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| The Story of Ganesa: 21. How the Lord rewards a devotee | INDIAN MYTHOLOGY |
The Story of Ganesa: 21. How the Lord rewards a devotee
Once upon a time, Vatapinagar attracted poets,
intellectuals, musicians, singers, dancers, and artists. Gajanana was a
musician of repute. He composed several songs in praise of Vighneswara.
Whenever he sang these songs at the temple, the idol of Ganesa would manifest
as a young boy and dance to the tunes of Gajanana. The devotees gathered at the
temple would enjoy the songs, but would not see Bala Ganesa keeping rhythm with
Gajanana or dancing to his tunes.
The people of Vatapinagar every year honoured Gajanana
on his birthday by gifting him with a lovely golden idol of Ganesa. In course
of time, he had an enviable collection of Ganesa idols. He earned the respect
of not only the common people of Vatapinagar, but even the intellectuals.
However, a few of them were also jealous of Gajanana’s fame. Their leader was
someone called Swarakesari. He had a rough voice and whenever he spoke, his
speech sounded like a lion’s roar.
Gajanana forgot himself whenever he sang in praise of
the Lord. He was never after fame or wealth. Those jealous of him spread a
rumour that Gajanana had no proper training in music, and all that he was
singing came from his imagination. Gajanana was aware of such a remark from
Swarakesari, but he did not show that he was upset over it. Swarakesari was
almost certain that Gajanana would as usual receive a gift of a golden idol of
Ganesa on his next birthday. He waited for an opportunity to slight him.
Gajanana kept a cow. It was the duty of a youth called
Nanda to milk the cow and serve the milk to Gajanana.
The Navratri festival was approaching. Gajanana and his
family had gone to Kalyaninagar. He rushed to Vatapinagar where people had
gathered in numbers to listen to his traditional invocation to Ganesa on the
first day of the festival.
Meanwhile, Swarakesari had managed to get Nanda to serve
Gajanana milk mixed with water. Gajanana was shocked. “What’s this, Nanda? Why
are you giving me adulterated milk?” he asked the youth in an angry tone.
Nanda, without batting an eyelid, told Gajanana,
“Master, I swear by Lord Ganesa that I haven’t adulterated the milk!”
Gajanana was surprised that Nanda had unusually raised
his voice when he replied to him. Their conversation attracted some passers-by;
Swarakesari, too, was among them.
“So, you’ve the audacity to swear by the Lord?” asked
Gajanana angrily. “Go inside and swear in front of an idol of Vighneswara!”
Nanda now began looking here and there as if he wanted
somebody to support him.
“Why are you looking here and there? You know where the
idols are kept! Go, go in and swear!” Gajanana was now shouting at him.
Nanda now looked scared. That was the signal for
Swarakesari to tell Nanda, “Why do you hesitate? You already swore once, and
you’ve only to repeat the same words!”
Nanda took it as the moral support he was waiting for,
and went inside and in a trembling voice he swore: “If I have adulterated the
milk, let my hands become useless, otherwise let the person who suspects me
turn dumb!”
Gajanana’s face went pale and he was unable to speak.
Many in the crowd sympathised with him. “It’s great pity that fate has been
unkind to him,” they were heard remarking. And Nanda found that his hands had
not become listless, and with a triumphant look he moved to where Swarakesari
was standing.
Suddenly, Bala Ganesa appeared before Gajanana, saying,
“Uncle! Aunty is just getting down from the cart and will be here presently. I
ran up before her!” It was then that he saw Nanda going away accompanied by
Swarakesari. “You come back, Nanda!” he said in a commanding voice. “Let me
also hear you swear. Mind you, if you tell a lie, your arms will become
listless.”
Swarakesari prompted Nanda once again. “Don’t worry,
Nanda, you’ve only to repeat the words.”
But this time, Nanda was not sure whether he would not
be found lying. He lost whatever courage he had. In a trembling voice, he
blurted out, “No, I can’t swear again! Let me confess. I had mixed water in the
milk, as directed by Swarakesari. Please save me!” he added.
Everybody turned towards Swarakesari, who was seen
running away from the crowd. Bala Ganesa told the crowd: “Those who swear and
goad people to swear are both dishonest. They are only putting a veil on
truth.”
Gajanana was overjoyed. He embraced Bala Ganesa and
seated him on his lap. Just then, a cart pulled up and young Ganesh Bhat got
down and ran up to Gajanana, who was then looking for Bala Ganes sitting on his
lap a while ago. Ganesh Bhat prostrated before Gajanana. “Uncle, please let me
have your blessings.”
“Ganesa! My Ganesa! You came here in the form of my
nephew and made this home a sacred place. I shall now sing from here!” said
Gajanana, much to the joy of the crowd.
Swarakesari went up to Gajanana and fell at his feet and
said, “Sir, please forgive me. I won’t get up till you say you’ve forgiven me.”
Gajanana helped him to rise on his feet and said,
“Swarakesari, I know you were jealous of my popularity. When I sing, I forget
myself and do not crave for rewards or awards.”
Little Ganesh Bhat interjected and said, “Uncle, that
does not mean that you would sing from your home only. Music is for everybody!”
“My son! It is Vighneswara himself who is making you say
all these wise words. However, I shall sing for the benefit of everybody, but I
shall not accept any reward in future.”
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