Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya once had a fight about who was older. The matter was referred to Lord Shiva for the final decision. Shiva decided that whoever would make a tour of the whole world and come back first to the starting point had the right to be the older brother. Karitkeya took off immediately on his vehicle, the peacock, to make a trip around the world.

But the wise Ganesha walked around his divine parents and asked for the prize.

Lord Shiva said, 'How can I give you the prize you did not go around the world?'

Ganesha replied, 'But I have gone around my parents. My parents represent the entire universe.'

Thus the dispute was settled in favour of Lord Ganesha, who was thereafter acknowledged as the older of the two brothers.

Also See: Ganesha, Many Faces, Many Moods