According to Ganesha Purana, Shri Ganesh took four incarnations (avataras) in the four yugas (cosmic ages). The four Yugas in Hinduism are Satya (or Krita Yuga), Treta, Dwapara and Kali Yuga, which is the present era. In Satya or Krita Yuga, Ganesh appeared as Mahotkata; in Dwapara Yuga He appeared as Mayuresvara; in Treta Yuga He appeared as Gajanana, and in Kali Yuga he will appear as Dhumraketu.
In the Satya Yuga, Ganesha incarnates as Mahotkata, the son of Kasyapa and
Aditi. Mahotkata is popularly known as Vinayaka.
In this form Ganesha has ten arms and rides a lion. He incarnates to annihilate the Adharma practiced by demons Davantaka, Narantaka, and Dhumraksa.
In the Treta Yuga, Ganesha incarnates as Mayuresvara. He is the son of Shiva.
In this form, Ganesha has six arms and rides a peacock. The aim of this avatar was to annihilate the demon Sindhu.
In the Dwapara Yuga, Ganesha incarnates as Gajanana. He is the son of Shiva.
In this form, he had four arms and rides a mouse. Demon Sindhura who had created havoc on earth was annihilated by Gajanana.
In the Kali Yuga (present cosmic age), Ganesha incarnates as Dhumraketu. He is also known as Surpakarna.
He has two arms and rides a horse. The aim of this incarnation is to put an end to the Adharma practiced by people on earth.
Related