Eight Inner Avatars of Ganapati

The Mudgala Purana gives eight Inner Avatars of Ganapati. These avatars can be understood to symbolize abstract qualities which triumph over similar personifications of evil and weakness. The Purana explicitly states that the stories are to be meditated upon for their inner meaning, which will be revealed according to the inner development of each individual and are not meant to be understood as literal narratives.

The first of these is Vakratunda (twisted trunk) an embodiment of the Absolute Impersonal aspect of Godhood called Brahman in the form of Ganesha. He defeated a demon called Matsaryasura, 'Envy-Jealousy', born amazingly from the fact that Indra, king of the gods, was absent-minded and lost control of his faculties of mind! This lapse in awareness resulted in this impossibly powerful demon coming into being, and he defeated all the gods including Shiva (Embodiment of Consciousness), as there is nothing that envy cannot overpower in the long run. Only the pure abstract form of god, hence without qualities that can be overcome by Envy, could beat him. The myth is of course an allegory on the yogic belief that in the end all the qualities of the mind have to be transcended for liberation.

The next incarnation was in the form of Ekadanta (single tusked) who defeated the demon Madasura. This is purely an allegorical story as Madasura gained power by meditating on the famous Shakti mantra, 'Hrim', revealing its essentially tantrik source. The form of Ekadanta has been interpreted to mean Eka, 'one', but also creative power of matter, Maya and Danta stands for 'truth'. Ekadanta is thus the Supreme Truth that wields Maya. Madasura was let off with the admonition that he could benefit from all the demonic desires manifest in the universe, but he could not harass those with pure intentions and actions, an obvious statement of the fact that evil can enter only when it is invited in.

The next was Mahodara who vanquished Mohasura, the demon of Delusion and Confusion. The confused nature of the tale makes it difficult to understand exactly what was going on. It seems that once Shiva was sunk in meditation for eons and showing no signs of coming out of it. Meanwhile, the gods were in need of help while he was oblivious. Parvati therefore assumed an alluring form and wandered round his meditating spot. Shiva was brought back to normal wakeful consciousness by this act and she abandoned the alluring 'cover' so as to speak. This abandoned energy form became a demon in its own right over the ages and Ganesha subdued it. Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Ganesha, so the psychological implications of this tale make the head spin.

Equally perplexing in the tangled web of intergenerational sexuality is the next tale, of the avatar of Gajanana who defeated the demon Lobhasura (Greed or Covetousness). Kubera, Lord of Wealth had everything beautiful in the universe, or so he thought. For when he saw Parvati he realized that at last something was beyond his power to acquire. Kubera's frustrated desire, and fear at Parvati's anger if she ever detected his greed for her, combined to be born as the demon Lobhasura. The rest of the tale is the usual routine. Incidentally in these stories there is a new twist previously unknown to Sanskrit literature. Each time the demon sees Ganapati he instantly surrenders rather than engage in a futile battle! Whether the poets finally got tired of gore or the non-violence principle was acting up, is unknown.

As Lambhodara, the Essence of Sattva, he defeats Krodhasura (Anger). This story is the clumsiest of the lot, hastily cobbled up with some mythical background. Shiva encountered Mohini (see our Coorma Avatar and Mohini articles for details) and Krodhasura was born. If so that would mean that the god Ayyapan, traditionally supposed to be the fruit of that encounter, had a twin!

As Vikata (Intelligence) he defeats Kamasura (Lust). This worthy is supposed to have emerged from Vishnu of all people! He married Trishna (Thirst/Yearning) and they had Decay and Corruption as their sons. The happy family had a long run until Ganesha intervened. It is also worth remarking that in all these myths, Ganapati becomes the controller of these dangerous forces and presumably he can unleash them upon anybody who makes the mistake of forgetting that he is also Vighneshwara, Lord of Obstacles. Ganesha is so massively popular today, that it is hard to believe that he was once an ambiguous god, as prone to visiting disaster and wrath as giving blessings.

Vignaraja (Lord of Obstacles) defeated the demon Mamasura (Possessiveness). It is a not so subtle attempt to convey that the major roadblock to spiritual evolution is the desire to possess.

Dhumravarna , the destructive power of Brahman, overcame the demon Abhimanasura (Attachment, Pride). This is a somewhat more logical myth, for the Sun god once felt very puffed up indeed at the extent of his domains and the fact that he is the Lord of Action. While in that frame of mind he sneezed and it instantly condensed into the demon Aham. This demon married Egoism, daughter of Negligence, and they had two sons Arrogance and Mindless Happiness!

All these demons are famously known in Hindu thought as the Inner Enemies, and represent the qualities that one needs to get rid of, as one grows in the life spiritual. They are in a real sense obstacles, and Ganapati is the best qualified to remove obstacles from any life. Each one of these qualities are part of the Shadow, a vital aspect of our personas, providing great energy if they are controlled, but wreaking disaster if they are allowed to become dominant in the psyche. They are to be subdued not destroyed, for in the famous words of Jung, "How can I cast a Shadow if I am not substantial?" The more you develop as a human being, the more the potential for these qualities to manifest and drag you down is enhanced. But recognizing that they are within you and refusing to let them take charge is the way forward. It is not surprising that the mere sight of Ganapati, Awareness, renders these demons impotent and powerless. Once they are recognized and acknowledged for what they are, they lose their influence instantly.