Stories of Lord Ganesha

[PiyaSoni]

"Tulsi Cursed By Ganesha"                                {Found on Net Sharing}


Tulsi (an herb from the basil family) was a beautiful maiden who, when she saw the resplendent Ganesha, fell in love with him and wished to marry him.

Ganesha though, was a confirmed bachelor (at least according to some legends) and refused to oblige her. The enraged Tulsi cursed him that one day, he would indeed break his vow of celibacy.

Ganesha cursed her in return, that she would marry a demon and later, turn into a plant.

Tulsi realized her folly and pleaded for mercy until Ganesha relented.

“You will be the most fragrant plant of all”, Ganesha said, “one that will please all the gods. Your leaves will be used especially in the worship of Vishnu.

But you will never be present where I am worshiped.”

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Ganesha defeats Gana"


Vinakaya or Gananayaka is another name for Ganesha.

Gananayaka is the lord of Ganas or one who defeats Gana. A beautiful son named Gana was born to the King Abhijit and queen Gunavati. He was very bright and strong. He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, pleased with his devotion granted him some boons.

However, this increased Gana's ego. He soon fell into bad company. One day he visited sage Kapila's ashram. Kapila had a gem called Chintamani that was wish fulfilling and could provide food for thousands.

When Gana saw this, he wanted to possess the gem. Kapila did not want to give it to him. But Gana forcibly took it away from him. Kapila prayed to Lord Ganesha. Ganesha appeared in Gana's dream and cut off his head. Gana, on waking up, did not repent but became angry and took his army to kill Kapila. Gana's father, Abhijit, pleaded with Gana to give Kapila back his gem but Gana did not heed the advice. However, on reaching Kapila's ashram he found that Ganesha had assembled an army.

In a fierce fight, Gana was killed by Ganesha and Ganesha restored the " Chintamani " to Kapila. Kapila, however, gave it back to Ganesha saying that even a small gem like this could cause trouble, as wealth is the root of many problems in this world. Kapila requested Ganesha to stay back.

From then on, this place (Theur near Pune) was called 'Chintamani Vinayaka'.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Intelligent Ganesha"

Ganesha had a brother whose name was Kartikeya. Ganesha was very clever and sweet natured,where as Kartikeya was very short tempered Both of them used to play on the mountains and sometimes they used to quarrel.

So once they had a very big quarrel and each of them thought that the other one was guilty. The matter could not be settled. Finally they soon approached their parents to get justice.

Lord Shiva and Parvati heard both the sides and then lord Shiva had an idea "children," he said to them,"let us settle it this way you have to go around the world and one who comes back first will be considered to be the right one the other one wrong ! Do you agree?" "yes ! Yes !! Agreed both of them Kartikeya always rode a peacock and was very fast at it while Ganesha used a little rat for riding. Kartikeya was sure that he would win the race because his peacock was much faster than the rat.

Kartikeya immidiately jumped on his peacock and rode very fast as he could. Ganesha first had a look at his big stomach and then at his little rat. He was sure that he can never win the race.Then Kartikeya was already away with his peacock.

And Ganesha just sat down there thinking and suddenly he had a bright idea. He made lord Shiva and mata Parvati sit together and quickly went arround them three times. Soon. Kartikeya came on his peacock after travelling arround the world successfully and told Shiva-Parvati proudly," here I come ! I won and looked at Ganesha "No,"said Ganesha,firmly,"our parents are the mother and father of the world,so going arround them is just like going arround the world! I have done it three times but you have done it only once and that makes me the winner! And Ganesha looked at lord Shiva and Parvati,"am I right or wrong?"he asked them.

"Ganesha is right",said Parvati to Kartikeya," he has won the race ! " Hearing that Kartikeya lost his temper and thought that mother was partial to Ganesha. In a feat of anger he took an oath,"I shall neither look at my mother's, nor any woman's face in the world ! "and Kartikeya kept his word,he never looked at the face of any women in the world.So,in many temples of kartikeya,women do not enter.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Why Ganesha has Elephant face !"


Lord Shiva and Parvati lived on the mountain Kailasa. Many times Shiva used to go to the forest and stayed there doing penance for months.Meanwhile Parvati had to stay alone at home.one day,as usual lord shiva went to the forest,leaving Parvati alone at home. Parvati then wanted to take bath.However there was no one else to look after the house.

