Skandapurana 3.2.12
English (machine translation) 3.2.12
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Vyāsa said:
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Then, O best of kings, for protection, the Satyamandira
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was established by the gods; from that very time, that city has been named Satyā.
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In the east was the god Dharmeśvara, in the south Gaṇādhipa,
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in the west the Sun was established, and in the north Svayambhu.
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Yudhiṣṭhira said:
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By whom was Gaṇeśa established, and why did he establish him?
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What is his name, O highly fortunate one? Tell me that without delay.
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Vyāsa said:
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Now I shall tell the cause of Gaṇeśa's origin.
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At that time, all the deities as well as the Mothers assembled;
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in Dharmāraṇya, O great king, the son of Caṇḍikā was established.
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First, O best of kings, by the gods on the earth, for the faithful wives,
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an enclosing wall was built there, adorned with banners and flags.
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In that abode of brahmins, within the perimeter of the enclosing wall,
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in the middle of it a pedestal was constructed, beautifully adorned with bricks.
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And there were four pure gateways, equipped with archways.
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In the east was the god Dharmeśvara; in the south was Gaṇanāyaka;
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in the west the Sun was established, and in the north Svayambhu.
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The account of the origin of Dharmeśvara has been recounted before you.
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Now I shall tell the cause of Gaṇeśa's origin.
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Once Pārvatī was rubbing her body with unguents.
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Seeing the dirt produced from that, holding in her hand what arose from her body,
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she fashioned an image from it and beheld a handsome form.
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Infusing life into it, [the child] stood up before her.
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He then said to his mother: 'What shall I do at your command?'
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Pārvatī said:
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'While I take my bath, stay at my door.
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And [take] all the weapons, beginning with an axe.
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While you are standing at my door, let no one cause an obstacle.'
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Thus addressed by the Great Goddess, he stood at the door, armed.
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In the meantime, the god Mahādeva came there;
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and Maheśvara set his mind on entering inside.
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Gaṇeśa standing at the door did not grant him entrance.
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Then Mahādeva, enraged, fought with him.
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Then both, having fought, desiring each other's death,
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struck with an axe, O king, on the most auspicious forehead.
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Then the god Mahādeva, raising his trident, struck him;
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he severed his head with the trident, and it fell to the ground.
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Seeing her fallen son, Pārvatī wept aloud.
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A great cry of distress arose when he was struck down there.
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Seeing Pārvatī distraught, Maheśvara, the god of gods,
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the god also reflected: 'What have I done in vain?'
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At that moment, he saw the demon Gajāsura there.
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Seeing that great Daitya, he who is worshiped by all the worlds
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slew him, and taking his head, [placed it on] the child fashioned by Pārvatī.
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He stood up there with his retinue in the presence of Mahādeva.
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Then he clearly gave him the name 'Gajānana'.
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All the gods assembled, and likewise the seers were overjoyed.
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With hymns of praise they continually praise him who brings welfare to families,
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who delivers his family to a worshiper for the sake of sweetmeats.
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At the southern gateway, him who has a single tusk and is stout,
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the self-manifest [Brahmā] worshiped, as well as the god Mahādeva who is adored by the deities—
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him with matted locks, dwarf-sized, having a serpent as his sacrificial cord.
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having three eyes, a huge body, and holding a banner and an axe in his hands;
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holding a lotus in his hand, destroying every affliction,
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situated to the south of the city for the protection of the worlds;
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exceedingly gracious, the lord of Gaṇas, saluted by Siddhi and Buddhi;
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splendid as vermilion, foremost of the gods, holding a sharp goad, auspicious.
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Worshiped by the king of the immortals with auspicious flowers and hundreds of blooms,
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and having bowed down with great devotion, the gods then praised him:
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The gods said:
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Salutations to you, lord of the gods; salutations to the lord of the Gaṇas!
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Elephant-faced one, salutations to you, supreme deity of Mahādeva!
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To the god dear to devotion, lord of Gaṇas, salutations to you!
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Thus being praised with these auspicious hymns of praise, the lord of Gaṇas,
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the exceedingly pleased lord of Gaṇas, then spoke these words:
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The lord of Gaṇas said:
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I am pleased with you, gods! Speak what you desire, and I shall grant it to you.
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The gods said:
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Dwelling here, O illustrious one, accomplish our purpose, O Lord!
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In Dharmāraṇya, of the brahmins and of the merchants dwelling [here],
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devoted to celibacy and other virtues, righteous, O lord of Gaṇas,
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and of others belonging to castes and stages of life, be ever the protector!
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By your grace, O illustrious one, may the twice-born be endowed with wealth and happiness;
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may all the merchants always be endowed with great strength.
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They must be protected by you, O god, as long as the moon, sun, and earth endure.
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“Let it be so,” said Gaṇanātha, the great lord.
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And the gods, filled with joy, worship the lord of Gaṇas.
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Then the gods, filled with delight, [worshiped him] with flowers, incense, and other offerings;
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and whatever other humans in the world worshiped him for freedom from obstacles.
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May he be propitiated first in weddings, festivals, and sacrifices!
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And be ever gracious toward those who dwell in Dharmāraṇya!
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Thus ends the twelfth chapter, named “Description of the Installation of Gaṇeśa,” in the first part of the Brahmakhaṇḍa in the glorious Skanda Mahāpurāṇa of eighty-one thousand verses.
Linked texts (1)
- Skandapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit