-: Myths and Legends of Lord Ganesha :-
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The Birth of Lord Ganesha
Each Purâna
relate a different story to report the birth of Ganesh. In some of these
legends, he is the son born of the spirit (mânasika putra) of Shiva, but in
others, in fact most (Vâmana-Purâna, Matsya-Purâna, Skanda-Purâna), it is a
creation of Parvati.
In some stories vishnuïtes, Ganesh is considered as an incarnation of
Krishnâ.
According to the version of Shiva-Purâna, which is the best known, the wife
of Shiva, Montagnarde (Parvati), was disturbed by one day his master who
came into the house while she was taking a bath.
Agacée did point servant staff to keep his door, she rubbed the body and
ointments scented she won, she formed the image of a child beautiful as the
day, gave him life, 'called Ganesh, and ordered him to stand guard outside
his home.
When the child claimed Shiva prevent from entering the premises, the latter,
furious, métamorphosa in its form of Rudra and launched the Gana against
Ganesh. In the fight, the head of Ganesh was settled.
At the sight of misfortune which reached its "son", Parvati was
inconsolable. Do not found the child's head, Shiva greffa the head of an
elephant on his body. To repair his fault, Shiva Ganesh recognized as his
son and appointed him head of all his servants, and it became "Ganapati."
In a similar version, it is said that Nandi was the guardian Apartment
Parvati, but that also, and especially servant of Shiva, he could not oppose
the will of his master.
A more detailed variant describes Shiva sending the army stormed his Gana.
But Ganesh puts them in rout; Shiva then Brahma who come peacefully, in the
form of a brâhmane, attempts to bring the boy to reason. In vain, he is
defiant.
So Shiva asks Kârtikeya and Indra, to intervene and lift their armies;
Ganesh resists victoriously and puts armies routed through the support of
Kali and Durgâ, called by Parvati, furious that the attack on his beloved
son ...
Shiva finally decides to intervene himself and, while Ganesh combat Vishnu,
it takes treacherously a slice backhand and his head ... The revenge of
Parvati is terrible: it creates countless Shakti and order them to eat the
Gana and Devâ. Terrifiés, Vishnu and Brahma asked him clemency; Parvati in
exchange requires that one gives life to his son.
It also seeks other compensation: now his son will be honored in the first
before all other gods.
Shiva dispatch emissaries with orders to bring the head of the first living
being looking northerly direction bodes well known and synonymous with
wisdom.
The first creature asleep, his head turned towards the north east they
encounter an elephant. It relates to the head and Shiva, placing it on the
child's body, it breathes life.
Parvati is transported with joy and hugged his son, the boy headed elephant
that Shiva called Ganesha, meaning "Master of Gana."
As a representative Ganesh myth born of Parvati alone, without the
intervention of Shiva, J. Herbert is a curious element. Indeed, is his
"sweat" the Goddess creates his son. So Parvati sweating!, While Hindu gods,
when they take human form, are characteristic not sweat, have no shadow and
not to let the flowers fade they are decorated. Parvati had therefore
"humanized" quite exceptional to give birth to Ganesh.
Many variations of legends about the origin of the elephant headed Ganesh
are identified through texts more or less old:
On injunction gods who needed a deity able to remove all obstacles in
their path of action and achievement, Shiva himself was born Breast Parvati
in the form of Gajânana.
According to the Linga-Purâna, Ganesh is created by Shiva to overcome Asura
and other enemies of the gods, indeed, the Devâ prayed the almighty Shiva to
help them because they were harassed by demons.
Shiva consented thereto, and his mind, made the beautiful spring and
wonderful figure of a child with a head elephant powerful, brandishing a
trident in one hand (Ganesh is indeed sometimes depicted with a trident).
The Gods were delighted with this child, born-l'esprit Shiva, which would
protect them now. Seeing this beautiful child, Parvati put on his knee and
had hoped that no company, human or divine, can be successful without that
she has been previously dedicated a prayer. Shiva then made him the leader
of celestial hordes, Gana, the appellant Ganapati, which means head of Gana.
In another Purâna, varaha-Purâna, it is portrayed as a wonderfully
beautiful young man emerging from the glare of front Shiva absorbed in deep
meditation. This mânasika putra, son-born-l'esprit Shiva, was a human boy
dazzling. Parvati, upset that the boy was born without his intervention,
wished that his head is changed to that of an elephant. However, when she
saw the child-headed elephant, it felt great love for him, and declared that
no company, human or divine, can succeed without a prayer to Ganapati, that
Shiva had been head of Gana.
