The Legends behind Lord Ganesh’s Broken Tusk

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The Legends behind Lord Ganesha Broken Tusk– Lord Ganesh’s Broken tusk has given rise to many myths and assumptions. So that you do not get caught up in these myths and assumptions, let’s find out some very valid reasons mentioned in scriptures behind the broken tusk of the lord. Due to diversity in people practicing Hinduism the reasons or stories related are many, so let’s delve into some of the most well-known Legends behind Lord Ganesh’s Broken Tusk:

Legends behind Lord Ganesha Broken Tusk

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• One of the anecdotes related says that while Maharishi Veda Vyasa was instructed by Gods to write the epic Mahabharata, he wanted it to be written by the most well-read person. Maharishi was then suggested by Lord Brahma to invoke Lord Shiva to seek permission to let his beloved son Ganesh help him pen down the epic. While Lord Shiva agreed, Ganesh put up a condition to write down the epic. The condition was that once he begins to write the epic, there should be no intervention or pause until the epic gets completed, otherwise he would give up writing the text right then and there. This meant that sage Vyasa couldn’t take any breaks during his recital.
• In response to Ganesh’s condition Vyasa answered that while he recites in continuation, Ganesh should be able to interpret and understand each hymn recited. Assuming that while Ganesh will interpret the hymn, he will get some time to rest his tongue. Contrary to Vyasa’s expectations, Ganesh knew the hymns and their interpretation well before he wrote them, but his pen (then used feathers dipped in ink) started to taper down. To keep his word, Ganesha broke off a piece of his left tusk and used it as a pen and finished off with writing of the epic Mahabharata.

Legends behind Lord Ganesha Broken Tusk

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• Another legend that reasons the broken tusk mystery is that when once Sage Parashurama, who was Lord Vishnu’s sixth avatar, came to visit Shiva on Mount Kailash (Shiva’s abode) to share news of his win against Kartavirya Arjun. His way was blocked by Ganesh, as his parents, Shiva and Parvathi were sleeping and hence no one allowed to go in. Parashurama felt offended and started battling with Ganesh. Ganesh was said to have been winning the fight, however, when Parashurama threw away his axe attacking towards him, Ganesh received the blow intentionally at his tusk, resulting it to be broken off because the axe was his father Shiva’s gift to the sage and its attack couldn’t go in vain, hence sacrificing his own tusk.

Legends behind lord Ganesha broken tusk

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• Another famous myth that is attached to the missing tusk is an interesting one. Once Ganesh was returning from a feast on his vaahan mouse. Suddenly it came across a snake and started chasing it. Ganesh fell of the mouse. During all this commotion, Ganesha’s waistband ripped open. The mouse caught hold of the snake and brought it to Ganesha who used the same snake as a waistband to tie around the waist. While all this was happening Moon laughed at Ganesha, who got very angry and cursed him that whosoever may look at the Moon on that day (Ganesh Chaturthi) will not be able to attain salvation or Moksha. Hence looking at the moon on this day is considered inauspicious.

Legends behind lord Ganesha broken tusk

These are the three most famous Legends behind Lord Ganesh’s Broken Tusk, we at Tentaran hope that Ganesh showers his blessings on us all.

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