Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat Katha | Legends of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat Katha

Lord Shiva said - "All of you listen carefully to this story. On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi one should observe this highly auspicious fast dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Those who perform this fast with full devotion are freed from all troubles. This fast brings success even in dense forests, adverse circumstances, legal disputes and court matters. Lord Ganesha is especially pleased by this fast."

Sanatkumar Ji expressed curiosity - "O Lord! Who first observed this fast in ancient times? How did it become established on earth? Kindly describe it in detail."

Lord Shiva replied - "The very first person to observe this fast was Lord Krishna Himself, when a false accusation of theft was cast upon Him. To be freed from that blame, Lord Krishna performed this fast under the guidance of Devarshi Narada."

Sanatkumar asked - "O Master! Lord Krishna is the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer of the universe. How could a false charge be imposed on Him? Please narrate the story related to this."

Lord Shiva narrated - "Long ago, due to repeated attacks from Jarasandha, the king of Magadha, Lord Krishna built the golden city of Dwarakapuri for the protection of His people and resided there with His queens, the Yadavas, and His subjects. In this magnificent city, palaces were built for each queen, houses for fifty-six crore Yadavas, and residences for people of all communities. Everyone lived happily in Dwaraka. Among the Yadavas there lived a man named Ugra, who had two sons, Satrajit and Prasenajit. Satrajit performed severe penance on the seashore to please the Lord Surya, renouncing food and comforts. Pleased by his austerities, Surya Deva appeared before him and said - 'O Satrajit! I am pleased with your devotion and worship. Therefore, I grant you this beautiful and rare divine gem that even the Gods covet.' Saying so, Surya removed a gem from His neck and gifted it to Satrajit. Surya Deva then added - 'This gem produces twenty-four measures of gold every day. But it must be worn in a pure state; if worn in impurity, the wearer will die.' With these words, Surya disappeared.

Wearing the gem, Satrajit shone like the Sun itself. Onlookers thought that Lord Surya Himself was walking into Dwaraka. Upon coming closer, they realized it was Satrajit with the gem. Seeing the divine jewel, Krishna's heart was momentarily drawn toward it, but He refrained from desiring it. However, Satrajit suspected that Krishna might try to take it. Therefore, he gave the gem to his brother Prasenajit, warning him to wear it only in a state of purity.

One day Prasenajit, wearing the jewel, went hunting in the forest along with Krishna. Due to impurity, Prasenajit was killed by a lion, which carried the gem away. Jambavant witnessed this, killed the lion, and gave the gem to his daughter Jambavati.

Meanwhile, Krishna returned to Dwaraka alone. Seeing Him without Prasenajit, people suspected that Krishna had killed Prasenajit to obtain the jewel. Hurt by this false accusation, Krishna left the city with some trusted companions to clear His name. In the forest, they found Prasenajit's half-eaten body. Following the lion's footprints, Krishna reached the cave of Jambavant.

Leaving His companions at the entrance, Krishna entered the dark, vast cave alone and went deep inside. There He saw a palace where a child lay in a cradle, with the shining Syamantaka gem hanging as a toy. Nearby was a beautiful, lotus-eyed maiden rocking the cradle. Krishna was amazed at her beauty. She said to the child - 'Dear one, why are you crying? Look, father brought this wonderful Syamantak Mani for you after killing the lion that slew Prasenajit.'

Just then, she noticed Krishna and warned Him - 'Whoever you are, leave this place before my father returns, otherwise the outcome will be dire.' Krishna smiled and blew His conch. Hearing the sound, Jambavant arrived, and a fierce battle ensued between them. For twenty-one days they fought continuously, until Krishna finally defeated him. Remembering His pastimes from Treta Yuga, Jambavant recognized Krishna's true form and said - 'None among Gods, Demons, Serpents, or Spirits could defeat me. Only You, Lord Vishnu, could accomplish this. You are the very Lord Rama who conquered Lanka with His bow. I bow to You repeatedly.'

Hearing this, Krishna explained - 'O Jambavant! I came here seeking the gem, because I have been falsely accused of theft and murder.' Jambavant then offered his daughter Jambavati in marriage to Krishna and gave Him the gem as dowry. Krishna happily returned to Dwaraka with Jambavati and the jewel. In the royal assembly He narrated the entire episode and returned the gem to Satrajit, who was filled with shame. As atonement, Satrajit gave his daughter Satyabhama in marriage to Krishna.

