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TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
1. THE BIRTH OF LORD GANESHA<br />
2. STORY OF GANESH CHATURTHI<br />
3. GANESHA THE VIGNAHARTA<br />
4. NEVER FORGET TO PRAY TO GANESHA<br />
5. WHY GANESHA HAS A BROKEN TUSK<br />
6. GANESHA FREES RIVER CAUVERY<br />
7. STORY OF GAJANANA<br />
8. GANESHA AND GAJMUKHA<br />
9. GANESHA AND GAJASURA<br />
10. HOW DID SHIVA END UP IN GAJASURA’S BELLY<br />
11. GANESHA AND ANALASURA<br />
12. GANESHA AND KUBERA<br />
13. GANESHA AND THE SNAKE AROUND HIS BELLY<br />
14. GANESHA AND LORD VISHNU’S SHANK<br />
15. BE KIND TO ANIMALS<br />
16. LORD GANESHA’S MARRIAGE<br />
17. STORY OF GOKARNA
THE BIRTH OF LORD GANESHA<br />
Why does <strong>Ganesha</strong> have an Elephant head?<br />
It is believed that once while Parvati was bathing, she created a<br />
human figure from some unguent and balm, gave him life and<br />
asked him to guard the door while she bathed. After a long period<br />
<strong>of</strong> meditation on Mount Kailash (<strong>Lord</strong> Shiva’s abode), Shiva chose<br />
that very moment to drop by to see his better half, but was<br />
abruptly stopped by the man-god Parvati had posted at the door.<br />
Outraged by the cheek <strong>of</strong> this stranger, Shiva cut <strong>of</strong>f his head<br />
only to discover moments later that he had killed Parvati’s son!<br />
For fear <strong>of</strong> enraging his wife, Shiva immediately dispatched his<br />
ganas (attendants) to get him the head <strong>of</strong> the first living creature
they could find. Well, the first living creature happened to be an<br />
elephant. As instructed, the head was chopped <strong>of</strong>f and brought<br />
back to Shiva, who placed it on Parvati’s son’s body, bringing him<br />
back to life.<br />
This elephant headed god was welcomed into the first family <strong>of</strong><br />
the Hindu heavens and named <strong>Ganesha</strong> or Ganapati, which<br />
literally means the chief <strong>of</strong> the ganas, or the attendants <strong>of</strong> Shiva.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> is the foremost god <strong>of</strong> the Hindu pantheon. This brave<br />
guardian <strong>of</strong> the door to Parvati’s bath is beheld today as the most<br />
auspicious God <strong>of</strong> new beginnings.<br />
He is worshipped during every festival and before people<br />
undertake a journey or embark upon a new venture. You will also<br />
see him carefully guarding entrances to temples and homes,<br />
peeping out <strong>of</strong> calendars and happily gracing marriages and other<br />
such occasions.
STORY OF GANESH CHATURTHI<br />
Why do we celebrate Ganeshotsav for 11 days?<br />
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> on earth.<br />
Legend states that Parvati or Gauri, <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva’s wife and<br />
Ganesh’s mother, was the daughter <strong>of</strong> the mountain king,<br />
Himavan. Earth, was therefore her homeland.<br />
She came to visit Goddess Earth and left her husband and son<br />
behind. <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva could not bear to live without his wife. He sent<br />
his son, <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> to bring her back. <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> thus came
down to earth where he was welcomed graciously and with open<br />
arms. His stay was extended to 11 days. He then remembered<br />
that he had infact descended on Earth to get his mother back. He<br />
bid farewell to all and returned to his abode, taking his mother<br />
Parvati along with him.
