In the “Birth of Gaṇeśa” story from the Śiva Purāṇa there is a lot of violence described inthe story, from Gaṇeśa’s battle with Śiva’s gaṇas (chapters 15-16)
to the beheading ofGaṇeśa by Śiva (chapter 16) to Pārvatī’s threat to destroy the universe through herśaktis (chapter 17) afterwards. Why do you think
religious texts sometimes describe thedivine (God, or the gods) engaging in acts of worldly violence? Does the violence servean allegorical or symbolic
purpose in this sacred text? Try to answer these questionswith specific references (ie., verse quotations) from the “Birth of Gaṇeśa” story fromyour readings.
You may also compare these to references to violence found in otherexamples such as the Bhagavad Gītā or the Śatapathabrahmaṇa (text on
animalsacrifice). Emphasis should be placed on the Birth of Gaṇeśa story, however.
Sample Solution