According to legend, Lord Ganesha is the ‘God of the Beginning’. No ritual or new beginning can be complete without the adoration of Lord Ganesha. Ganesha has incarnated numerous times in order to purge the universe of evil. According to religious research and history, Lord Ganesha manifested in a variety of forms to slay the evils that threatened world peace. How did Lord Ganesha defeat the evil? How many avatars does Lord Ganesha have to defeat the demons? Lord Ganesha incarnated into different avatars, much like Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. So how many avatars does Lord Ganesha have in total? What are the Lord Ganesha avatar names? Keep reading to learn more about the 8 avatars of Lord Ganesha.
Ganesha Avatar Names
1. Vakratunda
2. Vighnaraj
3. Mahodara
4. Lambodara
5. Ekadanta
6. Gajanana
7. Vikata
8. Dhumravarna
8 Avatars Of Lord Ganesha
1. Vakratunda
The first among the 8 avatars of Lord Ganesha is depicted with a bent trunk, to mark the occasion as Ganesha’s first lifetime. In essence, Vakratunda was the Lord Ganesh avatar who defeated the demon Matsarasura with the lion as his mode of transportation. Jealousy is still represented by Matsarasura. Ganesha/Vakratunda is the god who eliminates and defeats the devastating capabilities of jealousy.
2. Vighnaraj
This is the most well-known of the 8 avatars of Lord Ganesha. The ‘Remover of All Obstacles’ is the name given to Vighnaraj’s avatar. Vighnaraj engaged Mamatasura in combat while riding the ‘Sheshnag’ and defeated him. Mamatasura was born from the laughing of Goddess Parvati Devi. Goddess Parvati initially addressed the male form as ‘Mama’ and instructed him to adore Lord Ganesha.
However, a chance encounter with Sambara Asura turned everything around. Sambara Ausra was successful in seducing Mama into joining the Asuric cult and indulging him in the practices of demonic worship. As a result, he was known as Mamatasura.
3. Mahodara
Mahodara, the third manifestation of Lord Ganesha, overcame Mohasura, the demon of illusion and confusion. This demon had once more taken control of all three realms and wreaked destruction. The monarchs frantically pleaded to the Lord, upon which Ganesha promised to personally slay Mohasura since their petitions moved him. He encountered Mohasura after taking on Mahodra’s form.
According to mythology, Mohasura begged pardon for his transgressions rather than engaging in combat with Mahodara. He was pardoned by Lord Mahodara but he was admonished to return to ‘Pataal Lok’ and never to come back again.
4. Lambodara
This specific manifestation highlights Ganesha’s perpetual fat. The sweets offerings are viewed by the Ganapatiya devotees as the seeds of countless planets home to countless living things. Ganesha, the supreme god and master of the universe is believed to have a tummy big enough to hold all of these worlds and creatures.
Lambodara, the Lord Ganesh avatar, is thought to resemble Shakti, the unadulterated might of Brahman. In order to destroy Krodhasura, the wrathful demon, Lord Ganesha took the form of Lambodara.
Also Read- Everything You Need To Know About Ganpati Bappa – The Lord Of Wisdom And Enlightenment
5. Ekadanta
‘Eka’ represents illusion, and ‘Danta’ represents reality. The ultimate truth is symbolised by Lord Ganesha’s second appearance, the Ekadanta. Mada, the son of the asura Chyavana, loved madira, or alcohol. Madasura told his uncle Shukracharya that he wanted to be the ruler of the entire universe.
The Shakti Mantra ‘Hrim’, which was inspired by Shukracharya’s aspiration, was later given to his nephew. He invoked the goddess through ‘Tapasya’ for a thousand years and she granted him exceptional abilities. The gods then called upon Ekadanta as Madasura began to rule the three planets. On Mooshik, Ekadanta appeared to battle the monster (mouse). When Madasura saw the powerful god, he lost all bravery and capitulated, earning Ekadanta’s pardon.
6. Gajanana
One of the distinctive physical characteristics of Lord Ganesha is the union of his elephant-like head with his human body. The Lord, who was Lord Kuber’s son, destroyed the greed-demon Lobhasura in this form. Lord Ganesha adopted the incarnation of Gajanana to combat greed and purge the world of iniquity.
7. Vikata
The story of Vikata, one of the 8 avatars of lord Ganesha, goes when Lord Vishnu’s desire demon, Kamsura, was torturing the gods and goddesses, they prayed fervently. Soon Lord Ganesh avatar, Vikata, who could restrain Kamsura appeared.
8. Dhumravarna
This time, it was his life’s work to slay the self-infatuation monster, Ahamkarasur. ‘Aham’ refers to the human ego. Aham is the demonic force that, with cruelty and deceit, holds the human mind like a vice and doesn’t let go until the very end. Aham is so ingrained in the human host’s consciousness that the person eventually believes this is the only thing they can identify with. The last of Lord Ganesha avatar names, Dhumravarna defeated Ahamkarasur.
Also Read- The Story Of Ganesha Birth And Interesting Facts About Ganesha
Significance Of Lord Ganesh Avatar
After knowing the answer to how many avatars does Lord Ganesha have and the 8 Ganesha avatar names, we learn that vanity, pride and selfishness were all destroyed by his power. Regardless of their religious affiliations, all Hindus adore Ganesha because they believe he guides and prospers his followers.
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