In the course of time, Shatadhanva, Akrura, and some other Yadavas grew envious of Satrajit and desired to obtain the Syamantaka jewel. One day, while Krishna was away from Dwaraka, Shatadhanva murdered Satrajit and stole the jewel. When Krishna returned, Satyabhama informed Him of the incident. Once again, accusations and disputes about Krishna began spreading in the city. Krishna then said to His brother Balarama - 'Shatadhanva has killed Satrajit and taken the jewel. That gem rightfully belongs to us.'

When Shatadhanva learned that Balarama Himself was seeking the jewel, he became frightened. He secretly handed the gem over to Akrura and fled southward on horseback. Krishna and Balarama pursued him in a chariot. After covering a hundred kos, Krishna killed Shatadhanva's horse, forcing him to run on foot. Krishna then caught and slew him, but the jewel was not found on his person. Krishna told Balarama - 'The gem is not with him.' At this, Balarama grew angry, accused Krishna of deceit, and departed for the land of Vidarbha. Krishna returned to Dwaraka alone, where once again people whispered that Krishna, out of greed for the jewel, had driven His own brother Balarama away from Dwaraka.

Meanwhile, Akrura, now keeper of the jewel, traveled on pilgrimages and used its gold to generously reward priests and people. Wherever he went, famine and calamities disappeared. Though Krishna knew everything, in His human role He became troubled, wondering how to clear His name and restore harmony with Balarama.

While Shri Krishna was immersed in such thoughts, Devarshi Narada arrived. Krishna greeted Him with respect, offered hospitality, and gave Him a seat. Once Narada was seated, He asked - 'O Lord, why do I see worry and sorrow upon your face? Please tell me the entire matter.'

Shri Krishna replied - 'O Devarshi Narada, I am repeatedly being accused with false charges. Some stigma or another keeps falling upon me, and it causes me great distress. Therefore, I have come to you for refuge; please free me from this anxiety.' Narada said - 'O Lord, I know the reason behind this stigma. On Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, you happened to see Lord Chandra. That is why you are being falsely accused again and again.' Shri Krishna asked - 'O sage, how can seeing the Chandra on Chaturthi bring such a blemish? While seeing the Chandra on Dwitiya is considered highly auspicious and fruitful.' Narada replied - 'O Lord, it was Lord Ganesha Himself who cursed the Lord Chandra, declaring that whoever looks at Him on this day would be falsely slandered in society.' Then Krishna said - 'O best of sages, why did Ganesha curse the Lord Chandra, the one who showers nectar upon the world? Please narrate this story in detail.'

Narada said - 'In ancient times, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesha granted Lord Ganesha the Ashta Siddhi(s) and the Nava Nidhi(s) as His consorts. Prajapati Brahma, following the prescribed Vedic rites, worshiped Lord Ganesha and established Him in the foremost position. Brahma said - 'O elephant-faced one! O Ganapati! O Lambodara! O bestower of boons! O remover of obstacles! Whoever worships you with devotion and offers laddus shall have all their obstacles removed and shall effortlessly attain rare powers. O Ganapati! It is by your power that Vishnu sustains and Shiva brings about dissolution. I am unable to fully praise your glory.'

Hearing these words of praise from Brahma, Lord Ganesha said - 'O creator of the universe, Brahma! I am greatly pleased with your praises. Ask for any boon you desire.' Brahma replied - 'May there be no obstruction in the creation of the universe.' Ganesha said - 'So be it!' Thus, granting the boon to Brahma, Lord Ganesha departed through the sky and reached to the Chandra Loka. Lord Chandra, proud of His beauty and form, looked upon Ganesha, with His trunk, large ears, round belly, and riding on a mouse and began to laugh, mocking His appearance.

At that moment, enraged, Lord Ganesha cursed the Lord Chandra, saying - 'From this day onward, on Shukla Chaturthi, no one shall look upon your sinful face. Whoever happens to see your face on this day, even by mistake, will surely be slandered and falsely accused.'

Narada continued - 'O Krishna! Hearing this dreadful curse, the entire creation cried out in distress. Chandra's face became dark and He hid Himself by entering the waters. From that very day, the Chandra began residing in the waters. The Gods, sages, and Gandharvas became deeply troubled. Indra and the other deities went to Brahmaloka and said - 'Lord Brahma, Ganesha has cursed the Lord Chandra. Please provide a solution.' Brahma replied - 'The curse of Ganesha cannot be undone. Neither I, nor any other deity, can revoke it. Therefore, you must all go and seek refuge in Lord Ganesha himself.' The gods asked - 'O Brahma! Kindly tell us the way to please Lord Ganesha.'

