Bengali Ramayana - Ganesha 1

[Guest guest]

"Ganapati was born to Parvati. All Gods and

Goddesses were invited to see the newborn baby. All went

except me. I was afraid as to what might happen. The

Gods told Parvati I had not gone there. Afraid that

Durga (Parvati) might be offended, I went. As soon as I

looked at the baby, the baby's head turned into ashes.

Angered, armed with a trident, the Devi came after me. All

the Gods were afraid. They started praying to her

"You are the Mother of this Universe. You yourself had

given Shani the boon that, who so ever he looks at will

loose his head." Brahma said, "Do not worry, I will

revive your son." He told Pavana to get the head of the

first animal he saw. Pavana saw Airavata sleeping under

a tree. Airavata's head was chopped off and placed

on Parvati's son. The boy sat up, with an elephant's

head. Seeing that, Parvati burst out into tears. "All

Gods have beautiful looking children, will my son have

the head of an elephant". Brahma said, "Your son will

reign supreme among all. If anyone prays to any god

before praying to Ganesha, the prayers will not be

accepted." Using Airavata's head, Ganapati was revived, but

Indra was shocked. His dear mount was no more. He

lamented "I was known for my horse, Ucchashraiva and my

elephant Airavata. Now my elephant is no more". Brahma

then cut the head of a white elephant, which was lying

on the road and put that on Airavata's body.

Airavata was revived."<br>"Now you know what happens when

I look at people. I am your ancestor, son of Surya

the Son God. You survived my looks. Ask for a boon.

It will be granted."<br>Dasharatha begged Shani not

to look towards Ayodhya. Shani agreed. Dasharatha

then approached Indra and told him to rain over

Ayodhya so that the lakes, rivers, ponds and streams

would get water. For seven days, it rained constantly.