In plain words
Vid means Jñāna. So whatever gives Jñāna, that is vidyā. “Adhyātmavidyā vidyānāṃ,” said Kṛṣṇa. The one who teaches such vidyā is Vināyaka.
Pārvatī's curse on Nandi, who took sides
Once upon a time Pārvatī and Parameśvara were playing at dice, it is said. There had to be a judge to say who lost and who won, after all! It was Pārvatī Herself who chose Nandīśvara as the judge. Pārvatī won the game. But Nandi gave the judgement that Īśvara had won. Pārvatī was angry. Then Nandi, “Mother! Īśvara is my Lord. If He loses, I lose too, do I not? So it is my duty to say that my Master has won,” he said. Then Pārvatī, angrier still, laid a curse on him: “Nandi! May you be tormented by a disease that cannot be cured!” At once Nandīśvara fell at Her feet and prayed, “Mother! What I did was wrong! Please forgive me, and make known to me the way to be freed from this curse.”
Nandi freed from the curse by the worship of Vināyaka
Pārvatī took pity on him: “Listen, Nandi! Soon the festival of My son's birth is coming. On that day, offer My son what you love best. By His grace you will be freed from the curse,” She said. Then Nandi thought it over well, and since what he loved best was the green grass, he offered that to Vināyaka. Nandi gave Vināyaka what was dear to him. So Vināyaka too gave Nandi what was dear to Him. Then Nandi was freed from the curse. To this day we … the worship of Vināyaka … . … worship, … worship, bilva worship and the like … we perform the worship of Vināyaka. This is not … . Such … are connected with …, … God … appreciates. But the people of this Kali age, … people, … what … whatever they do not like, that alone they give to God, and for themselves they wish for … they like. They set before God the vegetables they do not like and enjoy the sweet results. This can never be a true offering. Vedānta said, “Yadbhāvaṃ tadbhavati.” As our feeling is, so too will the fruit be.
The story of Gajāsura
Once upon a time Gajāsura did a great tapas. Pleased with his tapas, Īśvara appeared before him and told him to ask for whatever boon he wanted. Īśvara is easily pleased. He has the name Bhoḷā Śaṅkara. It is enough to praise Him. He is ready for anything. Gajāsura asked that fire should come forth from him, so that no enemy could come near him. Īśvara said, ‘Tathāstu.’ Gajāsura did tapas again. Again Īśvara gave him darśan and asked, “Gajāsura! What more do you want?” Gajāsura said, “Īśvara! You must stay in my belly.”