The Story of Ganesa: 23. How the Lord went to the help of a woman | INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

 

The Story of Ganesa: 23. How the Lord went to the help of a woman | INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

INDIAN MYTHOLOGY

The Story of Ganesa: 23. How the Lord went to the help of a woman

A couple who did not have children worshipped Vighneswara for many years and then the woman gave birth to a baby girl. Even when she was a baby, she would be seen looking at the image of Vighneswara in the house for long hours. The expression on her face was such that it was as though the Lord was beckoning her.

Her parents called her Sundari, meaning beautiful; in fact she grew up to be a beauty. She also proved to be well behaved and intelligent. She went out of her way in extending help to others.

No wonder, there were many suitors for her hand. And they included young men from wealthy families and sons of rich persons. In fact, her father wondered whether a reigning king himself would not seek her hand in marriage.

When Sundari came to know that her parents were seriously contemplating her marriage, she went and prayed to Vighneswara: “Please save me from this dilemma. Right from childhood, I have only been thinking of you. I won’t be able to lead a family life. I implore, please make me an old woman! Only then will I be able to carry on a life of service to humanity.”

Lo and behold, Sundari was suddenly transformed to an old woman, with wrinkled cheeks and a burrowed forehead. Her parents were reduced to tears. “What’s all this, Sundari?”

“Father! My dear mother! I’m no more a young lady, nor am I beautiful. You’ve brought me into this earth, and Lord Vighneswara has blessed me to be of service to humanity. I shall share my knowledge with people who are unlettered. I will also seek knowledge from intellectuals. I am starting on a pilgrimage. Please bless me with all success in my mission!”

Having heard of the people’s praise of the old woman, the ruler of the kingdom came to meet her. “O king!” she addressed him. “You are duty bound to protect the people and their wealth and property. It is also your duty to provide protection to young women. Did you expect to meet such a woman when you came here?”

The king was taken aback as he listened to the old woman. He took off his crown and unsheathed his sword, and fell at her feet. “O Devi! By merely looking at your face I have gained the knowledge of Truth. Your words have erased my ignorance. From today, I shall serve my subjects without any official insignia of royalty!” The king was all praise for the old woman and he extended facilities for her pilgrimage, and even offered to accompany her. She rejected all such offers and said, “O king! How can I travel in a palanquin among people who can’t afford to wear anything on their feet? You must provide such facilities to them. And whatever small help I can extend, I wish to do everything for them. All other assistance will come from Vighneswara and his younger brother, Subrahmanya. They will protect me!”

After saying that, the woman started on her pilgrimage. On her way she came upon four women at a well. They were discussing who would draw water first, and who next.

A girl, standing at a distance, was seen pleading, “Mother, I’m thirsty, please give me some water!” The women looked askance at her and one of them said harshly, “Go and stand at a distance! See that your shadow doesn’t fall on us!”

The old woman could not stand that sight. She went and drew water from the well and gave some water to the girl and drank the remaining water herself from the same vessel. “What have you done?” the women were horrified. “You drank whatever was left by the girl. She is from a low caste!”

The old woman then reminded the ladies that it was the same blood that flowed through the girl and herself. She looked into the pots they had brought to collect water and said, “I have a feeling that it is milk that flows through your bodies. Why would you then need water? So, you give us water, and yourselves drink milk!”

The ladies hung their heads in shame and sought forgiveness from the old woman who then proceeded on her way. At one place she was accosted by a boy sitting on a tree full of fruits. He looked handsome and the woman wished to talk to him. “Will you give me a fruit?” she asked him.

“What fruit would you like to have, mother?” the boy responded thus. “Shall I give you a fruit that would make you young? Or would you like a fruit which would ward off death for you? Or could it be a fruit which would give you riches?” he said, all the while smiling.

The old woman now realised that the boy was none else than Subrahmanya. “O Lord! Please give me the fruit of Knowledge, so that I can share it with others!”

At that moment, Subrahmanya appeared before her. He was seated on his mount, the peacock. He touched her head with his sword, and in no time she was blessed with whatever knowledge there was to be imbibed. She continued her journey, sometimes singing in praise of the brothers Subrahmanya and Ganesa, and other times giving discourses to make people lead a life of righteousness.

Suddenly the sky was overcast with dark clouds and there was thunder and lightning. The old woman stumbled over a stone and fell down. “Come on, get up, hold on to my hand.” She heard someone say that and taking hold of her hand. In the flash of a lightning she saw that it was none other than Lord Vighneswara, who was holding her hand by his tusk.

“Mother! We’ve reached the abode of Siva!” said the Lord. The woman saw a brilliant glow all around. When she looked beneath her, she could see the sun, the moon, and the stars and planets. The world was rotating at a high speed. Vighneswara once again reminded her, “Mother, you’ve reached the presence of Lord Siva! This is Kailas where nobody experiences death, where all creation takes place. You may pay your respects to the Lord of the entire universe, Viswanatha!”

The old woman saw there a brilliant flame. In the centre of the flame she saw Lord Siva, his consort Parvati, and their sons Vighneswara and Subrahmanya. The Lord blessed her.