Ganesha

Ganesha is a very well known god from India and is a large part in the Hindu tradition and culture. Ganesha is often seen looking quite powerful and knowledgeable and he is depicted as having the head of an elephant. Ganesha has multiple arms in some depictions as well, and only one tusk. His multiple arms show he holds wisdom and enlightenment in his hands. The reason for his one tusk, and another broken tusk is the fact that this symbolizes the non-duality of Ganesha. In India, the story of the tusks represents that Ganesha is so wise that he is beyond duality. What this means is that most of us, we believe when we die that it is completely the end. However many believe this is not the case and that there is a way to transcend in another form and achieve a way to see the Universe as a whole. The broken tusk of Ganesha is said to represent that belief. In Hindu beliefs and the mythological stories of India, there are many speculations and you may find varying stories on how Ganesha broke his tusk.

Ganesha is known to be a friendly and quite jolly god. It is said that Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Ganesha. Shiva is the God governing the life-force and Parvati is known as an earth-mother. The combination of these two uniting and bringing Ganesha to life symbolizes the spirit and body of the wise person. It is good to keep in mind that elephants are often associated with dignity and wisdom. In Hindu traditions many believe that Ganesha is the most powerful god, and during spiritual and religious rites and practices, Ganesha and all of his wisdom is usually called upon first before any other god!