42 - The Story of Bhargava (continued) 

Vasistha said: 

1. On being whirled thus, o lord of the Earth, by the Chief of Gaņas, Rama became overwhelmed with joy (at his final return to Kailāsa?) and grief, considering his own defeat and discomfiture. 

2. On seeing Gaņeśha stationed there unaffected and unconcerned in front of him, Råma became much infuriated. He hurled his axe at him. 

3. Perceiving that the axe had been given to him by his father, Gaņeśha became desirous of maning it not to go in vain. Hence, he received it with his left tooth (tusk). 

4. Chopped off by the axe, the tusk fell on the ground, covered with blood like a mountain that fell on the ground when struck by Indra's thunderbolt. 

5. The Earth consisting of oceans, continents and mountains was tossed up due to the fall of the tooth, O protector of the Earth. It shook and trembled. All people became frightened. 

6. There was a great hue and cry among the Devas who were watching it from the firmament. Kärttikeya and others became afflicted very much and cried aloud. 

7. On hearing the crashing sound of the fall of the tooth as well as the chaotic uproar of the people raising a hue and cry, the sovereigns (of the world) Parvati and Shankara came there. 

8. In front of her, Parvati saw Heramba (i.e. Ganesha) with bent snout and single tusk. She asked Skanda the reason thereof, saying—“What is this?” 

9. On being asked by his mother, the Commander-in chief of the Devas Skanda mentioned details from the beginning to his mother, even as Rāma was listening to it. 

10. On hearing the detailed report of the incident wholly, o king, Parvati, the mother of all the worlds, became angry. She spoke to Sharkara, her dear husband-

 Parvati complained: 

11-13. “O Sambhu, this is your disciple Bhargava who was treated on a par with your sons. O lord, it was from you that he acquired Varman (i.e. Kavacha-coat of Mail or esoteric Protective Mantra) of great splendour and capable of conquering the three worlds. He defeated Kärttaviryärjuna, the powerful king, in battle. After achieving his own object, he has now given you the requisite fees viz, he has chopped off your own son's tusk with his axe and let it fall. Undoubtedly you will be satisfied with this state of affairs. 

14. Protect this Bhargava, your excellent disciple, O Sambhu. He will execute all the tasks of yours, his excellent preceptor. 

15. I shall not stay here, O lord, since I have been slighted and dishonoured by you. I shall go to the abode of my own father accompanied by both of my sons. 

16-17a. Good men treat even the son of an enslaved maid servant on a par with their own son. But even your own son has not even orally been consoled by you. Hence, I am distressed. I shall go away”.

Vasishtha said: 

176-18. On hearing these words of Parvati, lord Bhava did not utter any word good or bad, O lord of the Earth. He mentally remembered lord Krişhņa, the destroyer of the distress of those who bow down to him, the lord of Goloka, the lord of the cowherdesses, an expert in different kinds of appeasing tactics. 

19. Even as he was remeinbered, lord Keśhava, the destroyer of the distress of those who bow down to him, the lord of all who submits Himself to the control of his devotees, the ocean of kindness, came there. 

20. He was as dark as the cloud. His face was splendid and bright. He had armlets and necklace studded with precious gems. His garments sparkled like the lightning. He wore earrings resembling sharks and crest-jewel embellished with peacock feathers and studded with jewels. A gentle smile played over his face. The lord of the cowherdesses had Kaustubha sparkling on his chest. His good renown. was loudly pro claimed by everyone. 

21-23. The glorious unvanquished lord was accompanied by Rådhå and Sridāman. The ocean of knowledge, he surpassed the splendour of everyone by means of his own splendour. 

On seeing him come Shiva became delighted in his mind. After duly bowing down to him, he worshipped the visitor. 

Ushering the lord accompanied by Rådhå into the inner apartment, he made him seated on a beautiful throne studded with gems and jewels along with his wife. 

24-27. Then goddess Pärvati went there accompanied by her sons. Along with her sons she bowed down to the feet of the god and goddess with great joy. 

Rama too went there. With his neck bent down, he fell down near the sect of Parvati, his mind utterly agitated. 

When Parvati did not welcome Bhargava who had bowed down in front of her, thc lord of the Universe said thus delighting her with his words.

Sri Krişhņa said: 

28. O daughter of the mountain, O goddess of infinite good qualities, O lady of beautiful face that surpasses in beauty the moon, keep this son of Jamadagni on your lap. Let your lotus-like hands be placed on his head. 

29. O goddess who removes the fear from worldly existence', O gentle ladly with whom Sambhu sports about, O destroyer of sins, O beautiful lady with the gait of an elephant, protect (Rama) who has ever fallen at your feet. Grant him boons even if he has committed sins. 

