Sri Ganesh is the son of Lord Shiva and the Divine Mother Parvati; Gana means “discrete forms”, and isha means “Lord”. He is worshiped first before any other worship service is carried out to any other deity. Ganesh removes all obstacles and ensures success in human endeavors. He represents wisdom and beneficence. He has four hands: In one hand he holds the noose to capture and retain obstacles or difficulties; in another, he has a goad to guide the worshiper in the right direction by removing his obstacles; in the third he keeps the modaka, a sweet dish, representing the fruit of devotion and with the fourth hand he blesses his devotees.