The Repose Of Lord Ganesha

An image of the prince of paraloka (otherworldly realm), relaxing upon a couch lined with silver lotus petals. He is Lord Ganesha, son of Shiva-Parvati, brother of Skanda. He has the form of an elephant-headed child of adorably plump proportions and the personality of a warrior of the finest order. However, in the larger-than-life murti of Him that you see on this page, He is caught in a moment of repose, without vahana or weapon or even a hint of His favourite laddoos.

His fair body is overlain with a world of silver jewellery, which befits His divine status. Necklaces that start at the clavicles and descend all the way down to the mid-torso; girdles of lotus petals; and anklets and bracelets aplenty. A crown of silver to match the adornments, a tall and tapering number with luxuriant engravings. A band of silver rests delicately on the wizened brow of the Lord, and an amulet graces the trunk midway through. The sacred aum symbol is tattooed at its base.

Lord Ganesha rests the head upon a hand propped up by the elbow, while a richly embroidered bolster lies under His arm. The other arm rests languidly upon the side of His body. Both legs folded at the knee for the soles to rest downwards and face upwards, respectively. The composition rests upon a flat pedestal supported by scarlet-coloured legs.