Chapter 42 - The narrative of Bhārgava Paraśurāma (f)

Vasiṣṭha said:—

1. On being whirled thus, O lord of the Earth, by the Chief of Gaṇas, Rāma became overwhelmed with joy (at his final return to Kailāsa?) and grief, considering his own defeat and discomfiture.

2. On seeing Gaṇeśa stationed there unaffected and unconcerned in front of him, Rāma became much infuriated. He hurled his axe at him.

3. Perceiving that the axe had been given to him by his father, Gaṇeśa became desirous of maning it not to go in vain. Hence, he received it with his left tooth (tusk).

4. Chopped off by the axe, the tusk fell on the ground, covered with blood like a mountain that fell on the ground when struck by Indra’s thunderbolt.

5. The Earth consisting of oceans, continents and mountains was tossed up due to the fall of the tooth, O protector of the Earth. It shook and trembled. All people became frightened.

6. There was a great hue and cry among the Devas who were watching it from the firmament. Kārttikeya and others became afflicted very much and cried aloud.

7. On hearing the crashing sound of the fall of the tooth as well as the chaotic uproar of the people raising a hue and cry, the sovereigns (of the world) Pārvatī and Śaṅkara came there.

8. In front of her, Pārvatī saw Heramba (i.e. Gaṇeśa) with bent snout and single tusk. She asked Skanda the reason thereof, saying—“What is this?”

9. On being asked by his mother, the Commander-in-chief of the Devas Skanda mentioned detailsīfrom the beginning to his mother, even as Rāma was listening to it.

10. On hearing the detailed report of the incident wholly, O king, Pārvatī, the mother of all the worlds, became angry. She spoke to Śaṅkara, her dear husband—

Pārvatī complained:—

11-13. “O Śambhu, this is your disciple Bhārgava who was treated on a par with your sons. O lord, it was from you that he acquired Varman (i.e. Kavaca—coat of Mail or esoteric Protective Mantra) of great splendour and capable of conquering the three worlds. He defeated Kārttavīryārjuna, the powerful king, in battle. After achieving his own object, he has now given you the requisite fees viz. he has chopped off your own son’s tusk with his axe and let it fall. Undoubtedly you will be satisfied with this state of affairs.

14. Protect this Bhārgava, your excellent disciple, O Śambhu. He will execute all the tasks of yours, his excellent preceptor.

15. I shall not stay here, O lord, since I have been slighted and dishonoured by you. I shall go to the abode of my own father accompanied by both of my sons.

16-17a. Good men treat even the son of an enslaved maid servant on a par with their own son. But even your own son has not even orally been consoled by you. Hence, I am distressed. I shall go away”.

Vasiṣṭha said:—

17b-18. On hearing these words of Pārvatī, lord Bhava did not utter any word good or bad, O lord of the Earth. He mentally remembered lord Kṛṣṇa, the destroyer of the distress of those who bow down to him, the lord of Goloka, the lord of the cowherdesses, an expert in different kinds of appeasing tactics.

19. Even as he was remembered, lord Keśava, the destroyer of the distress of those who bow down to him, the lord of all who submits Himself to the control of his devotees, the ocean of kindness, came there.

20. He was as dark as the cloud. His face was splendid and bright. He had armlets and necklace studded with precious gems. His garments sparkled like the lightning. He wore earrings resembling sharks and crest-jewel embellished with peacock feathers and studded with jewels. A gentle smile played over his face. The lord of the cowherdesses had Kaustubha sparkling on his chest. His good renown was loudly proclaimed by everyone.

21-23. The glorious unvanquished lord was accompanied by Rādhā and Śrīdāman. The ocean of knowledge, he surpassed the splendour of everyone by means of his own splendour.

On seeing him come śiva became delighted in his mind. After duly bowing down to him, he worshipped the visitor.

Ushering the lord accompanied by Rādhā into the inner apartment, he made him seated on a beautiful throne studded with gems and jewels along with his wife.

24-27. Then goddess Pārvatī went there accompanied by her sons. Along with her sons she bowed down to the feet of the god and goddess with great joy.

Rāma too went there. With his neck bent down, he fell down near the feet of Pārvatī, his mind utterly agitated.

When Pārvatī did not welcome Bhārgava who had bowed down in front of her, the lord of the Universe said thus delighting her with his words.

Śrī Kṛṣṇa said:—

28. O daughter of the mountain, O goddess of infinite good qualities, O lady of beautiful face that surpasses in beauty the moon, keep this son of Jamadagni on your lap. Let your lotus-like hands be placed on his head.

29. O goddess who removes the fear from worldly existence, O gentle lady with whom Śambhu sports about, O destroyer of sins, O beautiful lady with the gait of an elephant, protect (Rāma) who lias ever-fallen at your feet. Grant him boons even if he has committed sins.

