Ganesha Gets His Life Back

Narada said

Wise Brahma, tell me everything that happened. When she heard this, what did Mahadevi do? I wish to hear the truth.

Brahma replied

Tiger among sages, listen; I will tell you what Jagadamba did and what followed. The ganas played mridangas and patahas, and when the leader of ganas was killed they held great festivities. Having cut off his head, Shiva grieved. Lord among sages, Devi Girija was filled with rage: "What shall I do? Where shall I go? Alas, a great misery has fallen on me. How will I end my sorrow? I am wretched now. My son has been killed by all the gods and ganas. I will destroy all of them and bring about dissolution." Lamenting and enraged, the Maheshvari of all the worlds at once created hundreds and thousands of Shaktis. So created, they bowed to Jagadamba Shivaa, blazing, and said, "Mother, command us." Hearing it, Prakriti, Shambhu's Shakti, was overwhelmed with rage. Lord among sages, Mahamaya answered them all.

Devi said

Shaktis, Devis, at my command your task is to bring pralaya; do not think about it. Friends, devour with your force the gods, rishis, yakshas and rakshasas, whether they are on our side or the other.

Brahma said

Hearing her, all the Shaktis were filled with rage and set out to destroy the gods and others. As fire consumes grass, they set about destroying everyone: leaders of the ganas, Vishnu, Brahma, Shankara, Indra, the king of the yakshas, Skanda, Surya and all the rest. All were destroyed without pause wherever they were. The Shaktis were everywhere, Karali, Kubjaka, Khanja, Lambashirsha and many others. They seized gods with their hands and flung them into their mouths. Hara, Brahma, Hari, Indra and all the other gods, ganas and rishis saw it. "What will Devi do now? The destruction is happening at the wrong time." So they were filled with doubt and lost hope of staying alive. They gathered and wondered what to do, and quickly said to each other: "We will be safe only when Devi Girija is pleased, not otherwise, even after a crore of attempts." Following worldly custom, Shiva was also unhappy, though he is the one who is skilled in many pastimes and deludes everyone. The hips of all the gods were broken. While Shivaa herself was enraged, no one wanted to stand before her. Sage, no one could stand before Girija, not those on her side or on others', not gods, danavas, ganas, guardians of the worlds, yakshas, kinnaras, Vishnu, Brahma, or even the lord Shankara. Her blazing energy consumed everything in every direction. Seeing it, all were terrified and kept their distance.

Sage, at this time Narada, divine in insight, came there to secure the happiness of gods and ganas. He bowed to me, to Bhava Shankara and to Vishnu and said, "We should think together what needs to be done." All the gods consulted you, great-souled one: "How can our grief be eased?" You answered, "Until Devi Girija shows compassion there can be no happiness; there is no need to think about it." The rishis went with you to Shivaa. All sought to calm her and ease Shivaa's rage. They bowed repeatedly and praised her with many hymns. Urged by the gods and ganas, they sought cheerfully to placate her. The divine rishis said they bowed to Jagadamba, Shivaa, Chandika and Kalyani. She alone was the primordial Shakti, the ever-present cause of creation, the protector, and also the Shakti who brings dissolution. They begged Deveshi to be pleased and bring peace, since the three worlds were suffering from her rage. Devi was supremely praised by you and the rishis. Shivaa cast an angry look at them and said nothing. All the rishis bowed at her lotus feet. With cupped hands they spoke to her again, devotedly and slowly.

The rishis said

Devi, you should forgive. A destruction is imminent. Ambika, look: your husband is standing there. See. Who are we, Vishnu, Brahma and the other gods? We are your subjects, standing before you with joined hands. Parameshvari, pardon all our crimes. All of us are distressed. Shivaa, give us peace now.

Brahma said

Extremely miserable and agitated, all the rishis said this and stood before Chandika with cupped hands.

Hearing them, Chandika was pleased and, her mind flooded with compassion, replied.

Devi said

There will be no destruction if my son comes back to life. He must be honoured in your midst. If you arrange it so that he becomes the controller of everything, there will be peace in the worlds. Otherwise there will be no happiness.

Brahma said

Hearing her, you and all the rishis went to the gods and told them everything that had happened. Hearing it they all reported to Shankara. Distressed, Shakra and the other gods joined their hands and bowed. Shiva heard what the gods said and replied, "The welfare of all the worlds must be secured. Go northward. Bring the head of the first being you meet and fix it to this body." At Shiva's command they did exactly that. They brought the headless torso and washed it properly, worshipped it and went northward. They first met an elephant with a single tusk. Determinedly they brought it and fixed the head on. All the gods bowed to Shiva, Vishnu and Vidhatri and said, "We have done what you asked. Whatever else remains should be done next." The attendants shone, the gods were glad, and having spoken they waited for Shiva's word. Brahma, Vishnu and the gods bowed to the divinity Isha Shiva, their lord without qualities: "Great-souled one, all of us were born of your energy. With the chanting of Vedic mantras, let that energy enter him." They chanted the mantras. Also chanting mantras over some excellent water, all remembered Shiva and sprinkled the water on the body. The moment the water touched him, by Shiva's will the child got up quickly as if from sleep, very fortunate and handsome, his face red, with the head of an elephant, very radiant, pleasant-faced and enchanting in form. Lord among sages, seeing Shiva's son alive again everyone there was delighted and their miseries were gone. Full of joy, they showed him to Devi. Seeing her son alive, Devi became very happy.