Ganesha's Weapons

There are four magic weapons in the four hands of Ganesha. As with all numbers, there are connections and correspondances which can be made between all sets of 4 (eg. the 4 Vedas, the 4 mobile elements (spirit, the fifth, is represented by the immobile head), the 4 sacred meters, the four kinds of being etc.).

The four weapons carried by Ganesha can be broken down into two pairs.

The Noose and Goad

These two images are frequently found together in the rupas of many devas (gods) and devis (goddesses). The goad is an elephant goad, used to produce movement from inertia. Like the Self, the elephant seems too large to control, but the goad makes this movement possible. Obviously, the elephant goad has specific associations with the symbolism of the elephant. The word Natha means "master", and the initiate of the Adinath tradition aims to be an adept or master of her or himself. The god Indra has as his vehicle the king elephant Airavata, who represents ultimate force. Indra's goad is therefore a symbol of his mastery of the universe. Ganesh combines the form of human and elephant - he is his own power.

Vara and Abhaya Mudra

These are respectively the mudras (or hand-gestures) denoting the granting of boons and the dispelling of fear. In Hindu mythology there are three types of cosmic or supernatural being who have identical magical powers. The vara mudra shows that Ganesha may grant boons to the human being. Traditionally, the role of granting boons is the prerogative of Prajapati, the all-father or creator-god, who is identified with Brahma, Vishnu and Siva in different myths (as well as Ganesha his Upanishad).