Ekadanta Ganapati

Ekadanta Ganapati, the single-tusked form of Lord Ganesha, is one of the thirty-two forms enumerated in the Mudgala Purāṇa. The name 'Ekadanta' literally means 'one-tusked,' and this form symbolizes the supreme sacrifice of Ganesha, who broke off his own tusk to serve as a writing instrument for Vyasa while dictating the Mahabharata (Mahabharata, Adi Parva 1.1). This act represents the willingness to give up one's most prized possession for the sake of knowledge and dharma. Iconographically, Ekadanta Ganapati is depicted with a blue or dark complexion, four arms, and a single tusk.

He holds an elephant goad (ankusha), a noose (pasha), a modaka (sweet), and his broken tusk. Some traditions also include a japa mala (rosary) and an axe among his attributes, as noted in the Mudgala Purāṇa. The goad and noose symbolize the power to remove obstacles and bind devotees to righteousness, while the modaka represents the sweetness of spiritual wisdom. The broken tusk is a reminder of his sacrifice and his role as the scribe of the epic.

According to the Skanda Purāṇa, Ekadanta is also associated with the moon, as the story goes that Ganesha broke his tusk and threw it at the moon after being mocked, leading to the moon's waxing and waning cycle. In regional worship, Ekadanta is particularly revered in Maharashtra and South India during Vinayaka Chaturthi, where his image is often installed with the broken tusk prominently displayed. In Hindu cosmology, Ekadanta Ganapati embodies the principle of sacrifice for higher knowledge, teaching that material attachments must be surrendered for spiritual progress. His mount is the mouse (mushika), symbolizing the ability to penetrate even the smallest obstacles.

The mantra 'Om Ekadantagaṇapataye Namaḥ' is chanted to invoke his blessings for wisdom and the removal of impediments.

Blue or dark complexion. Four-armed, holding goad, noose, modaka, and broken tusk.