THE MYTHOLOGICAL TALES OF LORD GANESHA'S BROKEN TUSK

Widely revered as the remover of obstacles and the patron of arts and sciences, Lord Ganesha—also known as Ganpati and Vinayaka—is one of the most beloved deities in Hinduism. As the God of beginnings, He is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies. The son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Ganesha is also the brother of Lord Kartikeya, and His worship holds immense significance, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi, a festival dedicated to celebrating His birth.

The Stories Behind Ganesha's Broken Tusk

One of the most striking features of Lord Ganesha is His broken tusk, which has fascinating mythological stories associated with it. Here are two well-known tales that explain how Ganesha came to have one broken tusk.

Ganesha's Broken Tusk from the Brahmanda Purana

According to the Brahmanda Purana, Bhagwan Parshuram, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, sought to thank Lord Shiva for the power to defeat his enemies. When Parshuram traveled to Mount Kailash to pay his respects, Ganesha stopped him, explaining that His parents were resting and should not be disturbed. Enraged at being barred from seeing Shiva, Parshuram engaged in a battle with Ganesha.

Despite Ganesha’s superior strength, Parshuram threw his axe at Him. In a moment of respect for his father's gift, Ganesha chose not to defend himself. Instead, He received the axe with His left tusk, which was subsequently severed. The tusk fell to the ground, bloodied like a mountain struck by Indra's thunderbolt, symbolizing the sacrifice Ganesha made out of reverence for Shiva.

Ganesha's Broken Tusk from the Mahabharata

Another poignant tale comes from some manuscripts of the Mahabharata. Here, Ganesha breaks His own tusk while writing the epic at the request of Maharshi Ved Vyasa. Vyasa, tasked by the Gods to document the epic, sought Ganesha’s assistance as the most knowledgeable being in the universe.

Ganesha agreed to write the Mahabharata but imposed a condition: if Vyasa paused while reciting, Ganesha would stop writing, forcing Vyasa to find another scribe. Vyasa, confident in the complexity of his verses, proposed that Ganesha must understand each hymn before writing it down. He believed this would allow him time to rest between verses.

However, Ganesha proved to be exceptionally quick. He completed the verses before Vyasa could even think of the next line. As the pen He was using began to wear down, Ganesha, recognizing the urgency, pulled out His left tusk and used it to continue writing the sacred text, symbolizing His commitment to completing the task without delay.

Celebrate with Ganesha T-Shirts

As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, show your devotion and love for Lord Ganesha with stylish Ganesh T-shirts. Wearing a Hanuman T-shirt, Krishna T-shirt, Ganpati T-shirt, Anjaneya T-shirt, or Hindu T-shirt can add a festive touch to your celebrations. To buy a variety of hindu t shirts like shivji t shirt, hanuman t shirt, ganesh t shirt, Krishna t shirt, ram t shirt, bajrang bali t shirt etc. click here! These garments not only celebrate the essence of these revered deities but also express your faith and devotion in style.

Lord Ganesha, with His unique stories and symbolism, continues to inspire millions, reminding us of the importance of wisdom, sacrifice, and devotion. As we honor Him during Ganesh Chaturthi, let us embrace the lessons His tales impart and wear our faith proudly.

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

~Mimansa Sharma