Lord Ganesha Tests King Janaka

Sage Kaundinya had told this story to his wife. It was about King Janaka. Janaka was noble, righteous, and very generous. He gave to everyone, and no one went away unsatisfied. Janaka also was a great devotee of Lord Ganesha.

One day, Narada came to meet Janaka. Narada said that Ganesha was the giver of all prosperity, and that was why Janaka could provide for everyone. But Janaka was proud. He said, 'No, I make my own wealth. I work hard, and I understand dharma.'

Narada was disappointed but stayed silent. Lord Ganesha wanted to teach Janaka a lesson. So, Ganesha took the form of a leper. He had wounds, and blood was oozing from his body. He went to Janaka’s palace gate and asked for food.

The guards informed Janaka, and Janaka asked them to bring the leper in. The leper was served many tasty dishes. He ate and ate, but his hunger was not satisfied. All the food in the kitchen was finished. The cooks made more food, and soon all the grains and supplies in the palace were used up.

The soldiers collected food from all around the kingdom. It was all brought, cooked, and served , but still, the leper was hungry. After a while, the leper saw that Janaka could give no more. He left the palace.

He went to the modest home of a poor couple. He said, 'I am hungry. Please give me food.' The couple had heard what had happened in the palace. They said, 'What can we give you that Janaka could not? The soldiers have taken all our grains too.'

The leper looked around and saw some durva grass. The couple had gathered it to worship Lord Ganesha. He said, 'Give me one blade from  that grass.' The couple gave it to him. A miracle happened. From the blade of grass, ladoos and modakas appeared - Ganesha’s favorite sweets. The leper took a few and ate them. He said, 'Now I am full.'

The leper blessed the couple and disappeared. The couple realized it was Lord Ganesha himself. When Janaka heard what had happened, he learned his lesson. He understood that Ganesha’s blessing was the true source of all prosperity.

Lessons - 

1. Lord Ganesha is the ultimate source of all prosperity and fulfillment.
2. Durva grass holds the power to invoke Ganesha's blessings.
3. True prosperity comes from humility and divine blessings, not just hard work and pride.
4. Generosity should come from the heart, not from a desire to prove oneself.
5. Simple devotion is often more powerful than grand displays of wealth.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi