Shiva grew angry. He sent his ganas (attendants) to subdue the boy, but the boy was no ordinary child. He defeated them all. Finally, Lord Shiva himself raised his trident (Trishul) and in a fierce battle, severed the boy’s head from his body. When Parvati came out and saw her son’s lifeless body, she was devastated. Her motherly love turned into divine rage. She revealed her true cosmic form—Adi Shakti—and declared, “Until my son is brought back to life, I will destroy all of creation.”

Shiva declared: “From this day, before any puja, any journey, any new beginning, Ganesha will be worshipped first. He is the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta) and the bestower of wisdom.” After Ganesha was made the leader of the ganas, he was invited to a grand feast one night. He ate enormous quantities of modaks (sweet dumplings). To cool his stomach, he set out on his mouse (vahana) for a ride.

Angered by the Moon’s mockery, Ganesha cursed him: “Anyone who looks at the Moon on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi will be falsely accused of a crime (Mithya Dosham) and face disrespect.”

Suddenly, a snake crossed his path. Ganesha’s mouse jumped in fear, causing Ganesha to fall. His stomach burst open, and all the modaks spilled out. Unfazed, Ganesha picked up the snake and tied it around his belly as a belt.

Parvati handed him a staff and said, “Do not let anyone enter while I am bathing.” The boy dutifully stood guard.