Why did Shri Ganesh make mouse his vehicle?

Every god has a vehicle. Someone has lion, someone has Garuda and someone has bull etc. That is, all of them are special in themselves. A lion means a strong, fast-moving vehicle faster than a man and a bull means a dedicated devotee.  So it makes sense that all the Gods choose their special vehicles. But why did Ganpati Bappa make a mooshak (mouse) his vehicle?  Has this question ever come to your mind… So let's know its secret…

All the worshipers of Lord Ganpati have been surprised to see his unique vehicle as per his wonderful form. It is also natural to wonder why Lord Ganesha with such a big and heavy body chose a mouse as his vehicle from a small.

In Hinduism, there is a law to worship Lord Ganesha on Wednesday.  It is said that by worshiping him, all the sufferings of a person go away. Being the lord of the ganas, he also has a name Ganapati. Let me tell you that Lord Ganesha had chosen his vehicle as a mouse, but hardly anyone knows the secret behind it.  So today we will tell you why he chose the mouse. 

Everyone is convinced of the wisdom of Ganesha. Everyone lost in arguments by Shree Ganesha. It is his passion to get to the deep of every single thing or problem, to do it consideration and reach to conclusion.  The mouse also does not lag behind in arguments. The job of a mouse is to scrape anything, whatever the mouse sees, it rips it and analyzes its part by part.  Perhaps Ganesha may have chosen the vehicle as his own given the same characteristics of the mouse.

Ganesh as we know is the son of Shiva and Parvati. His vehicle is a mouse named Dink. Being the lord of the ganas, he also has a name Ganapati. Ganapati is the god of wisdom and learning.

But have you ever noticed that his vehicle is not according to his physical structure?  If your attention has gone towards this, then you must also have thought that his vehicle should have been a strong animal.  Then why did he choose the mouse as his vehicle? Looking for a logical answer to this, it is known that even the mouse has a lot of passion(curiosity), due to which they try to find out what is inside it by bite off everything. And Lord Ganesha also gives him wisdom, in which the curiosity has great desire. And he is equally agile and also gives the message of being aware.

But this is not the only reason, there are some interesting stories behind the mouse as the vehicle of Lord Ganesha. Today in this article we will tell you why Lord Ganesha chose a mouse as his vehicle and who he was.

First Story:------

Once upon a time, Devraj Indra was talking to all the gods in his meeting on a serious matter.  Along with the gods, Gandharvas and Apsaras were also present in his meeting.  All the other people here were listening to Devraj Indra and were also giving their valuable views. But a Gandharva named Krounch was also present in the meeting, whose attention was not visible at all in the discussion happening there. His attention was only on the Apsaras present in the meeting, as well as by flickering nature he started joking with those Apsaras.

At first Devraj Indra ignored his antics, but when his actions increased to a great extent, he explained Krounch in gestures.  But at that time the Krounch was engulfed in frenzy, he ignored his point and kept on in his antics. Enraged by his audacity, Devraj Indra cursed him to become a mouse. Due to the curse, the Krounch Gandharva turned into the mouse and as soon as the mouse was formed, it started to run around and create havoc. Devaraj Indra's anger was further aggravated by his antics, and immediately ordered to throw him out of heaven. On receiving his orders, the gatekeepers threw the mouse out of the gate of heaven.

As soon as he was thrown from there, he fell directly into the ashram of Parashar Muni, where he shattered all the grain's pot in anger.  At the same time, all the food and food items kept in the pot he started eat, after that he also destroyed all the plants of Parashar Muni's garden.  Along with this, also destroyed all clothes and religious texts of sages in ashram.

Parashar Rishi became very sad due to all the useful things of the ashram being destroyed and started cursing the deeds of his previous birth that the misdeeds have resulted in disturbing the peace of my ashram.  Now how to get rid of this mouse's terror?

Then Parashar Muni called upon Gajanan and urged him to save my ashram from the terror of this mouse.

Then Ganesh ji told Parashar ji that I just make this mouse my vehicle.  Ganesh ji threw his stunning loop, the loop followed the mouse and went to the patal loka and tied his throat and dragged him out and presented him in front of Gajanan.  The mouse fainted by the loop's grip.

As soon as his unconsciousness ended, Mouse started worshiping Ganesha and started begging for his life.  Ganesh ji was pleased with the praise of Mouse but told him that you have given a lot of trouble to Brahmins.  I have incarnated only for the destruction of the wicked and for the welfare of saintly men, but the protection of the refugee is also my ultimate dharma, so ask for whatever boon you want.