So, Parvati was worried. But soon she had an idea.Parvati removed the sandal paste from her body and created a boy from the paste. Parvati then made the boy stand at the door and instructed him not to let anyone enter the house.till she finishes her bath. The boy stood at the door and stopped everyone who visited the house.

Soon lord Shiva returned home and was surprised to see a boy who stopped him from entering in."you can not enter the house ,mother is taking bath", said the boy He got annoyed and asked the boy to move aside.but the boy did not move,but stopped lord Shiva from entering the house. Shiva lost his temper and he chopped off the head of the boy with his trishula.Later,Parvati finished her bath and to her surprise, she saw the headless body of the boy.So Parvati started weeping.Oh my lord ! what have you done ! you have killed my son !

Lord Shiva felt very sorry for his short tempered act.Lord Shiva wished to bring back the boy to his life and he started searching for the chopped head of the boy.But surprisingly the head got vanished and the search was in vain.So he called servants,called "Ganas" and told them,to go to the forest and get the head of first living being you come across. The ganas immidiately rushed to jungle and came across an elephant.they immediately cut off his head and brought it to lord shiva.Lord Shiva put the head on the body of the boy and brought him to life. Parvati was overjoyed to get back her son.The Ganas had helped to bring back the life of the boy,so he was named as "Ganapati".

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

" Moon Deity Cursed By Ganesha "

It was on Ganesha Chaturthi.Ganesha was riding on his little rat and suddenly a snake crossed his path.The rat was terrified and ran off in fright due to which Ganesha fell down in a thorny bush.

The Moon was looking at this from the sky.the Moon laughed loudly at the funny sight of Ganesha's falling down,It annoyed Ganesha so much so that he decided to punish the Moon. Angrily he broke one of his tusks and threw it at the Moon.

As it struck the Moon,Moon lost the brightness.Then the moon went off. The world became dark.People were scared and they screamed and wept.

All the Gods in heaven were worried by this confusion.They prayed to Ganesha," please give back the Moon the brightness, "The Moon also repented. The Moon fell at Ganesh's feet and prayed to be forgiven.

Ganesha relented but he wanted to teach Moon a lesson.So he said, "the first fifteen days of every month,you will get bigger and then the next fifteen days,you will become smaller and smaller. At the end of the month you will look like my tusk.And on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi the person who looks at the Moon will have an allegation of theft on him.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Lord Ganesha’s Marriage"

According to one tradition, Ganesha was a brahmacarin, that is, unmarried. This pattern is primarily popular in southern India . This tradition was linked to Hindu concepts of the relationship between celibacy and the development of spiritual power.

In the north of India , on the other hand, Ganesha is often portrayed as married to the two daughters of Brahma: Buddhi ((also called Riddhi) intellect) and Siddhi (spiritual power).

As a child Lord Ganesh was once playing with a cat. He pulled its tail and rolled it on the ground. Later, tired of this game, He decided to spend time with His mother, Parvati. He found her covered in dirt and with bruises. Surprised, He asked, “What happened, Mother?” “Remember the cat you were playing with… that was me. I am the Divine power that is exists in all beings.” Lord Ganesh realised that all women are extensions of His mother and decided never to marry.

Another interpretation is that His devotion towards His mother is the reason why He is considered as a celibate bachelor. To Him, she was the most beautiful and a perfect woman. He vowed that He could marry the girl who would match up to His mother’s beauty and divine qualities.It is said that Lord Ganesh was unable to find a suitable mate because of His unique appearance. This bothered Him and He summoned the rats to burrow deep holes in the path of any God who were on their way to get married. The potholes made the journey of the grooms and their marriage processions extremely difficult. Frustrated, they went to Lord Brahma to complain.

Lord Brahma created two beautiful girls Riddhi (Abundance. Opulence, Wealth) and Siddhi / Buddhi (Intellectual and Spiritual Prowess) and they were married to Him. With His two consorts, He had sons Shubha (Auspiciousness) and Labha (Profit) and a daughter named Santoshi (Goddess of Satisfaction / Contentment).The Shiva Purana states that King Prajapati had two daughters - Riddhi and Siddhi. He approached Shiva and Parvati for the marriage of his girls to Lord Ganesh and Lord Kartikeyan / Karthikeyan (Lord Ganesh’s younger brother). But both these girls wished that Lord Ganesh should be their husband and so they were married. It is said that if one has Riddhi but doesn’t have Siddhi / Buddhi then it is worthless.

