Legends Of Lord Ganesh Part 2
June 26, 2007
There are innumerable stories about Lord Ganesh. We have tried our best to translate some of them and post them here. We hope it helps and brings us closer to our Lord and we can become better devotees.
The Avatar Of Ekadanta:
This incarnation of Ganesh has all the elements of Brahma Tattva (Elements of the Brahma) in His body. He defeated the demon Madasura and rides a mouse. Once there was a valiant demon, Madasura who was the son of Maharishi Chyawan. One day, he took his father’s permission to visit the Guru (Mentor) of the demons, Shukracharya. He prostrated in front of Shukracharya and asked him to make him his disciple.
“I want to be the ruler of this entire cosmos,” said Madasura. “To fulfill this, please assist and guide me.”
Shukracharya was immensely pleased with this young demon’s resolution. According to vidhis (Methods and Rituals of worship) the knowledgeable teacher gave him a Shakti Mantra – Hreem Beejashara. The disciple touched his Guru’s feet to take his blessings and went to the forest to meditate. He concentrated on Mother Bhagwati and spent thousands of years in hard penance. His penance was so intense that his body turned into a living ground for white ants. Trees started growing around him and their branches bore fruits and so did Madasura’s tapasya (Austerity).
Mother Bhagwati was immensely pleased with his heartfelt and sincere penance and she manifested. She blessed him that he would be the ruler of the cosmos and will always maintain good health. Madasura first established his empire on earth and then progressed towards heaven. He defeated Indra, the king of the gods and declared himself as the worthy ruler. He married Pramdarasura’s daughter, Salsa and had three sons. Soon the demons oppressive rule spread like wild fire and all the pious activities on earth came to an end. The pain and torture of the demonic power was endless. The gods were distraught. They approached Sanat Kumar and implored him to find a solution. Sanat Kumar advised that all of gods should do Upasana (Pray) of Ekadanta with pure devotion and He would surely fulfill their wishes.
All the learned saints and the entire Devgan (Dev-God, Gan-clan) gathered and collectively worshipped Ekadanta. Their prayers were answered after hundred years and the Lord appeared riding a mouse and asked them for a boon. “O Lord, Madasura’s rule has destroyed heaven and has made it impure. All of mankind has been corrupted with their evil deeds. Please help us to end this tyranny and protect us with your grace.”
The Devrishis (Learned Ascetics) sent Madasura a warning that Lord Ekadanta has given the gods a boon. The Lord would fight Madasura in a battle and that would lead to his annihilation. Madasura ignored them. He gathered a massive army and marched towards the battleground. Lord Ekadanta met him on the way. The demons saw Him in a fierce form, riding on His mouse and His hands were clutching with gleaming weapons.
“Go and tell your Master if he wants to stay alive then he has stop this enmity with the gods,” said Ekadanta in a booming voice to the demon soldiers. “Return the gods their kingdoms or be ready to embrace death.”
Madasura remained adamant. The moment he raised his bow and tried to place his arrow, Lord’s Parashu (Axe) instantly hit him and the demon king fell down unconscious. After a while, he regained his senses and realized Lord Ekadanta is the all-pervading Lord. He humbly folded his hands and said, “O Lord, please forgive me and bless me with unflinching devotion.”
Lord Ekadanta was pleased and said, “Wherever there are devotees who pray and sing my glories with sincerity, you will not reside there. Henceforth you will live in Patal Lok (Nether World).”Madasura accepted the Lord’s wishes and returned Swarga Lok (Heaven) to the gods. Everyone rejoiced and sang the praises of Lord Ekadanta. Dharma (Path of Righteousness) prevailed again, embracing peace and happiness in its welcoming arms.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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