Devas’ Stotra to Gaṇeśa at Avighna Tīrtha
This stotra was sung by the assembled Devas to Vighnarāja Gaṇeśa at Avighna Tīrtha, on the northern bank of the Gautamī. It is found in the Brahma Mahā Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 44.
The Devas were holding a great yajña (fire ritual) on the northern bank of the Gautamī, but obstacles stopped it. Brahmā told them to praise the first Vighnarāja. After they bathed in the Gautamī and sang this stotra, Gaṇeśa was pleased. He freed all their future yajñas from obstacles, and the place became Avighna Tīrtha.
The setting
On the northern bank of the Gautamī the Devas held a great divine yajña. Obstacles arose, and the yajña could not be finished. The Devas went to Bhagavān Vishṇu and to Brahmā.
Brahmā entered meditation and saw the cause. He said, “This yajña is not finished because of the obstacles made by Vināyaka. Let the Devas praise the first Vināyaka, the ancient master.”
The Devas said, “So be it.” They bathed in the Gautamī, and on its bank they praised Gaṇeśvara, the first of all.
The stotra
The Devas sang:
Vighnarāja is bowed to in all undertakings
“We take refuge in that Vighnarāja, who is worthy of worship. Devas bow to him, and so do Śiva, Vishṇu and Brahmā, in all undertakings. He is worthy of being meditated upon.”
“There is no other deva equal to Vighnarāja in fulfilling the wishes held in the heart. Coming to this conclusion, even Śiva, the destroyer of the Tripuras, worshipped him when he was about to destroy the Tripuras.”
Freedom from obstacles
“May that Vighneśvara, the son of Ambikā, give us freedom from obstacles at once in this great yajña. When he is meditated upon, the heart’s wishes of all who have a body are fulfilled.”
The name Sadyojāta
“It was a moment of joy for the Devī, his mother, when a son was born the very moment he was conceived. So, bowing to Vighnarāja, the happy Devas called him Sadyojāta (born in a moment).”
His childhood play
“Gaṇādhinātha (master of the gaṇas) loved to play. Once he lay on his mother’s lap. She tried to stop him, but he took the moon by force and hid it in the matted locks of his father.”
The name Lambodara
“He drank milk from his mother’s breasts, but he was still not satisfied. His heart turned sour because of his brother’s jealousy. ‘Be Lambodara (pot-bellied).’ In this way Śambhu named Vighnarāja Lambodara.”
Crowned chief of the Gaṇas
“Surrounded by the Devas, Maheśa said, ‘Begin your dance.’ He was delighted by the sound of Gaṇeśa’s anklets. He crowned his son as chief of the Gaṇas.”
The noose and the axe
“This deva holds the noose of obstacles in one hand. In the other hand he holds an axe, resting on his shoulder. If he is not worshipped, he makes obstacles, even for his mother. Who else is equal to Vighnapati?”
First worship in all rites
“In all undertakings for gaining virtue, wealth, love and the rest, he is to be worshipped first. Devas and Asuras worship him every day. I bow first to that master, who is worshipped at the start of every rite and whose worship keeps destruction away.”
The one with the mouse as his vehicle
“The gain of results is rightly brought about by offering him worship and prayers. Because of this, the one whose vehicle is the mouse is very proud of his independent power. He is fond of his brother. I worship that deva.”
Śrīgaṇeśa’s delight
“I take refuge in Śrīgaṇeśa, who is very delightful, and who delighted his mother with fine dances, songs and all kinds of playful games.”
His power from his father’s grace
“I take refuge in Śrīgaṇeśa, who grows ever more powerful. His father’s grace was given to help the Devas in their fight against the Asuras, and the praises, mantras and bows of his devotees add to his power.”
Śiva worships his son at Tripura
“In the victorious campaign against the Tripuras, his father did something unusual. Instead of being worshipped by his son, he had to worship his son. I bow to Gaṇeśa, who was worshipped by his father with joy and who brought freedom to his father.”
Gaṇeśa’s vara and the tīrtha
The Devas had praised him in this way. Vighneśa then said, “From now on, all yajñas performed by the Devas will be free from obstacles by my favour.”
When the divine yajña was finished, Gaṇeśa spoke again. “Those who keep holy rites and praise me with devotion through this stotra will never know the misery that poverty brings. All the undertakings of those who bathe here and give gifts of money with devotion will succeed.”
The Devas said, “So be it.” When the yajña was finished, the Devas went back to their abode. From then on that holy place was known as Avighna Tīrtha, the giver of cherished wishes and the destroyer of obstacles.
Sources
- Brahma Mahā Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 44