Possessing only Siddhi without Riddhi is also futile. Lord Ganesh bestows both these blessings to His ardent devotees. If we delve into ourselves we will realize that we are all Ganapatis (Gana is our body made of the Pancha-Mahabhuta (Five elements), Pati stands for master or owner). Thus He shows us the way to achieve both intellect and wealth to enjoy a rewarding life.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Gokarna Mahabaleshwar"


Ravana,the king of lanka, was a great devotee of Shiva. He often went to Kailasa.There he worshipped Shiva with great devotion.Once,as usual, he had gone to Kailas. Lord Shiva was very pleased with his devotion."I am pleased with you" he told Ravana."ask for any boon.

I shall grant it,"when all the world will end in the great floods,"said Ravana, "Lanka should be spared. That's the only boon I want! Shiva was little puzzled. Ravana had already proved troublesome to the gods. Having the boon granted he would trouble the gods still more.

So what should be done? Shiva thought of a clever idea He gave Ravana a Shivalinga." take this Shivalinga,"Shiva told him, "wherever you put it down, it would stick fast there That place will be protected from the floods.

If you wish to protect Lanka,make sure you put it down on reaching Lanka! Ravana was overjoyed. But shiva warned him, "hold it in both hands.If you leave it anywhere else it will stick to that spot,Then it will not be possible to remove it. So be careful with it!"Ravana eagerly started for Lanka. Meanwhile,the gods learnt of Shiva's boon to Ravana. They were horrified They went to Ganesha for help.

They told him what had happened."please do something,God," they pleaded to Ganesha,"so that the Shivalinga does not reach Lanka. If it reaches there;Ravana would become more powerful." Ganesha thought for a moment. He had a bright idea,"all right,"he assured them a solution" I shall see that the Shivalinga does not reach Lanka."then Ganesha, in the disguise of a cowherd, stood in Ravana's path.Ravana had walked a long way, was tired and sweating.He wanted to wipe his sweat. But he could not do so;cause he had the heavy Shivalingain his hands.

Just then Ravana saw the cowherd boystanding in his path.Behind him there was a river."hey boy! Come here." Ravana called out to the boy."What do you want?" the boy asked;without moving from where he stood."I am very thirsty,"replied Ravana. "Please hold this Linga for just a minute. Do not put it down. I wish to go to the river for a drink of water.I shall not take long.""All right!" said, Ganesha "but the Linga seems very heavy; if my hands get tired I shall call you three times If you don't come immediately back, then I shall put it down!" he warned."Don't worry! "Ravana said."I shall be quick."With a great relief he handed over the linga to the boy. Then he hurried to the river.

And as soon as Ravana reached the river; the boy called out;"Ravana, Ravana, Ravana!" and quickly put the linga down.Immediately it stuck there.When Ravana came back from the river;there was no sign of the boy. And the linga had stuck to the ground. Ravana tried to pull it.But it did not move a bit.Yet,because of Ravana's great strength it lost the shape.It now resembles the ear of a cow. That is why it is known as Gokarna.The place became a famous place of pilgrimage. Even to-day we know it as Gokarna Mahabaleshwar.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Agasthyar - Cauvery"


  During the wedding of Siva with Parvathi in the Mount Kailas, the entire population, Devas and Rishis had gathered & hence the Northern land dipped down, unable to bear the weight. Lord Siva asked Sage Agasthiar to go to the Podhigai ranges in the Southern land in order to balance the weight. (Agasthiar was very short in stature but his might was so great). Agasthiar was sad that he could not stay & witness the Lord's wedding.

Siva granted that he would still be able to see the wedding from the South. From within his matted locks, he took river Cauvery & filled it in Agasthiar's kamandalam (spouted pot), bidding Cauvery to flow wherever Agasthiar pointed. Agasthiar reached the south & travelled to various Siva Sthalams. Surapaduman was an asura, who had immense power. Indra had run away in fear from his Indralogam, reached Sirgazhi in the southern regios of India & prayed to Lord Siva. He created a beautiful garden & worshipped Lord Siva with the flowers from his garden. But soon, Lord Varuna in fear of Surapaduman did not shower rains & Indran's garden & in fact the whole land suffered from lack of water.

