The remover of obstacles, Lord Vinayaka commands the position of being the deity whose blessing is invoked before other deities are propitiated or before any important projects are begun. His portly figure, elephant-headed representation, and his reputation for favoring sweets such as modakas and laddoos all depict  him to Hindus, especially to the children, as most benevolent and cheerful. This image, however, belies the ocean of wisdom and power that the scriptures proclaim him to be.  He is the celebrated scribe who recorded Sage Vyasa's narration of the Mahabharata. The son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the brother of Kartikeya, Sri Ganesha or Gajamukha is considered the representation of the Pranava, the symbol Om.