Ganesha is usually regarded
as the elder son of Shiva
and Parvati. Ganesha is
represented with an
elephant’s head-an emblem of
sagacity-and is frequently
attended by, or is riding
upon, a rat. He has
generally four hands, but
sometimes six, or eight, or
only two.
The InchShiva Purana
Inch relates
that, after giving Ganesha
life, Parvati placed him at
her door to prevent
intrusion whilst she was
bathing. on his refusal to
allow Shiva to enter, a
struggle ensued, in which
that deity cut off Ganesha's
head; but when Parvati
showed her husband that it
was by her orders that the
door was closed, and wept
because of the loss of her
son, Shiva ordered the first
head that could be found to
be brought to him; this
happened to be an elephant's
which he fitted to the
headless trunk and
resuscitated his son.
Ganesha has only one tusk,
and hence is called Ekadanta.
The reason of this is as
follows :-Parasurama, who
was a favourite disciple of
Shiva, went to Kailasa to
visit his master. On
arriving at the inner
apartment, his entrance was
opposed by Ganesha, as his
father was asleep.
Parasurama nevertheless
urged his way, and after a
long dialogue, the two came
to blows. Ganesha had at
first the advantage, seizing
Parasurama in his trunk, and
giving him a twirl that left
him sick and senceless. On
recovering, Rama threw his
axe at Ganesha, who,
recognizing at as his
father’s weapon-Shiva Having
given it to Parasurama-received
it with all humility upon
one of his tusks, which it
immediately severed, and
hence Ganesha has but one
tusk. Parvati was highly
incensed at this, and was
about to curse Rama, when
Krishna, of whom he was a
worshipper, appeared as a
boy and appeased her
indignation. Brahma is said
to have promised that her
son should be worshipped
before the other gods.
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