Parvathy stands as the generative force. The annihilation of the impetuous, obstinate and belligerent boy by Shiva is for the transformation of the boy into a calm, reasonable and purposeful being. Shiva is the lord of yoga and the fixing of the head of the slaughtered elephant with one tusk on to the trunk of the boy is symbolical of the transformation of the boy into a spiritual being. For securing the head of the elephant Shiva asked Brahma and Vishnu to go to the North (utharam). The journey to the North is the Devayana or Savya path of enlightenment. The head of the elephant which they brought had only one tusk which is indicative of the nondualistic aspect of the mind after enlightenment, the result of the journey to the North. The bull-headed Nandi figuring as the major, domo of Shiva's house-hold in the story, is a character that cannot be dismissed without a thought for the reason that he enjoys the confidence of both Shiva and Parvathy. Nandi is a symbol of the psychic light seen by the Students of yoga inside the brow region. The name Nandi is corruption of the compound word "Nuthal-thie" containing two concepts, viz, 'Nuthal' meaning brow and 'Thie' meaning fire or light. "Nuthal-thie" therefore refers to the psychic light seen inside the brow region. Shiva is the life principle or the God within us and it is in the wake of this psychic illumination that the yogi realises that Nandi is the approach to Shiva.

Thus the legend of Ganesha is not a tale of absurdities. There are several other stories about him and each one appears to have been designed to throw some light on any one or more of his spiritual aspects. Deciphering these stories is as difficult as deciphering the inner meanings of the several symbols and expressions given in the revelation of St. John the Divine.

To understand the inner meanings of all mythological stories and mystic symbols connected with any religion one should rise above all morbid sectarianism and mental myosis and inhibitions. The observation of Pope John XXIII is worth emulation. "Men do not understand each other. Religions quarrel among themselves because they do not understand the religion at its bets. Divisions and quarrels in the name of religion are on the surface like waves in the sea. But deeper you fathom religion, you get to unity, universality, and catholicity". It is in the light of this papal aphorism that one should study Ganesha in all his aspects.