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The Mudgala Purana gives eight Inner Avatars of Ganapati. These avatars can be understood to symbolize abstract qualities which triumph over similar personifications of evil and weakness. The Purana explicitly states that the stories are to be meditated upon for their inner meaning, which will be revealed according to the inner development of each individual and are not meant to be understood as literal narratives.

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.

The next incarnation was in the form of Ekadanta (single tusked) who defeated the demon Madasura. This is purely an allegorical story as Madasura gained power by meditating on the famous Shakti mantra, 'Hrim', revealing its essentially tantrik source. The form of Ekadanta has been interpreted to mean Eka, 'one', but also creative power of matter, Maya and Danta stands for 'truth'. Ekadanta is thus the Supreme Truth that wields Maya. Madasura was let off with the admonition that he could benefit from all the demonic desires manifest in the universe, but he could not harass those with pure intentions and actions, an obvious statement of the fact that evil can enter only when it is invited in.

The next was Mahodara who vanquished Mohasura, the demon of Delusion and Confusion. The confused nature of the tale makes it difficult to understand exactly what was going on. It seems that once Shiva was sunk in meditation for eons and showing no signs of coming out of it. Meanwhile, the gods were in need of help while he was oblivious. Parvati therefore assumed an alluring form and wandered round his meditating spot. Shiva was brought back to normal wakeful consciousness by this act and she abandoned the alluring 'cover' so as to speak. This abandoned energy form became a demon in its own right over the ages and Ganesha subdued it. Shiva and Parvati are the parents of Ganesha, so the psychological implications of this tale make the head spin.

Equally perplexing in the tangled web of intergenerational sexuality is the next tale, of the avatar of Gajanana who defeated the demon Lobhasura (Greed or Covetousness). Kubera, Lord of Wealth had everything beautiful in the universe, or so he thought. For when he saw Parvati he realized that at last something was

beyond his power to acquire. Kubera's frustrated desire, and fear at Parvati's anger if she ever detected his greed for her, combined to be born as the demon Lobhasura.. Each time the demon sees Ganapati he instantly surrenders rather than engage in a futile battle! As Lambhodara, the Essence of Sattva, he defeats Krodhasura (Anger).. Shiva encountered Mohini and Krodhasura was born. As Vikata (Intelligence) he defeats Kamasura (Lust). Ganapati becomes the controller of these dangerous forces and presumably he can unleash them upon anybody who makes the mistake of forgetting that he is also Vighneshwara, Lord of Obstacles. Vignaraja (Lord of Obstacles) defeated the demon Mamasura (Possessiveness). Dhumravarna , the destructive power of Brahman, overcame the demon Abhimanasura (Attachment, Pride).. All these demons are famously known in Hindu thought as the Inner Enemies, and represent the qualities that one needs to get rid of, as one grows in the life spiritually. They are in a real sense obstacles, and Ganapati is the best to remove obstacles from any life. Each one of these qualities are part of the Shadow, a vital aspect of our personas, providing great energy if they are controlled, but wreaking disaster if they are allowed to become dominant in the psyche. The more you develop as a human being, the more the potential for these qualities to manifest and drag you down. But recognizing that they are within you and refusing to let them take charge is the way. It is not surprising that the mere sight of Ganapati, Awareness, renders these demons impotent and powerless. Once they are recognized and acknowledged for what they are, they lose their influence instantly.

The Ganesha Yantra The basic form of the Yantra is always a six pointed star in the center surrounded by Lotus petals which vary in multiples of eight. The central six-pointed star represents the harmonious combination of masculine and feminine energies in dynamic equilibrium, it is

India's symbolic version of the Yin-yang. The Ganesha Yantra for instance has sixteen petals instead of the normal eight, and they are inscribed with sacred syllables and mantras, which vary from the Mahaganapati Yantra, which have only eight petals.

The Yantra is a micro-cosmos and it is always directly in contact with, and influencing, the macro-cosmos or larger universe outside. Hence any worship or meditation or affirmation directed towards it finds the desired outcome being easily manifested in the larger physical reality. The Yantra is a machine too, apart from being the symbolic energy body of the god, a machine to bring about transformation by focusing your intent. The Yantra should always be treated with great respect, kept in a place of honor and moved as little as possible. Ideally only one person should handle it at all times. It is recommended that some daily meditation upon the Yantra be practiced as the patterns subtly influence and transform the thought-forms of the mind gently guiding them into habits of prosperity thinking which after all is more important than merely hoping for prosperity.