The Tale of Ganesha’s Broken Tusk

How Ganesha Lost His Right Tooth

Listen to the Story

If you look closely at a Ganesha statue today, you'll see something curious: he has only one full tusk. The other one—his right tusk—is broken!

“How did that happen?” kids often ask.

Well, let me tell you…

Story Image
Lord Ganesha writing the Mahabharata

The Great Writing Challenge

One day, the great sage Vyasa came to Ganesha with an idea. “I want to write the greatest story of all time—the Mahabharata,” said Vyasa. “But I need someone who can write it all down without stopping.”


Ganesha smiled, “I'll do it! But on one condition—you must not stop speaking until it’s done!” Vyasa agreed, and the story began.

The Great Writing Challenge
Ganesha starts writing the Mahabharata with Vyas Muni (Sage Vyas)

Why Ganesha Has One Tooth

Vyasa started narrating for Ganesha to write the story. But midway, Ganesha's pen broke! How would he continue writing now?

Without missing a beat, Ganesha broke off his own right tusk and used it as a pen!

That’s right—he broke his own tusk to keep writing. He chose to lose a tooth to keep his promise.

Why Ganesha Has One Tooth
Ganesha uses his broken tusk to continue writing

The Tusk of Truth

Since that day, Ganesha is known as “Ekadanta” – the One-Tusked One.

People say the right tusk is broken because it shows strength, sacrifice, and smarts.

Some also believe that Ganesha broke his tusk in a battle with a demon, or even threw it at the moon once when it laughed at him!

But the most famous tale? The one where he broke it for the love of knowledge.

So next time you see Ganesha with one tusk, smile and remember: it's not just a broken tooth—it’s a symbol of wisdom, bravery, and never giving up.

The Tusk of Truth
People admire a one-tusked Ganesha statue inside a temple

What We Learn

Even though he lost a tusk, Ganesha became even more powerful—he’s now called Ekadanta, and people admire him for his wisdom and sacrifice. It’s not how you look that matters—it’s your heart, your mind, and your actions.

Enjoyed the Story?

Download a beautifully formatted PDF version of "The Tale of Ganesha’s Broken Tusk" to read offline or share with friends and family.

Download PDF