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As the legend goes, Parvati was rather
disappointed that none of the guards she appointed out of Lord Shiva's
army failed to stop him from barging into her private chambers. She decided
to have someone who would be entirely her own and place no one above her.
Hence, she created Lord Ganesh from her own soil and water from the Ganges.
This makes Parvati and Ganga his mothers
and he sometimes also known as Dwimatri Having created the figure,
Parvati infused life into him and told him to ensure that nobody, but nobody
entered her rooms while she bathed. Lord Shiva soon came in and was stopped
by Lord Ganesh. This enraged Lord Shiva and beheaded the boy. This enraged
Parvati to such an extent that she asked Goddess Durga & Goddess Kali
to destroy everything and everyone.
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To appease her, Lord Shiva beheaded
an elephant and attached the head to Lord Ganesh's slain torso. Lord Brahma
brought the boy back to life and they took him to Parvati.
Parvati still had a few conditions
to be fulfilled by the Gods for her son before she agreed to cease the
havoc created by the Shaktis. She asked that he should be invincible, the
giver of victory and God of wisdom. The person who worships him should
gain success and property. She also wanted that nobody should be permitted
to heaven before pleasing him and it should be compulsory to first invoke
him before any other deity. These were all granted to Lord Ganesh, by the
triumvirate of Gods, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva
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Lord Shiva appointed Lord Ganesh as
the leader of his gana (public) and called him Ganapati, literally meaning,
leader of people. Ganapati represents all the qualities that a leader should
have.
A leader should listen to everybody,
therefore the large ears. He should have nose to scent out the smallest
problem, which a large trunk does with sensitivity. A large forehead is
an indicator of a brilliant mind. It is important for the leader not to
let out all that he knows or all that he has been told, that is why Lord
Ganapati has large stomach
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Once Lord Shiva was resting, Parshuram
came to meet him. Being rather a favourite of Lord Shiva, Parshuram did
not expect to be stopped by Lord Ganpati and was offended when he was.
In anger, he raised his axe to attack Lord Ganpati. This put the latter
in a quandary, since the axe was boon from Lord Shiva which could not go
in vain. As a compromise, he took the blow on one of his tusks losing it
for ever. Hence, he is also called Ekdanti
On reaching marriageable age, Lord
Ganesh and his brother Kartikeya went to their parents and said that they
wanted to get married. They were told that whoever amongst them first circumnavigates
the world thrice would be married first. Kartikeya took off on his peacock,
but Lord Ganesh knew that he had no hope to match that speed on his mouse.
Using his wisdom, he calmly took seven circles around his parents and said
that according to the Vedas circumnavigation of one's parents is
as sacred as going around the world. He has two wives : Riddhi (prosperity)
and Siddi (success)
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Public Lord Ganesh Festival (Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav)
It was during the British rule, In
India, that the first Public Ganapati first made its appearance. Dissent
was fast spreading and the British were wary of any congregation. They
passed a blanket rule that no large group of people would be allowed to
meet together in any public place. All Public meetings were banned. One
of the greatest freedom fighters of India, Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak, did
not take this kindly. He made up his mind to break this illogical rule
and established the first ever Sarvajanik Ganapati. Since this was about
the religion, the British could not find political offence. They had learned
the lesson during the great freedom war of 1857. Thus the British threat
to a public meeting was diffused by Tilak and the gaiety of a people's
festival established for all time to come.
In modern times, this festival is celebrated
with great enthusiasm, in the western part of the country. The idol, of
Lord Ganesh is worshiped for days and then immersed on a auspicious day.
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Lord Ganpati the World over:
Lord Ganpati has a widespread presence, not just India. The Greek
good of wisdom is known as Janus, is pictured with the head of an elephant.
As with Ganapati, Janus too is the first God to be invoked at the start
of any prayer or auspicious occasion.
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