The story of Krishna Pingala Ganapati
Dayadev, a Brahmin is well versed in the Vedas and has a wife called Kalyani. They have a son called Deva who is a scholar too. Dayadev and Kalyani get Deva married to Riddhi who is a devout bhakta of Ganesha.
A fortnight after the wedding, Riddhi approaches her in-laws and says, “Tomorrow is Sankashti. I have fasted on Sankashtis ever since I was old enough to do so. I would like to continue doing so in my marital home too with your blessings.
It is the month of Jyestha. So we seat Krishna Pingala Ganapati, a form of Ganesha, on the Shri Shakti Ganapati Peetha. We also offer things like puris and laddoos which are cooked in ghee to Krishna Pingala Ganapati after sighting the moon. Tomorrow’s Sankashti is special because Krishna Pingala Ganapati blesses us with Sowbhagya and grants our husbands long healthy lives.”
Dayadev looks at Riddhi indulgently and says, “You are a mature woman Riddhi. Yet you believe in such meaningless rituals? Who is Krishna Pingala Ganapati? How can one God have so many forms? And why do you have to pray to any God at all? Only people who want something pray to entities like God. We have an abundance of everything in our home. We live peacefully too. So what is the need for you to fast?
If you want anything, just ask Kalyani or me for it. We will happily give you whatever you want. I don’t believe in these rituals. It is more important to be a good human being, isn’t it? But we respect you. So you can take your decisions. We will accept whatever you do.”
Riddhi winces when she listens to Dayadev’s words but appreciates Dayadev’s liberal approach. So, with Kalyani’s support, she continues to fast on all Sankashtis. A year later, Riddhi realizes she is pregnant. Kalyani is concerned about Riddhi’s health. So she says, “Riddhi, Dayadev and I still don’t understand why you fast on all Sankashtis. But we did not have the heart to stop you. But Riddhi, you are pregnant now. And you need to take special care of yourself during this phase else the child in your womb will suffer from malnutrition.
These Sankashtis that you observe are quite intense. You don’t eat until you catch a glimpse of the moon. And you prepare specific sweetmeats on specific Sankashtis. I think you should discontinue fasting on Sankashtis. You will need all your energy to take good care of your child. Remember, you are a mother now. And it is your duty as a mother to think about your child’s welfare too. We trust you to take the right decision this time.”
Riddhi can feel the concern in Kalyani’s voice. She feels like arguing her case with Kalyani but she remembers how supportive Kalyani has been for the past one year. So she keeps her thoughts to herself. She feels extremely guilty to give up on something so close to her heart. But she stops fasting on all Sankashtis after that. She gives birth to a healthy baby boy a year later. But on all Sankashtis, she prays quietly to Ganesha and asks for forgiveness.
Twenty-one years pass. Peacefully. It is time for Riddhi’s son to get married. Dayadev, Kalyani, Deva and Riddhi are happy when they find a suitable bride for Riddhi’s son. They fix a date and are busy preparing for the upcoming wedding. Riddhi is surprised to see that the wedding date falls on the auspicious day of Sankashti in the month of Jyestha. She is sure that Krishna Pingala Ganapati will shower his blessings on the newly married couple too. She, as usual, sends a silent prayer to Ganesha, ignores her guilty conscience and goes about preparing for the wedding.
In another loka however, Ganesha is annoyed. He understands Riddhi’s situation and is annoyed with her family members. He looks at his ganas and says, “Riddhi was my most ardent devotee. Yet she was talked out of worshipping me for no fault of hers. I will take the form of Krishna Pingala Ganapati and set things right in her life.”
Krishna Pingala Ganapati appears onto the earth and kidnaps Deva on their son’s wedding day. Everyone looks for the Deva everywhere. But do not find him anywhere.
DayaDev and Kalyani are sick with worry. What could have happened to Deva? He was right here before them a minute back. But was missing now. They are beside themselves with grief. Riddhi’s and Deva’s son, the bridegroom says, “How can I get married when my father is missing. Let’s find him first. The wedding can wait.”
Kalyani goes to Riddhi and consoles her saying, “All will be well, Riddhi. We have done no harm to anyone. So nothing can happen to Deva.” Riddhi sobs her heart out and says, “Mother, today is Sankashti. It is the month of Jyestha again. It’s been 20 years since I worshipped Krishna Pingala Ganapati. He grants us Sowbhagya and keeps our husbands in good health and blesses them with long lives. Bappa is the remover of all obstacles mother. He blesses us differently on every Sankashti that is why we have a smooth sailing year. I should have worshipped him religiously but I couldn’t. It’s my fault. I know Bappa is annoyed with me.”
Kalyani and DayaDev realize their folly and wonder if Krishna Pingala Ganapati will forgive them. They are very anxious about Deva. And vow to fast on all Sankashtis with Riddhi’s guidance. A year passes by. There is no sign of Deva.
One day, a Brahmin called Soma Sharma comes to DayaDev’s house and asks if he can have his lunch with them. Riddhi welcomes Soma Sharma warmly and says, “O guest, you have come on the right occasion. It is Sankashti today. A guest is no less than a form of God. We will be happy to serve you all the sweetmeats that we have prepared for Sankashti. But you will have to eat alone since all of us are fasting.”
Soma Sharma looks at Riddhi and says, “You seem to have an abundance of food in your home on this holy day. It is not right that I eat when you all are fasting. But I am hungry. Can I share my meal with my friend who is waiting for me outside? He is hungry too.”
“Of course!” chorus DayaDev’s entire family. Soma Sharma excuses himself – goes out and returns within a minute with Deva, Ridhhi’s husband. DayaDev’s entire family is overjoyed to see Deva again.
They turn around to thank Soma Sharma and are shocked to see that he has disappeared! All of them realize that Krishna Pingala Ganapati had visited their home in the form of Soma Sharma to reunite them with Deva.
Faith is a personal choice. We either have or don’t have faith in a higher force. But that does not mean we foist our opinions and beliefs on others. Maybe that is what Krishna Pingala Ganapati wants us to understand through this Vrat Katha.
On a different note altogether, we all connect to God in different ways. What works for us may not work for others. Also, we all begin our spiritual journeys at different points of time in our lives and evolve spiritually at our own time, pace and convenience. Let’s understand that and not thrust our spiritual beliefs on others and force them to walk on the path that worked well for us – for a relationship with God too is extremely personal.
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