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Ganesha

© Linda Casselman

Let's continue our exploration at the myths of South and Central Asia this week with a look at the Hindu god Ganesha.

Son of Parvati, goddess and personification of the sacred Himalayan mountain range and wife to the great god Shiva, Ganesha is the god of literature and wisdom and the patron of business. This highly popular deity is remarkably portrayed with the head of an elephant, a potbelly, four arms, and just one tusk. His potbelly symbolizes the god's own vice of greed but also his power to bestow success upon his worshipers. And tradition tells us that Ganesha was so excited about writing down the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, that he ripped one of his own tusks off to use as a his pen.

Certainly, Ganesha has a very striking and memorable appearance. And two different myths survive to explain to us why Ganesha has the head of an elephant:

The great god Shiva was away from home for a time when his wife, the goddess Parvati, became overwhelmed with boredom and loneliness, so she decided that she would make a baby for herself. Using rubbings from her own body, dew, dust, and clay, Parvati fashioned herself a son, Ganesha, and she was very pleased. After some time, the goddess ordered her new son to stand guard at the entrance of her personal rooms, and this he did for his mother gladly. Shiva then returned home from his long journey, but when he tried to see his beloved wife, Ganesha barred his way, as he did not realize who Shiva was. In a fit of rage, Shiva lashed out at Ganesha and knocked off his head. Of course, Parvati was deeply distressed over this matter and demanded that her son be restored to her. Shiva agreed to bring Ganesha back to life but the only available head he could find was that of an elephant. No matter, Parvati was delighted to have her son back.

Another tale says:

The goddess Parvati invited the gods to celebrate the birth of her new son, Ganesha. Among those in attendance was the god Sani, representation of the planet Saturn. Sani was a dangerous god, however, and when he looked upon Ganesha the poor child's head exploded and was reduced to ashes. Parvati was in despair over the loss of her newborn son, so the god Brahma, the creator of the universe, told her to repair her son as best as she could. With the help of the god Vishnu the found the head of Airavata, the great white elephant and mount to the king of the gods, Indra. And with this elephant head they restored Ganesha to life.

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