30-32. O gentle lady of great fortune, listen to my words as the words of the Vedas. On hearing them you will undoubtedly become delighted. Vināyaka your son, is a noble soul. He is greater than the greatest.

Neither īust nor anger, neither agony due to frustration nor fear enters his mind at any time. O beautiful lady, his meritorious names have been recounted by noble souls in the Vedas, Smṛtis, Purāṇas and the Saṃhitā texts. I shall mention, them all as they dispel all sins.

33. There are groups of Pramathas who are very strong and who have various forms and sizes. Since your son is the lord of those groups, he is glorified as Gaṇeśa.

34. All the cosmic eggs (Brahmāṇḍas) of the past, present and future are in him. Hence, he is called Lambodara.

35. Since his head, O gentle lady, had been cut off accidentally and the head of an elephant had been fitted therein, he is declared as Gajānana.

36. The moon that rose up on the fourth day (of the lunar fortnight) was cursed by Darbhin.^[1] Hence he became sick. But he was held up by this son of yours on his forehead. Therefore, he is remembered as Bhālacandra.

37. Jātavedas (the fire-god) was formerly cursed by the seven sages and he was completely extinct. He was then kindled by your son by flapping his ears? Hence he is Śūrpakarṇaka.

38. Formerly, on the eve of the battle between the Devas and the Asuras, he was worshipped by the groups of heaven-dwellers. He dispelled the obstacles of his worshippers. Therefore, he is remembered as Vighnanāśaka.

39. Today, O gentle lady, he has been made Ekadanta. (Having a single tusk) by this Rāma after making the tusk fall off accidentally.

40. O beloved one of Hara, in a future creation of Brahmā, his snout shall become bent. Hence, he is remembered by scholars as Vakratuṇḍa.

41. Thus there are many names of your son, O Pārvatī. On being remembered, they dispel sins of the three units of time (past, present, future).

42-44. Prior to this thirteenth Kalpa, in the tenth creation (Kalpa), a boon had been granted to him by me—that of being worshipped before all other Devas.

There is no doubt in this that all tasks can be accomplished by one who worships Gajānana in all these rites viz. Jātakarman (the consecratory rite at the time of birth) and other holy rites, Garbhādhāna etc. (holy rites in connection with conception), Yātrā (journey), Vāṇijya (Business trade), Yuddha (battle), the auspicious rites of worshipping the Devas and in adversities. One shall then worship Gaṇeśa for the achievement of the cherished desire. There is no doubt that all his undertakings become successful.^[2]

Vasiṣṭha said.:—

45. On hearing these words uttered by the very noble-souled Kṛṣṇa, Pārvatī, the goddess of all the worlds, the lady of splendid face, became surprised.

46. When Pārvatī did not offer any reply in the presence of Śiva, goddess Rādhā, identical with the eternal form of Śiva spoke thus.

Śrī Rādhā said:—

47-48. “The Prakṛti and the Puruṣa—these two are interdependent. In this world they appear as though they are split into two.

You and I are one. There is no difference between us. You are Viṣṇu and I am Śiva who has duplicated in form.

49. In the heart of Śiva, Viṣṇu has assumed your form and in the heart of Viṣṇu, Śiva has assumed my form.^[3]

50. This Rāma, O highly fortunate lady, is a Vaiṣṇava (form of Viṣṇu) transformed into a Śaiva (form of Śiva). This Gaṇeśa is Siva himself transformed into Viṣṇu.

51-52. No difference is really seen between us both and between the two lords”.

After saying this, Rādhā placed Gajānana on her lap, sniffed at his head and touched his cheeks with her hand. Immediately after being touched, the wound in the cheek healed completely.

53-55a. On being appeased by Rādhā, Pārvatī became delighted. With her hand, she lifted up Rāma who had fallen at her feet. Pārvatī placed him on her lap and became extremely pleased after sniffing at his head.

On seeing the honour accorded to Rāma and Gaṇeśa, Kṛṣṇa pulled Skanda towards him and lovingly placed him on his own lap.

55b-56. Śambhu too who was delighted and who was the bestower of honour, greeted lovingly Śrīdāman who was standing nearby and placed him on his lap.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

He was an ancient sage who created a sacred spot called Ardhakīṭa in Kurukṣetra. A person performing a thread ceremony or fast at it, became the master of Mantras. Once Darbhin brought four oceans to this holy spot. (Mbh. Vana 83-154-57) But his cursing the moon is recorded only in this text.

[2]:

It shows that the custom of Gaṇeśa-worship before the beginning of an auspicious act, was prevalent at the time of Bd. P.

[3]:

Like other Purāṇas, Bd. P. advocates the identity of Śiva and Viṣṇu—a sort of a rapproachement between Vaiṣṇavism and Śaivism.