GANESHA THE VIGNAHARTA<br />
How <strong>Ganesha</strong> won the Adipatyam for removing hurdles?<br />
The Devas were in a turmoil about who would be the one God<br />
who should be prayed to first; one who could be a vighnakarta<br />
(obstacle-creator) in the path <strong>of</strong> rakshasas (demonic beings), and<br />
a vighnaharta (obstacle-averter) to help the Devas.<br />
Devas approached the Supreme almighty Shiva and wife Parvati<br />
for a solution. Shiva suggested that one <strong>of</strong> His sons, <strong>Ganesha</strong> or<br />
Karthikeya, would be ideal for the job. Devas gave the couple a<br />
divine fruit and suggested that they could assign this position to
either <strong>of</strong> their sons by handing over the fruit to the chosen one.<br />
They were also told that the one to get the fruit would get the<br />
supreme knowledge and immortality. The parents could not<br />
decide who they would give the fruit to. To resolve the issue,<br />
Shiva suggested that whoever can encircle the world three times<br />
taking a dip in all holy rivers along the way and come back first<br />
will get the fruit and hence the Adhipatyam. Kartikeya also known<br />
as Murugan (in Tamil Nadu) or Skanda or Subrahmanya is the<br />
God <strong>of</strong> War and He is also the Commander in Chief <strong>of</strong> Deva’s<br />
army. His vahana (vehicle) is peacock, a very swift carrier. Being<br />
a true warrior or God <strong>of</strong> War, <strong>Lord</strong> Kartikeya took this challenge<br />
very seriously and started his journey around the world<br />
immediately without wasting anytime in thinking. On other hand,<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> who is God <strong>of</strong> wisdom, learning and arts, knew very well<br />
that he is no match to Kartikeya in this race. One <strong>of</strong> the name <strong>of</strong><br />
ganesha is is ‘Lambodara’ which means the ‘huge bellied lord’.<br />
Further, <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>’s vehicle is mouse/mushak, a very slow<br />
vehicle. So <strong>Ganesha</strong> knew that with this huge belly and slow<br />
moving mouse he cannot defeat his brother Kartikeya.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> thought through it and realised that anything which is<br />
very dear to you becomes the center <strong>of</strong> your life and your life
energy goes into it; such becomes your world. His parents were<br />
dearest to him. So <strong>Ganesha</strong> applied his intelligence and started<br />
circling his parents three times. In the meantime Kartikeya was<br />
busy going around the whole world. Wherever Kartikeya was<br />
going and taking bath in a holy river he would see <strong>Ganesha</strong><br />
ahead <strong>of</strong> him. This surprised him immensely. When Shiva asked<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong>,“Beloved and wise <strong>Ganesha</strong>! But how can I give you the<br />
prize; you did not go around the world?" He stated that his<br />
parents are the whole world and that he need not go further to<br />
travel the whole world. <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva stated that <strong>Ganesha</strong> was the<br />
winner indeed. Kartikeya too agreed that <strong>Ganesha</strong> used his<br />
intelligence and wisdom and he indeed is better suited for the<br />
adhipatyam as the ‘remover <strong>of</strong> the obstacles’. <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva gave the<br />
divine fruit to <strong>Ganesha</strong> and declared Him the Vignaharta. Ganesh<br />
Chaturthi commemorates this episode. Some legends also speak<br />
<strong>of</strong> this episode in connection to a dispute about which <strong>of</strong> the two<br />
sons <strong>of</strong> Shiva was to be considered the older.
NEVER FORGET TO PRAY TO GANESHA<br />
Why should we take the name <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> before any new<br />
task?<br />
When <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> was born, <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva stated that <strong>Lord</strong><br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> must be worshiped first to be successful in any<br />
endeavour. However, <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva forgot about his own rule.<br />
He left for a war with the demons in Tripura and did not worship<br />
<strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> before doing so.!
While he was on his way in his carriage he faced an obstacle. The<br />
wheel peg was damage.<br />
It was only then <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva remembered that he had not <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
prayers to <strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh before departing for the war.<br />
He built a temple, <strong>of</strong>fered his prayers to <strong>Ganesha</strong> and proceeded<br />
to the battle ground.<br />
<strong>Lord</strong> Shiva won the war!
