According to one legend, it was a curse on Shiva that had made Ganesha lose his head. Once Surya, the Sun-god, was about to hit two devotees of Shiva, named Mali and Sumali. But Shiva had hit out at Surya with his three-pronged spear, the trishul, to protect Mali and Sumali. Surya had fallen unconscious and the world had grown sunless and dark. Sage Kashyap was Surya’s father. He was filled with terrible fury when he saw Surya lying unconscious. He cursed Shiva, saying, “One day, you shall be the cause of the death of your own son. Then you will understand my anguish.” Ganesha was born absolutely normal, but Shiva was unaware of his birth and ended up killing his own son. “You are entirely to blame! You angered Sage Kashyap,” cried Parvati. Shiva started looking for a head. Indra came forth with the head of his Mount Airavat. It was Airavat’s head that Ganesha carries on his shoulders.
Curse on Shiva and Ganesha’s Lost Head
