This image is of Ganesha, one of the most common of the Hindu Gods. Ganesha is worshipped as the god of intellect and wisdom, is a patron of arts and sciences, as well as the lord of beginnings and obstacles. In this image, Swastikas adorn the open pages of the book at Ganesha's feet. The swastika is an important symbol in Hindu Vedic texts. The oldest of these are written in Sanskrit, and are over 5000 years old. The word Swastika comes the Sanskrit word svasti (sv = well; asti = is), meaning good fortune, luck and well-being.