Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c9.56

v1.c9.56

*Bhāla-chandra*. It is said that Chandra (the moon) was cursed by Darbhi (?) and began to lose his brightness. Seeing this, Gaṇapati took up Chandra and wore him on his forehead as a *tilaka*, and thus saved him from disaster. That form of Gaṇapati which hence has the moon on the forehead is known as Bhāḷachandra. The Brahmāṇḍa-purāṇa gives this explanation.