Gajanana is one of the eight avatars of Ganesha as per the
Mudgala Purana. It is stated in the Mudgala Purana that one of the mission of
the Gajanana Avatar was to annihilate Lobhasura – the demon greed.
Kubera, the treasurer of wealth, once visited Shiva and
Goddess Parvati. Pleased with the devotion of Kubera, Shiva blessed him with
the vision of the divine couple whenever he wanted.
After the blessing Kubera made it a point to have the vision
of divine couple daily. Soon Kubera was enamored by the beauty of Goddess
Parvati and he gazed Her with lustful thoughts. Goddess Parvati who realized
this gave an angry look at Kubera. Kubera was trembling in fear at the look of
the Goddess and from the fear was born the demon named Lobhasura.
Lobhasura did penance and propitiated Shiva. He was granted
the boon of fearlessness. The spiritual strength and lack of fear made
Lobhasura powerful and he became to the ruler of the three worlds.
Power made the asura corrupt and he led a demonic life
killing and looting innocents. Fed up with Lobhasura, people approached Sage
Raibhya. He instructed them to offer prayers to Ganesha in Gajanana form.
Gajanana was pleased with the devotion of the people and decided
to annihilate the demon. Ganesha did not want war and destruction. So He asked
Vishnu to apprise Lobhasura of the strength of Gajanana.
Vishnu was able to convince Lobhasura about Gajanana's
strength and the futility of opposing him. Lobhasura who also had a spiritual
side realized that he did not have the power to stand before Ganesha. The demon
surrendered before Gajanana without a fight.
Symbolically, the story indicates that those who
are overpowered by the demon of greediness can overcome it by surrendering
before Gajanana.