Hearing this, the arrogant of that mouse woke up and said, 'I don't want to ask for anything from you, you can plead with me.' Ganesha smiled and said, 'If your word is true then you become my vehicle.  Ganesh ji immediately mounted on him as soon as  when the mouse told so be it .

Now, under the weight of heavy Gajanan,  the mouse felt life-threatening crisis.  He then prayed to Gajanan to make his load affordable for him.  In this way Ganesh ji made him his own vehicle by destroying the pride of mouse.  In this way, this vehicle of Ganesha also indicates from the interpretation of worldly life to spiritual life.

Second Story:------

In ancient times there was an asura(demon) named Gajmukh.  Gajmukh had a dream that he should take possession of the earth and the heavens as well.  To fulfill this desire, he made a plan to please Lord Shiva one day.  He went to a dense forest where he started penance of Shiva.  Many years passed but he still stood on one leg and indulged in the penance of Shiva and kept chanting his name.

Bholenath was pleased with Gajmukh's penance and told him to ask for a boon.  In the boon, Gajmukh said that no weapon of the universe could kill me, give me such a boon.  Lord Shiva approved the boon by saying so be it.  Gajmukh was very happy after getting a boon from Lord Shiva, he started to fulfill his wish.  Soon he took possession of the Earth and Hades, after which he invaded heaven.  Lord Shiva had a boon that no any weapon could kill him. That is why he did not suffer any damage from the divine weapons of the gods.

Gajmukh drove the gods out of Devaloka, after which all the gods reached the shelter of Trideva Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.  After listening to the problem of the Gods, Bholenath told Lord Ganesha to fight with Gajmukh.  Following the orders of Lord Shiva, Ganapati ji fought with Gajmukh.

Due to the boon of Bholenath, Lord Ganesha's weapon was not being effect on Gajmukh. So all the weapons of Ganapati also ended and became ineffective.

Meanwhile, Ganpati broke his one tooth and hit it on Gajmukh when he became unarmed for a moment.  The tooth was not really an weapon, so it was proved infallible and Gajmukh was seriously injured.  Despite this, Gajmukh did not give up. He took the form of a giant mouse from his maya(illusion) and started running towards Ganapati with full speed.  When Ganpati saw Gajmukh coming towards him, he too started running towards Gajmukh at full speed and jumped & sat on his back.  And Shri Ganesh transformed Gajmukh into a mouse for life.

Gajmukh tried his best to beat Ganpati and Ganesh also rode on his neck with full force.  Gajmukh finally gave up after a long struggle.  Even after this, Ganesh ji did not leave him.  He said that you are a wicked by nature.  That is why it would be better that you always remain my vehicle in the same way, so that I will always ride you and control your wickedness .  Gajmukh accepted his command and became the vehicle of God.

Third Story:------

There is a story in the Ganesh Purana on how Mouse became vehicle of Lord Ganesha.  Which is somewhat similar to the first story.

In ancient times, there was a very beautiful ashram of the Saubhari Rishi on the Sumeru mountain.  His very beautiful and loving wife was named Manomayi.  One day the sage went to forest to get wood and Manomayi was engaged in housework.  At the same time a wicked named Krounch Gandharva came there and was distraught when he saw amazing  pretty Manomayi. Wicked Krounch held the hand of the sage-wife.  The sage wife weeping and trembling started begging him for mercy.  At the same time Saubhari rishi came.  Due to anger,  his eyes turned into red .

He cursed Gandharva and said- 'O vicious!  You have come like a thief and have caught the hand of my wife, so you will fill your stomach by stealing under and around the earth. So you will be a mouse.

The trembling Gandharva prayed to the sage - 'O rishivar, I only touched your wife's hand due to indiscretion.  Please forgive me. '  The sage said - 'My curse will not be in vain, however Ganapati Dev Gajmukh will appear in the form of Maharishi Parashar's son in Dwapar. Then you will become his vehicle, so that the gods will also respect you.

After many year , that Krounch Gandharva becoming a mouse and started to destroy the ashram of Maharishi Parashar on earth.  That mouse was very huge and terrible like a mountain. His teeth were very big, sharp and frightening. Then his son Gajmukh grabbed that mouse by a stunning loop and started playing with him and sat on top of him.  Then mouse came to know that this is Tarnahar(Saviour) Devadhidev Prabhu Gajmukh.

