a Hindu deity, was the son of Siva and Parvati. He is considered the god of prudence, who removes all hinderances, and corresponds to the Greek Hermes, or the Roman Mercury, the great teacher and presiding deity of authors. Ganesa is always addressed as "that god upon whose glorious .forehead the new moon is painted with the froth of Ganga." He is generally represented sitting cross-legged, with four arms and hands, and having the head and proboscis of an elephant. Ganesa had formerly six classes of worshippers; in the present day he cannot boast of any exclusive adoration, although he shares a kind of homage along with all the other gods. (See PULEAR).