Another legend says that Parvati Puranique burning desire to have a child
and told to Shiva. He asked him to follow a period austérités (tapas or
tapasya) say puñyaka for a year, and she did. The wise Sanatkumara fit and
Parvati to undergo various tests to ascertain the intensity of his desire.
Afterwards, she heard a voice from heaven told him to go into his room
seeking his newborn child.
She ran, saw him and could not believe his eyes because it was more
beautiful than all the gods together, and his face shone like the sun
rising. His joy knew no more boundary.
All gods and goddesses rushed to Mount Kailash, the residence of divine
parents, to contemplate this child of glory, they presented their tributes
to him and s'émerveillèrent its beauty.
The nine planets, Navagraha, also came to congratulate the couple and their
son divine beloved. One of them, Shani would not lift their eyes to the
child and asked whether he drop his head.
Parvati was vexée. Shani explained that his wife, jealous, had predicted
that any person they look with admiration would be destroyed!
Parvati would not believe it and demanded that Shani would like all and
admire the baby. He complied instantly and the head of Ganesh was separated
from his body and flew in space until Goloka, the world of Krishnâ (because
originally, Ganesha was Krishnâ himself in human form, according to the
Brahmavaivarta-Purâna).
Parvati cried, lamenta loudly and created a great uproar. Vishnu, including
drama, went immediately on his vehicle Garuda to find a head to replace one
that was lost.
On the banks of the river Pushpabhadra, he met a herd of elephants asleep.
Choosing an animal lying whose head was turned towards the north, he and his
trancha reported. According to a version of the legend, the elephant was in
fact a Gandharva who hoped to be released from his earthly life, while
another version said he is the head of one of the son of an elephant
Airâvata, the vehicle the god Indra.
Anyway, Vishnu placed upon his return this elephant head on the neck of the
child Ganesh.
And breathing life into the lifeless body, he presented a Parvati, who was
delighted to have a child with the wisdom and power of an elephant.
Vishnu vêtit the child of exquisite jewelry suitable for its beauty; Himavân,
the father of Parvati, did the same. Vishnu gathered all celestial beings
and made a cult of the child, giving the eight names by which we now know:
Vighneshvara, Ganesha, Heramba, Gajânana, Lambodara, Ekadanta, Soorpakarna
and Vinâyaka.
A day to entertain, Parvati formed the image of a child with a head of an
elephant, using ointments that covered his body, then led the Ganges. As
soon as the waters submergèrent the child, it was transformed into a being
resplendent. It was Dvaimatura, the son-born-two mothers, because as Parvati
Gangâ each believed it was their child.
The Suprabhedâgama describes the birth of Ganesh. Shiva and Parvati,
visiting the deep forests of the Himalayas, saw a couple of elephants
united. By Thursday, they decided on the spot to do the same, and adopting
the form of these animals, they united in their turn. Thus was born Ganesh
headed elephant.
If Ganesh was created by Parvati without the intervention of Shiva, the
latter plays a role, however, since it allows Ganesh have an elephant head,
he acknowledges as his elder son (although Kârtikeya already existed) but
only after this incident that has changed.
The origin of pre-Vedic Ganesh is also considered to understand the content
of this legend. Indeed, before the Aryans, the Dravidian was matriarchal
society and people worshipped a female deity, the Divine Mother. This trait
of civilization was not specific to India and is found both in the Middle
East, before the Jewish doctrine does a male and father of the Divine.
In the legend of Ganesh, Parvati, goddess prévédique Aboriginal, is an
expression of the Divine Mother who actually holds a prominent position,
even compared to Shiva.
The operation, which endows Ganesh an elephant head of a boy is impetuous
and irascible be one of wisdom and spirituality. And that is Shiva, Lord of
Yoga, who presides in this transformation. To discover the head of an
elephant, Shiva sends look northward. But we know that the north (uttaram)
is a beneficial direction. The trip north is synonymous with journey to
enlightenment (devayana = path of the gods). The head of an elephant has
reported only one defence, a sign that after the trip north, she reached the
non-state duel. .
Ganesh and the
river Kaveri
To bring water to arid regions, South Sage Agastya, with the blessings of
Brahma, Shiva received the sacred water which it fulfils its kamandalu.
He travelled to the southern regions of the country, hoping to find a place
conducive to the creation of a river abundant. He reached the mountains and
Kodagu (Coorg).
Along the way, it héla a young boy who went there. In fact, it was Ganesh
under a disguise. The wise man asked the child to wear his pot carefully
water while he would seek around a place where isolated.
Ganesh knew qu'Agastya wanted to create a river and the place where they had
appeared to him suitable. It therefore put ashore from the kamandalu wise.