Then the pride of the mouse ended and he became very small.  And he prayed that! 'O'  Lord you may be so light for me, so that I can bear your weight.  Hearing his humility, the Lord was pleased with him.  From then onwards Mooshak (mouse) started getting respect and got fame as the vehicle of Sriganesh.

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Gods chose their rides very specifically.  Their vehicles also describe their characteristics. Mouse is the vehicle of Gauri putra Ganesha.  The word Mushak(mouse) is derived from the Sanskrit Musha which means to rob or to steal. Symbolically the brain of a human is like a rat. It is surrounded by selfishness.  Ganeshji sitting on a rat is a sign that he has conquered selfishness and has awakened the sense of public welfare within himself.

People say their wish in the mouse's ear.

It is said that if you want to complete your vow or wish soon, then you can tell your complaint with Mooshak(mouse), it is believed that mouse is very close to Ganesh ji and if you tell him your wishes . Then he will quickly help you and tell all things to Ganesh ji . Ganeshji is the lord of knowledge and wisdom and is unmatched in logic, the same qualities are also in mouse.  For this reason, he is the vehicle of Ganapati and is considered very close to Ganapati.  People believe that if you say something in the ear of a mouse, it reaches Ganpati very quickly.  Ganapati does not postpone the words of mouse due to being dear and the wish is fulfilled.  This is the reason why a large idol of mouse is placed in all the big temples and people worship him.  On Ganesh Chaturthi too, some people bring a statue of Mouse with Ganpati and keep it in the house.

Ganesh Purana also describes that in every era, the vehicle of Ganesha keeps changing.  In Satyuga, the vehicle of Ganesha is Lion.  In Treta Yuga, Ganesha's vehicle is Mayur (Peacock) and in the present era i.e. Kali Yuga, his vehicle is horse. The present form of Lord Ganesha is worshiped in the form of Gajanan in the form of Parvati-Shiva son, this is the incarnation of his Dwapara era, Lord Ganesha in the Satyuga became famous as Mahotkat Vinayak, whose vehicle was lion.  In Treta Yuga, he was known as Mayureshwar, whose vehicle was Mayur (peacock).  His famous form of Dwapara Yuga is Gajanan, whose vehicle is a mouse and at the end of Kali Yuga, the Dhumraketu form of Lord Ganesha will be revealed. His vehicle will be horse. Lord Ganesha is also wealth giver.  

Why Yamaraja was die ??

Ever since God is there, since then he has devotee and since God has stories, since then the story of devotees begins.  Without devotees there can be no legend of God alone;  Because also the devotees are part of the Lord's leela.

No one can win death.  Brahma himself also merges into Parabrahma by death at the end of Chaturyugi. But Lord Shiva has defeated death many times, hence he is called 'Mrityunjaya' and 'Kaal ka Kaal Mahakal'.

God is also the Lord of the his dear devotee .  The death does not have the right at him.  If Yamraj also forces him, then death (Yamraj) also dies.  This story is not imaginary but is based on the life of the great Shiva devotee King Shwet.

Yamaraja is considered the god of death, if Yamaraja himself is the god of death then how is his death possible?  This is strange to hear & read, but the Vedas and Puranas have told a story about the death of Yamaraja.  Before knowing this story, let us tell some special things about Yamraj, who takes the responsibility of killing all the lives…

Yamaraja had a twin sister also known as Yamuna.  Yamaraja rides buffalo and Yamaraja is worshiped under various names such as Yama, Dharmaraja, Mritu (death),  Aatank(terror), Vaivasvata and Kaal.  Yamraj is considered very cruel and ruthless by nature.  But Yamraj had to give up in front of Savitri's Pativrata dharma.

The creator writes, Chitragupta says, yamdoots take them and Yamraj punishes.  Not only the time of death, the place is also fixed.  Yamrajji is sitting in one of the ten directions in the south.  Know who is Yamrajji, the complete secret of his life in this regard.

Suryadev's son Yamraj's grandfather's name was Rishi Kashyap and grandmother's name was Aditi.  Suryadev had two wives.  One Sangya and another Chhaya.  Vishwakarma's daughter Sangya was mother of Vaivaswat Manu, Yama, Yami, Ashvinikumardvay & Revant, and Shani, Tapati, Vishti and Savarni Manu from Chhaya.