WHY DOES GANESHA HAVE A BROKEN TUSK?<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong>’s broken tusk<br />
Sage Vyasa approached <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> to help him write the Epic,<br />
Mahabharata. Ganesh’s condition was that Sage Vyasa should<br />
continue to recite without a break. <strong>Ganesha</strong> said he would stop<br />
the moment Vyasa paused. Vyasa agreed to the condition. Then<br />
He came up with his own, saying that <strong>Ganesha</strong> should not write<br />
anything without understanding the meaning. <strong>Ganesha</strong> agreed<br />
too and they began. Sage Vyasa began narrating at a great<br />
speed. <strong>Ganesha</strong> noted it all down at an equally fast pace.
Soon Ganesh’s pen broke. It could not keep up with the pace <strong>of</strong><br />
Vyasa's recital. <strong>Ganesha</strong> realised that he had been too proud and<br />
had underestimated the sage’s intellectual powers.<br />
Quietly, <strong>Ganesha</strong> broke <strong>of</strong>f one <strong>of</strong> his tusks, dipped it in the<br />
inkpot and began to use it as a pen to continue writing<br />
Mahabharata.<br />
Sage Vyasa would dictate a difficult stanza when he got tired.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> would take a few seconds to understand before writing<br />
it down. Sage Vyasa would get his rest then.<br />
This is how the Mahabharata epic was written down. It took them<br />
three years to write it all down. The poem is 100,000 stanzas<br />
long. Several stanzas are said to be lost in the years.
GANESHA FREES RIVER CAUVERY<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong>’s kindness<br />
River Cauvery was originally known as Ponni. She was once<br />
disrespectful to Sage Agasthya, when he had come to the South.<br />
In order to teach her a lesson, the Sage imprisoned the entire<br />
river Ponni in his Kamandalam.<br />
<strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> was requested by Narada to free the river. He took<br />
the form <strong>of</strong> a crow, landed on the pot and tipped it to the ground,<br />
While taking flight, he spilled some water. This he set the river<br />
free. Ponni was given a new name, River Cauvery.
STORY OF GAJANANA<br />
How <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> defeats Lobhasura?<br />
Gajanana is said to be one <strong>of</strong> the eight avatars <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong><br />
according to the Mudgala Purana. It is stated that one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mission <strong>of</strong> this Avatar was to annihilate Lobhasura. <strong>Lord</strong> Kubera,<br />
who is the treasurer <strong>of</strong> wealth, once visited Shiva and Goddess<br />
Parvati. Pleased with the devotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lord</strong> Kubera, Shiva blessed<br />
him with the vision <strong>of</strong> the divine couple as and when he wanted.<br />
After the blessing Kubera would want to have the darshan <strong>of</strong><br />
divine couple daily. Soon Kubera was smitten by the beauty <strong>of</strong><br />
Goddess Parvati and he gazed Her with unholy and lustful<br />
thoughts. Goddess Parvati who realized this gave an angry look at<br />
Kubera. <strong>Lord</strong> Kubera began to tremble with fear at this look <strong>of</strong>
the Goddess. Born from the fear was the demon named<br />
Lobhasura. The asura did penance and propitiated <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva. He<br />
was then granted the boon <strong>of</strong> fearlessness. The spiritual strength<br />
and lack <strong>of</strong> fear made Lobhasura powerful. He became the ruler<br />
<strong>of</strong> the three worlds. Power made him corrupt and he led a<br />
demonic life by killing and looting the innocent. Fed up with<br />
Lobhasura, people approached Sage Raibhya. He then instructed<br />
them to <strong>of</strong>fer prayers to <strong>Ganesha</strong> in Gajanana form. Gajanana<br />
was immensely pleased with the devotion <strong>of</strong> the people and<br />
decided to defeat the demon. <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> was against want<br />
war and destruction. So He requested <strong>Lord</strong> Vishnu to apprise<br />
Lobhasura <strong>of</strong> the strength <strong>of</strong> Gajanana. Vishnu was able to<br />
convince Lobhasura about Gajanana’s strength and the futility <strong>of</strong><br />
opposing him. Lobhasura who also had a spiritual side realized<br />
that he did not have the power to stand before <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>.<br />
The demon then surrendered before Gajanana without a fight.<br />
Symbolically, the story also indicates that those who are<br />
overpowered by the demon <strong>of</strong> greediness can overcome it by<br />
surrendering before Gajanana.
