(Ganesh Purana - Chapter 19 to 37)
(Mudgala Purana - V Khanda - Chapter 17)

To continue with the story of Ballala, due to his curse, his father Kalyan Vaishya became deaf, dumb, blind and hunch-back. His wife Indumati got frightened. She came to know about what happened from the neighbours. When she came to the forest she saw the temple and idol restored to original shape and also saw Ballala, fully healed, worshipping Ganesha. She entreated him to come back home. But Ballal had completely changed. He said "Shree Gajanan is my father, my mother. This body, mind, life and intellect all are at his service. You go home and serve your husband." Hearing this Indumati asked him to tell her how his father will be cured. Ballala said "In this life he has no emancipation. In the next birth he will be born as your son as blind, deaf, dumb and hunch-back. His father will perform penance for 12 years for his sake. But of no avail. Getting angry he will drive you and your son away. When you are in some other village, his disease will be cured because of the air blowing from the body of a devotee of Ganapati. Afterwards if he worships Ganesha he will get his darshan.

Indumati returned sadly and Ballala went to Swarga in a Vimana unknown to anybody.

Everything happened as Ballala said. Indumati was born as Kamala, the wife of King Bhima. Kalyan was born as Daksha, their son with a wounded body, with pus and blood oozing out. He was also dumb, deaf, blind etc. After trying his best to cure his son, King was frustrated and drove away mother and son. Poor Kamala also lost her ornaments to the thieves. Finally she stayed in a temple in a particular village. Keeping her child in a side she went for begging. At that time a Sadhu came there for the darshan of Lord. The wind blowing from his body also touched the body of the child. At once all his diseases were cured. Daksha became a young, beautiful boy of 13-14 years. Sadhu went away. Kamala came back and was pleasantly surprised.

Daksha's mind turned towards devotion. Standing on his great toe he started chanting the mantra "OM GAJANANYA NAMAHA". Vinayaka was pleased and appeared before the mother and son with four hands, elephant face, three eyes, jewelled crown etc. In a moment he changed into a lustrous brahmin and told them to ask for boons. But Daksha did not ask for any boon. Ganesha asked him to meet Mudgala Rishi and disappeared. Searching here and there, Kamala and Daksha finally met Mudgala Rishi. Daksha recognised him as the Sadhu, through whose air, he was cured. Mudgala gave him the one-lettered mantra called "OM" and asked him to chant it constantly. Daksha did as advised.

The king of Kundinapura died without a progeny. As per the advice of Rishi Mudgala, the ministers put a garland in the trunk of the royal elephant and moved it among the people. But the elephant entered the temple and put the garland around Daksha's neck.

Thus Daksha became King. His descendants were Brihadbhanu, Haldhar, Sushil, Padmakar, Ripumardi, Chitrasen and Bhima. This Bhima had no children. Hence he and his wife Charuhasini left the kingdom to the ministers and came to the forest for penance. There they came to the Ashrama of Vishwamitra. He prostrated before him. Viswamitra said "because of your power and wealth, you forgot your family tradition of daily worship of Lord Gajanana. Hence he was got angry with you. Then the sage told him about all the past history, starting from Ballala. The sage also gave him the Ekakshara Mantra and asked him to chant it in the temple built by Daksha. After doing the same some years later, he got a son of extremely good character. He was named Rukmangada. He was very beautiful and had a golden lustre. When he became a youth he became learned and also received Ganesa Mantra from his father.

Once Rukmangada went to forest for hunting. When he became tired and thirsty he went to a nearby hermitage of Vachaknavi. The sage asked him to go inside and wait as he had to go out for bathing. The king went in and requested the Rishi's wife Mukunda for some water. But Mukunda became enamoured by the prince's beauty and asked him to fulfil her desire. As Rukmangada was of extremely good character he flatly refused. The sage's wife became angry and cursed him to become a Sweta Kushta Rogi. He came out and started entreating Lord Ganesa. His body became white and his colleagues could not recognise him.

Once Narada Muni came to his place and asked him to take bath in Chintamani Lake and worship the Ganesa there. Raukmangada did as advised and was cured.

