Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Why Lord Ganesha Is Called Ekadanta: Three Tusk Stories
Lord Ganesha is sometimes called Ekadanta, which means “one-tusked.”
Stories say that one of his tusks was broken.
In one story, Parashurama’s axe broke it during a confrontation at Mount Kailash.
Ganesha accepted the blow because the axe belonged to his father, Shiva.
In another story, Ganesha broke the tusk himself when his writing instrument broke.
He used it to keep writing the Mahabharata while Sage Ved Vyasa recited it.
A third story says the tusk broke during a battle with Gajamukhasura.
These stories teach ideas about respect, sacrifice, courage and determination.
Ekadanta means “one-tusked,” referring to Lord Ganesha’s broken tusk.
One story says Parashurama broke Ganesha’s tusk with Shiva’s divine axe at Mount Kailash.
Another legend says Ganesha broke his tusk to write the Mahabharata for Sage Ved Vyasa.
A third tradition says Ganesha lost his tusk while fighting the demon Gajamukhasura.
Across these stories, the broken tusk symbolizes devotion, sacrifice, determination and overcoming obstacles.
- Who
- Lord Ganesha, Parashurama, Lord Shiva, Sage Ved Vyasa and Gajamukhasura are central figures in the stories.
- What
- The traditions explain why Ganesha has one broken tusk and is called Ekadanta.
- Where
- One account takes place at Mount Kailash; another concerns the writing of the Mahabharata.
- Why
- The stories connect the broken tusk with devotion, sacrifice, determination and overcoming obstacles.
- Name
- Ekadanta
- Meaning
- “One-tusked”
- Parashurama account
- Parashurama’s divine axe broke Ganesha’s tusk during a confrontation at Mount Kailash.
- Mahabharata account
- Ganesha broke his tusk to continue writing when his writing instrument broke.
- Third tradition
- Ganesha broke his tusk while fighting the demon Gajamukhasura.
- Symbolism
- The broken tusk represents devotion, sacrifice, determination and overcoming challenges.