Sage Narada, told Indran of the river Cauvery that Lord Siva had once filled in Agasthiar's kamandalam. Indran prayed to Lord Ganesha for his help. Ganesha took the form of a crow & sat on Agasthiar's kamandalam & toppled it. Agasthiar lifted his hands to shoo off the crow. River Cauvery, took it as a signal for her & began to flow. The crow took the form of a small boy. Agasthiar started chasing the boy trying to strike him on his head with his knuckles.

Ganesha took his original form. Agasthiar was saddened that he had tried to strike Lord Ganesha. He started striking his forehead with his knuckles. Ganesha stopped him & granted that everybody who worshipped him in this manner would be blessed with wisdom. Another version of the same story - Ponni, as Cauvery was originally called, was disrespectful to Agasthiar when he came down south. To teach her a lesson, Agasthiar imprisoned the entire river in his kamandalam. Ganesha on sage Narada's request came in the form of a crow and toppled the kamandalam & set the river free. Ponni was then given a new name, Cauvery (Kaveri).

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Vinayagar wrote the Mahabharatham"

  Sage Vyasa was meditating in the Himalayas.  Lord Brahma appeared before him and asked him to write the Mahabharatham for the benefit of all. Sage Vyasa said that he could not compose the verse and write it down too and therefore asked for the help of someone wise, who would write down as he sang.
Brahma asked sage Vyasa to pray to Lord Ganesha to help him.  Ganesha told Vyasa that he had enormous work to do and hence he would write it down, only if Vyasa was quick in singing it.
For his turn, Sage Vyasa requested that Ganesha should understand the meaning of the verse and only then put it down in writing.
Vyasa started singing.  Whenever he felt Ganesha was writing too fast for him, he would come with a difficult verse, thus by the time Ganesha could decipher the meaning, he would have composed several more verses in his mind.
In this way, Vyasa completed the Bharatham in 60 lakhs granthams.  This comprises the Kandapuranam, Ramayanam, Savithri Puranam, Nala Puranam and so on.  Lord Ganesha  wrote on Mount Meru using his tusk.  Of these 60 lakh granthams, 30 lakhs are supposed to be in the Deva Logam, 15 lakhs in Yatcha Logam and 14 lakhs in Asura Logam.  Only the remaining 1 lakh granthams is assumed to be on the earth.
Sage Vyasa is supposed to have sung 8,800 granthams, which were difficult for Ganesha to decipher.  He has himself stated that Ganesha, Sage Vyasa himself and his Sugan are probably the only ones who know the meaning of those 8,800 granthams. 

The Mahabharatham is considered the fifth Veda.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Vakradhunda Vinayagar"

  When Basmasuran was killed by Siva & Vishnu (Vishnu in the form of Mohini), Duraasadan, Basmasuran's son was angry and upset.

He did tapas & got boons from Siva that he should never die and that all the devas should be under his control, etc. As usual Siva gave him the varam & there was total chaos for some time.

All the Devas ran into hiding & even Brahma & Vishnu ran out of their Brahma Logam & Vaikundam. All of them rushed to Kasi which was ruled by Viswanathar. On hearing of this Duraasadan came to Kasi. All the Gods and Devas rushed away to Kedaram, because the time was not yet right to kill Duraasadan.

Soon, on the prayers of the Devas, an avataram of Lord Ganesha came out of Uma Devi's face. (with five faces, 10 hands, Jada magudam with moon). Uma Devi named him Vakradhundar and gave him her Simha Vahanam (lion).

There ensued a heavy fight between Vakradhundar & Duraasadan. Finally Ganesha took a huge form (Viswa roopam) & placed his feet on Duraasandan's head. Since Ganesha is the form of Gnanam, all evil thoughts & the effects of his evil deeds rushed out of Duraasadan.

Lord Ganesha gave him the job of destroying all evil in Kasi. He remains under Vakradhundar's feet doing his duty.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Kubera's pride takes a fall"

  We should never take undue pride in our material or spiritual accomplishments. The old saying "Pride always leads to a fall." is proved true in the following story. Kubera (the God of wealth) invited Shiva and Parvati to dinner wishing to show off his riches.

But, the couple denied Kubera's request and said that he could feed Ganesha instead. Kubera laughed and said 'I can feed thousands of children like this." Ganesha went to his palace and sat down to eat. He started eating all the food placed in front of him.

As was the custom, more and more food was served to him, as he did not say that he had enough. Soon there was no more food in the palace and so Kubera ordered his troops to get more food from the surrounding villages. But Ganesha continued eating and there was no more food to be found. Still very hungry, Ganesha started eating all the furniture. Kubera became very frightened.

