How Lord Ganesha became Ekadanta

After Parasurama exterminated all the Kshatriyas, he visited Kailasa. Mahadeva was his Guru, and Parasurama wanted to express his gratitude to him, Jagajjanani Parvati, and their beloved sons.

Kailasa is not just a mountain of snow—the physical Kailasa we see. There is another, divine Kailasa. It is breathtakingly beautiful, with streets made of gold and sparkling crystals studded upon them. Residences for the members of Bhagawan’s gana—the bhuta gana—are made of precious gemstones. The Swarga Ganga flows through Kailasa, and Parijata trees adorn its banks. Thousands of beautiful lakes, gardens emanating divine fragrance, singing birds, and a gentle breeze complete the scene.

In the midst of all this splendor is the abode of Lord Shankara.

As Parasurama approached the gates, he saw Nandi, Mahakala, Pingalaksha, Bana, Viroopakasha, Vikataksha, Bhasakaraksha, Raktaksha, Kalabhairava, Samharabhairava, Ruru Bhairava, bhutas, pishachas, siddhas, charanas, guhyakas, brahma rakshasas, vetalas, kimpurushas, and kinnaras. They were all there, serving the Lord. Parasurama exchanged pleasantries with everyone, then sought permission from Nandikeswara and stepped inside.

The Lord’s abode was a crore times more beautiful than what Parasurama had seen outside. As he passed another gopura, Parasurama noticed Kartikeya seated to the left and Lord Ganesha with Veerabhadra seated to the right. They were on gem-studded simhasanas.

Parasurama greeted them and attempted to enter through the gopura. Ganesha stopped him, saying, 'The Lord is taking rest. Please wait for some time. I will get his permission and take you inside.'

However, Parasurama was impatient. 'I will not disturb him. I will just prostrate at his lotus feet and leave,' he said.

Ganesha replied, 'That would not be proper. The Lord and Mata Parvati are together in the antahpura. Wait for his permission, and I will personally take you inside.'

Parasurama insisted, 'He is my Guru, and Devi is like my mother. Nobody has the right to stop me.'

Ganesha stood firm. 'No, you cannot just go like that,' he said. Parasurama, losing patience, pushed Ganesha aside.

Lord Ganesha remained polite. 'Do not do this. It is not proper,' he said, trying to explain. But Parasurama, in anger, pulled out his axe.

In response, Ganesha lifted Parasurama with his trunk and began whirling him around. Using his stambhana shakti (the power to freeze and block), Ganesha immobilized Parasurama, rendering him unable to move even a finger.

While whirling Parasurama, Ganesha showed him the seven seas, the seven great mountains, the seven islands, and all the fourteen worlds. Finally, he threw Parasurama into the sea. Parasurama, still frozen, could not swim. Mercifully, Ganesha lifted him out again with his trunk and gave him darshan of Shri Hari and Radha Rani in Goloka.

This entire sequence was deliberate. Parasurama had incurred a lot of bhrunahatya papa (sins of killing unborn children) while exterminating the Kshatriya vamsha over and over again, twenty-one times. While killing a Kshatriya in battle is not sinful, exterminating a vamsha involves bhrunahatya. By giving Parasurama a vision of Shri Hari and Radha Rani, Lord Ganesha absolved him of all his sins.

Ganesha then dropped Parasurama to the ground and removed the stambhana.

Angered, Parasurama took out his lethal axe and threw it at Ganesha. This axe had been gifted to Parasurama by his father and was originally Lord Shiva’s weapon. Out of respect, Ganesha did not avoid it. Instead, he absorbed the blow with one of his tusks, which broke and fell to the ground. Blood flowed from Ganesha’s mouth, and the universe trembled with a loud thud.

Bhumidevi could not bear the weight of the impact. Parvati Devi rushed to Ganesha’s side, crying, 'Oh, dear son, what happened to you? Who did this?'

The Lord remained silent, but Kartikeya narrated the entire incident. Parvati Devi took Ganesha on her lap, weeping. She turned to Parasurama, asking, 'Is this how you pay your Guru dakshina? First, you tested this weapon on the Kshatriyas, and now on your Guru’s son? Is this your Guru dakshina?'

She continued:

'त्वद्विधं लक्षकोटिं च हन्तुं शक्तो गणेश्वरः
जितेन्द्रियाणां प्रवरो नहि हन्ति च मक्षिकां
तेजसा कृष्णतुल्योयं कृष्णांशश्च गणेश्वरः
देवाश्चान्ये कृष्णकलाः पूजास्य पुरतस्ततः'

'Ganesha can vanquish crores of people like you effortlessly. But he is the greatest among the jithendriyas (those who have conquered their senses). He will not even harm a fly unnecessarily. Do you know that Ganesha’s tejas equals that of Shri Hari himself? All other gods are but parts (amsha) of Shri Hari, but Ganesha is as great as Shri Hari. That is why he is worshipped first everywhere.'

Parvati Devi, agitated, prepared to burn Parasurama to ashes. Parasurama, realizing his mistake, prayed to Lord Shiva and Shri Hari for help.

Suddenly, a radiant boy appeared, as brilliant as a crore suns. He wore a gem-studded crown, kundalas in his ears, and a Tulasi garland around his neck.

Everyone was awestruck when they saw Mahadeva and Parvati Devi paying respects to the young boy.

Shri Hari, the radiant boy, said, 'I have come here straight from Shweta Dweepa after hearing about this situation. My true devotees never face problems because I and my Sudarshana Chakra are always by their side. However, I will not tolerate insult to a Guru. Parasurama has insulted his Guru by hurting his son and causing grief to his gurupatni.'

He continued, 'Moreover, everyone knows:

'न पार्वतीपरा साध्वी न गणेशात्परो वशी'

There is none greater than Parvati in nobility, and none greater than Ganesha in mastery over the senses. Everyone knows this.'

Turning to Parvati Devi, Shri Hari said, 'Oh, Mother of the Universe, Parasurama is also your son, just like Ganesha and Kartikeya. I am not here to tell you what to do, as you are all-knowing.'

Shri Hari then began chanting the Namashataka Stotra in praise of Ganesha. At the end, he proclaimed, 'Whoever chants this stotra will always be successful and happy. Obstacles will flee from them like snakes flee from Garuda. This stotra will grant greatness, fame, a good spouse, children, and wealth.'

Shri Hari then advised Parasurama, 'Now you must apologize to all of them. Sing their praises and make them happy, for you have done wrong.'

Parasurama followed Shri Hari’s instructions, seeking forgiveness and harmony.

Knowledge Bank

What is the sanskar related to conception?

Conception at an auspicious time accompanied by divine worship and chanting of mantras for begetting a healthy and noble progeny is called Garbhadana sanskar.

What is the dress code for visiting the Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple?

Visitors are required to dress modestly and conservatively. Men are required to wear dhoti or mundu (a traditional Indian garment) and are not allowed to wear shirts. Women are required to wear sarees or other traditional attire.