The legend of Ganesha

Ganesha, more commonly known as Ganpati or Vinayak, is a second son of Lord Shiva, and an incarnation of Adishakti, Parvati. He is worshipped as the god of new beginnings and remover of obstacles. He is also a sibling to Kartikeya (also known as Skanda or Murugan) and Ashoka Sundari (the daughter born from the grace of Kalpavriksha). As the legend goes, Vinayak was created by Goddess Parvati while Shiva was away for his routine penance. She made a beautiful idol of a boy from special clay, who would be both virtuous and courageous. Being an incarnation of Adishakti, she gave life to the idol by the energy she possessed. Seeing the beautiful boy and his innocent nature, she embraced him as her child. From his birth, Vinayak was a skilful warrior and an obedient son to his mother. And he guarded Kailash while Shiva was away. All other goddesses blessed him with eternal beauty and virtue upon seeing his enchanting form.

One day while his mother was taking a bath and while he was guarding the entrance of Kailash, Shiva returned home after completing his months-long penance. Unaware of each other’s identity, Vinayak stopped Shiva from entering Kailash. He told the latter that he can’t enter unless his mother permits. Upon hearing this and thus stopped by an arrogant child from entering his own abode, Shiva became furious. Their verbal quarrel soon erupted as a combat fight. Vinayak fought bravely with his elephant goad and axe while Shiva, being the master of warfare, seemed invincible. Now the legends vary on Lord Shani’s involvement here. One legend describes that it was due to Shani’s Vakradirshti on Vinayak that put him in fight with Shiva. And another legend says that Shani, upon seeing an outrageous battle between Ganesha and Shiva, intervened to stop them. It is said that the weapon that Shani touches, is destined to end its enemy. Striving to stop Shiva, he accidently touched his Trishula, which resulted into Shiva beheading his own son Vinayak. As Parvati heard the cry of Vinayak upon his beheading, she rushed out where she saw Vinayak’s body lay headless and furious Shiva standing beside him. Devastated by her son’s loss, she told her lord about Vinayak which filled Shiva’s heart with sorrow and empathy. However in her devastation, Parvati furiously cursed Shani, making him blind of his sight (Vakradrishti). When Parvati pleaded her lord to revive their son, Shiva commanded his Ganas to bring the first creature they see nearby. The Ganas were not that witty. So they thought that their lord meant any creature by his mention of creature. And they brought an elephant head.

This act, however, shocked all of the gods, especially, Parvati. She wouldn’t dream of her beloved son with that gigantic elephant head. But the act was inevitable. As Shiva told her that they cannot take another creature’s life for it. Eventually, she agreed and Shiva placed the head upon Vinayak’s body and revived him. Thus, Vinayak opened his big eyes with this new elephant head. He asked Shiva’s forgiveness for not recognizing him while Shiva apologized for the same. And they embraced each other. Upon this incredible incident, the gods bestowed Vinayak with various blessings and boons. However, the concerned Surya (Shani’s father) told Parvati that without Shani’s Sight, the balance of universe would quake since he is the god of justice. Parvati realized her mistake and gave back Shani’s sight as well.

Later Vinayak was made the leader of Ganas at Kailash to which he was named as Ganesha and Ganpati. Ganesha is often depicted with Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi who are goddess of knowledge and goddess of prosperity respectively. Ganesha completes the trio as the god of virtue and auspiciousness. Ganesha has two consorts: Riddhi (prosperity)/Buddhi (wisdom) and Siddhi (spiritual power). He has two sons: Kshema/Shubh (God of auspiciousness) and Labh (God of achievements). In newer legends, Goddess Santoshi Mata is a daughter of Ganesha and sister to Kshema and Labh. Ganehsa is often shown with two weapons: An axe and a goad.

Apart from traditional view, the festival of Ganesha Chaturthi was revolutionised by the well-known freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Lokmanya Tilak) in order to encourage people to join the fight of freedom. Thus the tradition of Ganesha Pandals still thrives in many parts of India. People welcome beautiful idols of Ganesha on Ganesha Chaturthi and submerge them ten days later on Anant Chaturdashi.