Chapter 18 - Gaṇeśa crowned as the chief of Gaṇas

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:—

1. O lord of subjects, when the son of Pārvatī was resuscitated and seen by.the goddess, what happened then? Please narrate to me now.

Brahmā said:—

2. O great sage, when the son of Pārvatī was resuscitated and seen by the goddess, listen to what happened there. I shall narrate the jubilation that ensued.

3. O sage, that son of Pārvatī was resuscitated. He was free from distress and perturbation. Then he was crowned by the gods and the leaders of Gaṇas.

4. On seeing her son, Pārvatī was highly delighted. Taking him up with both her hands she embraced him joyously.

5. She then lovingly gave him different clothes and ornaments.

6. He was honoured by the goddess who bestowed all Siddhis on him and touched him with her hand that removes all distress.

7. After worshipping her son, and kissing his face, she granted him boons with affection and said—“You have had great distress since your very birth.

8. You are blessed and contented now. You will receive worship before all the gods. You will be free from distress.

9. Vermillion is visible on your face now. Hence you will be worshipped with vermillion by all men always.

10-12. All achievements certainly accrue to him who performs your worship with flowers, sandal paste, scents, auspicious food offerings Nīrājana rites, betel leaves, charitable gifts, circumambulations and obeisance. All kinds of obstacles will certainly perish.

13. After saying this, she worshipped her good son with various articles, once again.

14. O Brahmin, then with the graceful blessings of

Pārvatī, instantly peace reigned upon gods and particularly on the Gaṇas.

15. In the meantime, Indra and other gods eulogised and propitiated Śiva joyously and brought him devoutly near Pārvatī.

16. After pleasing her they placed the boy in her lap for the happiness of the three worlds.

17. Placing his lotus-like hand on his head, Śiva told the gods. “This is another son of mine.”

18-19. Getting up and bowing to Śiva, Pārvatī, Viṣṇu and me, Gaṇeśa stood in front of Nārada and other sages and said—“My guilt shall be forgiven. Arrogance is the characteristic of Man’s nature.”

20. We three Śiva, Viṣṇu and I said to the gods simultaneously with pleasure, after granting him excellent boons

21. “O great gods, just as we three are worshipped in all the three worlds, so also he shall be worshipped by all of you.”

22. We are the offsprings of primordial nature. He is also the same and hence worthy of worship. He is the remover of all obstacles and the bestower of the fruits of all rites.

23. He shall be worshipped first and we shall be worshipped afterwards. If he is not worshipped, we too are not worshipped.

24. If the other deities are worshipped when he is not worshipped, the fruit of that rite will be lost. There is no doubt in this matter.

25-26. After saying this we worshipped him. Śiva worshipped Gaṇeśa with various articles of worship. Viṣṇu worshipped him afterwards. I, Brahmā, and Pārvatī too worshipped him. He was then worshipped by all the gods and Gaṇas with great joy.

27. In order to gratify Pārvatī, Gaṇeśa was proclaimed as the presiding officer by all, Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva and others.

28. Again, with a joyful mind, several boons were granted by Pārvatī to him, always favourable to all in the world.

Śiva said:—

29. “O son of Pārvatī, I am pleased, there is no doubt about it. When I am pleased the entire universe is pleased. None will be against the same.

30. Since, even as a boy you showed great valour as Pārvatī’s son, you will remain brilliant and happy always.

31. Let your name be the most auspicious in the matter of quelling obstacles. Be the presiding officer of all my Gaṇas and worthy of worship now.”

32. After saying this, Śiva laid down several modes of worship and granted benedictions instantaneously.

33. The gods, the Gaṇas and the celestial damsels sang songs joyously, danced and played on instruments.

34. Another boon was granted to Gaṇeśa by the delighted Śiva of great soul.

35-37. O Gaṇeśa, you are born in the first Prahara on the fourth day in the dark half of the Bhādra mouth at the auspicious hour of the moonrise. Since your form manifested itself from the good mind of Pārvatī, your excellent Vrata shall be performed on that Tithi itself or beginning from that day. It will be very auspicious and conducive to the achievement of all Siddhis.

38. At the bidding of us both the Vrata shall be performed till the fourth day at the end of a year.

39. Let those who yearn for unequalled happiness in the world worship you devoutly in various ways on the fourth day in accordance with the rules.

40. On the fourth day of Lakṣmī in the month of Mārgaśīrṣa he shall perform early morning ablution and entrust the Vrata to the brahmins.

