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Ganapati, Maha Rakta (Tibetan: tsog gi dag po, mar chen. English: The Great Red Lord of Hosts). A Tantric Buddhist form of the elephant headed god of Shaivism, Ganapati (Ganesha). This form of Ganapati is related to the Chakrasamvara Cycle of Tantras and regarded as a form or emanation of Avalokiteshvara. In appearance he is red in colour with one elephant face and twelve arms, standing in a dancing posture. Sometimes he is depicted in a sitting posture.

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Jeff Watt 8-2001 [update 5-2017, 2-2020]