Final answer:
Ganesha's broken tusk is attributed to his role as the scribe for the Mahabharata, where he continued writing the epic by breaking off his tusk to use as a pen after the original pen broke.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ganesha, the Hindu deity with the head of an elephant, has a broken tusk because he used it to write the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. According to Hindu mythology, when the sage Vyasa wanted to dictate the epic, he needed a scribe who could write it down without pausing. Ganesha agreed on the condition that Vyasa recites the story without interruption. However, during the transcription, Ganesha's pen broke. Unwilling to stop, he broke off one of his own tusks and used it as a replacement to continue writing, demonstrating his dedication and perseverance.
The story of Ganesha's broken tusk is not only an interesting piece of Hindu mythology but also reflects the deep significance of the Mahabharata itself. The Mahabharata contains important religious and philosophical concepts, including the Bhagavad Gita, where Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, imparts wisdom about life and duty to the warrior Arjuna. This epic is not just a tale of battles and heroes, but a deep examination of moral struggles and the search for meaning in life.