Skandapurana 3.2.12

Vyāsa said:

Then, O best of kings, for protection, the Satyamandira

was established by the gods; from that very time, that city has been named Satyā.

In the east was the god Dharmeśvara, in the south Gaṇādhipa,

in the west the Sun was established, and in the north Svayambhu.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

By whom was Gaṇeśa established, and why did he establish him?

What is his name, O highly fortunate one? Tell me that without delay.

Vyāsa said:

Now I shall tell the cause of Gaṇeśa's origin.

At that time, all the deities as well as the Mothers assembled;

in Dharmāraṇya, O great king, the son of Caṇḍikā was established.

First, O best of kings, by the gods on the earth, for the faithful wives,

an enclosing wall was built there, adorned with banners and flags.

In that abode of brahmins, within the perimeter of the enclosing wall,

in the middle of it a pedestal was constructed, beautifully adorned with bricks.

And there were four pure gateways, equipped with archways.

In the east was the god Dharmeśvara; in the south was Gaṇanāyaka;

in the west the Sun was established, and in the north Svayambhu.

The account of the origin of Dharmeśvara has been recounted before you.

Now I shall tell the cause of Gaṇeśa's origin.

Once Pārvatī was rubbing her body with unguents.

Seeing the dirt produced from that, holding in her hand what arose from her body,

she fashioned an image from it and beheld a handsome form.

Infusing life into it, [the child] stood up before her.

He then said to his mother: 'What shall I do at your command?'

Pārvatī said:

'While I take my bath, stay at my door.

And [take] all the weapons, beginning with an axe.

While you are standing at my door, let no one cause an obstacle.'

Thus addressed by the Great Goddess, he stood at the door, armed.

In the meantime, the god Mahādeva came there;

and Maheśvara set his mind on entering inside.

Gaṇeśa standing at the door did not grant him entrance.

Then Mahādeva, enraged, fought with him.

Then both, having fought, desiring each other's death,

struck with an axe, O king, on the most auspicious forehead.

Then the god Mahādeva, raising his trident, struck him;

he severed his head with the trident, and it fell to the ground.

Seeing her fallen son, Pārvatī wept aloud.

A great cry of distress arose when he was struck down there.

Seeing Pārvatī distraught, Maheśvara, the god of gods,

the god also reflected: 'What have I done in vain?'

At that moment, he saw the demon Gajāsura there.

Seeing that great Daitya, he who is worshiped by all the worlds

slew him, and taking his head, [placed it on] the child fashioned by Pārvatī.

He stood up there with his retinue in the presence of Mahādeva.

Then he clearly gave him the name 'Gajānana'.

All the gods assembled, and likewise the seers were overjoyed.

With hymns of praise they continually praise him who brings welfare to families,

who delivers his family to a worshiper for the sake of sweetmeats.

At the southern gateway, him who has a single tusk and is stout,

the self-manifest [Brahmā] worshiped, as well as the god Mahādeva who is adored by the deities—

him with matted locks, dwarf-sized, having a serpent as his sacrificial cord.

having three eyes, a huge body, and holding a banner and an axe in his hands;

holding a lotus in his hand, destroying every affliction,

situated to the south of the city for the protection of the worlds;

exceedingly gracious, the lord of Gaṇas, saluted by Siddhi and Buddhi;

splendid as vermilion, foremost of the gods, holding a sharp goad, auspicious.

Worshiped by the king of the immortals with auspicious flowers and hundreds of blooms,

and having bowed down with great devotion, the gods then praised him:

The gods said:

Salutations to you, lord of the gods; salutations to the lord of the Gaṇas!

Elephant-faced one, salutations to you, supreme deity of Mahādeva!

To the god dear to devotion, lord of Gaṇas, salutations to you!

Thus being praised with these auspicious hymns of praise, the lord of Gaṇas,

the exceedingly pleased lord of Gaṇas, then spoke these words:

The lord of Gaṇas said:

I am pleased with you, gods! Speak what you desire, and I shall grant it to you.

The gods said:

Dwelling here, O illustrious one, accomplish our purpose, O Lord!

In Dharmāraṇya, of the brahmins and of the merchants dwelling [here],

devoted to celibacy and other virtues, righteous, O lord of Gaṇas,

and of others belonging to castes and stages of life, be ever the protector!

By your grace, O illustrious one, may the twice-born be endowed with wealth and happiness;

may all the merchants always be endowed with great strength.

They must be protected by you, O god, as long as the moon, sun, and earth endure.

“Let it be so,” said Gaṇanātha, the great lord.

And the gods, filled with joy, worship the lord of Gaṇas.

Then the gods, filled with delight, [worshiped him] with flowers, incense, and other offerings;

and whatever other humans in the world worshiped him for freedom from obstacles.

May he be propitiated first in weddings, festivals, and sacrifices!

And be ever gracious toward those who dwell in Dharmāraṇya!

Thus ends the twelfth chapter, named “Description of the Installation of Gaṇeśa,” in the first part of the Brahmakhaṇḍa in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa of eighty-one thousand verses.