The Significance of Lord Ganapati: The Remover of Obstacles devotales.in/birth-story-of-lord-ganesha/ November 12, 2024
Birth Story of Lord Ganesha
In the ocean of our ancient Indian mythology, there may be many gods and goddesses and their divine stories revolving around us. Do you want to know about the Significance of Lord Ganesha? His story catches the essence of creation, devotion, and the triumph of wisdom over woe. Many gods may get worshipped in our culture, but the first worship has to start with him. This story is about our beloved elephant god Ganesha, also known as the remover of obstacles from his devotees’ lives, and how he blesses them with knowledge and prosperity. He is the patron of art and the new beginnings. But how does this spiritual being come into existence, and what’s the mystery behind the birth of Ganesha? This story is one in a million in this whole universe and showcases transformation, devotion, and a test of faith, and it unfolds in a mesmerizing story that blends devotion with the human, teaching us the lessons of patience, love, and the greatness of the sacred.
The Divine Family: Shiva and Parvati Before the birth of Lord Ganesha, let us understand the divine parents who played a significant role in creating the child. Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and creation, is known for his non-indulgent nature. He sometimes described meditating on Mount Kailash, far away from the physical world, as wholly entangled with heavenly forces. However, Maa Parvathi is the daughter of Himavan, the king of mountains. She represents motherhood, fertility, and love. She symbolizes the eternal feminine power within the 1/10
universe. Even though they have differences in nature, Shiva and Parvathi represent the union of male and female energies. Their union also describes the balance and harmony of the universe. They lived in the secluded places of Kailash, where they enjoyed the calm and peace of the mountains. Despite this, Maa Parvathi strongly desires to have a child to show her love and carry over both her nature and Lord Shiva’s spiritual energy.
Gajasura: The Elephant Demon Gajasura’s Penitence and Shiva’s Blessing
2/10
Once, there existed a demon (Asura) with all the characteristics of an elephant called Gajasura who was undergoing penitence (or tapas). Shiva, pleased by him, decided to grant him, as a reward, whatever gift he desired. The demon responded, “I desire that You inhabit my stomach.” Shiva granted this request, and he took up residence in the demon’s stomach. Vishnu’s Intervention and the Play to Free Shiva
Due to the absence of Lord Shiva in the Kailash, Maa Parvati, his wife, worried and sought him everywhere without results. As a last source of assistance, she went to her brother Vishnu, asking him to find her husband. He, who knows everything, reassured her: “Don’t
3/10
worry, your husband is Bhola Shankara and promptly grants to his devotees whatever they ask of him, without regard for the consequences; for this reason, I think he has gotten into trouble. I will find out what has happened.” Gajasura’s Last Request and Shiva’s Return
Then Lord Vishnu, the pansophical director of the cosmic game, staged a small play. He transformed Nandi (Vaahan of Shiva) into a dancing bull (Gangiredhu). He conducted the play in front of Gajasura, assuming, at the same time, the appearance of a shehnai (a musical instrument) player. The enchanting performance of the bull delighted the demon, and he asked the shehnai player to tell him what he desired. Then the Shehnai player responded, “Can you give me whichever I ask for?” Gajasura replied, “Who do you take me for? I can immediately give you whatever you ask.” The Shehnai player said, “If that’s so, liberate Shiva from your stomach.” Gajasura understood that this must have been none other than Lord Vishnu himself, the only one who could have known that secret, and he threw himself at his feet. Having liberated Shiva, he asked him for one last gift: “You have blessed me with many gifts; my last request is that everyone remembers me adoring my head with devotion and you wear my skin when I am dead.” Lord Shiva, upon granting the last wish of Gajasura, left for Kailash.
