Deity
Ganesha
गणेशGaṇeśa
Also called Ganesh, Ganpati
- verses
- 5,569
- books
- 25
- chapters
- 955
- Forms
- Vakratunda, Ekadanta, Gajanana, Lambodara, Vikata, Vighnaraja, Dhumravarna
What the texts say
In the Ganapati Upanishad, Ganesha is addressed as the living Truth, the creator, sustainer and dissolver of all that exists. Ganapati Upanishad 1 The same Upanishad pictures him single-tusked, vast-bellied and riding a mouse. Ganapati Upanishad 13 The Shiva Purana tells that the goddess Parvati brought forth a son named Ganesha, and that she stationed him at her doorway with a staff as guardian. Shiva Purana 2.4.2.23, 2.4.13.28 In the same Purana, the god Brahma says accounts of Ganesha's birth differ between aeons, and in one an elephant-faced form was assembled for him after his head was severed. Shiva Purana 2.4.13.5 The Purana also advises worshipping Ganesha, the Lord who governs obstacles, at the beginning of every undertaking. Shiva Purana 1.18.99 In the Mahabharata, the sage Vyasa remembers Ganesha before composing the epic, and Ganesha appears the moment he is remembered. Mahabharata (Gita Press) 1.1.75
Where to read
Every verse that names Ganesha, book by book.
- 4.6.2
Vashistha said: Bhauma (Mars), the great-minded, born of Bharadwaja on Earth, worshipped Vighnapa (the Lord of Obstacles) with the mantra "Gananantva...".
- 8.37.11
Vibhanda said: If I am of the form of Ganesha, then there is no duality. O Sage, where does the bliss of the supportless state manifest?
- 5.29.1
Mudgala said: Listen to another greatness of Durva, which grants self-happiness, by which the Elephant-faced Lord was satisfied.
- 4.6.2
- 3.2.12.2
In the east was placed Lord Dharmeśvara; to the south, Gaṇādhipa (Gaṇeśa); in the west, Bhānu (the Sun); and to the north, Svayaṃbhu (the Self-born).
- 1.1.10.7
Lomaśa said: When the gods dwelling within the cosmic sphere were pervaded by the fire of poison—Viṣṇu, Brahmā, and the world-guardians along with Indra—then Śambhu was informed by the great-souled Heraṃba (Gaṇeśa).
- 6.1.142.1
Sūta said: Moreover, there also exists there a sacred triad of Gaṇapati shrines—holy and merit-giving—bestowing heaven, granting human prosperity, and also destroying the fall into hell.
- 3.2.12.2
- 2.4.14.4
Gaṇeśa said: “Who are you, and from where have you come—these handsome ones among you? Go far away! For what reason have you stood here as opponents?”
- 2.4.15.3
Gaṇeśa said: “Let all the Gaṇas come—those who are guardians of Śiva’s command. I alone am but a child, yet I too am a guardian of Śiva’s command.”
- 2.4.18.56
O Gaṇeśa, the Lord of Śiva’s hosts—whoever daily performs your worship with faith, according to their own capacity, attains the fruits of all rightful desires.
- 2.4.14.4
- 1.65.1
Vyāsa said: Whoever worships Gaṇādhipa (Gaṇeśa) at all Nāndīmukha rites—everything becomes amenable to him, and his merit becomes imperishable.
- 1.63.4
Vyāsa said: One should first worship Gaṇeśa here (at the outset), for the removal of obstacles. In this way one attains the status of a Vināyaka—just as he indeed is, the son of Gaurī.
- 1.64.1
Vyāsa said: I shall again proclaim another hymn—one to Gaṇādhipa (Gaṇeśa)—pure and sacred, bestowing all accomplishments and granting every desired result.
- 1.65.1
Also named in
- Narada Purana145 verses
- Agni Purana68 verses
- Linga Purana56 verses
- Brahmanda Purana46 verses
- Devi Bhagavatam43 verses
- Brahma Purana42 verses
- Garuda Purana36 verses
- Vamana Purana22 verses
- Ramcharitmanas22 verses
- Varaha Purana20 verses
- Kurma Purana19 verses
- Narasimha Purana17 verses
- Matsya Purana15 verses
- Upanishads14 verses
- Samba Purana6 verses
- Bhagavatam4 verses
- Kapila Purana4 verses
- Siva Dharma Purana4 verses
- Mahabharata4 verses
- Mahabharata (Gita Press)16 verses
- Dhanurveda Samhita2 verses
- Markandeya Purana1 verse
Key chapters
The chapters where Ganesha matters most.
Chandra Darshana Dosha Harana Charita Varnanam
Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
Cāturmāsyamāhātmye vibhāṇḍavratopadeśavarṇaṇaṃ nāma saptatriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ
The Glory of Durva Grass and the Devotion of Sage Trishira
The Story of Ramachandra
Mayuresha Charita Varnanam
Gaṇeśa’s Origin and Installation in Dharmāraṇya
The Manifestation of Mayuresha, Assignment of Cosmic Duties, and the Glory of Mayuresha Kshetra
Ahankarasurajnanopadesho: Instruction of Knowledge to the Demon Ahankara
Parvati Ganesha Charita: Nandi's Realization and Penance
Key episodes
Ganesha Writes the Mahabharata as Vyasa Dictates
Mahabharata (Gita Press) 1.1
The Birth of Ganesha and His Elephant Head
Shiva Purana 2.4.13-2.4.18
Ganesha and Kartikeya Race Around the World
Shiva Purana 2.4.19-2.4.20
Also known to Wikipedia · Wikidata Q1579