Vinayaka Chathurthi

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Om Shri Maha Ganapathaye Namaha...

India is the land of many Gods and Goddesses. Religion forms a very intricate

part of the daily life of the Indians. Each of these deities has its own

special day and Vinayaka Chathurthi, is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elder

progeny of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.

Lord Ganesha is considered to be a very powerful god and people pray to him

first before starting anything - be it a new job or even school exams! Most of

the temples will have a shrine dedicated to this elephant-headed deity. Small

shrines of Ganesha can be found even in the street corners!

Many myths and beliefs are attached to Lord Ganesha. How he came to have an

elephant head is an interesting story. According to some legends, Ganesha

wasn't actually born to Shiva and Parvati but was created from the saffron

paste gathered from Parvati's person. Parvati wanted someone who would owe his

first allegiance to Parvati and not Shiva and so she created the boy who was

handsome and strong and breathed life into him. "You are my son, my very own

son, I do not have anyone else to call my very own" said Parvati. Then Parvati

gave the boy a staff and asked him to guard the door to her private rooms and

said, "Do not to allow any one to enter without my permission."

A little later Shiva arrived and wondered who the boy could be and why was he

there. As Shiva approached the door, the boy stopped him. Shiva tried to

explain to the boy that he was Parvati’s husband and he had the right to enter

without asking any one. The boy said without hesitation, "No one enters these

halls without my mother’s permission." When Shiva ignored him, the boy hit him

with his staff. Shiva was furious! He tried to fight the young boy and realized

that he was no ordinary boy. Shiva asked his attendants to capture the boy but

single-handedly, the boy defeated them all.

Shiva then sent a messenger around to enquire who the boy was. The boy declared,

"I am the son of Parvati. I will give my life to carry out my mother’s orders.

No one can enter the palace without my mother’s permission."

The messenger returned to Shiva and humbly informed him what the boy had said.

Shiva’s pride was hurt. He was so angry that he sent his entire army to capture

the boy. Parvati called for her other powers, Kali and Durga and asked them to

stand beside her son. Shiva’s army lost the battle and His attendants ran for

their lives. Shiva then called Vishnu to join him in defeating the small boy.

This was not a fair fight. While the boy was engaged in fighting with Vishnu,

Shiva threw his Trident and beheaded the boy. After the head rolled off, Shiva

realized his mistake.

When Parvati heard of the unfair fight she decided to destroy the world. Brahma

humbly approached Parvati, seeking for mercy to save the world. Parvati agreed

on two conditions, "My son must regain his life and he shall be worshipped

before any of the other gods." By that time Shiva had calmed down and

apologized for his rash behavior. He agreed to bring the boy back to life. He

asked Brahma to go North and bring the head of the first creature that crossed

his path. Brahma left with his party and soon brought back the head of a strong

elephant. The head was then fitted to the body of the boy and Brahma sprinkled

water on it. The boy came to life with an elephant’s head on his shoulder.

Parvati embraced her son with joy. She then turned to Brahma to fulfill her

second condition. Indra and the other gods brought Shiva to Parvati. Shiva

apologized for his arrogance and declared "Hence on, this valiant boy will be

my son. He will be respected as any other God and will be worshipped before any

other God. He will be called Ganesh, the chief of my Ganas or attendants, and

also Vigneshwar, the remover of all obstacles." Thus Lord Ganesha came into

being and began to be worshipped by one and all. Lavanya

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