Ganah in Sanskrit means 'multitude' and Isa means 'Lord'. Ganesha therefore literally means the 'Lord of all beings.' Ganesha is the first son of Lord Shiva. Shiva represents the supreme Reality. Ganesha symbolise's one who has realised the Reality. One who has discovered the godhood in him. Such a man is said to be the lord of all beings. Ganesha is known by other names as well. Ganapati, Gajanana, vinayaka, Vighneshwara. Gajanana means 'elephant-faced' Gaja-elephant. Ganesha has four arms. The four arms represent the four inner equipment's of the subtle body, namely mind, intellect, ego and conditioned-consciousness. In one hand he holds an axe and in another a rope. The axe symbolise's the destruction of all desires and attachments and their consequent agitation's and sorrows. The rope is meant to pull the seeker out of his worldly entanglements and bind him to the everlasting and enduring bliss of his own Self.