In Hindu myth , we
usually observe in temples and places where poojas are conducted , Lord Ganapathi is remembered and worshipped first , prayers are submitted and then the actual
pooja continues. Also in many cultural programme , songs , prayers on Ganapathi are sung
first and then the actual events start.
Have you ever wondered why is this so ? In this post we share an
interesting story from hindu myth describing the reason for same. Some of us may
already be knowing this story - its worth reading again which carries a beautiful
message to the society.
Of the two sons of
Lord Shiva & Goddess parvathi - Murugesha and Ganesha , had more nurture
towards Ganesha being the younger son.
Their home being Himapuri , was
full of snow filled hills and rocks. One day - Parvathi took Ganesha near the
water flow where she used to take her bath.
Before entering the flow , Parvathi instructed Ganesha to guard the
entrance and not to allow anybody till she comes back from bath, even if Shiva
comes make him stay back till she is back. Ganesha was a great follower of his
elder's advise and followed the same. Ganesha with all his earnestness started
guarding the entrance
After some time ,
few Shivaganaas reached this spot and asked ganesha to inform parvathi that
Shiva would like to see her and has asked to meet him. Ganesha politely replied
them with the instructions which paravathi had told him . Shivaganaas still forced ganesha and tried to enter
entrance . Ganesha became furious watching this , with anger started dispelling
them by beating them. Shivaganaas baffled by the incident left the spot and
informed shiva about the event. Shiva got by surprise, consoled them and did
not like the way ganesha treated them. He himself left to the spot to review
the situation
Ganesha on seeing
Shiva at the entrance with full respect submitted the paranamas and informed
what parvathi had told him. Shiva tried to convince Ganesha that it is not good
for children to interfere with elders , but yet ganesha bound by his promise did
not allow Shiva to enter . Furious by ganesha's behaviour , shiva was so angry
that forgetting ganesha is his son, took his trishula and cut off ganesha's neck , separating his body and head. Parvathi just returned back when this
happened , shocked by the incident , with outraged grievance and anger took the
form of a Kali with intention to destroy the world . Noticing this , Narada
tried to console both Shiva & Parvathi , begged Shiva to grant life back to
ganesha. By this time , Shiva's anger had reduced and proceeded to give back
life to ganesha. As ganesha's head was
damaged , shiva replaced this with a beautiful child Elephant's head. Ganesha
got his life back , but parvathi was not satisfied and thought others may make
fun seeing at ganesha. Narada consoled that he shall make him the leader for
all worlds. Ganesha did not like this which hurt his self-respect and requested
to arrange a competition to prove himself if he is worth for the position and
only if he wins he would accept the offer.
Shiva parvathi were very happy watching this character and decision from ganesha.
Accordingly a
competition was arranged - one who travels one complete round the world , covering one circumference and
reaches faster back shall be considered the winner . All devataas along with
murugesha started their travel , while ganesha started on with his vehicle Mooshika . As
Mooshika was very slow , it hardly managed to travel even smaller distance.
Noticing this ganesha thought for a moment , came back to spot where Shiva
parvathi was sitting and due respect , submitted his pranamaas by rounding them
3 times and stood back . After some time all devataas returned back traversing
the world. All were took by surprise seeing Ganesha who told them he has won the competition . Even Narada praised ganesha and declared him the
winner. When asked he explained - "according to Vedas one who with due
bhakthi & respect does a single circum navigate pranama to parents , it is
equivalent to traversing the whole world once" - and this is what ganesha
has done now 3 times which makes him the winner
Everyone praised the
intelligence and character of Ganesha and declared him as the overlord of the
devataas . From then Ganesha was known as "Ganapathi". This is the
reason even now it has come as a practice - first pooja is submitted to Ganapathi
- praying him to provide blessings to conduct an event without any failure and
then the actual event starts .
This story leaves a
good message even to the present society - some people forget and don’t realize the truth about the
living gods - their elders and parents and instead go in search of god
travelling places . If everyone starts following the same principle treat their
elders and parents as Gods with love , affection and follow their instructions with respect then just imagine how
further beautiful this world would have been !
If you find this
story worth following , contribute your part by sharing this message to your
family and friends group. Do share your comments.
An article
contributed by NR.
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