Who is Ganesha as per Puranas?

Ganesh ji is the son of Mata Parvati and Bhagwan Shiv. Formerly Parvati gave birth to these two sons from Shiva, viz. Skanda and Ga?apati. The two gods sustain all the worlds, and are brave. (Source : Padma Purana Section 1 Srishti Khanda Ch 63) He was born from the dust on the body of Mata Parvati, Thinking thus the goddess created a person with all the characteristics, out of the dirt from her body. He was spotless and handsome in every part of his body. He was huge in size and had all brilliance, strength and valour.

She gave him various clothes and ornaments. She blessed him with benediction and said—“You are my son. You are my own. I have none else to call my own”. (Source : Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita ch 13) Padma Puran describes the appearance of Ganesh ji in this manner : 2-3. “I salute the chief of the Ga?as, who has one tusk, whose body is big, who resembles heated gold, who has a large belly, and large eyes, who has put on the mu?ja (girdle), and the skin of the black antelope, and has the sacred thread of serpents, who has, on his head, the digit of the young moon. (Source : Padma Puran Section 1 Srishti Khanda ch 64). Adbhut Ramayana calls him as the remover of all obstacles. He is worshipped before all the Gods.

He who is worshipped, honoured, glorified and revered by the whole world1, is the dispeller or vanquisher of all hindrances or obstacles to success in any venture or endeavour in this world, and is the foremost leader of Dharma in the world (i.e., he leads those who have the virtues of righteousness, nobility and exemplary qualities)3, is known as ‘Vinayak’ (Lord Ganesh who is the elephant-headed God worshipped first amongst all other Gods). Source : Adbhut Ramayana Canto 1 ch 14.

According to Shiv Puran , he was blessed by the Tridevs and Mata Parvati to be worshipped first before all the Gods. He is the remover of obstacles. 18-19. Getting up and bowing to ?iva, Parvati, Vi?h?u and me, Ganesh stood in front of Nārada and other sages and said—“My guilt shall be forgiven. Arrogance is the characteristic of Man’s nature.” 20. We three ?iva, Vi?h?u and I said to the gods simultaneously with pleasure, after granting him excellent boons “O great gods, just as we three are worshipped in all the three worlds, so also he shall be worshipped by all of you.”

We are the off-springs of primordial nature. He is also the same and hence worthy of worship. He is the remover of all obstacles and the bestower of the fruits of all rites. He shall be worshipped first and we shall be worshipped afterwards. If he is not worshipped, we too are not worshipped. (Source : Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita Ch 18) Ganesh ji and Kartikeya ji had sort of a competition for Modaks. Kartikeya ji had circumbulated the entire world, while Ganesh ji circumbulated Mata Parvati and Mahadeva, and hence he was given the modaks.

Seeing the two, the daughter of the (Himalaya) Mountain (i.e. Parvati) said (to them): “O sons, this modaks is given by gods, who were full of joy. It is known as Mahābuddhi (highly intelligent), and is fashioned with nectar. I shall tell about its merit; be attentive and listen. Merely by smelling it, a man would certainly obtain immortality. He knows the meaning and essence of all sacred books; he becomes conversant with the use of weapons and missiles; he becomes adept in all sciences; he becomes a writer, a painter; the very intelligent one knows the essence of the knowledge of the Supreme Spirit and worldly knowledge; he becomes omniscient; there is no doubt about this.

O sons, being superior to Virtue, he would obtain a hundred accomplishments. This is approved by your father also (to whom) I am handing (you) over.” The very wise Skanda, hearing these words from his mother's mouth, instantly visited all the sacred places situated on the earth, after having mounted his peacock; the very intelligent Lambodara (i.e. Ganesh), (however), having bathed in a moment, and after having gone round his parents keeping them to his right, and being delighted, stood before his parents themselves. Like that Skanda also stood before them, saying (to Parvati): “Give it (i.e. the modaks) to me.”

Looking at them, Parvati, being amazed, then said: “A man by means of bathing at all sacred places, saluting all gods, performing all (kinds of) sacrifices, (observing) vows, (reciting) sacred hymns, by means of deep and abstract meditation and other restraints, does not get even one-sixteenth of the religious merit of him who has worshipped his parents. Therefore he also is hundred times better than a hundred sons. Therefore, I give Ganesh this modaks made by gods. (Source : Padma Purana Section 1 Srishti khanda ch 63)

He uses a mouse (Mooshak) as his vehicle “Vahana”. I salute the lord of the Ga?as. I salute the chief of the Ga?as, who removes and is (himself) free from all obstacles, who, mounting upon the best mouse, desired to fight in the great war between the gods and the demons, and who possesses mighty arms. Source : Padma Purana Section I Srishti Khanda ch 64.

He had defeated Shiv Ganas single-handedly. Nandin came first and caught hold of his leg. He pulled at it. Bhrungi then rushed at him and caught hold of his other leg. Before the Ga?as of ?iva had time to pull his legs Ganesh struck a blow at their hands and got his legs free. Then seizing a big iron club and standing at the doorway he smashed the ganas. Some got their hands broken, others got their backs smothered. The heads of others were shattered and the foreheads of some were crushed. The knees of some were fractured, the shoulders of others were blasted. Those who came in front were hit in the chest.

Some fell on the ground, some fled in various directions, some got their legs broken and some fled to ?iva. Now none among them stood face to face. Just as deer flee to any direction on seeing a lion, the Ga?as, who were thousands in number fled in that manner. Then Ganesh returned to doorway and stood there. He was seen as the annihilator of all in the manner of Yama, the terrible god of death at the end of a Kalpa. (Source : Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita ch 15)

He had also single-handedly defeated all the Gods led by Devraj Indra and Devsenapati Kartikeya ji. 49. None of the weapons of the gods was seen anywhere around the iron club of Ganesh. This wonderful feat was performed by them. A single boy stirred and churned the vast impassable army in the same manner as great mountain churned the ocean of milk formerly. Indra and other gods were struck by him, singlehanded. The Ga?as of ?iva became agitated and distressed then. Gasping frequently for their breath, being utterly shaken by his blows they gathered together and spoke to one another. (Source: Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita ch 15)

He is the leader of Ganas, hence he is called Ganapati. O sage, that son of Parvati was resuscitated. He was free from distress and perturbation. Then he was crowned by the gods and the leaders of Ga?as. (Source : Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita ch 18). He was married to Siddhi and Buddhi. In the meantime Prajapati Viswarupa became delighted and happy on knowing their intention. Prajapati Viswarupa had two daughters of divine features. They were famous as Siddhi and Buddhi. They were exquisite in every part of their body.

The lord ?iva and Parvati, jubilantly celebrated the marriage of Ganesh with them. (Source : Shiv Puran Section 2.4 Rudra Samhita ch 19). Padma Puran mentions twelve of his names which on chanting provides good, health, prosperity,destroys sins and removes obstacles. I shall tell you the hymn containing his twelve names (in honour) of him. The mantra is: “Om, salutation to Ga?apati.” He, who, after getting up in the morning recites these twelve names of him, viz. Ga?apati, Vighnarāja, Lambatu??a, Gajānana, Dvaimatura, Heramba, Ekadanta, Ga?ādhipa, Vināyaka, Cārukar?a, Pa?upāla (and) Bhavātmaja”, would have the entire universe under his control and would never meet with any difficulty. Great evil spirits become calm; he is not troubled by diseases; being free from all sins, he eternally obtains (i.e. lives in) heaven. (Source : Padma Puran Section 1 Srishti Khanda ch 63)