In plain words
Once an elephant has gone that way, a path forms all along there. Then any man at all can easily make his way and go. So in the forest of life, a forest with bushes called hardships, losses, sorrows and griefs, if intelligence sets out in front, you can travel very easily indeed. It is because He bears the head of such an elephant that they said Gaṇapati's intelligence is greater. One day the parents, Pārvatī and Parameśvara, came together and set about testing Gaṇapati's intelligence.
Vināyaka's Victory
When the two sons came near: “My dears! Go round this universe once and come back; let us see who comes first,” they said. Gaṇapati, the first, went nowhere. The second son, Subrahmaṇya, mounted His peacock and went about. Taking great pains, He went round the world and came back. Knowing that Subrahmaṇya was coming, a little way off, Gaṇapati got up at once. He went round His parents and sat down. The mother was astonished. ‘Gaṇapati! The one who took pains and went round is Subrahmaṇya. You did not move a foot anywhere. Your belly did not stir. You did not cross the threshold. Not a coin was spent. How can you be the one who has won?’ she asked. Mother, this whole universe is the very oneness of energy and matter. This universe is the very oneness of the parents. When I go round such parents as these, I become one who has gone round the whole universe. Wherever one goes, there is no one but you. “His hands and feet are everywhere; His eyes, heads and faces are everywhere; His ears are everywhere in the world; He stands enveloping all.” Wherever one goes, it is only you who are there. To go round you, who pervade everything in this way, is the same as going round the universe. The moment He heard these words, Īśvara was greatly astonished. “The son has great intelligence,” He said. “He is one who has recognised the truth,” they said. Then He Himself said, ‘Vināyaka! You are the son who shows the ideal to all. Before Me, it is you they will worship.’ Īśvara went on to show His own form.