After Rukmangada left, Mukunda became very much love-sick. His beautiful form was constantly in her mind. Once she was half asleep in a lonely place in the forest. At that time, Indra, knowing her plight, took the form of Rukmangada and had pleasure with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son. Vachaknavi named him as Gritsamada and taught him all the Vedas and mantras. Gritsamada was lustrous and intelligent. Once Rishi Gritsamada went to the assembly of Mugadha Raja. Other sages like Atri, Viswamitra also were there. During an intellectual discussion Gritsamada was establishing his theory forcefully. Suddenly Atri said "you are not Vachaknavi's own son. You are the son of Rukmangada. How can you be equal to us? Go back."

Gritsamada came back insulted and asked his mother to tell the truth. Mukunda told him the facts. Gritsamada cursed her to become a thorny plant bearing BHOR FRUITS. Nobody will touch these fruits because of the thorns. Mukunda also became angry and said "though I am a sinner, I am your mother. I curse you that a cruel Rakashasa will be born from you."

At that time there was a voice from heaven. "Gritsamada is Indra's son." Both mother and son were shocked. Mukunda was converted into the plant of BHOR. Gritsamada felt ashamed and came out of the Ashram. To wash away his ill-fame he thought of propitiating Gajanana. He remembered the greatness of the following mantra taught by his father Vachaknavi. "OM GANANAMTVA GANPATHIM HAVAMAHE KAVIM KAVINAAM UPAMAMASRAVASTHAMAM! JYESHTARAJAM BRAHMANAM BRAHMNASPATHA ANASRUNVAN OOTHIBIHI SEETHA SADHANAM."

He went to forest called PUSHPAKA with single minded meditation. He performed penance for six-thousand years eating just leaves. Shree Gajanan appeared before him. Gritsamada prostrated before him and asked for following boons "Let this forest become holy. Let devotees get attainment (siddhi) of their aims here. You must stay here permanently to fulfil the desires of devotees coming here. Give me brahmagnana." Lord Ganapati said "O Gritsamada, you will be counted as one of the best Vedic Brahmins. You will be drastha rishi of the mantra sukta "Gananamthva" you will be founder of the Ganapatya Sampradaya. You will get a brave son who cannot be defeated by anybody other than Sankara. This forest will be called as Bhadrak in Kaliyuga. People giving alms and bathing here will get their desires fulfilled." Giving these boons Ganapati disappeared. There Gritsamada built a temple and the idol installed there was called "Varada Vinayaka". The idol is facing east and its trunk is left-turned. If the coconut received as prasad during Maghi Chaturthi is consued, (there is putraprapthi) he will be blessed with a son. Moreover if Vinayaka is served, devotees definitely get his darshan. Hence there is heavy rush during Magha Utsav.

(Ganesa Purana Chapters 38 to 47)

Once Rishi Gritsamada had a very big cough. From that came alive a reddish child. He told Gritsamada "I am your child. When I become big, I shall conquer the three worlds and also defeat Indra." Rishi Gritsamada remembered his mother's curse. In order to turn the demon's mind towards devotion, he taught him Ganesa mantra and advised him to worship Gajanana.

The child chanted the mantra for 5000 years and pleased Ganapati. He asked for lordship over the entire universe, fulfilment of all his desires and control over men, yaksha, Gandharva etc. Ganapati said: "Only Shankara will be able to defeat you. I give you three cities made of iron, gold and Sivler. As long as they are there, you cannot be defeated by Devas etc. you will be called Tripura. All your desires will be fulfilled. Through one arrow from Shankar all your three cities will be destroyed."

Tripurasura came back and defeated all kings, gods like Indra and serpents like Vasuki and gained control over the three worlds. Vishnu, Brahma and other Gods were hiding in Himalayas. Shankar and Parvati started living in Mandar Mountain.

Narada came to the help of the Devas. He told them the history of Tripurasura and told them that only Shankara can kill him. He asked them to please Gajanana and taught them the mantra "OM". The gods worshipped Ganapati and he appeared before them. Devas praised him through eight slokas called " Sankatnashan."

Ganapati said: - "Whoever utters this stotra when in danger will be protected by me. I shall bring about Tripura's defeat through Shankara's hands."

Then Ganapati went in the form of a Brahmin to Tripura's abode and incited him to acquire the idol of Chintamani which is in possession of Shankara. When Shankara refused to part with the same, a war ensued between Tripuarasura and Shankara. All Devas, Sivaganas and Shiva himself started off for the war in a hurry forgetting to worship Ganesh before leaving.

