What is the implied meaning of the many Names of Lord Ganapati?

Sage Mudgal has written the ‘Ganeshsahastranam’ containing the thousand Names of Lord Ganesh. The Dvadashanam verse (sto­tra) contains the following twelve Names of Ganapati.

प्रथमं वक्रतुण्डं च एकदन्तं द्वितीयकम् ।
तृतीयं कृष्णपिङ्गाक्षं गजवक्त्रं चतुर्थकम् ।।
लम्बोदरं पञ्चमं च पष्ठं विकटमेव च ।
सप्तमं विघ्नराजेन्द्रं धूम्रवर्णं तथाष्टकम् ।।
नवमं भालचन्द्रं च दशमं तु विनायकम् ।
एकादशं गणपतिं द्वादशं तु गजाननम् ।।

Meaning: First Vakratunda, second Ekadanta

Third Krushnapingaksha, fourth Gajavaktra

Fifth is Lambodar, sixth is Vikata

Seventh Vighnarajendra, eighth Dhumravarnam

Ninth Bhalachandra, tenth Vinayak

Eleventh Ganapati, twelfth Gajanan.

The meaning of these twelve names and some others is given below.

1. Vakratunda

Generally it is considered that Vakratunda means one with a crooked mouth or trunk. However, this is incorrect. ‘वक्रान् तुण्डयति इति वक्रतुण्ड: ।’, meaning Vakratunda is one who punishes those who follow the wrong (unrighteous) path and leads them onto the righteous path. Vakratunda is one who straightens the tiryak and visphutit frequencies, that is the crooked raja-tama pre­dominant 360 frequencies by means of His trunk and makes them sattvik (sattva predomi­nant) like the 108 frequencies.

2. Ekadanta or Ekashrunga

This Name is bestowed because He has only one unbroken tusk (the other is broken). Of the two tusks, the right tusk is complete while the one on the left is broken. The right side represents the surya (sun) channel (nadi). As the surya channel is effulgent, the tusk on this side of Lord Ganapati can never be broken. It is symbolic of the singular Brahman (God principle). The word dantin (दंतीन) is derived from the root dru-darshayati (दृ-दर्शयति) [meaning to show]. Thus the Name also means that He is the one who shows the direction to acquire the spiritual experience of Brahman which is non-dual. According to one school of thought, medha and shraddha (faith) are the two tusks. Medha means intellect, the ability to comprehend. Medha is the incomplete (broken) tusk and shraddha the complete one.

3. Krushnapingaksha

This word is derived from Krushna (कृष्ण) + pinga (पिंग) + aksha (अक्ष). Krushna means the one with a dark complexion, pinga means smoky and aksha means the eye. The dark complexion is in the context of earth while smoky refers to the clouds. Thus it means one who has the earth and the clouds as the eyes, that is one who can view everything on the earth and the clouds.

4. Gajavaktra

Gaja means cloud which is considered to be the represen­tative of the dyu region (devlok) – the region of the deities. Vaktra means mouth. Thus Gajavaktra is one whose mouth is constituted by the dyu region (expansive). If Om (स्) is placed vertically, one gets the experience of Gajavadan (Ganapati). The Mudgal Puran has explained the meaning of the word ‘gaja’as ga = the principle wherein everything undergoes dissolution and ja = the principle from which everything is created. So Gaja means Brahman (God principle).

5. Lambodar

Lambodar is derived from the words lamba (large) and udar (belly). Saint Eknath has explained the meaning of this word as,

The entire animate and inanimate creation dwells within You. Hence You are called Lambodar. – Shri Eknathi Bhagvat 1:3

According to the Ganapatitantra,Lord Shiva played the Damaru (a small hour glass shaped drum). Lord Ganesh grasped the knowledge of the Vedas through the deep sound of the Damaru. He learnt dancing by watching the TanDav dance everyday and music from the sound of the anklets of deity Parvati. Since He imbibed such varied knowledge, that is digested it, He developed a large belly.

6. Vikat

Vi (वि) + krut (कृत) + akat (अकत) [akuti]. Vi means in a specific manner, krut means done and akat means the Final Liberation (Moksha). Hence, Vikat means the one who generates frequencies in a specific manner and bestows the Final Liberation.

7. Vighnesh

Vighna (विघ्न) + ish (ईश) = Vighnesh (विघ्नेश). The word ‘vighna’ is derived from ‘visheshen ghnati’ which means mainly distress. The one who controls and destroys obstacles is Vighnesh. The obstacle in this context is entrapment by the 360 (raja-tama) and 108 (sattva) frequen­cies. This is contrary to the aim of traversing beyond the three components (trigunatit). Ish (ईश) is derived from i (ई) + sha (श). I-ikshate (ई-इक्षते) means to watch and sha-shamayate (श-शमयते) means to cool. So Ish is the one who keeps a watch and destroys the heat generated by the 360 and 108 frequen­cies. Vighnaharta (vanquisher of obstacles) is another Name of Ganapati. Since Ganapati gets rid of obstacles, He is worshipped before performing any auspicious religious ceremony.

