Chapter 57 - Ghaṇṭeśvara (ghaṇṭa-īśvara-liṅga)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: Ghaṇṭa, a Gaṇa of Siva, went to God Brahmā to show his musical proficiency. He was not admitted hut cursed by Siva to fall on the earth. On the advice of Nārada and other sages, the fallen Gaṇa went to Mahākālavana and visited a Liṅga near Revanteśvara. Ghaṇṭa was restored to his position thereby.

Īśvara said:

1-8. Know that the Ghaṇṭeśvara Liṅga is the fifty-seventh deity. Merely by visiting him one attains everything one desires.

An excellent Gaṇa named Ghaṇṭa was my favourite. During the period of Cākṣuṣa Manu, once, out of curiosity, he proceeded to Brahmā’s abode to see Brahmā, the immutable one. On seeing Citrasena, a Gandharva expert in music, coming, the excellent Gaṇa joyously enquired after his welfare: “I have to go there itself, to the abode of Parameṣṭhin. I will propitiate Brahmā, the Lord of the worlds, with my songs.” Citrasena, who was thus addressed, told Ghaṇṭa: “The Lotus-born God is engaged in secret consultations with Devas.” On hearing this Ghaṇṭa, the Gaṇa, stood surprised. He was stopped by the gatekeeper. Hence he began to ponder: ‘Leaving Lord Iśāna, I have come to see Brahmā but even entry is not obtained by anyone and everyone who comes to meet Brahmā. Need it be said that the chance of one’s getting the Lord’s favour is far off?’ Even as he was thinking thus, more than a year passed off. O goddess, Ghaṇṭa did not get an entry at the gates of Brahmā.

9-19. The excellent Gaṇa saw Nārada, eagerly holding the Vīṇā in his hand, coming out of the inner apartments of the abode of the Lotus-born One. Then he said immediately: “O Nārada, I am a Gaṇa well-versed in the theory and practice of music. I am a favourite of Mahādeva. I have come here to meet Brahmā Parameṣṭhin. Kindly make a mention about me (to Brahmā).”

On hearing the words of Ghaṇṭa, Sage Nārada became pleased. He consoled (the Gaṇa) and spoke thus deceptively: “O chief of the Gaṇas, I have been sent to the abode of Bṛhaspati by Brahmā, the creator of the worlds, in order to enquire about some matter. I will return in a moment. Wait till then.”

After saying this, O goddess, Nāraḍa came to me. The excellent sage told me the news about Ghaṇṭa.

“O Lord, a servant like Ghaṇṭa is rare indeed. This Gaṇa has left you and has been waiting for the service of Parameṣṭhin for more than a year. But the poor fellow has not gained entry yet.”

On hearing the words of Sage Nāraḍa, I cursed angrily: “O Ghaṇṭa, as you have left me and have gone to another abode for service, be fallen on the earth.” When these words were uttered by me, Ghaṇṭa fell down on to the earth near the forest of Devadāru even as he was standing at the threshold of Brahmā.

On realizing that he had fallen on the earth, Ghaṇṭa spoke these words choked with grief and faltering: “He who goes elsewhere for service after leaving his own Lord, falls into terrible hell and incurs ignominy. On being deceived by Nārada,

I have lost both. Neither Brahmā nor Lord Maheśvara is my master now.”

20-29. Even as he was lamenting thus, the excellent sage, Nārada, came to that place where Ghaṇṭa was standing in the Devadāru forest, O goddess, for meeting the sages. It was a terror-stricken Ghaṇṭa with a confused mind who saw Nārada. The Gaṇa thought thus: ‘He has brought me to this wretched condition. I do not know what else he will do to me.’ While he was thinking thus, Nārada spoke these words to him: “O Gaṇādhyakṣa, resentment or grief causes destruction of merit. Do not be sad. Ghaṇṭa! Your downfall will lead you back to fame. It is for the sake of atonement (at the outset). After purifying your soul through expiation you will attain Lord Śaṅkara. Hence, at my bidding go to the splendid Mahākālavana. To the east of Ṛevanteśvara there is an excellent Liṅga. It is divine and conducive to all riches. It will become well-known after your name.”

Nārada said thus and Jaigīṣavya came there. He too said everything: “O Gaṇādhyaksa, Nārada has spoken the truth. Your fame shall be everlasting.” Kaśyapa, Mṛkaṇḍa, Kaṇva, Jamadagni, Atri, Bhṛgu, and the celestial sage Lomaśa, all advised Ghaṇṭa, O goddess, thus. He hastened to the splendid Mahākālavana, where I was fighting in a battle, making the sound of a bell, at which, O goddess, the excellent Liṅga, destructive of sins, was produced. There the splendid refulgent Liṅga was seen by the Gaṇa himself.

30-38. By seeing that Liṅga, Ghaṇṭa became a Gaṇa once again. He was endowed with splendid lustre with the brightness of the thousand-rayed Sun. Ghaṇṭa was acclaimed very much and brought to my side by aerial chariots that could grant all desires. He became my great favourite.

O lady of wide eyes, those who visit Lord Ghaṇṭeśvara Śiva will go to my eternal world by means of aerial chariots that could grant all desires. The bells therein will loudly proclaim (their glory). They will stay there for a very long time. Ghaṇṭeśvara Liṅga should not be divulged to anyone and everyone. A man may be sick, wretched or grief-stricken, O my beloved, but even if he perceives Lord Ghaṇṭeśvara casually he will be taken by aerial chariots having the lustre of molten gold and the ability to grant all desires. The man then rejoices amidst Gandharvas and celestial damsels in Svarga. He will obtain the cherished desires. He will be entertained by music played on flutes and lutes. Having slipped down from Svarga, he will be born in a prosperous family with an abundance of gold and food-grains. He will be endowed with all riches and glory of lordship. He will be a king or someone similar to a king. He will be the overlord of Jaṃbūdvīpa.

He who is endowed with great faith and worships the Lord of Devas attains the greatest position with no cause for further rebirths. Thus, O goddess, the sin-destroying power of Ghaṇṭeśvara Deva has been recounted to you. Listen to the story of Prayāgeśa.