The Legend Of Lord Ganesh’s Birth-Part 2
May 25, 2007
According to Linga Purana, the Asuras (Demons) tormented the Devas (Gods). Vulnerable and disheartened, the gods approached Lord Shiva. Absorbed in a deep trance-like meditation, he created a beautiful child who had an elephant’s head, carrying a trident (A weapon with three prongs synonymous with Lord Shiva). The gods were overjoyed with the sight of this divine being; feeling relieved that they now had a protector. Goddess Parvati too was enchanted with this boy and blessed Him saying that all tasks in heaven and on earth would not be successful until they first revered Lord Ganesh. Lord Shiva then added that Ganesh would be the Lord of the ganas and so was named Ganapati.
In the Varaha Purana, Lord Ganesh is described as a handsome youth who was initiated from the glowing forehead of Lord Shiva (Manasic Putra) when he was in profound contemplation. But Goddess Parvati was a little disappointed as she had no hand in creating him so she wished that His head should be that of an elephant. She was delighted with this new transformation and behested that no undertakings in heaven and on earth would render success until Lord Ganesh was first worshipped upon.
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Once, there was a demon named Gajasura who was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. His intense penance delighted the Lord immensely that he was willing to fulfill anything that Gajasura would ask for. The crafty demon demanded that Lord Shiva should reside in his stomach. The Lord did so without any hesitation. Goddess Parvati was worried when she couldn’t find her husband and searched the entire universe. In vain, she went to Lord Vishnu.
“Don’t worry, I will find him.”
Disguised as a street performer, Lord Vishnu along with Nandi (A bull who is Lord Shiva’s vehicle) set out and soon reached Gajasura’s kingdom. Nandi performed in honour of the demon king who was extremely pleased and wanted to reward him.
“I want my Lord back,” said Nandi.
Gajasura realised that the performer and his bull were no ordinary mortals. He was also aware that he could not keep Lord Shiva inside him forever. As he let the Lord out of his stomach he said, “O Shiva, could you make me immortal in such a way that I remain in the hearts and minds of people?”
Lord Shiva agreed and cut off his head, releasing him from the bondage of rebirth. The news of Lord Shiva’s return spread like wild fire and Goddess Parvati decided to get things ready for her husband’s welcome. She decided to bathe and created a boy called Vinayaka. She instructed him to stand guard at the door of her private chambers. Vinayaka unaware of Lord Shiva’s identity forbade him to go in. Lord Shiva then severed his head and entered to meet Goddess Parvati. Later, as they were talking Lord Shiva mentioned the incident outside her door and the outcome. Goddess Parvati was grief stricken.
“He is our son. I created him from my skin.”
Gajasura’s head was still with Lord Shiva. Joining it with the beheaded body, he brought the child back to life and blessed him. Thus Lord Ganesh was born and Gajasura’s wish too was fulfilled.
The Brahma Vaivarta Purana gives us another version of His birth. Goddess Parvati longed for a son and expressed this desire to Lord Shiva. He told her to observe the Punyaka Vrata (Fast) for a year to appease Lord Vishnu. Sage Sanat Kumar made this task difficult by adding several obstructions and hindrances to test her will and determination. In the end, Goddess Parvati was successful. Heavenly voices told her to look in her chambers and she found her infant. This baby is said to be Lord Krishna.
Mount Kailash, the abode of the new parents was filled with pomp and gaiety. The list of gods and goddesses were endless as they all came to see this illustrious new-born including Lord Shani (Saturn, the son of the Sun God). But he refused to look at the baby. Goddess Parvati was rather disturbed by Shani’s strange behaviour.
“Why won’t you look at my child? See, isn’t He radiant like the sun?” she asked.
“I cannot… if I do, He will be harmed. My jealous wife has cursed me. The moment I look at someone with admiration, he will be destroyed.”
“I don’t believe you. How can anyone hurt such a beautiful infant? I insist you look at Him.” Shani glanced at the baby and instantly his head was severed and flew off to Gokul (Lord Krishna’s abode). Desolation spread like wild fire. No one could fathom what they had just witnessed. Goddess Parvati wailed uncontrollably. It was Lord Vishnu who had blessed her with a son, pleased with her severe penance. He couldn’t see her suffer anymore. So he mounted on his vehicle-the Garuda (A mythic bird with a human face and an eagle’s body) and rushed to find a head. Soon, he flew over the river Pushpabhadra and found a herd of sleeping elephants. He chose an elephant whose head rested in the north direction. It is said that this elephant was actually a Gandharva (Celestial being) who had finished its earthly duties and wished to be liberated.
Another version states that the elephant who gave up his head was none other than one of Airavata’s sons. (Lord Indra’s vehicle is an elephant called Airavata). The elephant’s head was fused on the infant’s body and life force was surged into it. Goddess Parvati was ecstatic to see her son.
The baby was dressed in fine clothing and splendid ornaments to match the grandeur of King Himavan (Parvati’s father). Lord Vishnu and all the heavenly beings worshipped the child conferring him names-Vigneshwar, Ganesh, Heramba, Gajanan, Lambodara, Ekadanta, Soorpakarna and Vinayaka.
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Another legend explains that Lord Shiva had slain Aditya, the son of great sage Kashyapa. Lord Shiva brought the boy back to life but the irate sage could not be pacified. He cursed Lord Shiva that when he would have a son, he too would loose his head. When the curse transpired Indra’s elephant’s head was used to replace the lost head.
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The fascinating stories of Lord’s birth continue. One day, Goddess Parvati threw her used bath water into the river Ganga and this water was consumed by Malini, the elephant-headed goddess. She gave birth to baby with five elephant heads and four arms.
Ganga claimed this son to be hers but Lord Shiva intervened and said that it was Goddess Parvati’s son. He converted his five heads into one and blessed Him as Vigheshwara (The Destroyer of Obstacles).
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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