A crow, passing through there, arose on the edge of the pot. Returning then
Agastya drove the bird which, s'envolant, overthrew the kamandalu (photo).
In flowing, this small amount of water became the river Kaveri.
The area, considered sacred to the present day, is known as Talakaveri.
Lord Ganesha
and Kubera
Kubera, the god
of wealth, was proud of his fortune without limits. One day, he organized a
lavish dinner attended by, among other prestigious guests, the couple divine
Shiva and Parvati and their son Ganesh.
It was still a child, but when he began to eat, he proved insatiable. Soon
the other guests were quick to gather in front of empty tables. Alas! Do not
containing it had exhausted the available food, Ganesh began to devour
dishes, furniture and anything contained Alakâpuri, the capital of Kubera.
When he had ingested any, the child Ganesh threatened to swallow Kubera
itself. Epouvanté, the god of wealth ran throw himself at the feet of Shiva
to implore his help, because the voracious hunger of Ganesh did not seem to
have limits.
Shiva's intervention was simple but spectacular. He was contented to give
her son a handful of toasted cereal seeds. He ate them and, miraculously,
his hunger calmed immediately.
This story teaches us that a handful of simple food, given with love and
eaten with devotion, is larger and more nutritious that all goods Kubera
made to impress the gods. From another angle, this story shows that we can
not achieve peace, satisfaction with the property. The only way to achieve
the performance is therefore our vasana consumer. The destruction of vasana
is symbolized by the consumption of grilled rice, because when the rice is
cooked, it loses its ability to germinate. Similarly, the seeds of our
desires buried they lose any force and any possibility of returning later.
Lord Ganesha
and the Moon
One day, Ganesh
received his followers a lot of cakes. We know his greed. He therefore
swallows immediately.
Ganesh is returning home perched on his horse mouse, it happened in the
darkness of nightfall, the mouse trébucha suddenly on a snake. Ganesh fell
to the ground.
But he had eaten so much that his stomach filled too broke and cakes spread.
Ganesh and picked up the replaça in his belly yawning (look no logic in this
story). As a belt, it takes the snake which had provoked the incident and
noua around his size (you can also see this belt made of a snake on many
representations of Ganesh).
Seeing this show funny, the Moon, Chandra, burst out laughing.
Ganesh, furious, it was considered offended by this mockery. In spite, he
tore his right and the defense planned in the face of the moon (which is why
Ganesh is usually represented with defence broken right).
At the same time, he launched a curse so that it ceases to shine at night
and disappear from heaven. At that time, "said the legend, the full moon
shone every night.
Therefore, and in the absence of Moon, there were more and no night, no
moonlight, or dusk. Young people love gémissaient and lamented; people aged
ronchonnaient noting that they could no longer sleep with the sun now
luisait even in the middle of the night.
Without the Moon, the gods found life in heaven as unbearable that humans
were having on the earth. So they rushed home Ganesh, imploring to bring
things to normal.
We know that Ganesh is basically full of goodness, and it therefore acceded
to their demand but decided that, despite everything, the moon could no
longer shine as never before, every night, in all its glory.
It would grow and décroîtrait, a half a dozen light obscure, each of these
two periods ending respectively on the Full Moon and New Moon.
For this reason, they say, it is not beneficial to look at the Moon on the
anniversary of Ganesh, Ganesh Chaturthî (which is the fourth day of the moon
rising) during the month of Bhâdrapad ( in August or early September),
because anyone who ignores will have big problems ...
This superstition still exists today and people shy away from watching the
moon day of Ganesh Chaturthî. Some very superstitious, even look at land not
only on the day of Ganesh Chaturthî, but all the fourth day of the moon
rising, to be sure not to make mistakes!
And if, by misfortune, someone saw the star nights that day, he must start
as soon as possible stones at the house next door to hers, so that the
insults back by the inhabitants defuse the anger of God!
The meaning of this legend, or at least a sense that you can give it, is as
follows: Ganesh riding his rat represents the Finder Truth, the Man of
Perfection which, through its vehicle body, mental and intellectual, is
trying to achieve his goal to finally carry spiritual truth without limits.
The body, the mind and intellect are realities limited. They can not express
the Atman.
Anyone who seeks the Supreme Director knows that it is almost impossible to
understand his experience in a "regular". That is why we find that the words
and deeds of spiritual masters are strange and incomprehensible.
The intellect of man not engaged in this type of research can not understand
what the Truth, the Ultimate Reality. The Moon is the deity who governs the
human spirit. The Moon laughing at Ganapati which straddles the rat reminds
us of the ignorant who mocks the efforts of spiritual researcher to reach
the truth.
