Mythological anecdotes of Ganesha

Basohli miniature, circa 1730.

There are many anecdotes of Ganesha. Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify.[1] He is worshipped as the lord of beginnings and as the lord of removing obstacles,[2] the patron of arts and sciences, and the god of intellect and wisdom.[3] Stories about the birth of Ganesha are found in the later Puranas, composed from about 600 CE onwards. References to Ganesha in the earlier Puranas, such as the Vayu and Brahmanda Puranas are considered to be later interpolations made during the 7th to 10th centuries.[4]

  1. ^ Martin-Dubost, p. 2.
  2. ^ These ideas are so common that Courtright uses them in the title of his book, Gaṇeśa: Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings.
  3. ^ Heras, p. 58.
  4. ^ Krishan, p. 103.