Ganesha told him, " You promised my parents you will feed me. Now, I have to eat you up as I am still very hungry ". Kubera ran away and pleaded with Shiva to save him from Ganesha. Shiva asked Kubera to give up his pride and serve Ganesha a handful of rice. Kubera went back to his palace.

By this time, Ganesha's stomach had become very huge but the child was still hungry. When Kubera served a cup of rice with humility, Ganesha's hunger was satisfied.

This teaches the lesson that handful of puffed rice given with love and eaten with devotion is more important and filling than all the wealth of kubera flaunted to impress the world and all the gods.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

108 NAMES OF LORD GANESHA



1. Akhuratha : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
2. Alampata : Ever Eternal Lord
3. Amit : Incomparable Lord
4. Anantachidrupamayam : Infinite and Consciousness Personified
5. Avaneesh : Lord of the whole World
6. Avighna : Remover of Obstacles
7. Balaganapati : Beloved and Lovable Child
8. Bhalchandra : Moon-Crested Lord
9. Bheema : Huge and Gigantic
10. Bhupati : Lord of the Gods
11. Bhuvanpati : God of the Gods
12. Buddhinath :God of Wisdom
13. Buddhipriya : Knowledge Bestower
14. Buddhividhata : God of Knowledge
15. Chaturbhuj : One who has Four Arms
16. Devadeva : Lord! of All Lords
17. Devantakanashakarin : Destroyer of Evils and Asuras
18. Devavrata : One who accepts all Penances
19. Devendrashika : Protector of All Gods
20. Dharmik : One who gives Charity
21. Dhoomravarna : Smoke-Hued Lord
22. Durja : Invincible Lord
23. Dvaimatura : One who has two Mothers
24. Ekaakshara : He of the Single Syllable
25. Ekadanta : Single-Tusked Lord
26. Ekadrishta : Single-Tusked Lord
27. Eshanputra :Lord Shiva's Son
28. Gadadhara : One who has The Mace as His Weapon
29. Gajakarna :One who has Eyes like an Elephant
30. Gajanana : Elephant-Faced Lord
31. Gajananeti : Elephant-Faced Lord
32. Gajavakra : Trunk of The Elephant
33. Gajavaktra : One who has Mouth like an Elephant
34. Ganadhakshya : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
35. Ganadhyakshina : Leader of All The Celestial Bodies
36. Ganapati : Lord of All Ganas (Gods)
37. Gaurisuta : The Son of Gauri (Parvati)
38. Gunina : One who is The Master of All Virtues
39. Haridra : One who is Golden Coloured
40. Heramba : Mother's Beloved Son
41. Kapila : Yellowish-Brown Coloured
42. Kaveesha : Master of Poets
43. Krti : Lord of Music
44. Kripalu : Merciful Lord
45. Krishapingaksha : Yellowish-Brown Eyed
46. Kshamakaram :The Place of Forgiveness
47. Kshipra : One who is easy to Appease
48. Lambakarna : Large-Eared Lord
49. Lambodara : The Huge Bellied Lord
50. Mahabala : Enormously Strong Lord
51. Mahaganapati : Omnipotent and Supreme Lord
52. Maheshwaram : Lord of The Universe
53. Mangalamurti : All Auspicious Lord
54. Manomay : Winner of Hearts
55. Mrityuanjaya : Conqueror of Death
56. Mundakarama : Abode of Happiness
57. Muktidaya : Bestower of Eternal Bliss
58. Musikvahana : One who has Mouse as His Charioteer
59. Nadapratithishta : One who Appreciates and Loves Music
60. Namasthetu : Vanquisher of All Evils and Vices and Sins
61. Nandana : Lord Shiva's Son
62. Nideeshwaram : Giver of Wealth and Treasures
63.   Omkara :One who has the Form Of OM
64.   Pitambara : One who has Yellow-Coloured Body
65. Pramoda : Lord of All Abodes
66. Prathameshwara : First Among All
67. Purush : The Omnipotent Personality
68. Rakta : One who has Red-Coloured Body
69. Rudrapriya : Beloved Of Lord Shiva
70. Sarvadevatman : Acceptor of All Celestial Offerings
71. Sarvasiddhanta : Bestower of Skills and Wisdom
72. Sarvatman : Protector of The Universe
73. Shambhavi : The Son of Parvati
74. Shashivarnam : One who has a Moon like Complexion
75. Shoorpakarna : Large-Eared Lord
76. Shuban : All Auspicious Lord
77. Shubhagunakanan : One who is The Master of All Virtues
78. Shweta : One who is as Pure as the White Colour
79. Siddhidhata : Bestower of Success and Accomplishments
80.   Siddhipriya :Bestower of Wishes and Boons
81.   Siddhivinayaka : Bestower of Success
82. Skandapurvaja : Elder Brother of Skand (Lord Kartik)
83. Sumukha : Auspicious Face
84. Sureshwaram : Lord of All Lords
85. Swaroop : Lover of Beauty
86. Tarun : Ageless
87. Uddanda : Nemesis of Evils and Vices
88. Umaputra : The Son of Goddess Uma (Parvati)
89. Vakratunda : Curved Trunk Lord
90. Varaganapati : Bestower of Boons
91. Varaprada : Granter of Wishes and Boons
92. Varadavinayaka : Bestower of Success
93. Veeraganapati : Heroic Lord
94. Vidyavaridhi : God of Wisdom
95. Vighnahara : Remover of Obstacles
96. Vignaharta : Demolisher of Obstacles
97.   Vighnaraja :Lord of All Hindrances
98.   Vighnarajendra : Lord of All Obstacles
99. Vighnavinashanaya : Destroyer of All Obstacles and Impediments
100. Vigneshwara : Lord of All Obstacles
101. Vikat : Huge and Gigantic
102. Vinayaka : Lord of All
103. Vishwamukha : Master of The Universe
104. Vishwaraja : King of The World
105. Yagnakaya : Acceptor of All Sacred and Sacrificial Offerings
106. Yashaskaram : Bestower of Fame and Fortune
107. Yashvasin : Beloved and Ever Popular Lord
108. Yogadhipa : The Lord of Meditation