30-32. O gentle lady of great fortune, listen to my words as the words of the Vedas. On hearing them you will undoubt edly become delighted. Vināyaka your son, is a noble soul. He is greater than the greatest. 

Neither lust nor anger, neither agony due to frustration nor fear enters his mind at any time. O beautiful lady, his meritorious names have been recounted by noble souls in the Vedas, Smrutis, Puråņas and the Samhita texts. I shall mention them all as they dispel all sins. 

33. There are groups of Pramathas who are very strong and who have various forms and sizes. Since your son is the lord of those groups, he is glorified as Ganesha. 

34. All the cosmic eggs (Brahmandas) of the past, present and future are in him. Hence, he is called Lambodara. 

35. Since his head, O gentle lady, had been cut off accidentally and the head of an elephant had been fitted therein, he is declared as Gajanana. 

36. The moon that rose up on the fourth day (of the lunar fortnight) was cursed by Darbhin.¹ Hence he became sick. But he was held up by this son of yours on his forehead. Therefore, he is remembered as Bhālachandra. 

37. Jätavedas (the fire-god) was formerly cursed by the seven sages and he was completely cxtinct. He was then kindled by your son by slapping his ears? Hence he is Śhūrpakarņaka. 

38. Formerly, on the eve of the battle between the Devas and the Asuras, he was worshipped by the groups of heaven-dwellers. He dispelled the obstacles of his worshippers. Therefore, he is remembered as Vighnanāshaka. 

39. Today, O gentle lady, he has been made Ekadanta (Having a single tusk) by this Rāma after making the tusk fall off accidentally. 

40. O beloved one of Hara, in a future creation of Brahma, his snout shall become bent. Hence, he is remembered by scholars as Vakratunda. 

41. Thus there are many names of your son, O Pārvati. On being remembered, they dispel sins of the three units of time (past, present, future). 

12-14. Prior to this thirteenth Kalpa, in the tenth creation (Kalpa), a boon had been granted to him by me--that of being worshipped before all other Devas. 

There is no doubt in this that all tasks can be accoinplished by one who worships Gajanana in all these rites viz. Jätakarman (the consecratory rite at the time of birth) and other holy rites, Garbhādhāna etc. (holy rites in connection with conception), Yatrā (journey), Vaņijya (Business trade), Yuddha (battle), the auspicious rites of worshipping the Devas and in adversities. One shall then worship Gaņeśha for 

1. He was an ancient sage who created a sacred spot called Ardhakita in Kurukshetra. A person performing a thread ceremony or fast at it, became the master of Mantras. Once Darbhin brought four oceans to this holy spot (Mbh. Vana 83-154-57) But his cursing the moon is recorded only in this text. 

The achievement of the cherished desire. There is no doubt that all his undertakings become successful." 

Vasishtha said: 

45. On hearing these words uttered by the very noble souled Krişhņa, Parvati, the goddess of all the worlds, the lady of splendid face, became surprised. 

46. When Pärvati did not offer any reply in the pre sence of Shiva, goddess Rådha, identical with the eternal form of Śhhiva spoke thus.

Sri Rādha said: 

47-48. “The Prakruti and the Puruşha—these two are inter dependent. In this world they appear as though they are split into two. 

You and I are one. There is no difference between us. You are Vişhņu and I am Shiva who has duplicated in form. 

49. In the heart of Shiva, Vişhnu has assumed your form and in the heart of Vişhņu, Śhiva has assumed my form.? 

50. This Rama, I highly fortunate lady, is a Vaişhņava (form of Vişhņu) transformed into a Shaiva (form of Shiva). This Gaņeśha is Shiva himself transformed into Vişhnu. 

51-52. No difference is really seen between us both and between the two lords”. 

After saying this, Rådhå placed Gajānana on her lap, sniffed at his head and touched his cheeks with her hand. Immediately after being touched, the wound in the cheek healed completely. 

53-55a. On being appeased by Rådhå, Pärvati became delighted. With her hand, shc lifted up Råma who had fallen at her feet. Pärvati placed him on her lap and became extremely pleased after sniffing at his head. 

1. It shows that the custom of Ganesha-worship before the beginning of an auspicious act, was prevalent at the time of Bd. P. 

2. Like other Puräņas, Bd. P. advocates the identity of Shiva and Vişhnu-a sort of a rapproachement between Vaishnavism and Saivism.' 

On seeing the honour accorded to Rāma and Ganesha, Krişhņa pulled Skanda towards him and lovingly placed him on his own lap. 

55b-56. Sambhu too who was delighted and who was the bestower of honour, greeted lovingly Śhudāman who was standing nearby and placed himn on his lap.