Ganesha's Origin

Suta said

Hearing the wonderful, extraordinary account of Taraka, Narada was extremely happy, and, delighted, questioned Vidhatri.

Narada said

Lord of the gods, lord of subjects, treasury of knowledge about Shiva, I have heard Kartika's story, which is better than amrita. Now I wish to hear Ganesha's excellent account. His birth and conduct are divine, the most auspicious of all that is auspicious.

Suta said

Hearing the great sage Narada, Brahma was pleased, remembered Shiva and replied.

Brahma said

Because kalpas differ, the story of Ganesha's birth is told in different ways: he was born from the lord, Shani looked at him and his head was cut off, and afterward he got an elephant's head. I will tell Ganesha's origin as it was in the kalpa called Shveta. Here, out of compassion, Shiva cut off his head. Sage, that does not mean one should doubt that Shankara is the cause of prosperity; he is lord of everything. Shambhu is both without and with qualities, and in play he creates and preserves the whole universe, and also destroys it, best of sages. Listen lovingly. After the marriage Shiva went to Kailasa. Some time later Ganapati was born. Once Parvati's friends Jaya and Vijaya got together and made a serious suggestion: "All Rudra's ganas, Nandi and Bhringi first, are devoted to carrying out Shiva's commands, though they are ours too. The pramathas are many, but they are not ours. All of them stand at the doors intent on Shankara's commands. Though they ought to be ours as well, their feelings toward us are not the same. Blameless one, you should make one who belongs only to us." Considering this good advice, Devi Parvati decided to act on it.

Once, while Parvati was bathing, Sadashiva scolded Nandi and entered the house. Seeing Shankara arrive at the wrong time, Jagadambika got up from her bath, ashamed. The incident made Devi think her friends' words were good and would bring happiness. Parvati Shivaa is the supreme form of maya, Parameshvari. At that time she thought in her mind: "I must have a servant who is auspicious and successful in carrying out his tasks and who never strays in the least from my instructions." So thinking, Devi made a being from the dirt of her body. He had every auspicious sign and no blemish in any limb, handsome in all his parts, large, with every excellent radiance, immensely strong and valiant. She gave him many garments and ornaments and many fine blessings, and told him, "You are my son. You are mine. I have no one else to call my own." Thus addressed, he bowed and spoke to Shivaa.

Ganesha said

What task must I accomplish now? I must act on your instructions.

Shivaa said

Son, listen to my words. From now on you will be my doorkeeper. You are my son. You are mine; I have no one else of my own. Son, without my permission no one is to be let into the house. No one should do so out of obstinacy. I have told you the truth.

Brahma said

Sage, saying this, she gave him a very firm staff. Seeing his handsome form she was filled with joy. Showing compassion to her son, in great joy she embraced him and kissed his face. She stationed Ganadhipa at her door with the staff in his hand. Son, the gana, Devi's son, stood at the gate, immensely valiant, staff in hand, wishing to secure Parvati's welfare. Shivaa set Ganesha, her own son, at the door and with her friends went to bathe. At this moment Shiva came to the door. Tiger among sages, skilled in many pastimes and curious, he came up. Not knowing it was Shiva Isha, Ganadhipa said: "Divinity, without my mother's command you cannot enter now. My mother is bathing. Where are you trying to go?" So saying, he lifted the staff to stop him. Seeing it, Shiva said: "Who is this fool trying to stop me? You of wicked understanding, you do not know me. I am Shiva, and no one else." Then Maheshvara was hit by Ganesha with the staff. The one who plays in many ways was enraged and answered his son: "You are a fool. You do not know that I am Shiva, Girija's husband. Child, I am going to my own house; why do you stop me?" Brahmana, when Mahesha tried to go in after saying this, the leader of the ganas grew angry and struck him again with the staff. Shiva, enraged, told his own ganas: "Who is this, and what is he doing here? Ganas, go and see." Having said this, Shiva stayed outside the house, angry. The lord plays many pastimes and was following the world's customs.