This ancient tale may sound familiar. But the nuances of human nature and the power of faith in a higher force are worth pondering over. This happens during the Treta Yug. Dasharath, a noble king rules over his kingdom responsibly. He loves hunting. One day, when he tries to hunt down a deer, he unknowingly strays into a dense forest. He hears faint noises coming from a nearby lake. He presumes the deer is quenching its thirst and shoots an arrow in that direction. Unfortunately, Dasharath ends up killing a young lad called Shravan with his arrow. Shravan was taking his blind parents on a pilgrimage and had come to fetch some water for them.
Dasharath meets Shravan’s parents and apologizes for his mistake guiltily. Shravan’s parents are shocked when they hear the news and curse Dasharath saying that he too will die out of grief when he is separated from his sons. Dasharath asks them for forgiveness but it is too late. They breathe their last in his arms.
Several years later, Dasharath forgets this incident completely. He has four queens but remains childless. So he performs the Putreshti yagna and is blessed with 4 sons. His sons grow up to become fine princes and in time, he gets them all married too. When he is on the verge of crowning his eldest son Rama the king of Ayodhya, his third queen Kaikeyi reminds him of a promise that he had given her several years back. She asks Dasharath to send Rama to the forest for 14 years and crown her son Bharat the king of Ayodhya.
Dasharath is heartbroken but he has no choice. He has to keep his promise to Kaikeyi. Dasharath misses his sons and wonders why things took a turn for the worse so suddenly. He remembers the curse of Shravan’s parents when he is breathing his last and understands their pain when he lives through it himself.
Meanwhile, Rama and Lakshman have their hands full killing all the rakshasas in the forest. These rakshasas harassed the rishis who were meditating in the forest every other day. The rishis feel sad to hear the news of Rama’s exile but are relieved because they are now able to meditate in peace.
When Ravan, the Rakshasa king hears the news he becomes angry. Using his occult powers he dupes Rama and abducts Sita. Rama and Lakshman meet Hanuman and Sugriva when they are searching for Sita.
Sugriva asks his army of monkeys to search for Sita. Hanuman who sets out in a different direction meets Sampati, a giant vulture who questions his motives. When Hanuman narrates Rama’s and Sita’s story to Sampati he looks up in surprise and says, “Rama’s friends are my friends. Ravan, the Rakshasa king has abducted Sita. My younger brother Jatayu tried to save her when Ravan was carrying her away. Unfortunately he lost his life while trying to do so. I know where she is right now.
Look. At the end of this forest you will find a sea. Beyond the sea lies the golden city of Lanka. Right now, Sita is sitting under a Ashoka tree in the Ashok Vatika of Lanka. And only you, O Hanuman can rescue Sita from a Rakshasa like Ravan. No one else has the ability to do so.”
When Hanuman hears Sampati’s words, he looks at him with awe. He says, “O Sampati, do you see what I see? Look at the vastness of this ocean. While I am honoured by your faith in my ability, I wonder how I can even fulfil this next to impossible task. Pray tell me, how I can cross this mighty ocean and rescue Sita who is on the other side of this sea. We seem to be fighting for a lost cause for I doubt if we can fulfil our mission even with our combined strength.”
Sampati looks at Hanuman and says, “You alone can perform this feat O Hanuman. Observe the vrat of Sankashti. It is the month of Margashisha now. Worship the Akuratha Maha Ganapati form of Ganesha. Akuratha Maha Ganapati will surely bless a noble soul like you with siddhis. Using these siddhis you will be able to cross this mighty ocean in a single leap.”
Hanuman follows all the instructions given by Sampati. Akuratha Maha Ganapati is pleased by Hanuman’s devotion, removes all the obstacles from his path and blesses him with several siddhis. And with Akuratha Maha Ganapati’s blessings Hanuman does cross the ocean in one big leap and also meets Sita.”
Krishna looks at Yudhistra and says, “I’m sure you are familiar with the rest of the story O Yudhishtra. Like Hanuman, you too will vanquish your enemies and win back your kingdom if you perform the vrat of Sankashti. Lord Akuratha Maha Ganapati describes the details of the rituals to Devi Parvati too when she questions him about it. In an age beyond time, she too had prayed to Akuratha Maha Ganapati because she wished to marry Shiva again in this birth too. These vrat kathas reveal the value of faith in a higher power. They inspire you and help you nurture your faith in lord Ganesha. Perform the pooja devoutly and pay attention to the symbolism embedded in these rituals too.
The rituals vary slightly every month. Wake up early, especially on Sankashtis, clean your surroundings, have your bath and wear clean clothes. Hold some water and durva grass in your palm; meditate upon the Akuratha Maha Ganapati form of Ganesha all through the day while chanting this mantra:
Mama sarva karma siddhaye siddhi vinayak pujanamah karishye
Have your bath in the evening again. Perform the rituals of the Sankashti pooja with utmost care. Mix the waters of the Ganges in a kalash filled with water. Keep some durva grass, a few coins and some whole haldi stems in it. Tie the mouth of the kalash with a red cloth. Now seat the Akuratha Maha Ganapati form of Ganesha on this Durga Peetha and offer him vastra and Panchopachar i.e. dhoop, deep, naivedya, akshat and flowers. Remember to offer 10 laddoos as naivedya. Offer wheat, rice, sugar, til and ghee into the havan. Then perform the arti of Akuratha Maha Ganapati. Distribute five laddoos as prasad. Feed a few Brahmins and distribute the remaining five laddoos amongst them.
Worship the moon, offer him arghya and then break your fast. Now read the Sankashti vrat katha loudly so that others who are present can also gain the benefit of this vrat. Then break your fast.
According to the Bhavishya Puran, the Margashira Sankashti is also known as the Agahan Sankashti. Lord Akuratha Maha Ganapati removes all the obstacles from our lives, helps us overcome our mental and emotional challenges, gives us the courage to walk on the path of Dharma, helps us live a meaningful life and blesses us with knowledge, health and wealth.
Most of us have very little faith in our abilities. Sometimes, like Hanuman, we don’t even believe the words of other well meaning people when they bring our inherent traits to our notice. But only a handful of people like Sampati will go out of the way to help us realize our potential. They will tell us what exactly to do, how to go about it and then they will stand by us, inspire us and cheer for us when we do realize our true worth. And this is what Akuratha Maha Ganapati wants us to reflect upon.
Click here to read other Sankashti Vrat Kathas.
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