18 - Kashyapa’s curse on Shiva 

Narada said - О Narayana, О virtuous one, О best of those well-versed in the Vedas and post Vedic literature, I want to ask you a question because my mind is filled with doubt. 

О lord, how could Ganesa who happens to be the destroyer of all the obstructions himself to face the obstruction when he himself happens to be the son of Shiva. He is lord on to himself and is like the all powerful lord Krishna the great soul, eternal and lord of the Goloka and he himself became the son of Parvati from his own rays. 

О virtuous one, this is surprising that due to the movement of planet, even the head of the lord of the universe was severed. How could it happen you please tell me? 

Narayana said - О Brahmana, О Narada, I am going to tell you an ancient story as to how Ganesha the lord of obstruction could meet with an obstruction himself. You please listen to me. 

Once Shiva in great anger killed Surya with the trident who had killed the demons named Mali and Sumali. 

The trident was foil of lustre like vajra and infallible. With the striking of the trident, the sun fell down from chariot and fainted. 

Kashyapa then looked at his son (Surya) who fell like dead. He picked him up in his lap and started lamenting again and again. 

The gods also felt terrified and contributed to the grief of Kashyapa. At that point of time the entire universe was plunged in darkness. Kashyapa who happens to be the grandson of great tapas Brahma and was illumining with divine lustre. Finding his son falling pronounced a curse on Shiva that the way in which you have killed my son similarly, the head of your son will also be shattered. There is no doubt about it. 

In a moment after being peaceful, Shiva got pleased and revived Surya back to life with his divine knowledge. Surya is said to have emerged from the rays of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and is thus the form of the Trigunas. On getting back his senses he sat down before his father. 

Surya then offered his devoted salutation to Shiva and was annoyed on coming to know of the curse pronounced by his father on Shiva.

He then spoke to him in anger like this, "Discarding all this worldly pleasure I shall adore lord Krishna because without the lord, everything else is of no consequence, which is perishable and short lived. The people with wisdom do not accept miseries discarding the welfare." 

At that very moment inspired by the gods, Brahma reached there and enlightening Surya variously attracted him again to the worldly affairs. 

Thereafter Brahma and Shiva blessed Surya variously and retired to their respective abodes. Surya also retired to his proper place. 

Thereafter Mali and Sumali both suffered from ailment. They attracted the white leprosy and all their limbs developed septic tendency. Thereafter they became lustreless and lost strength. Brahma himself told them that they should better meditate upon Surya, because they have attracted leprosy because of the curse of Surya. 

Thereafter the eternal Brahma gave them the kavacha of Surya, his stotra and enlighted them on the method of his adoration. Thereafter he went back to his abode. Both the demons then went to the Pushkara-kshetra and started adoring Surya with great devotion taking bath thrice a day. Thereafter getting a boon from Surya they were relieved of the ailment and the original glory. Thus I have narrated to you whatever was heard by me. What else do you want to listen to from me? 

О virtuous one, what is the method of his adoration and the mantra for the removal of ailment? You kindly tell me all this. 

Stita said - Listening to the words of the merciful Narada, Narayana started narrating to him the stotra, kavacha and mantra of Surya and the method of his adoration.