Vaivasvata Manu is the ruler of this Manvantara.  Yamraj gives the results of the good-bad deeds of the living beings.  Yami is the previous form of the Yamuna River.  Ashvinikumarvadawya is the Vaidya of the gods.  Revant lives in his father's service.  Shani has been distinguished among the planets. Tapati married married with Somvanshi King Samvara.  Vishti entered into the constellation called Bhadra, and Savarni Manu will be the ruler of the eighth Manvantara.

Yamraj's wife's name is Devi Dhumorna.  Katila is the son of Yamraj and Dhumorna.  Yamraj's scribe is Chitragupta, through whom he keeps track of the deeds and virtuous-sins of all beings.  In the book 'Agrasandhani' of Chitragupta, there is an account of the sin and virtue of every living being.

Yama is considered the suzerain of ancestor in the Vedas.  Yamaraja is mentioned in a story of Nachiketa in the Upanishads.  For Yama, the other name Pitrapati, Kritanta, Shaman, Kaal, Dandadhar, Shraddhadeva, Dharma, Jeevatesh, Mahishdhwaja, Mahishavahana, Shrinapada, Hari and Karmakar are used.  According to the Puranas, the color of Yamaraja is green and he wear red clothes.  Yamraj rides a buffalo and has  gada(mace) in his hand.

The city of Yamraj is called 'Yampuri' and the palace is called 'Kalitri'.  The name of the throne of Yamaraja is 'Vichar-Bhoo'.  Mahadand and Kaalpurush are his body guards and Yamdoots are his followers.  Vaidhyat is the gatekeeper of Yamraj.  Two strong dogs with four eyes and wide nostrils are the keeper of Yama Dwar.

According to the Puranas, Yamaloka is believed to be 86,000 Yojana distance to the south above the earth.  A Yojana has about 4 km.  Yampuri or Yamlok spread over one lakh yojana is found in Garuda Purana and Kathopanishad.  In addition to Yamlok, Sanyamanipuri, the city of Yamraj are also called Pitrilok. 

According to Smriti and texts, there are 14 Yams till now - Yama, Dharmaraja, Mruityu, Antak, Vaivasvata, Kaal, Sarvabhutakshya, Audumbar, Dadhan, Neel, Parameshthi, Vrikodar, Chitra and Chitragupta.

Now we all move on to the story.

The great Shiva devotee Shwetamuni

 In ancient times, Shiva devotees King Shwet ruled in Kalanjar.  Due to his devotion, there was no shortage of food, water in the state.  There was no trouble , malice, worry and famine in the state.  On getting older, the king Shwet  by handing over the kingdom to his son and setting up a Shivling in a cave on the banks of the Godavari river and engrossed in Shiva's worship.  Now he had become Mahamuni Shwet from King Shwet.

Surrounding his cave was a kingdom of purity, divinity and sattvikta.  Muni had spread the light of Shiv Bhakti in the deserted cave.  Shwetmuni had neither disease nor grief;  But now, his age is over, he did not even realize it.  All his attention was focused on Shiva.  He was reciting Rudradhyaya without fear and his heart beats was echoing with the name of Shiva.

When the Yamdoots entered the cave to take the soul of Muni, their body were faint at the entrance of the cave.  They stood at the entrance of the cave and waited for Shwetamuni.  Here, when the time of death began to come, Chitragupta asked Mrityudev - 'Why did not Shwet muni come here till now?

Your envoy have not even returned yet. Such irregularity is not right? '  Hearing this, the enraged Mrityudev himself came to take Shwet muni's life.  But trembling at the entrance of the cave, the Yamdoots said to Mrityudev, "Shwet is no more a king, but he is a great devotee of Shiva and has been protected by him, we are not even able to look at Shwet."

Mrityudev himself entered the Shwetmuni cave with Paas (loop).  Shwetamuni was worshiping Lord Shankar at that time.  Suddenly, wearing black clothes in front of him, seeing the black and deformed body, he was shocked and touched the Shivling and said - 'Mritudev!  Why are you here . You go away from here . When Vrishabhadhwaj is my protector, I have no fear of anyone, Mahadev is present in this Shivling.

