The Clash of Parashuram and Ganesh: The Tale of the Broken Tusk

Parvati's Command and Parashuram's Arrival at Mount Kailash

Goddess Parvati instructed her son, the elephant-headed god Ganesh, not to allow anyone to disturb Lord Shiv's meditation. Parashuram arrived at Mount Kailash just then to meet his former teacher, Shiv. 

Parashuram's Encounter with the Elephant-Headed Ganesh

He ran into Ganesh, who did not allow him to proceed further. Ganesh told Parashuram he was Shiv and Parvati's son, but Parashuram did not believe Ganesh because he had an elephant's head.

The Fierce Battle Between Parashuram and Ganesh 

Parashuram and Ganesh began to fight. They were evenly matched as they shot arrows at each other. The omniscient Lord Shiv knew that his son and former pupil were fighting but chose not to intervene. Finally, Parashuram flung his axe at Ganesh. 

Ganesh's Broken Tusk and Parashuram's Apology

Out of respect for the axe that had been presented to Parashuram by none other than Lord Shiv, Ganesh did not try to defend himself; therefore, the axe broke Ganesh's left tusk. Ganesh howled in pain, which drew Parvati to the battlefield. She saw Ganesh's broken tusk on the ground and threatened to punish Parashuram for injuring her son. When Parashuram realized that Ganesh was indeed the son of Shiv and Parvati, he profusely apologized. Shiv arrived at the scene and advised Parvati to forgive Parashuram. He also said that Ganesh would thenceforth be worshipped as Ekdant (meaning 'the single-tusked one').