GANESH

I, Lord Ganesh, am the son of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvathi.When my father was away fighting for the gods, the lady of the house, goddess Parvathi was alone at home.On one occasion, she needed someone to guard the house when she was going for a bath. Unable to think of an alternative, she used her powers to create a son - me, Ganesh. She instructed me to keep strict vigil on the entrance to the house and not to allow anyone into the house. Like a good son, I agreed and stayed on the strictest of strict vigils.In the meantime my father returned home, happy after a glorious victory for the gods, only to be stopped at the entrance by me! Acting on Parvathi's orders verbatim, I did not allow Shiva to enter the house.Lord Shiva became enraged beyond control and in a fit of rage slashed off my head!!! Paravti came out from her bath and was aghast at the scene. She was very, very angry at her lordship for what had happened and explained him the situation.Lord Shiva wanted to make it up to Parvathi and agreed to put life back into Ganesha by putting the head of the first sleeping living creature that came in sight which was sleeping with its head to the north. He sent his soldiers to go in search of the creature. The first creature which came in sight was an elephant.So my dad re-created me with the head of the elephant. Hence the trunk.My mother was still not totally happy so Shiva granted me a boon that before beginning of any undertaking or task people would worship me. Thus the reason for worship of me before start of any work.VAKRATUNDA MAHOKAAYA SURYAKOTEE SAMA PRABHA NIRVHIGNAM KURU MEY DEVA SARVA KARYESHU SARVADAA