Brahma Ji said - 'Lord Ganesha should be worshipped on the night of Krishna Chaturthi. Laddus made of pure Ghee, along with other delicacies, should be offered as Bhoga. One should also prepare sweets such as Halwa, Puri and other offerings, partake of the Prasada, and give a golden idol of Ganesha in charity to a Brahmin, along with appropriate Dakshina according to one's capacity.'

Having learned the complete method of worship and observance from Brahma, the Gods sent their preceptor Lord Brihaspati to the Lord Chandra. He conveyed to the Chandra the procedure of Ganesha worship as described by Brahma. Lord Chandra then performed the worship and observance of Lord Ganesha with full devotion and proper ritual. As a result, Lord Ganesha was pleased and manifested before Him. Seeing Ganesha directly before Him, the Lord Chandra began to praise him - 'O Lord! You are all-pervading and all-knowing. O Lambodara, O Vakratunda, in my pride I mocked your form. For that improper conduct I beg your forgiveness. Kindly show mercy upon me.'

Hearing the Chandra's praise, Lord Ganesha laughed and thundered like clouds, saying - 'O Chandra! I am very pleased with you. Ask for a boon.' Lord Chandra replied - 'O Ganeshwara! May everyone once again behold me and honor me as before and may all my sins be destroyed by your grace.' Ganesha said - 'O Chandra, I may grant you any other boon, but not this one.' Hearing these words of Ganesha, Brahma and the other Gods grew fearful and began to pray - 'O Gajanana, we beseech you, please release the Chandra from this curse. Out of consideration for the greatness of Brahma, kindly grant Him relief.'

Listening to their prayers, Ganesha replied respectfully - 'All of you are my devotees. Therefore, I shall grant a boon as you wish. Whoever looks at the Chandra on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi will indeed incur false blame; this cannot be changed. But if a person makes it a practice to behold the Chandra every month on the Shukla Dwitiya, then the fault of seeing the Chandra on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi will not affect them. However, those who don't see the Chandra on Dwitiya and then see on particular Chaturthi will suffer false accusation within one year.''

Narada said - 'O son of Nanda, from that time onward, people began to view the Chandra with reverence on Dwitiya. Lord Ganesha Himself declared the special merit of seeing the Chandra on this day.' Thereafter, the Chandra asked Lord Ganesha again - 'O Ganapati, if someone happens to see me on that day by mistake, how may you be pleased and grant forgiveness?'

Lord Ganesha said - 'On every Krishna Chaturthi, those who offer laddus as Bhoga and worship me, perform proper worship of you along with Rohini, worship my idol (preferably of gold), listen to the sacred story, and give food and charity to Brahmins, I shall always remove their sorrows. If one cannot afford a golden idol, then let them make a beautiful clay idol and worship me with fragrant flowers. Afterwards, they should happily feed a Brahmin, complete the ritual, and then dedicate the idol to the Brahmin with the following prayer -

First pray to Lord Ganesha - 'O Lord Ganesha, may you be pleased with this offering of ours. O Lord, may you always make all our endeavors free of obstacles. Grant us honor, progress, wealth, and progeny. May noble, virtuous, and devoted children always be born in our lineage.' After this, they should donate the idol to Brahmin, feed the Brahmin with sweets such as Laddus, Kheer, Malpua and then partake of the food themselves. Whoever observes this vow and worship in this manner will always attain victory, success in endeavors, prosperity, and the joy of children.' Saying thus, Lord Ganesha disappeared.

Narada then said - 'O Krishna! You too should observe this vow. By the effect of this fast, you will be freed from false blame.' Then, following the instruction of Narada, Krishna performed the fast with ritual and by its power the false accusation upon Him was removed.

Narada concludes - 'Whoever listens to the story of the Syamantaka jewel, and the tale of the Moon will not incur the fault of seeing the Moon on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi. If one suffers from mental worry, doubt, or happens to see the Moon on that day by mistake, one should surely recite and listen to this story. Lord Krishna himself pleased Ganesha by performing this vow and worship. Whenever humans face calamity, performing this vow dispels it and fulfils all desires. By pleasing Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, all attainments of the world become easily obtainable.'"