GANESHA AND GAJAMUKHA<br />
Why is <strong>Ganesha</strong>’s vahana a mouse?<br />
Long time ago, there lived a wicked asura by the name<br />
Gajamukh. He wanted to become richest and strongest king ever.<br />
He was already the kings <strong>of</strong> asura, but he was still greedy for<br />
more power. He began to worship <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva and asked Him to<br />
grant him magical powers. Fasting for many days he stood on<br />
just one foot and prayed to <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva every day. After several<br />
years passed, Shiva was finally impressed and fulfilled his wish to<br />
have magical powers. He asked that no harm should come from<br />
any weapon. He became arrogant and started misusing his<br />
powers. Gajamukh started conquering the world and later started
attacking Gods. Only Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and <strong>Ganesha</strong> were<br />
left unconquered by him. Gajamukh then ordered everyone to<br />
worship only and only him. Shiva deciding to teach him a lesson,<br />
asked His son, <strong>Ganesha</strong> to punish Gajamukh. A terrible fight<br />
commenced between <strong>Ganesha</strong> and Gajamukh. Arrows, spears<br />
and swords couldn’t defeat the asura Gajasura because <strong>of</strong> the<br />
boon.<br />
Finally <strong>Ganesha</strong>, broke <strong>of</strong>f his tusk and threw it on Gajamukh.<br />
This wounded him badly. He turned himself into a mouse and<br />
rushed at <strong>Ganesha</strong>. <strong>Ganesha</strong> then jumped and sat on his back.<br />
Crushed under Ganesh’s weight, the asura had to accept defeat.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> then punished him to remain a mouse forever and kept<br />
him as his vehicle. Gajamukh agreed and thus became <strong>Ganesha</strong>'s<br />
vahana willingly.
GANESHA AND GAJASURA<br />
According to the Hindu Mythology, the name Gajasura is given to<br />
a demon (asura) who takes the form <strong>of</strong> an elephant (Gaja).<br />
Gajasura gets a boon from <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva that Shiva will stay in<br />
Gajasura's womb. Parvati looks out for Shiva and is unable to find<br />
him. As a last recourse, she goes to her brother Vishnu, asking<br />
him to find her husband. He calmed her: "Dear sister, please do<br />
not worry. You do realise your husband is Bhola Shankar? He<br />
always grants his devotees whatever they ask <strong>of</strong> him. The<br />
consequences <strong>of</strong> which are always getting him into trouble! Let<br />
me find out what has happened." Vishnu realizes that Shiva is<br />
actually inside Gajasura’s womb. So He goes there with an<br />
entourage <strong>of</strong> Gods, in different avatars and the Shiva's Nandi.
Gajasura sees the light when he is confronted by such a force.<br />
He then releases <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva. Another version goes like this.<br />
Vishnu goes to Gajasura’s palace with an entourage <strong>of</strong> Gods, in<br />
different avatars. Vishnu also took the form <strong>of</strong> a flutist with Nandi<br />
(the bull <strong>of</strong> Shiva) into a dancing bull and made him perform in<br />
front <strong>of</strong> Gajasura. The enchanting performance sent the asura<br />
into ecstasy and so impressed was he that he asked the flutist to<br />
demand whatever we wished and that he would have it fulfilled.<br />
Vishnu responded: "Are you sure? Can you grant me anything<br />
that I demand?” Gajasura replied: "Who do you take me for? I<br />
can give you whatever you wish for." The flutist then said: "If<br />
that's so, liberate Shiva from your stomach." Gajasura realised<br />
then that this must have be no ordinary flutist. Vishnu then<br />
revealed himself. Shiva was then liberated. At the end <strong>of</strong> this<br />
episode it is said that <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva himself praised <strong>Lord</strong> Vishnu for<br />
his presence <strong>of</strong> mind and efforts. While bidding farewell, Vishnu<br />
advised <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva not to entertain "Dushtaas”, the ones with<br />
crooked thoughts!!