Mrityudev unheard and said- 'None of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh can save a creature suffering by me.  I have come to take you to Yamlok. '

Swetamuni fearlessly huged the Shivalinga and said - 'You have challenged the devotion of Mahakal , Lord Umapati is present in every particle.  He definitely protect the devotee by faithfully listening the voice of devotee. '

'I have no fear of your adorable.  You say that there is Mahadev in this Linga, but it is inexplicable, then how is it worshiped? '  Saying this, the angry Mrityudev put paas (loop) in the hand and laid a trap on Shvetamuni.

 Bhairav ​​Baba was standing near to protect Shwetamuni by Shiva's orders.  He warned Mrityudev to return.

Bhairav ​​Baba could not bear this attack of Mrityudev on the devotee.  He attacked Mrityudev with a stick, which caused Mrityudev cool down there.

 The trembling Yamdoots went to Yamraj and narrated the whole situation.  Hearing the news of the death of the Mrityudev, the angry Yamraj came there with his army (Chitragupta, Adhi-Vyadhi etc.) riding on the buffalo with Yamadand in hand.

 Shiva's gana were already standing there.  Shivputra Karthikeya left Shaktiastra on Yamraj, which also killed Yamraj.  The Yamdoots went to Lord Surya and told the whole news.

 Hearing the news of his son's death, Lord Surya along with Brahma and the gods came to the place where Yamaraja died with his army.  The gods praised Lord Shankar.

'Our appearance is subject to faith' - Lord Shiva appeared after saying this.  

The gods said- 'Lord!  Yamraj is the son of Surya.  He is the Lokpal, you have appointed him as the controller of the dharma-adharma system. His slaughter is not right.  Without him the work of creation will become impossible.  So make him alive with the army or else the chaos will spread.

Lord Shankar said- 'I am also in favor of the system.  We are the Lord who are devotees of me and Lord Vishnu. Death has no right on them.  It is also a sin for Yamraj and his envoy to look on them.  It has also been arranged for Yamraj to bow to the devotees.

Lord Shiva accept the request of the gods.  On Shiva's orders, Nandishwar brought the water of the river Gautami and sprinkled it on Yamaraja and his envoys, making everyone alive.  Yamraj said to Shwetamuni - 'You have won me, invincible even in the whole world, now I follow you.  Offer me protection on behalf of Lord Shiva. '

Shwetmuni said to Yamraj - 'Devotees are idols of humility.  It is because of your fear that the Satpurus take refuge in God.  Pleased, Yamraj went to his lok.

 Shivji, placing his blessing hand on the back of Shvetamuni, said - "Blessed is your lingopasana, Shwet!  Faith always win.

 Shvetamuni went to Shivlok.  This place is called Mritunjaya Tirtha on the banks of Gautami.

Goddess Parvati told Lord Shiva that she needed her own palace

We all know that Sri Hanuman had set fire to Lanka.  But do you know that all this was due to the curse of Maa Parvati.  So, let us know what happened to the mother Parvati whom to cursed and sat fired to Lanka?

The story goes that once Maa Parvati invited Vishnu and Lakshmi to dine on Kailash.  Then Maa Lakshmi asked her how she lived amidst such cold winds.  That too when she has lived the life of a princess.  This hurt Mata Parvati a lot.  A few days later, Mother Lakshmi invited Goddess Parvati to come to her Baikuntha Dham.

Mother Parvati reached Baikuntha Dham with Shiva on the invitation of Lakshmi.  Seeing the splendor and opulence of Baikuntha Dham, Goddess Parvati ji also felt that she should have a palace too.  She realized that all the gods live in their palaces, so Mahadev, the god of the gods, should also stay in the palace.  Goddess Parvati started stubbornly thinking that Mahadeva should also stay in the palace and our palace should be better and grand than Indra's palace.

Mahadev tried hard to explained Goddess Parvati.  But Goddess Parvati did not listen to him and she stubbornly said that she wanted a palace which should not be anywhere in the three worlds.  Mahadev explained to Goddess Parvati that I am a yogi, I will not be able to stay in the palace for much longer.  There are many rules and criteria of living in the palace.  The palace is not suitable for us.

Goddess Parvati was not affected by the talk of Lord Shiva.  She remained on her head.  Finally, Lord Shiva called Vishwakarma ji after losing it.  He called Vishwakarma Ji and said that he build a palace whose beauty is  greater than to the palace in all worlds and that palace is neither on earth nor in water.

