Once, a demon named Tarak was tormenting all the gods. Tarakasur had pleased Brahma with his severe penance and won a boon of becoming unconquerable. Brahma informed the gods that only a son of Shiva could kill Tarakasur. So, Shiva married Parvati and a son was born to them. But one day, the child was […]
Parvati was very happy when Shiva fulfilled her demands to bless Ganesha to be worshipped first in any rituals among the gods. Now, little Ganesha became Lord Ganesha and he was blessed to be worshipped first in any rituals by all human beings. To celebrate the happiness, Parvati gave him a plate of sweetened cereal-balls
The Puranas narrate yet another story regarding Ganesha’s birth. Once, Parvati bathed on the banks of River Ganga. The used bath-water was then poured back into the river. It is believed that this water was gulped down by goddess Malini, who had an elephant’s head. Malini later on gave birth to a boy, who had
Gajmukhasur grew agitated when the flautist told him that he couldn’t fulfil his wish. He insisted that the flautist should ask for anything in the world, and he would be given the same. Vishnu was waiting for this moment. He asked Gajmukhasur to release Shiva who was residing in his belly. Gajmukhasur was shocked with
Gajmukhasur became invincible by making Shiva reside in his stomach! As a result, he inflicted terror upon the inhabitants of both heaven and earth! When Shiva did not return, Parvati was so worried. She thought for a while and went to Vishnu for help. Vishnu is the preserver of the world, and has divine powers.
There is yet another tale about Ganesha and his elephant’s head. According to a legend, there once lived a demon who had the head of an elephant and the body of a demon since birth. His name was Gajmukhasur who lived like a monk and ardently worshipped Shiva. He prayed devotedly for years. Finally, Shiva
Shani avoided looking at the newborn child of Shiva and Parvati, saying his gaze would harm the child. Parvati did not take Shani’s words seriously. She insisted that Shani should look at the face of his ‘nephew’ and bless him. Finally, Shani gave into Parvati’s insistence. The moment Shani looked at young Ganesha, his head
Once, Parvati kept a year-long fast to please Lord Vishnu, as she desired to have a son. After one year, Vishnu was appeased and fulfilled her desire. This son was one of Lord Krishna’s many incarnations. Shiva and Parvati celebrated the birth of their son by inviting all the gods to their home in Mount
According to one legend, it was a curse on Shiva that had made Ganesha lose his head. Once Surya, the Sun-god, was about to hit two devotees of Shiva, named Mali and Sumali. But Shiva had hit out at Surya with his three-pronged spear, the trishul, to protect Mali and Sumali. Surya had fallen unconscious
There are many stories that tell how Ganesha came to have the head of an elephant. According to a legend, there was a demon named Sindur. He had entered into Parvati’s body when she was carrying Ganesha. Because of his mischief, baby Ganesha was born headless. Sindur had cut off Ganesha’s head even before he
Parvati was not pleased with the elephant’s head of her son. She thought Ganesha would be the butt of jokes everywhere. But Shiva tried to reason with Parvati. “Tell me; I will do whatever that will make you happy,” he said. Parvati asked him to pass an order that all gods and humans should show
Finally, Shiva found a head to join onto the body of Ganesha. Meanwhile, Parvati was grieving over her son who was killed guarding the entrance to her cave. The gods and the sages did not know how to console her. Shiva soon reached Mount Kailash with the elephant’s head and fixed it on Ganesha’s lifeless
Shiva set on a southward journey, in the quest of a head. He wandered here and there, but could not find any human head that would fit Ganesha’s body. Suddenly, he found a recently severed head of an elephant’s calf. Thinking that it would be just what he needed, Shiva picked the severed head up
The sight of the lifeless body of her son agonised Parvati and she vehemently rebuked Shiva. Shiva was feeling so helpless. But he promised Parvati that he would bring Ganesha back to life. He tried to convince Parvati and said, “I will give him a new lease of life.” No sooner had he said this
On being stopped from entering his own home, Shiva had, in a great fit of fury, cut off his own son’s head. When Parvati saw her son’s lifeless body, she became furious, “How could you do this?” she screamed at Shiva, “You have killed our son!” Parvati was miserable, but soon she took the form