The axle of the chariot in which Shankara started was smashed into powder by Ganapati. In Triruppukazh, Arunagirinathar says "MUPPURAM ERISEITHA ACHIVANURAI RATHAM ACCHATHU PODI SEITHA ADHI DHEERA."

There were other obstacles too. The gods had retreated unable to cope up with the great onslaught of the demons.

Narada told Shankara that they got defeated because he forgot to worship Ganesha before begining the war. Tripura has pleased Ganesa through his long penance. You have to please him better. Then alone you can get victory. Shankara was convinced. He went to Dandakarnya. In a solitary place he sat in the Padmasana posture, performed Pranayam and concentrated on Ganapati. At that time Gajanana emerged from his face with a peculiar form. He had five faces, ten hands, moon on the crest, garland of heads on the neck and also the ornament of serpents. He was looking both like Shankara and Gajanana. He told Shankara "In further whenever you remember me I will appear before you and remove your obstacles. After chanting my Beejamantra, you sent an arrow on the Vimana of Tripura. By that all his three cities will be my Sahasranama Stotra. By chanting the same one gets victory everywhere, enemies are destroyed and desired fruits are obtained."

Shankar learnt that Ganesa Sahasranama and then Ganapati appeared before all Gods. At that place Shiva established a Ganesha Temple and around it a city called MANIPUR. The deity here is hence rightly called MAHAGANAPATI.

Both the temple and the idol are facing east. The trunk is turning left. The idol is very attractive with Riddhi and Siddhi on both sides.

Below this idol, inside a closed room, there is another idol. It is said that it has 10 trunks and 20 hands. Meditating on that idol is called as MAHAGANAPATI DHYAN. That idol is not taken out usually. Due to fear of Muslim invasion in good old days that idol was hidden. That Ganesha is called as Mahotkata.

It is the belief among ardent devotees and the experience of many, that this deity gives the boon asked by his devotees instantly.

Coming back to the story of Tripurasura, Shankara came back to fight with the Asura. This time he made a chariot of special nature. Prithvi (earth) became the chariot. Sun and Moon became the wheels. Brahma Deva was the charioteer. Meru became the bow. Vishnu was the arrow. Ashivinikumar became the horses. Shankara chanted the Ganesa Sahasranama after chanting the six-lettered Mantra, he fixed the arrow and with the sankalpa (determination) of destroying Tripurasura, released the arrow. At that time there was light everywhere like that of lightning. Thripuasura fainted and fell down dead. His three cities were burnt, The asura's prana (life) came out of his body in the form of jyoti (flame) and entered Shankara's body. The Asura attained Moksha.

This incident happened on Kartiki Purnima. Hence it is called Tripuri Purnima. Devas got their respective posts. Sages started studying vedas. All the three worlds were happy. Shankara was called "Tripurari" destroyer of Tripura. The tradition of illumination (deepotsava) was also started in the night of this purnima. Along with Magha and Bhadrapada Chaturthi, this Tripuri Purnima is also celebrated in some of the Ganapati Temples virtuous deeds like Shan (bath) and Dhan (charity) on this day leads to abundance. Hence this day is also called Bahuli Purnima. Those who do not celebrate DEEPOTSAVA on this day face failure in their profession. Those who do not celebrate DEEPOTSAVA on this day face failure in their profession. Those who perform Shiva pooja on the morning of Kartiki Purnima have the sins of night washed away. If pooja is done at noon, the sins from birth are destroyed and if Shiva is worshipped at Pradosha time the sins of seven births are destroyed.

Such is the greatness of Tripuri Purnima, if Shankara is worshipped on that day and of Lord Mahagnpati of Ranjangaon who was worshipped by Shankara.

1. 12 names of GANESA: SUMUKHA, EKADANTHA, KAPILA, GAJAKARNAKA, LAMBODHARA, VIKATA, VIGNARAJA, (VIGNA NASHO) GANADHIPA, DHUMRAKETHU, GANADHYAKSHA, BALACHANDRA, GAJANANA.

   ( Ganesa Purana Upasana Khand Prakarana 24 )

2. THE MOST FAVOURITE WORSHIP MATERIAL FOR GANESA IS DHURVA.

   After killing ANALASUR (FIRE RAKSHASA) GANESA suffered from excess of heat in his head, and stomach, Moon-rays, lotuses, serpents, etc could not cool him. Then 80,000 sages worshipped Ganesa with 21 durvas each covering his entire body. Ganesa was cooled.