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Ganesha Kills Demon Gajamugasuram"

  There was an asura called Gajamugasuran. He did deep penance and worshipped Lord Siva, who granted him several boons, by which he became extremely powerful.

He put the Devas and rishis to great trouble. He forced the Devas to do 1008 Thoeppukaranams in the morning, 1008 in the afternoon and 1008 in the evening. (Thoepukaranam means to sit down and stand up holding one's ears with crossed hands, left ear with right hand & right ear with left hand).

The Devas prayed to Lord Siva to rescue them from this evil asura. Lord Siva sent Lord Vinayaga to overcome Gajamugasuran.

Vinayagar went with several weapons such as bow & arrow, sword, axe, etc. However, since Gajamugasuran had been granted the boon that he be destroyed by no weapon, none of these weapons used by Lord Vinayaga were effective.

Vinayagar broke off his right tusk and used it to kill Gajamugasuran. Gajamugasuran still rushed at Vinayaga in the form of a mooshikam (small mouse). Vinayagar crushed the ego and vanity of Gajamugasuran and sat on the mooshikam.

The humbled Gajamugasuran bowed before Vinayagar, who accepted the mooshikam as his vahana. Lord Vinayaka is the source of everlasting wisdom. He crushed ego and vanity and reduced it to the size of a mooshikam and used it as his vahana. Lord Vinayagar can be pleased by doing Thoepukaranam.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

"Why Ganesha has broken tusk !"

  Ganesha is known as Ekadanta, the one with a single tusk.

The first pertains to his battle with Parashurama, who was the 'Avtaar' of Vishnu, As a human on earth, he meditated on Shiva and obtained the devine axe, parashu,with whose help Parasurama waged wars against all the erring princes and cleared the world of their evils.

Deeplyindebted to Shiva,Parasurama then came to mount Kailasa to pay obeisance to his mentor Ganesha,who was guarding the entrance to his father's chamber,would not let him in,saying he had to wait till he gets the permission from his father,Shiva.

Parasurama felt that he,the devotee,needed no permission. When Ganesha still refused to give in,Parashurama,who was always very hot tempered struck Ganesha's tusk with his axe and broke it.Shiva and Parvati appeared before him and chastised him. Parashurama then apologised and worshipped God Ganesha.

Ganesha then forgave Parashurama and gave him blessings.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[SS91]

32-Forms Of Ganesha

1) Bala Ganapati

 The child
The elephant face God has four arms and has a colour of a rising sun.The God is holding his favourite "Modak"