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Mudgala Purana

The Mudgala Purana is a Hindu religious text dedicated to the God Ganesh.
It is an upapurana that includes many stories and ritualistic elements
relating to Ganesha. The Ganesha Purana and the Mudgala Purana are core
scriptures for devotees of Ganesha, known as Ganapatyas. These are the
only two Purana that are exclusively dedicated to Ganesha.

Like the Ganesha Purana, the Mudgala Purana considers Ganesha to

represent the ultimate reality of being. As such, Ganesha’s manifestations
are endless but eight of his incarnations (avatara) are of most importance.
The text is organized into sections for each of these incarnations. These are
not the same as the four incarnations of Ganesha that are described in the
Ganesha Purana.

The incarnation described in the Mudgala Purana took place in different

cosmic ages. The Mudgala Purana uses these incarnations to express
complex philosophical concepts associated with the progressive creation of
the world. Each incarnation represents a stage of the absolute as it unfolds
into creation. Along with the philosophy, typical Puranic themes of battles
with demons provide much of the story line. The incarnations appear in the
following order:

 Vakratunda (“twisting trunk”), first in the series, represents the

absolute as the aggregate of all bodies, an embodiment of the form of
Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon
Matsaryasura (envy, jealousy). His mount (vahana) is a lion.

 Ekadanta (“single tusk”) represents the aggregate of all individual

souls, an embodiment of the essential nature of Brahman. the purpose of
this incarnation is to overcome the demon Madasura (arrogance,
conceit). His mount is a mouse.

 Mahodara (“big belly”) is a synthesis of both Vakratunda and

Ekadanta. It is the absolute as it enters into the creative process. It is an
embodiment of the wisdom of Brahman. The purpose of this incarnation
 is to overcome the demon Mohasura (delusion, confusion). His mount is
a mouse.

 Gajavaktra (or Gajanana) (“elephant face”) is a counterpart to

Mahodara. The purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon
Lobhasura (greed). His mount is a mouse.

 Lambodara (“pendulous belly”) is the first of four incarnations that

correspond to the stage where the Puranic gods are created. Lambodara
corresponds to Sakti, the pure power of Brahman. The purpose of this
incarnation is to overcome the demon Krodhasura (anger). His mount is
a mouse.

 Vikata (Vikana) (“unusual form”, “misshapen”) corresponds to

Surya. He is an embodiment of the illuminating nature of Brahman. The
purpose of this incarnation is to overcome the demon Kamasura (lust).
His mount is a peacock.

 Vighnaraja (Vighnaraja) (“king of obstacles”),  He is an

embodiment of the preserving nature of Brahman. The purpose of this
incarnation is to overcome the demon Mamasura (possessiveness). His
mount is the celestial serpent Sesha.

 Dhumravarna (Dhumravarna) (“grey color”) corresponds to Siva.

He is an embodiment of the destructive nature of Brahman. The purpose
of this incarnation is to overcome the demon Abhimanasura (pride,
attachment). His mount is a horse.