Lord Ganesha is a supreme Hindu deity called by numerous names like Vinayaka, Ganpati, Ganesh, Vighneshwara, Ekadanta, Lambodara and many more. Ekadanta (One Tusked) was the earliest name of Ganesha. Ekadanta refers to a single whole tusk, while the other tusk is a broken one. In the Indian pantheon, he is the best known worshipped deity. Identifying him is easy due to his elephant head. He is called as God of the Beginnings, a remover of obstacles, the deva of wisdom and intellect and is a patron of sciences and arts. During writing sessions, he is worshipped as patron of learning and letters. Lord Ganesha is honored at the start of ceremonies and rites. Mythological anecdotes linked with his exploits and birth is related to many texts in Hindu mythology.
It is during the Gupta period, especially during the 4th and 5th centuries and likely as early as the 2nd century CE that Lord Ganesha emerged. His is the restored son of Shiva and Parvati. The Brahmanda Purana, Brahma Purana, Ganesha Purana, Ganapati Atharvashirsa and Mudgala Purana are some of the puranic principal texts included in his name.
Ganesha is a Sanskrit word – ‘Gana’ meaning a categorical system, multitude or group and ‘isha’ meaning master or lord. His name is interpreted as ‘Lord of created categories’ and ‘Lord of Hosts’. A synonym for Ganesha indicates that Gana means ‘group and pati means ‘lord’ or ‘ruler’. In Indian art, one popular figure is Lord Ganesha. He is depicted heroically taking actions against demons, dancing, standing, sitting on an elevated seat, as a boy playing with his family or connected in a range of present-day situations.
