Twelve Names of Shree Ganesh

Ganpati festival is being celebrated with full zest,so thought to share the names of Ganpati Bappa.
Lord Ganesh is respected with the first honour of worship, before undertaking any auspicious occasion, or celebration. 
For the successful completion of any auspicious undertaking, the Tweleve - names of Lord Ganesh are pronounced, and praised.

1. Sumukh :
One who has a beatutiful face.Whenever Lord Ganesh is worshipped at the beginning of any auspicious occassion his sacred and beautiful face is always the center of our attention.His small eyes signify the seriousness. Long nose suggests his wisdom and intellect, where as his long flat ears suggest his knowledge prowess of extreme nature. He listens to the events which are significant, so also carefully listens to the complaints and grievances of his devotees. Deergha Karna (Long ears) means this. He pronounces the integrated nature of Omkar...... i.e. Bramha Vishnu and Mahesh. All these dimensions together justify his name as Sumukh.


2. Ek Danta (Having One Tooth) :
There is a story behind this name, once, mother Parvati, Went for a bath, telling Gajanana to project the entrance, and not to allow way one inside, and should stop him if one wishes. Then Lord Parashuram arrived there and tried to enter Ganesh obstructed him. He strongly abused and disowned Parshuram who got severely hurt and thus retaliated by weapons. He attacked Ganesh first, and in the process, Ganesh lost one of his teeth. Therefore he became known as " Ek Danta " Even that broken tooth harshly disowned Parashuram and pressed him with an intention to kill. However the disciples of Shiva interfered and stopped Ganesh from doing so. There was havoc among the Gods, at the sight of Ganeshas broken teeth. To please him however, the Gods praised that broken teeth also. This is a historical story.
 
3. Kapil :
Is an adjective means of Grey colour; Smoky grey colour cow is called Kapila; The cow satisfies the needs of a man keeping him healthy by giving products like milk, curd, ghee etc. though she is gray in colour similarly lord Ganesh gives Ghee in the form of knowledge, curd in the form of wisdom and milk in the form of expression. He makes man healthy, destroys all his evils and clears off his worries. Therefore his name ;Kapil, fits in, in the sense it carries.

4. Gajakarna :
Is the forth name of lord Ganesh means God with ears of elephant. It is very well known with this name. He listens to everyone. The people with high degree of intellect and wisdom can only do great things; those with cheap hearing character always listen to trifle matters which do not achieve any benefits for mankind. This Ganesh Deity with long ears, as if, teaches the humanity not be a listener of cheap things, The ill wishers around may utter many good or bad words about us, listen to then but do not pronounce; not even once.

5. Lambodar (Big Belly) :
With large stomach portion. Shri Ganesh is remembered . Human beings are of two kinds. In the first category, people digest and store every good will thing within them. However, the people in second category cannot digest anything.

6. Vikat :
This is Ganesha's Sixth name. It means ferocious, dreadful. Ganesh has all his body of a human being, whereas, his face is of elephant.  Lord Ganesh stands firmly to defeat all the evils in the way. It is always said that one has to raise encounters in the same manner, as the opponents behave.

7. Vighna Nashak :
Lord Ganesh is a destroyer of all evils and Calamities.  We pray and worship with folded hands, that Ganesh, who is a son of Shiva, destroys the evils, and who also incarnates before his devotees in the posture of blessings given.Shri Ganesh removes fear from the minds. It is the only deity who holds control over all evils. Therefore he is known as Vighnesh.

8. Vinayak :
This is Lord Ganesha's Eighth name meaning thereby specific Nayak or Hero or leader or Swami. There will be no obstruction or stoppage in the work undertaken, when Lord Ganesh is satisfied with prayer and worshipped while performing the secured rites.
 
9. Dhumraketu :
Means Agni...... a flag like a smoke.  Smoke of Decision - suspicion. A smoke, which would give concrete shape to the ideas and fluttering in the atmosphere like a flag. Therefore Ganesh is known as Dhoomraketu and is appreciated.
 
10. Ganadhyaksha :
This is Shri Ganesha's Tenth name. A swami or a controller of such things, which can be counted.  (General People) Nar (Men), Asur (Demon) Nag (Snakes) Chaturveda (four vedas) four Purusharthas.......Ganesha is the swami of all these.

11. Balchandra :
This is Shri Ganesha's eleventh name. One who wears moon on his head. The moon has a relation with all creatures in this world. By holding the moon on the head, Shri Ganesh creates an atmosphere of pleasure and peace with his cool physique.

12. Gajanana :
This is the Twelth and last name. It means a God having the face of elephant. Half of his body is of a human being while face is like elephant. Small eyes like elephant conveys the meaning of critical eyesight, also suggesting that one should have generous outlook. It further signifies lord Ganesha's determination to protect the dignify and status of mankind forever. Long ears suggest that he is capable of listening everything. From the throat to his head, portion of Ganesha is like elphant, therefore is more prominent and attractive.

                   Ganpati Bappa Morya!!