Ganesh Writing the Mahabharata Hindu Statue, Bronze Finish with Color, 6.75 in

Scribe of the Epic: a Ganesh Mahabharata Statue

Ganesh is shown writing the Mahabharata, the epic at the heart of Hindu culture. The bronze finish with color details gives this Ganesh Mahabharata statue the look of a temple piece. It stands 6.75 in tall and weighs 2.2 lbs. The pose honors Ganesh as a patron of learning.

Product Details

• Material: Crushed stone and resin
• Finish: Bronze with color
• Dimensions: 6.75 in H x 4.5 in W x 3.75 in D
• Weight: 2.2 lbs
• Product number: O-146BP

The Longest Epic

The Mahabharata is about 1.8 million words long, roughly ten times the Iliad and the Odyssey combined. Its longest version has over 100,000 couplets. Most of it was compiled between the third century BC and the third century AD. It tells of a struggle between two sets of cousins, the Kaurava and the Pandava. The Bhagavad Gita lies inside it.

Ganesh the Scribe

Tradition says the sage Vyasa composed the epic and needed a scribe. In the well-known tale, Vyasa dictating epic verses asked Ganesh to write them down. Ganesh broke off a tusk to serve as his pen. That broken tusk pen is why he is often shown with one tusk. Scholars regard the scribe story as a later addition. The critical edition leaves it out.

A Statue for Readers and Writers

Ganesh is patron of writers, students, and travelers. The Hindu scribe god suits a desk, a library shelf, or a study. This Ganesh Mahabharata sculpture turns a story into a quiet reminder to keep working. The bronze finish adds a sense of age.

The Scene Behind the Statue

Picture the scene the statue recalls. Vyasa dictating epic verses sits at one side, and Ganesh writes without rest. In the best known version, Ganesh breaks off his own tusk to keep writing. That broken tusk pen turns an act of sacrifice into a tool of learning. Some tellings differ, which is common in oral tradition. Still, the broken tusk pen is a clear sign in art that this is the scribe. Vyasa dictating epic verses to a patient listener is a good image for any writer. This Hindu scribe god reminds you to finish long projects.

At 6.75 in tall and 2.2 lbs, this Ganesh Mahabharata statue is steady on a desk or shelf. Dust it with a soft dry cloth. See more of our Asian Art Collection, including the dancing Ganesh relief.

Indian artists have shown Ganesh holding a broken tusk for centuries. The scribe pose links the image to the long tradition of the epic.

For More Reading

• See how the epic, its length, and its Ganesh tale are described. Mahabharata - Wikipedia
• Compare three tales of how Ganesh lost his tusk. Ganesha - World History Encyclopedia
• Meet the elephant headed god in a broad overview. Ganesha - Wikipedia