41. He shall perform worship with the Dūrvā grass and observe fast. After a Prahara has elapsed in the night the devotee shall take bath and worship.

42-43. The idol shall be made of metal, coral, white Arka flowers or clay. It shall be installed and worshipped by the devotee with all purity, with scents of various kinds, divine sandal paste and flowers.

44-45. A handful of Dūrvā grass having three knots and without roots shall be used for worship. The shoots shall be hundred and one in number. With twentyone the idol shall be worshipped. Gaṇeśa shall be adored with incense, lamps and different kinds of food-offerings.

46. After worshipping you with various articles of worship like betel etc. and eulogising you with hymns, the devotee shall worship the crescent moon.

47. Afterwards, he shall feed the brahmins joyously with sweets with due honour. He himself shall take sweets and avoid salt.

48. Then the rites shall formally be dismissed. Then he shall remember Gaṇeśa. Thus the Vrata shall be concluded auspiciously.

49. When thus the Vrata is duly completed in a year, the devotee shall perform the rite of formal dismissal for the completion of the Vrata.

50. At my bidding twelve brahmins shall be fed. After placing a jar your image shall be worshipped.

51. After making the eight-petalled lotus diagram on the ground in accordance with Vedic injunctions a sacrifice shall be performed by the liberal people who have no disinclination to spend money.

52. Two women and two students shall be worshipped and fed in front of the idol duly.

53. The devotee shall keep awake at night and perform worship in the morning. After that the rites of formal dismissal with the mantra “Kṣemāya Punarāgamanāya Ca.” (For welfare and return again) shall be performed.

54. The benediction as well as good wishes shall be received from the boy. In order to make the Vrata complete, handfuls of flowers shall be offered.

55. After prostrations, various routines shall be carried on. He who performs Vratas like this can secure the desired fruits.

56. O Gaṇeśa, he who performs your worship upto his ability, with faith, shall derive the fruit of all desires.

57. The devotee shall worship you, the lord of Gaṇas with vermillion, sandal paste, raw rice grains and Ketaka flowers as well as with other services.

58. They who devoutly worship you with acts of service will achieve success. Their obstacles will be quelled.

59. These Vratas shall be performed by the people of all castes, particularly by women as well as kings aiming and beginning to be prosperous and flourishing.

60. He will certainly derive whatever he desires. Hence you shall always be served by him whoever he is who desires fruits.

Brahmā said:—

61-62. When this was mentioned by Śiva to Gaṇeśa of great soul, O sage, the gods, the sages and the Gaṇas, favourites of Śiva said “So be it” and worshipped Gaṇeśa according to prescribed rules.

63. All the Gaṇas, particularly bowed to Gaṇeśa and adored him respectfully with various articles.

64. O great sage, how can I describe even with my four mouths the indescribable delight of Pārvatī.

65. The divine drums were sounded. The celestial damsels danced. The Gandharva chiefs sang. Flowers were showered upon him.

66. When Gaṇeśa was installed, the whole universe attained peace and normalcy. There was great jubilation. All miseries ended.

67. O Nārada, Pārvatī and Śiva rejoiced in particular. Good and plentiful auspiciousness was conducive to happiness everywhere.

68-69. The gods and the sages, who had come there, returned at the bidding of Śiva praising Pārvatī and Gaṇeśa again and again, eulogising Śiva and saying “O what a battle!”

70. When Pārvatī became free from fury, Śiva and Pārvatī behaved as before.

71. With a desire for the welfare of the worlds, the great deity relaxing in his own soul and engaged in the activities of the devotees conferred different kinds of happiness.

72. Both Viṣṇu and I took leave of Śiva and after paying homage to both Pārvatī and Śiva returned to our abodes.

73. O holy sage Nārada, after singing the glory of Pārvatī and Śiva and taking leave of them you too returned to your abode.

74. Thus requested by you, I have narrated the glorious story of Pārvatī and Śiva along with that of Gaṇeśa with great reverence.

75. Whoever hears this narrative auspiciously with pure mind shall have everything auspicious and be the abode of auspiciousness.

76. The childless will get a son, the indigent wealth; the seeker of a wife will get a wife and the seeker of issues will get children.

77. The sick will regain health; the miserable will have good fortune. The sonless, impoverished, banished wife will be reunited with her husband.

78-79. The sorrowing will be relieved of sorrow, undoubtedly. The house that contains this story shall certainly be auspicious. He who listens to this narrative at the time of travel or on holy occasions, with a pure mind shall get all desires, thanks to the grace of lord Gaṇeśa.