Similarly, ridiculing the Masters spiritual Teachers of Truth and what they
say, harms humanity.
Another legend, told in the Brahmânda-Purâna, depicts Ganesh and the Moon.
It had lost its lustre due to the curse of a god.
In order to recover its light, the Ganesh placed on his forehead as an
ornament (tilaka); in this form of Bhâlachandra ( "That which adorned the
front of the Moon"), the god Ganesh is particularly revered by esoteric
sects.
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Lord Ganesha
and goddess Parvati
One day, the
child Ganesh s'amusa to torment him in a cat's tail and pulling a rolling on
the ground. It is well known that children may do harm to innocent.
After a while, he let the cat quiet and left without further thought, Mount
Kailash to find his mother Parvati. He found her very ill, covered with
wounds and dust.
When he asked him what he had arrived, she said it was his fault. Indeed, it
was the cat that Ganesh martyrisait.
This story teaches us that all living beings are part of the divine. Doing
poorly in a living creature, one of our companions, humans or animals, it
hurt to God himself.
Ganesh learned this lesson and we also have to learn throughout our lives.
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Ganesh and the
demon Ravana
One day the
demon Ravana undertook a very difficult asceticism (tapas).
As a result of this practice, Shiva appeared to him. Ravana asked Shiva for
the kingdom that neither his nor itself can never be destroyed or damaged.
Shiva gave him a Shiva Lingam, the symbol of his power, and ordered him to
bring in his kingdom where he was to install in a temple, respecting
appropriate rituals.
At that time only Ravana become invincible forever. But there was one
condition: under any pretext, during the trip, Ravana should file the Lingam
ashore, because it could then redéplacer.
Ravana mad with joy received the Lingam. However, Devâ (Gods) were afraid of
the consequences of power that could get Ravana, so they invoked Ganesh
before embarking on anything else. Ganesh promised to help them and gave
them advice.
Thus, Varuna, the god of water, penetrated into the abdomen of Ravana, his
causing intestinal disorders who forçèrent to stop along the way. With
twisting pain but not wanting to ask any price the Lingam by land, and Shiva
he had recommended, Ravana called a young Brahmin who was passing by and
asked him to remain Lingam stone a few moments. It is, of course, that the
young Brahmin in question was none other than Ganesh under a disguise.
Ravana s'éclipsa in the bushes along the way, but almost immediately, the
young Brahmin called a first, and then a second, then a third time.
N'obtenant no response (Ravana was too busy ...), he filed the Lingam on the
ground.
When Ravana finally returned, he tried to resume but Lingam The latter, a
colossal poiids, could not be lifted from the ground. Mad with rage, Ravana
is rode with the boy who said then its true divine form of Ganesh. Ravana
had lost power that gave him the Lingam. Ganesh then easily put terrasser
this demon. On the kick, he sent in the sky (photo).
Ravana finally went on its limitations and admit the omnipotence of Ganesh
(photo).
The place where the Lingam was filed is called Gokarna, on the west coast of
Karnataka, it is venerated to this day. See the picture of Ganesh at Gokarna.
This story teaches that the devil always ends up losing, especially when he
claims to power.
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The wisdom of Lord Ganesha
Shiva and
Parvati played with their two children and Ganesh Kârtikeya.
The gods had given them an extraordinary result and each of the two children
wanted.
The couple explained that their divine nectar of the Supreme Knowledge and
Immortality was hidden in this fruit. Since everybody wanted, the one who
would get three times around the world and would be the first.
Kârtikeya left on his peacock and flew in space, stopping at all sacred
places along the way and making its offerings and devotions.
Ganesh knew that his corpulent form that slowed his mount, the mouse would
be much slower and could never beat Kârtikeya.
But his wisdom him find a solution. It turned seven times around his
parents, Shiva and Parvati, with great devotion. When they asked him why he
did not circle the earth, he replied:
"My parents Shiva and Shakti are the whole world. In them lies the entire
universe. I do not need to go further."
Naturally, he won the fruit (photo).
This story highlights the importance of intelligence, which Ganesh is the
depositary, against the strength, speed or physical performance.
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Ganesha the
scribe
A very
interesting story about Ganesh is the belief that he was the editor of
Mahâbhârata scribe.
The Sage Vyâsa, author of the epic, was informed by Brahma, on which he
meditated, he had to ask Ganesh to be the scribe which dictate the epic form
versifiée.
Ganesh appeared in front of Brahma to which he gave his consent but under
the condition that Vyâsa speak without interruption.
