Ganesha is the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune in Hinduism, and is one of the most revered deities in the Hindu pantheon. According to the Rig Veda, the goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's consort, shaped Ganesha from the sandalwood paste she used for her bath and endowed him with life. As Parvati prepared to bathe, she instructed Ganesha to guard the bathhouse entrance and forbid anyone from entering. Just then, Lord Shiva returned, unaware Parvati had created Ganesha, and was denied access to the bathhouse by Ganesha. Angered by Ganesha's adamance, Shiva beheaded Ganesha with his trident, in turn greatly upsetting Parvati. Shiva quickly apologized and ordered his followers to bring him the head of a living being, which ended up being an elephant's head, and it was placed atop Ganesha's shoulders.