GANESH CHATURTHI 2023: Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on September 19 this year and is commemorated as Lord Ganesha’s birth anniversary. The festival, also known as Vinayak Chaturdashi or Ganesh Chaturdashi, is one of India’s most important holidays and is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety throughout the country. Ganesha is revered across the country, not just during the festival but also before each puja or ceremony of worship. According to mythology, Ganesha assumed several avatars or incarnations to defend the earth from demons. Here are five such avatars of the Lord:
Vakratunda
Ganesha’s first incarnation was Vakratunda, which means “curved trunk.” The demon Matsarasura was granted the gift of fearlessness after he performed tremendous penance for Lord Shiva. He and his two sons, Sundarpriya and Vishaypriya, subjugated the three realms and wreaked havoc on all of them. All the gods came to Shiva for assistance, but he was limited by his own boon. Lord Dattatreya eventually revealed the secret of the monosyllabic chant to all the gods, Gam, and instructed them to summon Lord Vakratunda. Vakratunda arrived in his vehicle with the lion and killed both of Matsara’s sons. The demon surrendered and asked for forgiveness.
Ekdanta
The Asura Mada, who was fond of alcohol, was educated by his uncle Shukracharya. When Madasura declared his desire to control the world to Shukracharya, the teacher bestowed the Shakti Mantra ‘Hrim’ on him. Madasura endured penance for a thousand years in order to gain extraordinary powers and eventually began conquering the three worlds, armed with these new abilities and under the spell of alcohol. The gods sought assistance from the sage Sanat Kumara for rescue, who requested that they invoke Ekadanta. Ekadanta arrived on Mooshika to wage war against the demon. Madasura lost his courage and surrendered.
Gajanana
Gajanana, Ganesha’s avatar, fought the Asura Lobha. The gods, oppressed by his evil tyranny, sought the assistance of the scholar Raibhya, who assisted them in praying to Lord Gajanana. Lord Vishnu then went to Lobhasura as Lord Ganesha’s envoy, informing the demon of the latter’s prowess. The demon, persuaded by his arguments, surrendered without a fight.
Lambodara
During the infamous Samudra Manthan, Vishnu disguised himself as Mohini in order to deceive the asuras. He did not, however, notice Shiva being fascinated by his avatar. Vishnu quickly reverts to his original form upon realising this. This made Shiva enraged, and his rage appeared as the dreadful monster Krodhasura. Krodhasura venerated the sun god and performed penance until he was powerful enough to wreak devastation on the three planets. To put an end to this destruction, Ganesha assumed the appearance of Lambodara and defeated Krodhasura.
Dhumravarna
Brahma once granted the sun god Surya the ability to preside over the “world of action.” Surya became arrogant and convinced himself that because the entire world is regulated by karma or action, he had ascended to the throne of the universe. As this thought flashed through his head, he sneezed, causing a demon to appear. As he was born from the sun’s ego, he was named Ahamkarasura. Fearful of Ahamkaura’s rising power, the gods seek assistance from Ganesha. Ganesha assumed the form of Dhumravarna and destroyed the haughty demon.
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