Ganadhipa Sankashti Vrat Katha

Ganadhipa Sankashti Vrat Katha

Goddess Parvati asked Lord Ganesha - "which form of Ganesha should be worshipped on the Krishna Chaturthi of Margashirsha month (Amanta Kartika month) known as Sankata and what rituals should be observed."

Lord Ganesha replied - "O Mother! In the month of Margashirsha, Ganadhipa Ganesha should be worshipped. After the worship, offer Arghya. Observing a full day fast, feeding Brahmins, and performing a Havana with a mixture of barley, sesame, rice, sugar, and Ghee can help conquer enemies. Let me share an incident related to this fast.

This is an ancient tale from the Treta Yuga. There was a mighty king named Dasharatha, who had a great fondness for hunting. At the same time, a young man named Shravana Kumar was taking his blind parents on a pilgrimage, carrying them in a Kanwara (a type of carrier). One day, while they were travelling, Shravana Kumar's parents felt thirsty, so he went to a nearby river to fetch water. Coincidentally, King Dasharatha was hunting in the same area. As Shravana Kumar filled his vessel with water, the sound attracted the attention of Dasharatha. Mistaking the noise for that of a wild animal drinking at the riverbank, Dasharatha released his Shabdabhedi Baan i.e. a sound-guided arrow in the direction of the sound. Tragically, the arrow struck Shravana Kumar, leading to his untimely death.

When Shravana Kumar's blind parents learned about their son's death, they cursed King Dasharatha, saying - 'Just as we are dying from the grief of losing our son, you too will die from the sorrow of losing yours.' After uttering the curse, Shravana Kumar's parents also passed away.

This incident left King Dasharatha deeply distressed, prompting him to perform the Putreshti Yajna. As a result of this sacred ritual, Lord Vishnu incarnated as his son, Lord Shri Rama. Similarly, Goddess Lakshmi incarnated as Devi Sita to fulfill the role of Lord Shri Rama's devoted wife.

As the divine narrative unfolded, Lord Rama had to leave Ayodhya and go into exile. In the forest, Lord Rama, along with His wife Devi Sita and brother Lakshmana, resided in Panchavati. It was there that the king of Lanka, Ravana, deceitfully abducted Devi Sita, Lord Rama's wife. Overwhelmed by separation from Devi Sita, Lord Rama set out in search of Her and reached Rishyamuk Parvata, where He met Sugriva. Subsequently, a profound friendship blossomed between Shri Rama and Sugriva and along with Lord Hanumana and several other monkeys, the search for Devi Sita began. During the search, they encountered the elder brother of Jatayu, named Sampati. Observing the group of monkeys, Sampati asked - 'Who are you? What is the purpose of your visit to this forest? Who sent you here? And how did you arrive here?' Listening to Sampati's queries, the monkeys replied - 'Demon king Ravana has abducted Mother Janaki, the wife of Lord Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. We have all arrived here in the course of searching for Her.'

With these words, Sampati stated with conviction - 'My brother Jatayu laid down his life for Mata Sita's honor. Because you are all devoted to my Lord, Dasharathanandana Shri Rama, you are my friends, and I will surely aid your cause. A short distance from here, lies a vast and formidable ocean, beyond which rises the great city of demons. There, beneath a tree, I clearly perceive Devi Sita, whom Ravana has abducted. Among your ranks, Hanuman stands out in power and bravery. It is He who must undertake the journey to the demon city. Only Lord Hanumana's strength is sufficient to traverse this immense ocean; no one other than Him has the capacity for such a difficult undertaking.' On hearing Sampati's decisive words, Lord Hanumana then questioned - 'O Sampati! By what means can I possibly cross this vast ocean?'

Sampati replied - 'O Friend! Observe the Sankata Nashana Ganesha Chaturthi fast. Through the power of this fast, you will be able to cross the ocean within seconds.'

Following Sampati's instructions, Lord Hanumana observed the excellent Sankata Chaturthi fast. O Goddess! As a result of this fast, Lord Hanumana immediately crossed the formidable ocean. In the entire world, there is no other fast as blissful and rewarding as this one."

Mahatmya

Lord Shri Krishna said - "King Yudhishthira, you must also observe this fast. Through its power, you will quickly defeat your enemies and regain your kingdom." Heeding Lord Shri Krishna's advice, Yudhishthira observed the Ganesha Chaturthi fast. As a result of this fast, he defeated his enemies and successfully reclaimed his kingdom.