8. Dhumravarna

Dhumra means smoke. Smoke is the initial state of materialisation. It is the transitory state between the solid manifest (sagun) and the unmanifest (nirgun) states. Thus, one who possesses such a smoky complexion is Dhumravarna. According to the principle that ‘where there is smoke there is fire’, Ganapati also possesses the fire element [embers (angar)].

9. Bhalachandra

Bhal means the forehead. The frequencies arising from Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Minakshi merge into one another and produce many groups of thousands of frequencies. Though Prajapati, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu and Minakshi are unmanifest (nirgun), Their frequencies are composed of the three components (gun). The point of origin of three of these frequencies namely those of affection, mercifulness and motherly love (ahlad) is referred to as the moon (chandra). Thus, the one who adorns such a ‘moon’ on the forehead is Bhalchandra.

Actually this is the Name of Lord Shankar. But since Ganapati is His son, it also came to be linked with Him !

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Sloka is a Sanskrit word used to denote a prayerful verse written to follow certain grammatical rules. Sloka is a powerful prayer which conveys the dignity and the omnipotence of God. Sanskrit Shlokas describe God in different forms and their celestial powers. People, who sincerely recite these verses and invoke the God mentally, attain a steady and peaceful mind.

Shloka forms the part of ”Stotras” which are dedicated to Gods as prayers. Slokas are the primary verses from Mahabharata and Ramayana, the great epics of Indian Mythology. In this section, we are covering the following slokas:

Bedtime Sloka

Bedtime is the time when people want to relax themselves after the long hectic schedules of the day. It is considerable to remember God at such time. Following Bedtime Sloka / Shloka is a bedtime prayer of the Hindus.

Bhagavad Gita Slokas

Slokas are verses in the praise of God. Shlokas from Bhagavad Gita are renowned for their massive power. Gita Slokas bring the idea of spirituality to our mind. Slokas of Bhagavad Gita can be recited in order to get the peace of mind. Daily chant of these slokas, with their meanings kept in the mind

Durga Sloka

Durga symbolizes the power of the Supreme Being that maintains moral order and justice in the universe. Durga is also known as “Shakti”. Worship of the goddess Shakti is very popular among the Hindu people.

Early Morning Sloka

Early Morning is considered as the best time to worship God. Early morning is also known as “Brahma Mahurat” in the Hindu Mythology. It is regarded that prayers made at this time reach directly to the God. Early Morning Shloka (Sloka) is given here which also serves as the first prayer of the day to the almighty.

Ganesh Sloka

Lord Ganesha is the one of the most popular gods of the Hindu Religion. Ganesh is known as the eradicator of obstacles and god of beginnings. Lord Ganesha is considered as the first god to be worshipped. Slokas on Lord Ganesha form the part of prayers offered to the lord. Here is a collection of Ganesha Shlokas:

Holy Bath Sloka

Bathing is a time when people take a shower to shed the physical impurities and dirt of their body. Following is the Shloka/ Sloka for a Holy Bath, which can be recited while taking a bath.

Krishna Sloka

Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and worshipped deities among the Hindus. Krishna represents knowledge, wisdom, beauty and opulence. Shri Krishna is the very embodiment of love and divine ecstasy that destroys all pain and offense. Sloka on Krishna forms the part of prayers offered to the lord.

Parvati Sloka

Goddess Parvati is the divine consort of Lord Shiva, the destroyer. Gauri represents virtue, fertility, marital felicity, asceticism and power, as per the Hindu mythology. Parvati is worshipped by women of all ages and is considered as an auspicious goddess.

Rama Sloka

Lord Rama is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as per the Hindu Mythology. Ram symbolizes morality, virtue and idealism. Rama Slokas form part of prayers offered to the lord.

Saraswati Sloka

Saraswati is the goddess of arts, music, knowledge, and wisdom. Saraswati is considered as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe as per the Hindu Religion. Saraswati is regarded as the destroyer of chaos and confusion. Slokas on Saraswati form the part of prayers offered to the goddess.

Shiva Sloka

Lord Shiva or Siva is considered as the destroyer of the world. Shiva is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu religion. Shiva is also a kind-hearted god who blesses people.

Sloka While Eating

Eating is an important activity, which is required in order to live. It is God, who has created each and every thing. Food, hunger, living beings, all of them form the part of God’s creation. One should remember God, the omnipresent, who has given both, sweet and sour delicacies to satisfy our taste-buds.

Sloka While Lighting Lamp

Light is considered as a symbol of auspiciousness, prosperity and abundance in the Hindu religion. Light brings brightness with it and removes the darkness. Light makes it possible to see things clearly. Following Sloka / Shloka can be recited while lighting the lamp. This prayer is also known ”deepa shlokam”.

Vishnu Sloka

Lord Vishnu is considered as the chief god in Hindu religion and Indian mythology. Vishnu, the preserver, forms the part of trinity gods. Vishnu Slokas form the part of prayers offered to the lord.

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