I have a statue of Ganesh holding a conch shell in one hand and a disc
in the other; a bowl of sweets (moksa) in the third and giving a sign
of blessing with the fourth.

What is the meaning of the shell and the disc?

Also, his trunk curls to the right instead of the left. Is there a
difference in the meanings?


Thanks,
John

The conch shell (used as a trumpet to scare away evil forces), and the
razor sharp solar discus (used to analyse ideas) are weapons
traditionally associated with Vishnu. (Ganesha is seen by some Hindus as
an <amsha> or fraction of Vishnu's energy.)

The blessing gesture is called <abhaya> (removing fear). The dish of
<modaka> sweets symbolize the offerings to win Ganesha's grace. The
trunk turned to the right indicates a Ganesha who requires diligence in
making appeals to him. A left-turning trunk means the Ganesha is easily
pleased.


On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 23:52:53 -0000 "jlondon5560" <streamrdr@...>
writes:
> I have a statue of Ganesh holding a conch shell in one hand and a
> disc
> in the other; a bowl of sweets (moksa) in the third and giving a
> sign
> of blessing with the fourth.
>
> What is the meaning of the shell and the disc?
>
> Also, his trunk curls to the right instead of the left. Is there a
> difference in the meanings?
>


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