Ganesha

Ganesha (ガネーシャ, Ganēsha) is a recurring demon in the series.

History
Ganesha (also called Ganesh or Ganesa) is one of the most worshiped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is known as the Lord of Obstacles, Lord of Beginnings, god of wisdom and intelligence, and patron of arts and science. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and depicted as having the head of an elephant (often with one broken tusk), a pot-belly, and anywhere from two to six arms.

There are several popular Hindu stories as to Ganesha's origins and how he got his elephant head. While some say Ganesha was born with the head of an elephant, most say it was replaced by Shiva. In one story Parvati placed Ganesha as the guard to her bathhouse to which he agreed. When Shiva came and wished to see his wife, Ganesha refused, which infuriated Shiva. The two battled until Shiva in his anger cut off Ganesha's head. When Parvati saw what Shiva had done, he apologized and hastily searched for a new head. He took the first head he saw, which was that of an elephant, and placed it on Ganesha's shoulders. In some versions of this story, Ganesha already had an elephant's head, and it was at this point that Shiva threw his trident and broke off one of his tusks.

In another story, Parvati was so proud of her new born son that she invited all the other devas to a feast so that they may see how perfect and handsome he was. Among the guests was Parvati's brother Shani, who was cursed with the evil eye. When he looked upon Ganesha his head was instantly burned to ashes. Luckily Brahma was present and agreed that he would allow Ganesha to live if the head of the first creature that was found was placed on his shoulders. Vishnu sent out Garuda to search for a head, and he returned with the head of an elephant. The head was placed on Ganesha's shoulders, and he was allowed to live again.

Appearances

 * Megami Tensei: Deity Race
 * Megami Tensei II: Kishin Race
 * Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei: Deity Race
 * Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei (Megami Tensei II): Kishin Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei II: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: if... / Hazama's Chapter: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: 20XX Devil's Colosseum: Genma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei NINE: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne: Wargod Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey: Yoma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei IV: Yoma Race
 * Last Bible II
 * Last Bible III
 * Last Bible Special
 * Majin Tensei: Genma Race
 * Majin Tensei II: Spiral Nemesis: Avatar Race
 * Ronde: Genma Race
 * Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Yoma Race
 * Giten Megami Tensei: Tokyo Mokushiroku: Yoma Race
 * Megami Ibunroku Persona: Yoma Order
 * Persona 3 / FES / Portable: Star Arcana
 * Persona 4 / Golden: Star Arcana
 * Devil Children Black Book & Red Book / (PS)
 * Devil Children White Book
 * DemiKids Light / Dark Version
 * Devil Children Fire/Ice Book
 * Shin Megami Tensei Trading Card: Card Summoner: Yoma Race
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner: Evil Race
 * Digital Devil Saga: Avatar Tuner 2: Icon Race
 * Devil Survivor / Overclocked: Genma Race
 * Devil Survivor 2: Genma Race

Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne
Ganesha can be obtained by evolving Purski when he has reached enough level.

Shin Megami Tensei IMAGINE
Ganesha can be contracted on Shinagawa field. He appears as a miniboss with Shiva.

Persona 4
Ganesha is a Persona of the Star Arcana that can be found in Shuffle Time in the Heaven dungeon.

The second-last request that Margaret makes for her Social Link is for a Ganesha with the Tetrakarn skill. This can be achieved by either of two Fusion options. Firstly, the player may opt to fuse a Decarabia with a Cu Chulainn. Secondly, the player may opt to perform a Septagon Fusion with a Mithra, a Yatsufusa, a Decarabia, a Kaiwan, a Neko Shogun and a Fuu-ki.

DemiKids Light & Dark
Known as Neshazom.

Known as Nesha.

Trivia

 * In Persona 3, there is an item called "Ganesha Bank", referring to the deity.