In this eight-armed representation of Ganesha, the Lord of Obstacles, he dances exuberantly on the back of his mount, identified as either a rat (akhu) or mouse (musaka), which are both renowned for their ability to break through obstacles. Ganesha’s principal right hand is held in the ‘fear-not’ gesture (abhaya mudra). In his remaining right hands (top to bottom), he holds his broken tusk, battle axe, and rosary. His principal left hand and arm are raised in the ‘elephant hand pose’ (gaja hasta). In his remaining left hands (top to bottom), he holds a radish, bowl of sweetmeats from which he is eating with his trunk, and a serpent. A double trefoil areola emanates around Ganesha’s head. At the apex of the relief is a pendant bunch of mangoes, symbolic of fertility and auspiciousness. Two celestial garland bearers (maladharas) fly above Ganesha in his honor. Seated on the base are two celestial musicians (gandharvas): on his left, a drummer with elephant ears emblematic of his association with Ganesha; and on his right, a cymbalist with rodent ears evocative of his rat mount.
