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Lord Ganesh dancing on a snake.

I have just come across a very interesting murti of Lord Ganesh dancing on a snake with many heads - does anyone know the story behind it?


Thanks
 

magalaan

Member
I have just come across a very interesting murti of Lord Ganesh dancing on a snake with many heads - does anyone know the story behind it?


Thanks
Ram Ram,

A snake with many heads is a symbol of desire. Lord Ganesha rides a mouse which also symbolizes desire.

The snake is like the Hydra that Hercules had to defeat in Greek mythology. Desire is not easily defeated. When you cut of one head more grow in return. Hercules solved the challenge by burning the necks to prevent them growing back. The suggestion is, you need to overcome desires one at the time by completely rooting them out, and then move to next. Simply giving up on a desire will not work, because the desires will grow back in other forms.

Lord Ganesh helps you defeat desire. He even goes further, he uses the mouse as a means of transport, meaning that if you bring desire under your control you can use them to propel yourself towards your goals.

Jai Ganesha!
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I have just come across a very interesting murti of Lord Ganesh dancing on a snake with many heads - does anyone know the story behind it?


Thanks

I'm reasonably familiar with Ganesha's iconography, and I've never heard of that. Sounds like it could be another misappropriation. Do you have a link to it?
 

Ardhanariswar

I'm back!
48rm3zz.jpg


Courtesy of Lotus Sculpture.

I think the Serpent might be representative of Sesha, who is a vehicle of Ganesha in one of his avatarams. I think Vishnu as Ranganathan lets Ganesha borrow Sesha once in a while.
 
Last edited:

Me Myself

Back to my username
48rm3zz.jpg


Courtesy of Lotus Sculpture.

I think the Serpent might be representative of Sesha, who is a vehicle of Ganesha in one of his avatarams. I think Vishnu as Ranganathan lets Ganesha borrow Sesha once in a while.

That was my first thought when I saw it, but doesn´t sesha need to have 7 heads? (just asking :D )

It is beatiful regardless :D
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I googled it a bit too. there are several explanations. One was as simple as Ganesha having a pet snake, representing the door to kundalini.
 

native3

Shrinidhi Kowndinya
From my point of view i think the the idol represents the power of Ganesha to subdue the 5 senses of humans from which they suffer a lot.... the 5 heads of the snake represents the 5 senses respectively..... By bringing it under him Ganesha suggests that one does the same and keep his senses under control......
 
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