Ganesha

Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati, is worshipped as the great remover of obstacles [to success]; consequently, he is honored at the beginning of any enterprise. But he is here cast in his lesser-known role as the scribe to the poet Vyasa, composer of the epic Mahabharata. Ganesha’s role in transcribing Vyasa’s dictation, as cited in the Mahabharata, appears to be a later interpolation, and may be taken to reflect the god’s growing status and his reputation for intellectual prowess and agility. According to this story, when his quill pen failed, he broke off one tusk and continued to transcribe Vyasa’s words uninterrupted. Ganesha is shown here attired in white robes of a learned Brahmin, pen in hand, transcribing the dictation to record this monumental work of literature. He holds pen and paper in three of his four hands, the fourth hold a cloth bag of his favorite sweetmeats. A brass inkpot sits at his feet, and his celestial vehicle (vahana), the rat, protrudes his head tentatively, as if attracted by the sweets that hang from Ganesha’s extended hand. It is an image both reverential and joyful.