Shiv Ji & Ganesha

According to ‘Shiv Puran’ Lord Shiva had a lot of ‘Gana’ who respected all his orders but Goddess Parvati does not have any ‘Gana’. Upset with this pain, once, when Goddess Parvati Ji was taking a bath she created a mannequin with the scum of rouge applied on her body during bath and with her power, she breathed life into that human-form mannequin and a boy was born whom she named ‘Ganesha’. She strictly instructed him to not allow anyone to enter her premises unless she has completed her bath.

Meanwhile, Shiv Ji returned after completing austerity from the Himalayas and tried to enter inside the palace of Parvati but Ganesh Ji was adamant in keeping the words of his mother. On facing resistance from Ganesha, out of ignorance and rage Shiva beheaded Ganesha with his trident and entered into the house. When Parvati Ji saw her son had died she revealed the fact how was Lord Ganesha created to Shiv Ji. She got furious and took the form of Kaali. She was all set to destroy the creation if the life of her son Ganesha is not restored. Fearful Lord Shiva revealed his helplessness to restore the severed head since the impact of his trident cannot be reversed. Then, Lord Shiva requested Lord Vishnu to bring the head of the first creature he sees on the way, who is away from his mother.

Vishnu Ji brought the head of an elephant calf. Shiv Ji put his head atop the body of Ganesha. In this way, he was resurrected. Then Ganesha was blessed with many powers by deities present there and also, that he will be worshipped the first. Since then he is called ‘Gajanan’ and the Lord of new beginnings.