Chapter 12 - The Installation of Gaṇeśa

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vyāsa said:

1. Thereafter, O excellent king, the temple Satyamandira was established by the Devas for the sake of general protection. Only from then has that city been named ‘Satya’.

2. Lord Dharmeśvara was installed in the East; Gaṇādhipa in the South; the Sun in the West and the Self-born Lord in the North.

Yudhiṣṭhira said:

3. By whom was Gaṇeśa installed? Why did he install him? O blessed one, what special name has been given to him? Narrate these to me without delay.

Vyāsa said:

4-6a. Now, I shall state the cause of the birth of Geṇeśa. O great king, all the Devas and Mother Deities gathered together once in Dharmāraṇya and the son of Caṇḍikā was installed at the outset by the Devas on the ground of the womenfolk of Satya (city). There was a rampart there resplendent with flags and festoons. In the abode of Brāhmaṇas, in the midst of the circular rampart, a pedestal was built with bricks beautifully.

6b-9. The principal paths were four in number. They were clean and decorated with festoons. Lord Dharmeśvara was installed in the East; Gaṇanāyaka in the South; the Sun was installed in the West and the Self-born Lord in the North. The story of the origin of Dharmeśvara has already been told to you.

10-12. Now I shall state to you the cause of the birth of Gaṇeśa.^[1] Once Pārvatī applied unguent all over her body; she scraped it and held it in her hand. Thereafter she made an image thereof which she found very handsome. She inspired it with life. The (boy) got up in front of her and asked the mother: “What shall I do at your behest?”

Pārvatī said:

13-14. While I take my bath you stand at the doorway. (You may keep) all sorts of weapons axe, and other things. As long as you stand at the doorway, let no one cause any hindrance.

On being told thus by the great goddess, he stood there at the doorway with the weapons (in the hands).

15. In the meanwhile, Lord Mahādeva came there. The great Lord desired to go inside.

16. Entry was refused to him by Gaṇeśa who was standing at the doorway. This infuriated Lord Mahādeva. They fought each other.

17-19. As though they were desirous of killing each other, both of them fought together. (Gaṇeśa) hit the forehead of the Lord with the exquisite axe. Thereupon Lord Mahādeva raised his trident and struck his head with it. It fell down on the ground.

On seeing her son fallen on the ground, Pārvatī cried. When he fell down, there was a great hue and cry.

20. On seeing Pārvatī extremely agitated, Maheśvara, the lord of Devas, thought thus: ‘What wrong deed has been done by me!’

21-22. In the meantime he saw there the demon Gajāsura. On seeing the great demon, Lord Śiva, the sole lord worshipped by the entire world, hit his head. He took hold of it and stuck it to the son created by Pārvatī. He stood up there in the presence of the great Lord, along with his hosts of attendants.

23. Then he assigned the obvious name Gajānana (‘Elephant-faced’) to him. All the Suras and sages gathered together with great delight.

24. With great eulogies, they praised him continuously. “If anyone sells the entire family (property) in exchange for sweetmeat (offered to Gajānana), he (the Lord) will bring about the welfare of the entire family.

25. The Self-born Lord (Brahmā) worshipped the Single-tusked Ekadanta, Pīvara (the stout one), the great lord worshipped by the Suras, on the southern road.

26-27. He worshipped the Lord with matted locks of hair, short in stature, with a serpent for a sacred thread, who was three-eyed and huge-bodied, holding in his hand a flagstaff and an axe; he was holding a lotus-flower in his hand; he destroyed all obstacles. He was installed to the south of the town for the protection of the people.

28-29. The lord was highly pleased; he was the leader of the hosts (Gaṇas). He was bowed down to by Siddhi and Buddhi. He had the splendour of saffron. He was the most excellent of all Suras. He was brilliant and he held a sharp goad. The lord of the immortal ones bowed down to the lord who was worshipped with hundreds of excellent flowers. Thereafter the Suras bowed down to him with great devotion and eulogized him.

The Devas praised:

30-31. Obeisance to you, the lord of Suras; obeisance to the lord of the hosts; O Elephant-faced One, bow to you, O superintending deity of the great Devas. O leader of the hosts, obeisance to you, the lord fond of your devotees.

The lord of the hosts who was eulogized by means of these splendid prayers became highly pleased. Then he spoke these words.

Gaṇādhyakṣa (‘Leader of the Hosts’) said:

32-36. I am pleased with you all, O Suras. Tell me what you desire. I shall give it unto you.

The Devas said:

O auspicious one, O lord, stay here only and carry out our task. O Gaṇeśvara, always be the protector of all the Brāhmaṇas, merchants and other inhabitants of Dharmāraṇya. They are righteous and fully endowed with the qualities of celibacy etc. Be the protector of the people of all castes and stages of life as well as of others. With your favour, O blessed one, may all the Brāhmaṇas be endowed with happiness and wealth. May all the merchants be very powerful always. They are to be protected by you, O lord, as long as the sun, the moon and the earth exist.

The great lord, the lord of the hosts said: “So be it.”

37-39. The Devas became delighted. They began to worship the lord of the hosts. Thereupon, the Devas who were delighted and all the human beings in the world worshipped him with propitiatory things like flowers, incense etc. for the sake of ridding themselves of obstacles.

“Be worshipped at the outset before all, in the course of the rites of marriages, festivities and sacrifices. Be gracious always unto the residents of Dharmāraṇya.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

VV 10-23 give how Gaṇeśa became elephant-headed (Gajānana).