HOW DID SHIVA END UP IN GAJASURA’S BELLY?<br />
The story goes like this. There existed an Asura (demon) with all<br />
the characteristics <strong>of</strong> an elephant, called Gajasura, who was<br />
undergoing a penance (tapas). Shiva, satisfied by his sincerity,<br />
decided to grant him, as a reward, whatever boon he desired.<br />
The demon wished that he could emit fire continually from his<br />
own body so that he will remain unchallenged. The <strong>Lord</strong> granted<br />
him his request. Gajasura continued his penance and Shiva<br />
appeared in front <strong>of</strong> him once again and asked him what he
desired, again. The demon responded: "I desire that You reside in<br />
my belly” and Shiva agreed to this.<br />
This story is also connected to Ganesh’s birth. One version goes<br />
on to talk about how Gajasura had a wish. Having liberated Shiva,<br />
he asked him for one last gift: "I have been blessed by you with<br />
many powers. I have one last request. I wish everyone would<br />
remember me and my form even after I am gone." This gave<br />
Shiva an idea. He brought his own son there and replaced his<br />
head with that <strong>of</strong> Gajasura’s. Shiva’s son <strong>Ganesha</strong> is always<br />
invoked first while in prayer. It is traditionally believed that for<br />
one to prosper, one must begin with the invocation <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong>, with Gajasura’s head, is always thus prayed to.<br />
Gajasura’s wish <strong>of</strong> never being forgotten thus stands fulfilled.
GANESHA AND ANALASURA<br />
Why is the Durva Grass so dear to <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>?<br />
A demon by the name Analasura caused trouble and havoc in the<br />
heavens. This demon emitted fire from his eyes and destroyed<br />
everything in his way. Ganesh’s help was sought by the terrified<br />
demigods. He assured the Devas that he would defeat the<br />
demons and bring back peace to the abode. <strong>Ganesha</strong> confronted<br />
the demon head-on. During the battle, the Asura began to attack<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> with fireballs, trying to engulf him down. At this, <strong>Lord</strong><br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> took his original form <strong>of</strong> the virat roop and swallowed<br />
Analasura.
After this, <strong>Ganesha</strong> became extremely restless due to the<br />
excessive heat inside his body. This was caused by devouring<br />
Analasura. Many efforts were made to cool Him down but all were<br />
in vain. The Moon tried to help <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> by standing on His<br />
head. Thus the name Balachandra was derived. <strong>Lord</strong> Vishnu gave<br />
His lotus to <strong>Ganesha</strong> to bring down the heat. <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva tied his<br />
Cobra Snake around the belly <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>. None <strong>of</strong> this<br />
helped. In the end, a few sages arrived with twenty one Durva<br />
grass blades and placed it on <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>'s head. And magically<br />
the heat vanished. Thus the Durva grass became a favourite <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>. He declared that blessings would be granted to<br />
those who prayed to Him with the Durva Grass. No Puja to<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> is ever complete without <strong>of</strong>fering the Durva Grass.
GANESHA AND KUBERA<br />
How Kubera was taught a lesson in humility?<br />
A vain and proud Kubera once invited <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva for lunch. <strong>Lord</strong><br />
Shiva, decided to teach the king <strong>of</strong> wealth a lesson. He sent his<br />
son <strong>Ganesha</strong> for the feast while warning Kubera <strong>of</strong> his son’s<br />
enormous appetite. Kubera looked at the boy with contempt and<br />
did not pay heed to his warning. At the feast, <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong><br />
arrived and ate all the dishes that were served to Him. He was<br />
still not satisfied. Soon, He emptied the kitchen and was still<br />
hungry. “Is this all you can give me?” <strong>Ganesha</strong> asked Kubera.
“I thought this was a grand feast. I am still hungry”. Kubera<br />
rushed to Kailash and and appealed to <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva for help. Shiva<br />
responded saying any food served with love and affection will<br />
gain satisfaction. Kubera borrowed some roasted rice from<br />
Goddess Parvathi and <strong>of</strong>fered it to <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> with humility<br />
and devotion. <strong>Ganesha</strong> accepted the food and stated that he was<br />
satisfied. Thus Kubera learnt humility.
