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PARVATI CREATED THOUSANDS
OF SHAKTI
TO AVENGE HER SON'S DEATH |
Parvati was full of grief when she heard the news of the
death of her beloved son. Her anger rose as she remembered how all the gods had together attacked
her son, fighting all alone. She thundered, "My son was killed by unfair
means. For this the ganas and Devas shall all die."
Immediately with fury,
using her divine power she created thousands of goddesses
like Lambasheersha, Kubjaka, Khanja and Karali. She ordered them to go and destroy
all those gods who were enemies of her son. Obeying their mistress, the goddesses attacked the
gods with dreadful weapons in their hands. They chopped off the heads of all
they met. Some were butchered and some were swallowed by the shaktis. The assembly
of the gods trembled at the menace of these powerful deities.
Brahma and Vishnu were terrified. The great sage Narada and gods like Brahma,
Vishnu and Indra came to Parvati and saluted her with devotion. They
propitiated Parvati and pleaded for mercy. They prayed to her saying, "Mother Parvati,
we beg of you, calm down. First withdraw your deities. Save the gods who are
being destroyed. We shall accomplish whatever you ask of us. Please forgive us." Parvati
replied, "I will, but I have lost my darling son. If he is brought back
to life and given an honorable status among you I will withdraw the deities."
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| THE BOY REVIVED TO LIFE |
Now Narada, Brahma and others went to Shiva. They prayed to him saying, "Please
revive Gowriputra. Otherwise this menace will not end. Heaven cannot survive." Shiva
said, "It shall be done. Go north and bring the head of the first creature
that crosses your path. Fit that head to the boy's body and it will come to life."
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| THE BOY REVIVED TO LIFE |
Immediately
the gods went, it was an elephant that met them. Vishnu using his discus chopped
the elephant's head and they brought the head back and fitted it to the body
of the boy. The boy sat up.
Delighted the Devas showed him to Parvati. But she was only partially appeased.
She asked, "What about his status?" At that moment Indra, Vishnu, Brahma
and the other gods led Shiva to her. Shiva bowed before
Parvati and said, "Forgive
me Parvati, arrogance is the characteristic of the male. This valiant youth shall
be another son of mine." He placed his hand on the boy's head and said, "Even
as mere boy you showed great valor. You shall be GANESHA, the presiding officer
of all my ganas. You shall also be called VIGNESHWARA, the remover of all obstacles.
Henceforth let gods and worship you before they worship gods. The person who
worships you with devotion will be free trouble. Blessed will be the and men
who worship you on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada month" Parvati
was very happy to see her son alive once again and was happy with the status
conferred on him. Embracing her son she caressed him. She called back the deities
she had sent and saved the gods.
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