The story of Gajanana
It is the Dwapara Yuga. King Mahijeet rules over his kingdom Mahishmati. Mahijeet is a noble, scholarly and devout person who treats his subjects like his own children. He lives in a palatial palace and enjoys all the luxuries of life. But he is sad because he has no child to inherit his kingdom.
He performs several yagnas, donates money to the needy, protects the Brahmanas from thieves and dacoits, respects them and gives them as many cows as they want, punishes the wrongdoers fairly and helps his friends when they are in need too. He follows the tenets of Dharma at all times and refrains from amassing wealth by exploiting others. But to no avail. He remains childless.
Yet He knows that all his good deeds will come to nought if he does not sire a son -for if a childless man offers water to his Pitrs, it is akin to offering them hot water to quench their thirst. He does not want to incur the wrath of his Pitrs.
But he is anxious and concerned about the welfare of his people. Left with no other alternative, he decides to meet the people of his kingdom. He wants them to appoint a king of their choice so that he can retire to the forest. When the people gather in his court, he says, “I look upon all of you as my children. So it is my wish that I appoint a proper heir for the kingdom I have done all that I could to sire a son. But have failed. So please discuss the matter amongst yourselves and decide who you want to appoint as king so that I can retire to the forest. ”
The people of Mahijeet’s kingdom say, “You have treated us like a father. A mother gives birth to a child. A father instils values in him. But it is a king who creates the right ecosystem in the kingdom so that everyone prospers. We want only your son to inherit the kingdom. No one else. Let’s discuss the matter amongst ourselves and find a solution for your childlessness.”
So the people of Mahishmati gather together in a clearing in the forest that lies on the outskirts of their kingdom. But they are surprised to find rishi Lomash meditating there. They had heard about him. He was well versed in the Vedas and was blessed with divine powers. But they were not aware that he was living in that particular forest.
They look at him in awe and reverence. They could make out that he was surviving only on his prana and was deeply engrossed in his meditation. So much so that he was not even aware of their presence. The people talk amongst themselves in whispers and said, “ Look at rishi Lomash. He has conquered anger and is no longer interested in worldly desires. He sheds all his body hair at the end of every kalpa. That is why he is known as rishi Lomash. We are privileged indeed to chance upon him here today.”
They then remember the reason for which they had come to this forest. They decide to take rishi Lomash’s advice on the matter. Rishi Lomash senses their presence and opens his eyes. He says, “It’s unusual to find so many people in this forest. Why have you all gathered here?”
The people narrate king Mahijeet’s problem to rishi Lomash. They say, “We are fortunate indeed to find you here. Please guide us. How can we solve king Mahijeet’s problem? What must he do so that he is blessed with a son? Must he fast? Should he worship any deity? Or perform a different kind of yagna? Tell us. Please. For our future too is at stake.”
Rishi Lomash says, “Listen to my words carefully O people of Mahishmati. King Mahijeet has to observe a fast on all Sankashtis. In every month of the Hindu lunar calendar, we have two chaturthis. Sankashtis are observed on the chaturthi that falls in the Krishna paksha of every month. Devotees of Ganesha break the Sankashti Vrat only after catching a glimpse of the moon. And offer a specific kind of food to a specific form of Ganesha on all Sankashtis. I will give you all the details about this too. Lord Ganesha blesses his devotees in a unique manner every month.
King Mahijeet yearns for a child. So he needs to fast on the Sankashti that falls in the month of Ashadha. He has to worship the Gajanana form of Ganesha. But before that he has to seat him on a Vishnu Peeta. He can offer the food that is offered during upavas on this day to Gajanana. And follow the same rituals that are observed during other Sankashtis to please Gajanana. But he should feed Brahmins and give them clothes as gifts. What is more important is that he should fast and worship the Gajanana form of Ganesh with a pure heart and mind and with utter devotion.
Childless people specifically worship Gajanana with absolute devotion when they observe this fast. Gajanana also blesses the people who yearn for material wealth on this day. So ask king Mahijeet to observe this Vrat correctly each month and worship lord Gajanana devoutly especially in the month of Ashadha. Lord Gajanana is easy to please. He will surely bless your king with a son shortly.”
The people of Mahishmati are excited to learn about all this. Of course, they all worshipped Lord Ganesha but they had never heard about Sankat Chaturthi. They thank rishi Lomesh profusely, return to their kingdom and narrate everything to king Mahijeet.
Mahijeet is immensely happy to hear the news. He makes a note of the date, follows all the rituals perfectly and fasts on all the Sankashti from then on. In the month of Ashadha, he prays to Gajanana with great fervour and devotion. He ensures that he observes all the rituals perfectly after seating Gajanana on the Vishnu Peetam. He feeds several Brahmins, gives them clothes too and breaks his fast only after sighting the moon. And a year later, Gajanana blesses him with a beautiful and virtuous son.
King Mahijeet feels very happy when he cradles his son in his arm. He had given up all hope of ever becoming a father. He thanks the people of his kingdom humbly for all that they had done for him. And from that day on, he decides to observe all the rituals and worship the different forms of Ganesha on all Sankashtis.
Click here to read the other Sankashti Vrat Kathas and a few stories on Ganesha.
Click here to know more about some Indian rituals.