105 - The origin of Vinayaka

Suta said:

1.2. After bowing to Ishvara thus, when the leading Devas stood aside, the Pinaka-bearing great Ishvara, Bhava, the lord of Ambika, granted a vision of his to those excellent Devas. With their eyes moistened due to their joy, Devas bowed to the lord with respect.

3. The lord glanced at them with visions sweet as nectar. The lord said to the leading Devas — “Welfare be to you.”

4-6. The lord of speech Bruhaspati glanced at the lord fearlessly, bowed to him and said — O Isha, it is with the desire for a boon that Devas have come here. You have always been unobstructedly requested by Asuras and others. You are prayed to by those who are harmful and injurious to Devas, for the achievement of their desire. Hence, bless us with a good cause of impediment to those who bring about injury to Devas. This alone is our request.

7. On hearing that, the Pinaka- bearing lord of Devas, Shiva created the body of the leading Deva Ganeshvara.⁹⁶⁵

965. Lord Shiva entered the womb of Uma to be born as Ganeshvara; vide, the Vedic concept that the wife becomes the mother unto her husband when the latter is born of her in the form of a son:

8-10. The leading Ganas and the lords of Devas eulogised Maheshvara, the origin of the world and the splendid dispeller of the distress of worldly existence. Then Ambika welcomed the elephant- faced lord Gajanana the cause of the origin of the world, the wielder of the trident and noose. Siddhas and sages showered flowers. The heaven-walkers, the groups of Devas eulogised lord Mahesha the bestower of the cherished desires. The lords of Devas bowed to Ganesha and Mahesha alertfully.

11. That boy emanating from both of them, the embodied form of gentleness and terrific appearance, the abode of all auspiciousness stood there and danced.

12-13. Gajanana was bedecked in wonderful garments and ornaments of various kinds. The gentle son of Maheshvara saluted his father and mother. Lord Bhava, the lord of all, himself performed the post-natal rites of his recently born son Gajanana.

14. He held him in his arms that offered gentle pleasure and happiness. Mahadeva, the preceptor of the universe, embraced him and kissed him on his head and said.

15. O my son, you are born for the destruction of Daityas and for rendering help unto Devas and brahmins the expounders of Vedas.

16. Be stationed in the heavenly path. Create impediment in the rituals of that person by whom the sacrifice had been performed without the monetary gifts on the surface of the earth.

17. Remove the vital breaths of the person who improperly performs the rites of teaching and study of the Vedas, the commentaries thereon and the rites mentioned in them.

18. O lord, remove the vital breaths of men and women fallen off from their castes. O leading man, similarly, do unto those who are devoid of their duties.

19. O Vinayaka, it behoves you to bestow equality with you, on those men and women who worship you on all occasions.

20. O boy Ganeshvara, protect your devotees with all efforts. On being worshipped here and hereafter protect old people and those who are in the prime of their youth.

21. O Vighneshvara, O Ganeshvara, everywhere in the three worlds, you alone will undoubtedly become worthy of being worshipped and honoured.

22. O son, even when the brahmins worship me, as Narayana or Brahma or when they perform sacrificial rites you will be worshipped at the outset.

23. If anyone performs auspicious rite laid down in the Shrutis or Smrutis or any worldly ceremony without worshipping you at the outset, it will be turned inauspicious.

24. O Gajanana, you are worthy of being worshipped by brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras by the offerings of splendid edibles and food-stuffs for the achievement of all Siddhis.

25. There is nothing to be achieved by Devas and others anywhere in the three worlds without first worshipping you with scents, fragrant flowers and incense.

26. Those people, those human beings, who worship you are undoubtedly to be worshipped by even Indra and others.

27. If those who seek benefits do not worship you, you will harass them through impediments, even if it be Brahma, Vishnu, Indra and Devas or even I myself.

28. Then lord Ganapati created Vighnaganas (attendants of impediment). Along with his Ganas he bowed to the lord and stood in front of him.

29-30. Ever since then, people worship Ganeshvara in this world. This Ganeshvara created obstacles in the ritual of Daityas.

Thus, every detail connected with the nativity of Ganesha, Skanda's elder brother, has been recounted to you.

He who reads this, listens to this or narrates this shall be happy.