Ganesha (Sanskrit: गणेश Gaṇeśa m.) literally: "Lord (Isha) of the hosts (Gana)"; name of the god of the beginning. Ganesha is the elephant-headed god in Hinduism. He is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Subrahmanya. He also goes by the names Ganapati and Gananayaka. Ganesha symbolizes the removal of all obstacles and represents a good beginning; lord over obstacles (see gaṇa-pati). Ganesha is often invoked at the beginning of new enterprises. Ganesha is also written Ganesa, Ganesh, Ganes and Ganesha.