It is a consolidated custom in Indian society to begin any activity with the adoration of Lord Ganapati, the elephant-faced god, considered the eldest son of Siva. It is also known by various other names like Ganesa, Vinayaka etc. When we look for references to Ganapati in the Vedas, only one verse is said to be attributed to Him.Ganaanaam thvaa ganapatim havaamaheKavim kaveenaam upamasra vasthamamJyeshta raajam brhmanaam brhmanaspatiAanas srunvan oodhibhi seedhasaadhanam (Rig Veda 2-23) WE call you, Lord and Guide of the celestial hosts, the wise among the wise, the most famous of all, the supreme King of prayers, O Brahmanaspati: hear us with help; sit in the place of sacrifice. (Translated by Griffith)These verses are found in a hymn dedicated to Brhmanaspati. In this or the other five hymns under the same title there is no reference to the name Vinayaka or his appearance. In the entire Rig Veda, this is the only place where the name Ganapati occurs while the word Brhmanaspati continues to occur. There is a prayer that goes by the name of Ganesha sooktham. It has 15 verses and begins with "Aa thoo na Indra Kshumantham…….."Only the first nine verses are from Rig Veda 8-81, the next two are reproductions of 2-23 mentioned above and the other four are from 10 - 112. These Rig Veda hymns are dedicated to Indra and the meaning of the first nine (Griffith's translation) is given below. INVITE ye Indra with song to drink your draft of Soma juice, all-conquering Satakratu, most munificent of all who live.2 Praised by many, much invoked, leader of song, renowned in ancient times: His name it is Indra, tell it forth.3 Indra the Dancer be to us the giver of abundant strength: May he, the mighty, bring her near.4 Indra whose jaws are strong drank in worship the drink of Sudaksa, the juice of Soma with a mixture of barley.5 Call Indra aloud with your songs of praise to drink the juice of Soma. For this is what increases his strength.6 When he has drunk of his cheering drops, the God with the vigor of a God has far surpassed all things that are.7 You hasten to help us always -your conquering God , He who is attracted by all our songs8 The Warrior who must not be held back, the Soma drinker who is never overthrown, The Leader of irresistible strength.9 O Indra, send us riches, thou Omniscient, worthy of our praise:Help us in the decisive fray. This shows that after the practice of Ganapati worship came into fashion, people thought of giving him Vedic approval and introduced this prayer to be used during His worship.