Ek Danta - Lord Ganesh another name

Ek Danta, another name of Lord Ganesha which means Having One Tooth. But how Lord Ganesha got this name. Well, there is a story behind this name of Lord Ganesha.

It is to be said that once, Mata Parvati went for a bath, telling Ganesh to guard the entrance and not allow way to anyone inside and stop him if one wishes. When she had gone for bath then Lord Parashuram arrived there and tried to enter but Ganesha obstructed him. He strongly abused and disowned Lord Parshuram who got severely hurt and thus retaliated by weapons, he attacked Ganesh first and in this process, Ganesha lost one of his teeth. Therefore he became known as "Ek Danta." 

 

Even that broken tooth harshly disowned Lord Parashuram and pressed him with an intention to kill. However the disciples of Lord Shiva interfered and stopped Ganesh from doing so. There was havoc among the Gods at the sight of Ganesha’s broken teeth. To please him however, the Gods praised that broken teeth also. This is a historical story.

 

The philosophical sense however is that when Lord Ganesh had two teeth, he was not the God and believed in the doctrine of duet entity. However, when he had only one single tooth, he became a propagandist of Singular doctrine i.e. Adwaitwadi.

 

It is generally seen in the case of every normal human being when initially man is in a state of confusion and believes in Dwait (duel doctrine). But finally when he chooses only one aim in his life and travels towards it (Adwait), he becomes successful in life. 

 

Lord Shri Ganesh not only was successful with his "Ekdant" but also gained the honour of being worshipped as a Leader. Ek is Maya, Danta means Mayeek. There is a coordination of Maya and Mayeek within Lord Ganesh and hence, his name is EK Danta.'