गणेश
Ganesha
(gaṇeśa)Lord of all beings — the elephant-headed remover of obstacles
Full Meaning
Gaṇeśa means "Lord (īśa) of all beings/groups (gaṇa)." He is the son of Shiva and Parvati, with an elephant head given after Shiva severed his original head. He is the first deity invoked before any undertaking — the remover of obstacles (Vighnahartā) and the lord of beginnings.
Etymology
Gaṇa (group, army, all beings) + īśa (lord, ruler). Lord of all existing beings.
Usage in Sanskrit Texts
No Hindu ritual, wedding, business opening, or journey begins without first invoking Ganesha. His large ears suggest he hears all prayers; his large belly that he digests all experiences; his broken tusk that he sacrificed for higher purposes.
वक्रतुण्ड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ — O curved-trunk, massive-bodied, radiant as a million suns. (Ganesha prayer)
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