The Birth of Ganesha: The Story Begins
4/10
Birth Story of Lord Ganesha
Upon knowing the arrival of her husband, Lord Shiva, in Kailash. To welcome him, Maa Parvati prepared for the bath in the sanctified waters of her private chamber. She had long yearned for a child, and while she was bathing, she created an idol of the child using the bathing flour (Nalugu pindi). She infused it with life using the Ganesha mantra, which she acquired from her father, Himavan, earlier, and breathed into it the essence of motherhood, and in a moment of pure love and creation, a child was born. The boy, created by Parvati’s own hands, was perfect in form—a beautiful, radiant child with innocent eyes, a sweet smile, and a pure heart. She loved her child more than anything in the whole universe, as he is all hers. She named him Ganesha, which means ‘Lord of Ganas’ (Lord Shiva’s attendants). She looked at Ganesha, overwhelmed with love and joy. 5/10
She told the Bal Ganesha to safeguard the entrance not to allow anyone into the private chamber and left to take a bath. But her joy was soon interrupted by the arrival of her husband, Lord Shiva.
Shiva’s Return and the First Test Lord Shiva, after liberation from the Gajasura’s stomach, returned to his abode after a long absence. He was not aware of the new member of his family. As he walked toward the entrance of his home, he encountered Bal Ganesha, who was guarding the door and preventing entry.
Lord Shiva got started upon looking at the young boy blocking his path and asked him, “Who are you? Why are you blocking my entrance?
Balganesha, not aware of Lord Shiva’s identity, replied, “I’m the son of my mother Parvati, and she told me not to allow anyone inside without her permission.” Lord Shiva, not understanding who this boy was, became angry at being challenged by someone he did not know. With a furious glance, he declared, “How dare you defy me, little boy? Do you not know who I am?”
But Bal Ganesha stood firm and repeated, “I will not let anyone pass until my mother has given her consent.”
Shiva, in his divine fury and unaware of the boy’s origin, raised his trident and, with a powerful strike, severed Ganesha’s head.
Parvati’s Grief and the Search for the Lost Head When Parvati Devi emerged from the private chamber after completing her bath, she came across the heartbreaking sight that her beloved son Ganesha lay lifeless at the entrance, his head severed. Her pain was so deep that it was more than she could bear. She cried out to the heavens, calling upon the great cosmic powers to avenge her son’s death.
6/10
She demanded to know why this had happened. as how someone could do this to an innocent child. As Parvati Devi wept, her voice echoed through the mountains of Kailash. Lord Shiva, upon learning that Ganesha was his very own son, his heart was filled with great sorrow and was struck with guilt and regret. In an effort to correct his mistake, Lord Shiva called upon his Pramadhaganas and sent them on a quest to find the first living being they could find facing its head in a north direction. The Pramadhaganas searched as per the lord Shiva’s order and returned to kailash with the head of an elephant, which is the head of the demon Gajasura, who was facing his head in a north direction.
Ganesha’s Re-Birth and Blessings for his New Form
7/10
Re-Birth of Lord Ganesha
Then Lord shiva, with care, placed the elephant’s head on the lifeless body of Ganesha. As soon as the head was placed, Ganesha’s body was filled with divine life, and he sat up, reborn with the great strength and grace of a god. Upon looking at their son, who has given birth to a new form, Half-Human and Half-Elephant, Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi felt immense joy for his return instead of sorrow. Parvati Devi, after seeing her son reborn, embraced him with immense love. Lord Shiva, realizing his son’s powers and strength, blessed him with the divine gifts and boons. “Lord Ganesha shall be revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts, and the lord of beginnings. Without his blessings, there shall be no endeavor.” The gods Brahma, Vishnu, and all the celestial beings praised Lord Ganesha with their songs. Lord Ganesha, 8/10
from that moment onwards known as the Vighnahartha (Remover of Obstacles).
Conclusion: Ganesha’s Eternal Role Lord Ganesha’s birth is more than just a story; it is a divine lesson in the path of spirituality. As the god of beginnings, he is honored at the start of every puja and ceremony, and rites and rituals. Lord Ganesha, the beloved son of the great cosmic couple Lord Shiva and Parvati Devi, is not just the god of the new beginnings but also the remover of obstacles, the knowledge provider, and also the guide for the one who seeks peace and success.
It also reminds everyone one of us that no matter how difficult life may seem, love and
9/10
devotion can bring blessings and wisdom. His story teaches us resilience, the power of love, and the importance of wisdom, reminding us that grace will always guide us toward our highest path.
10/10
