the Ultimate Web on Indian Gods & Temples

 by Padmani,

KOYILNET

Eight Inner Forms of Ganesh

Abodes of Ganesh

VAKRATUNDA

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.