3. Next to Dhurva, leaves of samy and flowers of Mandara are his favourites.

4. The vrathas for Ganesa (1) BHADRAPADA SHUDDHA CHATURTHI VRATHA (2) SANKASHTA CHATURTHI and ANGARKI. At OJHAR, even KARTHIKI POORNIMA is celebrated.

5. THULSI PATHRA is forbidden for the worship of Ganapathi on any day except BHADRAPADA SHUKLA CHATHURTHI, on which day it can be included among the 21 pathras used for worship.

6. According to MUDGALA PURANA the following demons found in our minds are also destroyed by Ganesa. MATSARASURA (RIVALRY ), DHAMRASURA (PRIDE), MADHASUR (INTOXICATION), MOHASUR ( INFATUATION ), LOBASUR (GREED), KRODHASUR (ANGER), KAMASUR (LUST), MAMASUR (SELFISHNESS).

   The favourite colour for Ganapathi is red.

7. Position of Ganesa in Yoga sastra: - Among the six chakras, the place for Ganapati is in MOOLADHARA, i.e. at the beginning without his grace the KUNDALINI SHAKTI cannot be awakened.

8. RELATION BETWEEN PRANAVA (OM) AND GANPATHI :-

   Both are without beginning and end. In Mount Kailas there was a Mandap where 7 crores of Mantras were situated. Occupying the prime position among them were SAMASHTI PRANAVA and VYASHTI PRANAVA. The drushti of Siva and Parvati fell upon the combination of these two pranavas and out came Shri MahaGanapati. This story is related in Skanda Purana. Hence Ganesa is called PRANAVASWARUPA. His elephant face is also a form of Pranava only. Thus Pranava has 3 manthras 'A' kara, 'U' kara and 'MA' kara. They respectively stand for BRHAMA, VISHNU, MAHESHWAR or SHRUSHTI, STHITHI and SAMHAR OR SATHVA, RAJAS AND THAMAS. MahaGanapati is the combination of these three and also beyond them. All these aspects are represented by 'OM'. Any mantra, whether it is SHAIVA, VAISHNAVA or SHAKTA is never uttered without the prefix of OM. For e.g. OM NAMA SHIVAYA, OM NAMO NARAYANA. Worshipping of any God without first worshipping Ganesa is like chanting any mantra without uttering 'OM' kara at the beginning. In KATAPAYATHI SAIKYA, the letter GA stands for the numeral three. As Ganesa's ANANA (face) was formed (JA) from the three (GA) mantras 'OM' he is called as GAJANAN, according to mantra shastra. Such is the greatness of Ganesa's EKAKSHARA MANTRA. 'OM' kara and Ganapati are one and the same inseparable from each other. In this connection it is also to be stated that one of the names of DEVI, i.e. UMA is also formed of the same three mantras but in a different manner. This word UMA also finds mention in KENOPANISHAD as the light which divulges PARABRAHMA to Indra.

9. KALOW CHANDI VINAYAKOW: Though the worship of any God in any form reaches the same single source still for practical purposes, it is said that in Kali Yuga where devotees want instant results, the worship of CHANDI and VINAYAKA are highly recommended. Worship of Ganapati on Tuesdays and Fridays nullifies the bad effects of Mars and Ketu respectively.

10. Though the Ashta Vinayaka temples are all very ancient and find mention in the Ganesa and Mudgala Puranas, still devotees will be surprised to see the most of these kshetras were re-built and renovated during the period of Peshwas, who were his ardent devotees.

It is hoped that readers are convinced of the importance of the worship of Ganesha in the six-fold sampradaya, the necessity of his worship before any work, his identity with Pranava and the importance of each of these eight vinayakas. Any lacuna or deficiency in the narration belongs to the writer while the credit for the matters told goes to the following sources:-

1. Ganesa Purana 2.Mudgala Purana 3.Narada Purana 4.Skanda Purana 5.Ashta Vinayaka Yathra by Shrikant Gavande 6.Pillayar Perumai in Tamil by Tirumarruga Kripananda Variyar 7.Tiruppukazh by Arunagirimathar 8. The musical composition on Ganesa by Muthuswamy Dikshitar 9. Shri Morya Gosavi an ardent devotee of Ganesa was also instrumental in this work 10. Other miscellaneous sources like lectures by Pandits attached to the respective shrines.

(Concluded.)