Vyâsa formulated his own requirement: Ganesh should understand every word,
every thought and its implications before writing it.
When Vyâsa saw that Ganesh (photo) had finished writing a worm (broken his
defence he served as a writing instrument), he dictated to another with
meanings so complex that Ganesh had to stop and think about it.
This gave Vyâsa time to mentally compose a few stanzas and to recite when
Ganesh was ready ...
This story teaches us that the Mahâbhârata should not be read in the rush.
We must understand and "digest", we must listen with patience and
reflection.
In fact, a belief that the Mahâbhârata should not be read, but only
listened, and a small dose! Only then that the depth of hidden meaning in
the events narrés by the poem appears gradually.
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The god
Ganesha and Shiva
It is said that
no act of peace or war, no daily action can not succeed before Ganesh has
been previously honored.
This is valid not only for human beings, but also for celestial beings.
When Ganesh appeared as a son born of the spirit of Shiva, it decreed that
Ganesh should be invoked with prayers by anyone wanting to ensure the
success of its businesses. Even invocations to other deities would have no
effect if they were not preceded by a prayer to Ganesh.
Thus, when Shiva went to confront the demons of the city of Tripura, he
forgot his own rule and rushed in great haste. However, coming onto his
chariot, a highlight of the wheel broke and the tank was stopped.
Interloqué that such an incident arrivât him, Shiva and stopped thinking. He
suddenly realized he had forgotten to ask Ganesh, which prevented this ...
He then invoked the name of his son and was able to leave and successfully
won the battle of Tripurâtanka.
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How Ganesha
broke his defense right
There are many
legends to explain how Ganesh broke his defence, so it is also called
Ekadanta "Those who have a defence".
The first legend (in the Brahmânda-Purâna) relates to its battle against
Parashurâma. Parashurâma was one of the incarnations (avatâra) of Vishnu,
born on earth to teach wisdom to the ruling classes, Kshatriya, who had
become arrogant and oppressing people. As human on earth, he meditated on
Shiva and got the axe divine Parashu. It helped in its fight against all
these rogue princes who were prey to demons.
Deeply grateful to Shiva, he then went to Mount Kailash to greet his guide.
Ganesh, who was guarding the entrance then Apartment his Father, do not
permit him to enter, saying he needed to wait for the permission of Shiva.
Parashurâma thought: "I am a devotee of Shiva, such a permission does not
apply to me."
But Ganesh persisting to refuse passage, Parashurâma generally mood caught,
struck violently defending Ganesh with his axe and broke.
Shiva and Parvati appeared then and blâmèrent Parashurâma who prostrated
himself before Ganesh for his forgiveness and his blessing. Ganesh was then
called Ekadanta "Those who have a defence".
According to another legend, Ganesh broke his own defence in his fight
against Gajamukhâsura (Asura-headed elephant). This demon followed severe
austérités on board Shukrâchârya, the guru of Asura, so as invincible won
powers of Shiva. But he used these powers to torment the gods who then
rushed to ask for help from Ganesh.
The latter did not hesitate to battle against the demon. But during the
fight, he realized that the powers of the devil made him invincible. Ganesh
then broke his defence right and planned on Gajamukhâsura, continuing to
transform it into mice. He then returned on the back of the mouse and made
his horse, and keeping under its control.
According to another story of Purâna, the rat Ganesh was in fact the
Gandharva Krauncha. One day, the court of Indra, the king of Devâ, Krauncha,
insulta the Sage Vâmadeva who revenge and convert it into a big rat. The
rat, according to its nature, joined the ashram of Sage Parâchara and caused
severe damage in the house. The Rishi then invoked Vinâyaka (another name
for Ganesh) to save his modest dwelling. Ganesh appeared fit rat his vehicle
and dompta.
A legend Purâna attributes the loss of defence in a fight between Ganesh
and Shiva himself.
It refers to the history of Ganesh and Moon recalled earlier.
As you can see, whatever the version of these stories puraniques, why Ganesh
would have chosen the rat as his vehicle is that it allowed him to keep his
control, the rat with a capacity of nuisance that n ' is further proof.
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Lord Ganesha and the God Vishnu
One day, Vishnu
found that its Valamburi Shankha had disappeared, which tracassa. After a
while, he heard the sound of a conch deep and recognized immediately that it
was hers. It resonated somewhere near Mount Kailash.
He meditated on Shiva appeared to him and said that if anyone wanted to find
his, he had previously sent an invocation to Ganesh Valamburi (a form of
Ganesh with the tube oriented right).
Vishnu Ganesh complied and returned the conch to its true owner who was
delighted to find it.
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