Salutations to Prosperous Ganesh
Lord Ganesh, the Elephant Headed is worshipped by most of the Hindu. He is considered as most auspicious among all and hence he was granted the boon by the Supreme God Shiva the Destroyer that he will be worshipped first before starting any ritual.
Thus to remove all the obstacles before starting any rituals the beloved almighty is worshipped first before any other God.
Lord Ganesh, the son of Supreme lord Shiva and the Mother Goddess Parvati, God of Good fortune, wisdom, remover of obstacles.
The story of Lord Ganesh is a bit different than other gods.
Let's begin with why he has an Elephant head ?
It begins when Goddess Parvati was going to meditate, she creates an human idol out of the dirt and give life to it. She called him Ganesh
When the human become conscious out of the dirt idol, goddess Parvati gives him the duty of a gatekeeper and tells him not to give entry to anyone as she was about to meditate and doesn't wanted anyone to disturb her.
Child Ganesh stands at the gate to stop all those who tries to enter. When the Supreme Lord Shiva himself come there to visit Parvati, dutiful Ganesh stop him from meeting the goddess. All the gods from heaven and the other members of the holy trinity themselves came to explain Ganesh to let Shiva pass. But the Dutiful Ganesh thought this would result in dishonour of his mother's obligation.
Even after so much explaining by holy trinity and other heavenly gods, Ganesh refuse to let Shiva pass through the gate to meet Parvati.
This makes Shiva furious and after becoming angry he opens his third eye and cuts the human head of Child Ganesh with his Trident.
After seeing Ganesh fallen dead on the ground, Goddess Parvati transform herself into an angry deity called Shakti and threatens the trinity of revive Child Ganesh or she'll destroy all the universe.
To save the world from destruction, Lord Shiva revives Ganesha by attaching an Elephant head instead of a human head.
After the god was awaken with an elephant head he was glorified with all the blessings from the trinity themselves and all the gods from heavens present there.
From all many Blessings received that day, he was granted the rank of God of Good Fortune, God of Wisdom and remover of Obstacles.
He was so wise that the trinity decided to grant him the boon of the God of be worshipped first.
It all begins on the day when the Holy Trinity were confused for who to assign the rank of first worshipped god.
On the same day, Lord Shiva enter into the state of meditation and assign Ganesh and Kartikeya, his older brother, to gatekeep the entries of Kailash.
Both went to guard the gates. There they saw Parshuram, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, approaching towards them.
He said to them "Let me pass young children, I have to see Lord Shiva" on which Ganesha replied "Pardon us oh great sage, but as per the orders of Lord Shiva himself, we cannot let anyone pass through the gates"
Upon hearing this he became angry and threaten them that let him pass or they will encounter his wrath.
But Dutiful Ganesh refuses to let him pass and thought he might end his anger by hugging him and step forward to hug him.
Upon being touched by Ganesh, Parshuram under the sway of his pride though he has polluted him and raises his weapon to attack on him.
Kartikeya steps forward and says "Forgive him O great Parshuram, as he is not acquainted with whom you are let me tell him the tales of Parshuram the great"
After hearing this he let him go and went to Mansarovar lake to purify himself. Here Kartikeya tells him the story of Parshuram the great
Because of the Dutifulness and kind gesture of Ganesh he was first selected for the rank. But when few gods question the selection as they had never seen the powers of Lord Ganesh
On this Shiva comes up with a brilliant game where he tells all of the gods to encircle the Earth three-time and whoever will finish it first and return back will be the one whom they will grant the rank.
To see this competition all the gods from the heavens come to Kailash (home to Shiva and his family). Devrishi Naradmuni counts from three two one
Kartikeya quickly gets on his mount Peacock Surapadma and leaves the place to encircle the planet. Whereas on the other hand Shree Ganesha the wise amongst all gets off his mount Mouse Mushakraj and walks towards his parents, encircles them three times, present a Naman with both palm joined and stand besides them awaiting for Kartikeya to return so Devrishi could announce the winner. Everyone stares at Lord Ganesh with a confused mind. Only God Shiva and Goddess Parvati looks merrily towards their child.
As quickly Kartikeya went, so fast he returned. Seeing Ganesha standing beside his parents he laughs and say "O brother, haven't you gone to encircle the Earth. Look how quickly i have gone and came making me"
All the Gods being confused ask Ganesh why didn't he go to encircle the Earth.
Lord Replied, "O Gods of Heaven, having not only Earth, moon and the Sun within them (Shiva and Parvati) but the entire universe, why should i go somewhere else to encircle. I didn't encircled merely my Parents but the Entire Universe as for me they are the only Reality for me."
Listening to this all the gods became very surprised with happiness and seeing the love for his parents in the eyes of Lord Ganesh Devrishi declares him the winner of the competition.
On this Shiva gives his the boon that Lord Ganesha will be worshipped first before any god or goddess as the most Wise and Fortune full.
|| श्री गणेशा विघ्नहर्ता ||
(Shree Ganesha Vighnaharta)
Prosperous Ganesh God of removal of Obstacles.
On the Fourth day of the Bhadrapada month (Mid August) or the Bhadrapadi Chathurti also called as the Ganesh Chaturthi, the worshippers brings home the Idol of Lord Ganesh (In the Pic) and worship it for either 1.5 days, 3 days, 5 days, 7 days, 11 days or 21 days. We worship for 5 days.
During these days, we worship, pray, entertain the lord by singing Aarti (अर्ती) and Bhajan (भजन). Offer Naivedya (नैवेद्य) and play games.
The Naivedya or the Holy Meal is the Food (Lunch) which is offered to the lord.
The Naivedya is one of my and also the Lord's Favourite part. From वरण भात Varan Bhat (Dal Rice) to मोदक Modak (Sweet Coconut stuffed dessert).
Modak is Lord's most favourite Cuisine of all. Just as children like chocolates, lord loves Modak.
It is believed that those who calls out his name before starting any new job/work/activity experience less or no obstacles which would amounts to stoppage in the work.
This is my First post thus to avoid any obstacles in the future i have begin my first post by talking and praising about Lord Ganesh.
|| तू सुखकर्ता तू दुःखहर्ता तूच करिता आणि करविता ||
Tu Sukh karita, Tu Dukh Harta, Tuch karta ani karavita.
You are the bringer of happiness, you are the slayer of sadness, you are the performer of actions and you are the one who make others to perform their actions.
We'll see about Brahman from the next post. Today let's begin the journey by calling out the almighty's name ...
|| गणपती बाप्पा मोरया मंगलमूर्ती मोरया ||
Ganpati Bappa Morya Mangal Murti Morya
Salutations to Lord Ganesh, Salutations to the Idol of Good Fortune