GANESHA AND THE SNAKE AROUND HIS BELLY<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong>’s curse to the moon<br />
After attending Kubera’s feast, <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> got on to His<br />
Vahana, the mouse and started His journey towards home. That<br />
night was a full moon. His mouse saw a snake and hid behind a<br />
bush. <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> fell to the ground and his stomach split open.<br />
The food fell onto the ground. The moon, who was passing by,<br />
saw this and started laughing loudly. The moon, very handsome,<br />
was proud <strong>of</strong> his appearance. Seeing a big bellied <strong>Ganesha</strong> sitting<br />
on a rat amused him. This angered <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong>. He cursed the<br />
Moon saying “ Oh Moon, your handsome looks have made you<br />
vain. How dare you laugh at me when the entire world worships
me? You shall now receive the fruits <strong>of</strong> your foolish pride. Your<br />
beauty will vanish because <strong>of</strong> your vain and ignorance. From<br />
today, whoever sees you on the 4th day <strong>of</strong> the Bhadrapada<br />
month will suffer because <strong>of</strong> unjust accusations. You shall always<br />
be black and shall never be seen by anyone again”. The moon<br />
was frightened by this curse. He begged <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> to forgive<br />
him. <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> relented and said, “The curse cannot be lifted.<br />
You have realised your fault. Those who have been subjected to<br />
such accusations shall be saved. They will regain their good name<br />
when they see you on the second day <strong>of</strong> the bright fortnight. You<br />
shall be changing from new moon to full moon and back”.<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> put the food back in his stomach, took the snake and<br />
tied it around his belly like a belt and went home.
GANESHA AND LORD VISHNU SHANKH<br />
Why is the trunk <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> facing the right side?<br />
One day, <strong>Lord</strong> Vishnu’s Valampuri Shankh (conch) was found<br />
missing. This annoyed him greatly. Later he heard the sound <strong>of</strong><br />
his conch at a distance. The sound coming from Mount Kailash,<br />
the abode <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva. He knew that it was his Panchajanya<br />
Shankh. He sought the help <strong>of</strong> <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva and requested him to<br />
ask his son Ganesh to return his conch back to him. He now<br />
meditated on <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva and requested him to ask his son to<br />
return his conch back to him. <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva said that anyone wishing<br />
to retrieve the conch should pray to Valampuri <strong>Ganesha</strong> . In this
are posture, <strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh’s trunk is turned to the right). <strong>Lord</strong><br />
Vishnu performed the puja immediately and <strong>Ganesha</strong> was<br />
immensely happy with it He returned back his conch. After this<br />
incident, <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> was known as Valampuri Ganesh which<br />
means <strong>Ganesha</strong> with a trunk facing the right side.
BE KIND TO ANIMALS<br />
Goddess Parvati's lesson to <strong>Ganesha</strong> on Kindness<br />
Towards Animals<br />
Once while <strong>Lord</strong> <strong>Ganesha</strong> was wandering in a forest he spotted a<br />
cat and decided to pursue it. While he had no intentions to hurt<br />
the cat, he wanted to have some fun. <strong>Ganesha</strong> tried to shoot the<br />
cat with his arrows. The cat was covered with mud while trying to<br />
run away. When <strong>Ganesha</strong> returned home, he saw his mother,<br />
Parvati waiting for him. His mother was covered in mud and had<br />
scratches on her. <strong>Ganesha</strong> was upset seeing his mother’s<br />
condition and asked what happened. Parvati stated that it was<br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> who did this to her.
She said that on earth, all life constituted her body. She and <strong>Lord</strong><br />
Shiva were the protector <strong>of</strong> all life on Earth. <strong>Ganesha</strong> realised his<br />
mistake and learnt a lesson to never be cruel to animals.
