The Legend Of Lord Ganesh’s Birth-Part 1
May 25, 2007
In every Kalpa (Cycle), the birth of Lord Ganesh is narrated in different styles. All the stories demonstrate the various Lila (Sport, Play) of the Lord. The most popular tale describing His origin is from the Shiva Purana.
Goddess Parvati’s palace was guarded by Lord Shiva’s attendants Nandi and Bhringi. They allowed their Lord to enter her chambers anytime and often at inconvenient occasions. Her companions Jaya and Vijaya advised her that they should be replaced with her own personal attendant. Goddess Parvati pondered over their suggestion.
One day, while bathing, Goddess Parvati was applying Ugtan (This is used instead of soap. A paste made of sandalwood, turmeric, scented oils etc) and created a boy from the surface of her skin. He was handsome and radiant like the intensity of thousand suns. She infused life into him and dressed in fine clothing and jewels.
“Vinayaka, my beloved son, you will do exactly as I say.”
“Mother, what should I do?”
“Stand guard outside my chambers and do not let anyone enter unless I say so.”
Obediently, he stood manning the gateway armed with a staff. Unaware, Lord Shiva returned from Mount Kailash completing his meditation and headed to meet his wife.
“Stop! You cannot go in there,” said Vinayaka.
“Who are you?” asked Lord Shiva, annoyed. “I’m Parvati’s son. My mother is bathing. When she is done, I will seek her permission and only then you will be allowed in.”
“Do you know who I am? I’m her husband.” But that did not change anything. Lord Shiva tried to brush pass Him but He struck Lord Shiva with the stick. Lord Shiva asked his ganas (Attendants) to get rid of this trouble maker.“You better do as you are told,” said the Ganas.
“Move away from the door and let our Lord in. It’s for your own good.”
Nothing seemed to change Vinayaka’s mind and He remained steadfast. Lord Shiva now signaled his troops to take charge of this situation and they rushed with various weapons. Nandi and Bhringi each held one leg of the boy and tried to overthrow him but the blessed son of Goddess Parvati struck them with a hard blow. Thousands of ganas attacked but they all were left with bruises and broken bones. They ran helter-skelter to take cover.
Sage Narada was watching the situation and requested Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Indra and other gods to join in. The gods knew that these events were taking place for a specific reason and they were all Lilas of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.To help fight this magnanimous army, Goddess Parvati created two virile Shaktis (Power). One materialized in a hideous appearance and stood at the gate with her mouth wide open, to swallow the gods alive. The other took a demonic form, and lay in wait to punish all those who crossed Vinayaka’s path. The blessed boy was destined to succeed and He won hands down. The gods hung their heads low and returned.
“This has gone far enough,” said Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva raised his trident and hurled at the boy. Swiftly, Vinayaka blocked it with His hand. Lord Shiva then used his bow named Pinaka. But that didn’t work either. Vinayaka used His iron club to smash the bow and also struck Lord Shiva’s hands.
Lord Shiva changed his form to five heads with ten hands, but still couldn’t combat the power of Shakti’s son. Lord Vishnu with Lord Shiva’s consent intervened and created clouds as a distraction. He then used his Chakra (Discus) and cut off Vinayaka’s mace into half. Vinayaka’s courage and power was endless. He took His staff and hit Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu pretended to be hurt and fell on the ground. He thought this would soften Vinayaka’s stance. He got up again to fight. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva collected his trident and beheaded Vinayaka.
Sage Narada decided to be the bearer of this grievous news. The loving mother was heart-broken. She was on a war path to seek justice. The water of the oceans boiled, and the mountains quaked as Goddess Parvati produced hundreds and thousands of Shaktis from her body. They were in various horrifying and demonic forms like Karalis (A terrifying form), Kubjakas (The hunched back), Khanjas (They had maimed bodies), Lambashirshas (The ones with large heads) etc.“Devour these ganas, gods and all those who had their hand in killing my innocent son,” commanded Goddess Parvati.The devastation commenced. Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Sage Narada and the gods paid their obeisance and pleaded for mercy. They tried to appease her with words, hymns and prayers. In the end, the divine mother agreed to stop her Shaktis but she laid down some conditions.“You have to bring my son back to life and He will be treated like a God, possessing all the divine rights.”
“Go … get me the head of the first living creature that comes your way,” he said to his ganas.
The ganas found an elephant sleeping with his head resting northwards. This is said to be an auspicious direction and synonymous with wisdom. It is said that a northward travel denotes a journey towards illumination (Devayana – path of the gods).The elephant’s head was attached to the boy’s body and brought to life with the divine powers of the Trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva). Lord Shiva named Him Ganesh, conferring Him the title of the Lord of all his ganas. Thus He is also known as Ganapati. He also earned the name Gajaanan. (Gaja means elephant)
As promised, Lord Shiva showered His son with blessings saying, “From now on… no worship will be complete or successful in the heavens or on earth, until your name is first chanted. You are the remover of obstacles for those who seek your blessing before commencing any activity. They will receive the fruits of success and bliss of achievement.”
Goddess Parvati blessed her son and said that He will be worshipped with vermilion and the devotees wishes will be fulfilled when they would pray following the sixteen modes of worship. With that she showed the gods the ways of worshiping Lord Ganesh.The Gandharvas (Celestial singers) sang and the celestial nymphs danced and showered flowers on Lord Ganesh. Everyone rejoiced over this divine birth.
©Nayna, 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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