| Location: - Kailash Mountains, Himalayas (Lord Shiva’s abode) | |
| Characters: - | |
| Lord Shiva | (The transformer) |
| Goddess Parvati | (Goddess of love and devotion) |
| Ganesha | (Young lad modelled by Parvati) |
| Lord Brahma | (God of creation) |
| Goddess Lakshmi | (Goddess of wealth and prosperity) |
| Lord Vishnu | (One of the three supreme deities) |
Goddess Parvati deputed her modelled son Ganesha to guard her house when she went to take bath. She instructed him to restrict the entry of anyone inside her house. Lord Shiva on returning back to Kailash Mountain was surprised to see the young boy patrolling around the entrance of his house. On being asked by Lord Shiva, Ganesha introduced himself as son of Goddess Parvati. He by obeying her mother’s orders restricted the entry of Lord Shiva into her house. Even after Shiva gave his introduction to Ganesha, he was not allowed to enter his house. Ganesha respecting his mother’s command, all the efforts of Shiva and his Ganas went in vain. This approach of Ganesha enraged Shiva which resulted into fierce battle between both of them. Unfortunately as the outcome, Shiva cut off Ganesha’s head with his powerful Trishula (weapon of Shiva).
Seeing the lifeless body of her son, Goddess Parvati demanded justice and requested Shiva to bring back Ganesha’s life. Shiva then approached Lord Brahma. As per the suggestions of Lord Brahma Ganesha’s head was replaced with the first being which was found dead with its head facing the north direction. This is way that Shiva and his disciples found dying elephant which lay down in the described position. This how after death of elephant, its head was attached to the Ganesha’s body and instilled with life. This is how Ganesha got his second birth. From this day, he was named Ganpati.
Goddess Parvati was surprised at the look of Ganesha and thought that everyone would make fun of his features. Lord Brahma on hearing, blessed that Ganesha will be prayed by all humans as God of Prosperity. Goddess Lakshmi also blessed Ganesha to be worshiped before beginning of any auspicious activity. Lord Vishnu also sanctified Ganesha with best of intelligence. Finally Lord Shiva positioned Ganesha as head of all Ganas. This is why Ganesha is regarded to be head of the heavenly armies and remover of obstacles (Vighneshwera)