Given below is the list of 108 names of Ganesha in Sanskrit and their meanings:
| 1 |
Akhurath |
One who has Mouse as His Charioteer |
| 2 |
Alampata |
Ever Eternal Lord |
| 3 |
Anantachidrupamayam |
Infinite and Consciousness Personified |
| 4 |
Amit |
Incomparable Lord |
| 5 |
Avaneesh |
Lord of the whole World |
| 6 |
Avighna |
Remover of Obstacles |
| 7 |
Balaganapati |
Beloved and Lovable Child |
| 8 |
Bhalchandra |
Moon-Crested Lord |
| 9 |
Bheema |
Huge and Gigantic |
| 10 |
Bhupati |
Lord of the Gods |
| 11 |
Bhuvanpati |
God of the Gods |
| 12 |
Buddhinath |
God of Wisdom |
| 13 |
Buddhipriya |
Knowledge Bestower |
| 14 |
Buddhividhata |
God of Knowledge |
| 15 |
Chaturbhuj |
One who has Four Arms |
| 16 |
Devadeva |
Lord of All Lords |
| 17 |
Devantakanashakarin |
Destroyer of Evils and Asuras |
| 18 |
Devavrata |
One who accepts all Penances |
| 18 |
Devendrashika |
Protector of All Gods |
| 20 |
Dharmik |
One who gives Charity |
| 21 |
Dhoomravarna |
Smoke-Hued Lord |
| 22 |
Durja |
Invincible Lord |
| 23 |
Dvaimatura |
One who has two Mothers |
| 24 |
Ekaakshara |
He of the Single Syllable |
| 25 |
Ekadanta |
Single-Tusked Lord |
| 26 |
Ekadrishta |
Single-Tusked Lord |
| 27 |
Eshanputra |
Lord Shiva’s Son |
| 28 |
Gadadhara |
One who has The Mace as His Weapon |
| 29 |
Gajakarna |
One who has Eyes like an Elephant |
| 30 |
Gajanana |
Elephant-Faced Lord |
| 31 |
Gajananeti |
Elephant-Faced Lord |
| 32 |
Gajavakra |
Trunk of The Elephant |
| 33 |
Gajavaktra |
One who has Mouth like an Elephant |
| 34 |
Ganadhakshya |
Lord of All Ganas |
| 35 |
Ganadhyakshina |
Leader of All The Celestial Bodies |
| 36 |
Ganapati |
Lord of All Ganas |
| 37 |
Gaurisuta |
The Son of Gauri (Parvati) |
| 38 |
Gunina |
One who is The Master of All Virtues |
| 39 |
Haridra |
One who is Golden-colored |
| 40 |
Heramba |
Mother’s Beloved Son |
| 41 |
Kapila |
Yellowish-Brown Colored |
| 42 |
Kaveesha |
Master
of Poets |
| 43 |
Kriti |
Lord of Music |
| 44 |
Kripalu |
Merciful Lord |
| 45 |
Krishapingaksha |
Yellowish-Brown Eyed |
| 46 |
Kshamakaram |
Place of Forgiveness |
| 47 |
Kshipra |
One who is easy to Appease |
| 48 |
Lambakarna |
Large-Eared Lord |
| 49 |
Lambodara |
The Huge Bellied Lord |
| 50 |
Mahabala |
Enormously Strong Lord |
| 51 |
Mahaganapati |
Omnipotent and Supreme Lord |
| 52 |
Maheshwaram |
Lord of The Universe |
| 53 |
Mangalamurti |
All Auspicious Lord |
| 54 |
Manomay |
Winner of Hearts |
| 55 |
Mrityuanjaya |
Conqueror of Death |
| 56 |
Mundakarama |
Abode of Happiness |
| 57 |
Muktidaya |
Bestower of Eternal Bliss |
| 58 |
Musikvahana |
One who has Mouse as Charioteer |
| 59 |
Nadapratithishta |
One who Appreciates and Loves Music |
| 60 |
Namasthetu |
Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and Sins |
| 61 |
Nandana |
Lord Shiva’s Son |
| 62 |
Nideeshwaram |
Giver of Wealth and Treasures |
| 63 |
Omkara |
One who has the Form of OM |
| 64 |
Pitambara |
One who has a Yellow-Colored Body |
| 65 |
Pramoda |
Lord of All Abodes |
| 66 |
Prathameshwara |
First Among All |
| 67 |
Purush |
The Omnipotent Personality |
| 68 |
Rakta |
One who has a Red-Colored Body |
| 69 |
Rudrapriya |
Beloved of Lord Shiva |
| 70 |
Sarvadevatman |
One who Accepts All Celestial offerings |
| 71 |
Sarvasiddhanta |
Bestower of Skills and Wisdom |
| 72 |
Sarvatman |
Protector of The Universe |
| 73 |
Hambhavi |
The Son of Parvati |
| 74 |
ShaShivarnam |
One who has a Moon-like Complexion |
| 75 |
Shoorpakarna |
Large-Eared Lord |
| 76 |
Shuban |
All Auspicious Lord |
| 77 |
Shubhagunakanan |
One who is The Master of All Virtues |
| 78 |
Shweta |
One who is as Pure as the White Color |
| 79 |
Siddhidhata |
Bestower of Success and Accomplishments |
| 80 |
Siddhipriya |
Bestower of Wishes and Boons |
| 81 |
Siddhivinayaka |
Bestower of Success |
| 82 |
Skandapurvaja |
Elder Brother of Skanda (Lord Kartikeya) |
| 83 |
Sumukha |
Auspicious Face |
| 84 |
Sureshwaram |
Lord of All Lords |
| 85 |
Swaroop |
Lover of Beauty |
| 86 |
Tarun |
Ageless |
| 87 |
Uddanda |
Nemesis of Evils and Vices |
| 88 |
Umaputra |
The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati) |
| 89 |
Vakratunda |
Lord with a Curved Trunk |
| 90 |
Varaganapati |
Bestower of Boons |
| 91 |
Varaprada |
Granter of Wishes and Boons |
| 92 |
Varadavinayaka |
Bestower of Success |
| 93 |
Veeraganapati |
Heroic Lord |
| 94 |
Vidyavaridhi |
God of Wisdom |
| 95 |
Vighnahara |
Remover of Obstacles |
| 96 |
Vignaharta |
Demolisher of Obstacles |
| 97 |
Vighnaraja |
Lord of All Hindrances |
| 98 |
Vighnarajendra |
Lord of All Obstacles |
| 99 |
Vighnavinashanaya |
Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments |
| 100 |
Vigneshwara |
Lord of All Obstacles |
| 101 |
Vikat |
Huge and Gigantic |
| 102 |
Vinayaka |
Lord of All |
| 103 |
Vishwamukha |
Master of The Universe |
| 104 |
Vishwaraja |
King of the World |
| 105 |
Yagnakaya |
One who Accepts All Sacred and Sacrificial
Offerings |
| 106 |
Yashaskaram |
Bestower of Fame and Fortune |
| 107 |
Yashvasin |
Beloved and Ever Popular Lord |
| 108 |
Yogadhipa |
The Lord of Meditation |
On September 06, 2024