LORD GANESHA’S MARRIAGE<br />
Story <strong>of</strong> Shubh, Laabh & Santoshi Maa<br />
It is believed that <strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh was unable to find a suitable mate<br />
because <strong>of</strong> His unique appearance. This bothered Him. He<br />
summoned all the rats to burrow deep holes in the path <strong>of</strong> any<br />
God who were on their way to get married. The potholes<br />
disturbed the journey <strong>of</strong> the grooms and their marriage<br />
processions took place with extreme difficult. Frustrated, they<br />
went to <strong>Lord</strong> Brahma to complain.<br />
<strong>Lord</strong> Brahma then created two beautiful girls Riddhi (who is<br />
described as one with Abundance, Opulence, Wealth) and Siddhi
Buddhi (who is described as Intellectual and with Spiritual<br />
Prowess) and they were married to Him. With His two consorts,<br />
He had two sons Shubha (Auspiciousness) and Labha (Pr<strong>of</strong>it) and<br />
a daughter named Santoshi (Goddess <strong>of</strong> Satisfaction /<br />
Contentment). The Shiva Purana states that King Prajapati had<br />
two daughters Riddhi and Siddhi. He approached Shiva and<br />
Parvati for the marriage <strong>of</strong> his girls to <strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh and <strong>Lord</strong><br />
Kartikeya / Karthikeyan (<strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh’s younger brother). But<br />
both these girls expressed their wish to be married to <strong>Lord</strong><br />
<strong>Ganesha</strong> and wished that he only should be their husband and so<br />
they were married. It is said that if one has Riddhi but doesn’t<br />
have Siddhi / Buddhi then it is worthless. Possessing only Siddhi<br />
without Riddhi is also futile. <strong>Lord</strong> Ganesh bestows both these<br />
blessings to His ardent devotees. If we delve into ourselves we<br />
will realize that we are all Ganapatis (Gana is our body made <strong>of</strong><br />
the Pancha Mahabhuta (Five elements), Pati stands for master or<br />
owner). Thus He shows us the way to achieve both intellect and<br />
wealth to enjoy a rewarding life.
STORY OF GOKARNA<br />
Once Ravana performed an intense sadhana and received as<br />
reward a Jyotirlinga from <strong>Lord</strong> Shiva himself. Shiva advised<br />
Ravana to carry the Jyotirlinga to his land, with the caveat that<br />
the minute it touches the ground, it would remain at that very<br />
spot, stuck there forever. So Ravana carried the Jyotirlinga with<br />
great care. He held back every physical urge such as eating or<br />
attending to calls <strong>of</strong> nature and walked almost 4,000 kilometres<br />
from Kailash to a place called Gokarna in Karnataka. Since he had<br />
been walking without food or rest, he felt weak and he wanted to<br />
ease himself. He could however not risk placing the Jyotirlinga<br />
down. But he would not keep the Jyotirlinga down.
He then came upon an innocent looking cowherd boy. Ravana<br />
decided to take his assistance. Ravana told him, “If you hold this<br />
for five minutes, I’ll give you a pearl necklace. Just hold it, don’t<br />
keep it down. Understand?” The boy agreed. Ravana gave the<br />
jyotirlinga to the boy and turned around to ease himself. His call<br />
<strong>of</strong> nature done, he turned around to look. What did he see? The<br />
boy had kept the jyotirlinga down and, <strong>of</strong> course, it had sunk into<br />
the earth as per the caveat. Ravana was shocked and looked up<br />
to find Ganapati in place <strong>of</strong> the cowherd. Ganapati did not want<br />
Ravana to take the Jyotirlinga to Lanka, because if he did, he<br />
would have become superhuman. The linga is still hence at<br />
Gokarna. Even today you will see a small hole in the rock through<br />
which you have to put your finger to feel the jyotirlinga. Ravana<br />
got so furious at this and he knocked Ganapati on the head. He<br />
hit so hard that his head was dented. That is why you will also<br />
find a Ganapati statue with a depression in his skull, at Gokarna.<br />
As legends go, the day <strong>of</strong> this encounter between <strong>Ganesha</strong> and<br />
Ravana is celebrated as Ganesh Chaturthi.