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The Birth of Lord Ganesh
Each of the Puranas has a
different story regarding the birth of Lord Ganesh. In some he is the
manasika putra (mind-born son) of Lord Shiva. In others he is the
creation of Parvati. In still others he is the son of Shiva and Parvati.
The most popular legend
deals with the birth of Lord Ganesh to Parvati. Once while Parvati was
going for her bath, she rubbed off the dust and oil from her body and out
of it created the figure of a young boy. She infused life into the figure
and told him he was her son and should guard the entrance when she went to
bathe.
Soon after, Shiva came to
see Parvati but the young boy blocked his way and would not let him in.
Shiva, unaware that this lad was his son, became furious and in great
anger fought with the boy whose head got severed from his body in the
ensuing battle.
Parvati, returning from her
bath, saw her headless son, and in aggrieved anguish threatened to destroy
the heavens and earth.
The gods and Shiva pacified
her and the latter sent out his ganas, or hordes, to bring the head
of the first living being with his head towards the north (the auspicious
direction associated with wisdom). The first living creature they found
sleeping with his head to the north was an elephant. They brought the head
of this animal and Shiva placed it on the trunk of Parvati's son and
breathed life into him.
Parvati was overjoyed
and embraced her son, the elephant-headed boy whom Shiva named Ganesh, the
lord of his ganas |
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