Ganesha

**Ganesha**, the Hindu god with an elephant head, is widely revered as the "Remover of Obstacles" and the deity of wisdom, beginnings, and intellect. He is one of the most beloved gods in Hinduism, often worshipped at the start of any new venture or ritual to invoke blessings for success and smooth paths. Ganesha is the son of **Shiva** and **Parvati**, and his mythology is filled with tales that reflect his cleverness, devotion to family, and love for sweets.

Ganesha's elephant head is one of his most distinctive features and has a fascinating origin story. In one popular myth, Parvati created Ganesha from turmeric paste and set him to guard her while she bathed. When Shiva returned and was denied entry by Ganesha, who didn't know his father, an altercation ensued, and Shiva severed Ganesha's head. Parvati was heartbroken, and to appease her, Shiva replaced Ganesha's head with that of an elephant, bringing him back to life.

Another well-known story about Ganesha demonstrates his wisdom and devotion. When he and his brother, **Kartikeya** (also known as Skanda), competed in a race around the world for a special prize, Kartikeya embarked on a long journey, while Ganesha simply circled his parents, Shiva and Parvati, declaring them his world. This clever act won him the race, reinforcing his reputation as wise and resourceful.

Ganesha is also closely associated with the **Mahabharata**. The sage Vyasa chose Ganesha as his scribe to transcribe the epic, and Ganesha agreed on the condition that Vyasa would recite without pausing. During this task, Ganesha broke off one of his tusks to use as a pen, which is why he is often depicted with a single tusk.

### Recurring Clues in Quiz Bowl Questions:

1. **Elephant Head**: Ganesha is famously known for his elephant head, which he received after being beheaded by Shiva and then revived with an elephant’s head.

2. **Remover of Obstacles**: Ganesha is worshipped as the god who removes obstacles, making him a popular deity at the beginning of rituals and new ventures.

3. **Race Against Kartikeya**: Ganesha won a race around the world by circling his parents, Shiva and Parvati, symbolizing his wisdom and devotion.

4. **Scribe of the Mahabharata**: Ganesha transcribed the Mahabharata for Vyasa, breaking his tusk to use as a pen, leading to his depiction with a single tusk.

5. **Mount (Mouse)**: Ganesha’s mount is a mouse, symbolizing humility and the ability to overcome even the smallest of obstacles.

6. **Modak (Sweets)**: Ganesha is fond of sweets, especially modak, a traditional Indian sweet offered to him during festivals.

7. **Chaturthi Festival**: Ganesha Chaturthi is a major festival celebrating his birth, during which idols of him are immersed in water.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared In More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org

1. Ganesha's **___1___ Head** was given to him after Shiva decapitated him and then revived him.

2. As the **Remover of ___2___**, Ganesha is invoked at the start of new ventures to ensure success.

3. Ganesha won a race by circling his **___3___**, saying they were his world, defeating his brother Kartikeya.

4. He transcribed the **___4___** for Vyasa, using his broken tusk as a pen.

5. Ganesha’s mount is a **___5___**, symbolizing humility and his power to overcome small challenges.

6. **___6___** are sweets associated with Ganesha, particularly offered during festivals like Ganesha Chaturthi.

7. The **Ganesha ___7___** festival celebrates his birth and concludes with the immersion of his idols in water.

Fill-in-the-blanks answers for Quizbowl practice:

1. Elephant

2. Obstacles

3. Parents

4. Mahabharata

5. Mouse

6. Modak

7. Chaturthi

Here are the recurring clues, references, and plot lines about Ganesha in the provided questions, organized by their frequency:

1. **Ganesha's race around the world by circling his parents** - 27 occurrences  

   This story illustrates Ganesha's cleverness and his concept of devotion to his parents. He wins a race against his brother, Kartikeya (or Skanda), by symbolically "circumnavigating the world" by simply walking around Shiva and Parvati.

2. **Beheaded by Shiva while guarding Parvati** - 26 occurrences  

   This story recounts how Ganesha was created by Parvati and was beheaded by Shiva when Ganesha prevented him from entering while Parvati was bathing. Later, Shiva replaces Ganesha's head with that of an elephant.

3. **Elephant head / notable feature due to decapitation** - 26 occurrences  

   This refers to the origin of Ganesha's elephant head after Shiva decapitated him and replaced his head with an elephant's.

4. **Transcribing the Mahabharata for Vyasa** - 23 occurrences  

   Ganesha served as the scribe for the sage Vyasa, transcribing the Mahabharata as Vyasa recited it without interruption.

5. **Remover of obstacles** - 22 occurrences  

   Ganesha is widely revered as the "remover of obstacles," which is one of his primary roles and titles in Hinduism.

6. **Riding a mouse (or rat)** - 21 occurrences  

   Ganesha's vehicle, or "vahana," is a mouse, symbolizing humility and his ability to navigate obstacles.

7. **Love of sweets, particularly modak** - 17 occurrences  

   Ganesha is known for his fondness for sweets, especially modak, which are often offered to him during his festivals.

8. **Modaka or modak offerings during Chaturthi festival** - 14 occurrences  

   During the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, devotees offer modak sweets, which are Ganesha's favorite, as part of the celebration.

9. **Eight incarnations in the Mudgala Purana** - 12 occurrences  

   The Mudgala Purana describes Ganesha's eight incarnations, each with specific attributes and purposes.

10. **Cursed the moon (or Moon god Chandra) for laughing at him** - 11 occurrences  

   Ganesha cursed the moon for laughing at him when his belly burst open, which is often referenced to explain the phases of the moon or as a reason it's considered unlucky to look at the moon on Ganesha's birthday.

11. **Winning consorts (such as Siddhi and Buddhi) through race or wisdom** - 10 occurrences  

   Ganesha won his consorts, Siddhi and Buddhi, often personifying wisdom and intellect, as a reward for his cleverness or by winning the race against his brother.

12. **Chaturthi festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) with idol immersion** - 9 occurrences  

   This festival celebrates Ganesha’s birth and includes the immersion of Ganesha idols in water, symbolizing his return to Mount Kailash.

13. **Origin story involving Parvati creating him from clay or turmeric** - 8 occurrences  

   Parvati created Ganesha from clay or turmeric paste and breathed life into him, usually as a protector while she bathed.

14. **Attack or injury from Parashurama** - 7 occurrences  

   Ganesha was injured by Parashurama, often depicted as losing one of his tusks due to an encounter with the axe-wielding avatar of Vishnu.

15. **Depictions of Ganesha with four arms or multiple hands** - 6 occurrences  

   Ganesha is often shown with four arms, holding various symbolic items like a noose, goad, or lotus.

These recurring clues illustrate the major themes in questions about Ganesha: his cleverness, his role as a remover of obstacles, his close family ties, his love of sweets, and his distinct physical features and iconography.