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The story of Shurpakarna Ganesha highlights his unique form with winnowing-fan-like ears, symbolizing wisdom, discernment, and the power to differentiate truth from falsehood.
Characters in the story:
Lord Ganesha: Lord Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, is a Hindu deity who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and intellect. He is depicted with the head of an elephant and is widely worshiped across India and beyond.
Agni: Agni, the god of fire and the guardian deity of the southeast direction, is typically found in the southeast corners of Hindu temples. Agni is a major and most frequently invoked god, along with Indra and Soma. He is considered the mouth of the gods and goddesses and serves as the medium that conveys offerings to them in a homa (votive ritual).

Shurpakarna Ganesha is a lesser-known but significant aspect of Lord Ganesha’s many forms, particularly in regions influenced by esoteric and tantric traditions of Hinduism. The name Shurpakarna means “One with winnowing-fan-like ears,” symbolizing Ganesha’s immense ability to listen to prayers, sift through knowledge, and discern truth from falsehood.
The Legend of Shurpakarna Ganesha
Once upon a time, the gods and sages were concerned about the spread of false teachings and ignorance in the world. Many people had begun to misinterpret the sacred texts, leading to confusion and strife. Observing this, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati turned to their son, Ganesha—the remover of obstacles and the lord of wisdom—to restore balance.
Ganesha took on the form of Shurpakarna, with ears shaped like large winnowing fans (traditionally used to separate grain from chaff). In this unique form, he traveled through the world, using his special ears to hear the thoughts and prayers of all beings. His ears symbolized the ability to sift through noise and distractions, retaining only what was true and valuable.
Wherever Shurpakarna Ganesha went, he listened intently to the wisdom shared by both the learned and the ignorant alike. With patience, he dispelled misconceptions and imparted true knowledge, allowing people to understand the essence of dharma (righteousness) and the deeper meanings of life.
Another Legend
In another tale, Agni, the fire god, was once cursed by a group of Rishis to lose his luster. They cursed him to be extinguished and lost forever, rendering him powerless. As Agni began to fade, chaos ensued in the universe—without fire, there could be no yajna (sacred rituals), no food, and an imbalance spread across creation.
Taking pity on Agni, Ganesha decided to intervene. To save the universe, he fanned Agni back to life using his large ears, which he wielded like a surpa, or winnowing basket.
For this divine act, Ganesha earned the name Shurpakarna.
Symbolism of Shurpakarna Ganesha
Discrimination of Knowledge:
His large ears represent the ability to differentiate between good and bad, truth and illusion—much like how a winnowing fan separates grain from chaff.
Listening Power:
This form emphasizes the virtue of deep listening, teaching devotees to absorb meaningful knowledge and discard unnecessary distractions.
Wisdom and Understanding:
Shurpakarna embodies wisdom that penetrates all layers of existence, ensuring that seekers of truth are guided on the right path.
Worship and Relevance
Devotees of Shurpakarna Ganesha pray to him for discernment, wisdom, and the ability to focus on what truly matters in life. He is often invoked by students, scholars, and spiritual seekers seeking clarity in understanding scriptures and worldly matters.
Key Lessons from Shurpakarna Ganesha
- Listen more, speak less. Absorbing knowledge requires patience and mindfulness.
- Sift through distractions. Focus on what is meaningful and discard what is not.
- Wisdom requires discernment. Not all information is knowledge; true wisdom comes from careful contemplation.
Shurpakarna Ganesha teaches us the importance of wisdom, patience, and the ability to differentiate between truth and illusion in our lives.
