Mythological #Story of How Lord #Ganesha was born for #ChildrenStories 1

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived happily in Kailas. One day when Shiva was away and Parvati was bathing in the stream, one of her friends remarked, “Shiva has Nandi as a guard. Why not have a guard solely for you?”

Parvati thought that it was a good idea as she did not want anyone to accidentally enter her abode when she was taking bath. So she took some wet turmeric in her hand and moulded it into the shape of a little boy. Then she breathed life into the image. The little boy came alive and fell at her feet. 

He asked “Mother, bless me to do whatever you want me to do.”

Parvathi lifted him up and hugged him in a tight embrace.

“Son, you have to guard my abode. Make sure that you do not allow anyone to enter without my permission.”

“Sure, I will, Mother,” replied the boy and took his place in front of the house.

Happy and secure in the thought that she had someone to take care of her needs exclusively, Parvati continued with her routine.

Time passed and Shiva returned. When he was about to enter, the boy stopped him.

“Please move aside and let me enter,” said Shiva.

“No. My mother has ordered me to not let anyone inside,” answered the boy.

Shiva tried to cajole and persuade the boy but to no avail. The boy stubbornly obstructed his way.

Becoming furious, Shiva ordered Nandi and the other Ganas to remove him from there. They picked up their weapons to fight, but the boy fought bravely and none of them could match his strength. He defeated all of them.

Shiva’s anger knew no bounds. He lifted his trident and cut off the boy’s head.

Hearing the commotion outside, Parvati came running outside. She was devastated to see her the lifeless form of her son.

“Do you know whom you have killed?” she cried. “He is our son. You have to bring him to life again.”

Shiva was moved by her profound grief and sorrow and asked his Ganas to search for the severed head of the boy which had been thrown too far away by the force of the trident. The Ganas could not find the head.

“You killed my son. Now you have to restore him,” demanded Parvati vehemently.

Knowing that time was the essence, Shiva after consulting Brahma, asked the Ganas to bring the head of the first living being that they came across  in the North direction. The Ganas found an elephant. They cut his head and brought it to Lord Shiva. Shiva joined the elephant head to the body of his slain son and made him alive. Parvati hugged her son in relief, but seeing his elephant head, she was concerned that everyone would make fun of him. To appease her, Shiva ordained that his son would be the leader of the Ganas and would be named Ganapati. He would be worshiped before the commencement of worship of any other God.

Thus was born Ganesha, the wise and mighty son of Shiva and Parvati.

 #birth_of_Ganesha #Mythology #Story_for_children #Shiva #Parvati