Vishwakarma started searching for a place which was according to Lord Shiva's direction.  While traveling, he found a place which was covered with water from all the sides.  Three beautiful mountains were seen in the middle.  There were different types of flowers and vegetation on that mountain.  It was Lanka.

Vishwakarma ji told Goddess Parvati about that place.  Goddess Parvati was very pleased to hear about the beauty of that place and ordered Vishwakarma to build a huge city.  Vishwakarma Ji, while introducing his art, made a wonderful city of gold there.

After the palace of gold was built, Parvati ji got the auspicious time entrance to the house.  Vishrava Rishi was appointed as Acharya.  Invitations were sent to all the gods and sages.  All the gods praised the palace very much.

After Griha pravesh(home entry) Mahadev told Acharya to ask for Dakshina(fee).  Mahadev, with his maya (illusion), filled the mind of Vishrava with greed for that city.  Due to Mahadev's illusion, Acharya asked for Lanka in Dakshina.  In Dakshina, he asked for Lanka, Goddess Parvati could not stop Mahadeva from donating Lanka.

After donating Lanka, Parvati ji felt very angry at Vishvara's audacity.  She cursed him in anger that by taking advantage of the simplicity of Mahadeva, you have captured my beloved palace.  One day one form of Mahadeva will be burning that palace and with that the destruction of your dynansty will begin.

According to the Ramayana story Lanka got his son Kubera from Vishwa, but Ravana took out Kubera and grabbed Lanka.  Lord Hanuman, an incarnation of Shiva sat fire to that Lanka due to the curse and the destruction of Vishrava's son Ravana, Kumbhakarna and his dynansty was start .  Vibhishan survived by being in the shelter of Shri Ram.

Shiva and Chandra: Why did Lord Shiva place Chandra on his head.

Lord Shiva is also called Shashidhar.  Shashi means moon and dhar means wearer. The Moon is the hegemonic planet of the water . Lord Shiva has embellished the moon on his forehead.  Lord Shiva is also known as Chandrasekhar due to his special affection for the Moon.

Shivling is very ancient.  Actually the oldest.  Through the Shiva linga you go from figurative (real) to formless.

Lord Shiva is considered immense center of power.  For this reason, he has been worshiped in the world for ages.  Beyond life and death, Lord Shiva is revered as a destroyer in the world, while he is also considered a life-giver. In fact, there are many such stories in Shiva Mahapurana, from which we sees his different forms.  One such story is narrated in the Shiv Purana, in which the whole story is contains to protect the life of the moon by Shiva-Shambhoo in his jatas.

Bholenath is such a god who is pleased very soon. His costumes is different from all the gods and goddesses. He neither wear crown on the head nor receive delicious food. The secluded, deserted and wilderness areas are his habitat. On the body of Shiva, there are bhabhuta or bhashma (Ash), snakes and Rudraksha.  Shiva's personality is huge.  He is Mahakal beyond kaal. He is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is not just adorable to devotees but also for the gods and demons.

Monday (Somvar) is related to 'lunar planet', in fact 'Som' means 'mild' and 'mild' means 'Chandra', Som also has a meaning 'Shiva', so the measures taken on Monday are related to the 'lunar planet'.  Relieve from the pain of suffering, that is, provide mental happiness, not only is there a unique relationship between 'Chandra' and 'Shiva', have you ever wondered why 'Chandra' sits on Lord Shiva's head?  If not, then let us tell you the secret of it further today.

Shiva tattva is that element which is beyond the mind.  Moon signifies mind.  How can one express the nirgun(formless) state beyond the mind?  How can one understand this inexplicable situation?  It is necessary to use some intellect to understand, experience and express.  Some mind is required to express the latent, infinite, subconscious state in the visible world.  Therefore, to express the undefined , it is a thin moon on the crest of Shiva, which signifies the mind.

Brahmgyan is beyond the mind, but it requires a little intellect to express it - this is the symbol of Chandrasekhar.

By many names like Chandrama, Chaand, Chandra, Sudhakar, Sudhanshu, we know about a planet which appears closest to us after the Sun.  The brightest appears.  Even if he takes the light from the sun, but after tolerating the heat of the sun on his chest, he cooling and send to us that light and illuminates our nights with the milky moonlight.

☆ The mythological story of Chandra.

The story of the birth of the Chandra(moon) is also found in different Puranas.  According to the story of Agni Purana, when Lord Brahma thought of creating the creation, he first created Manas Putra(psychic progeny).  Rishi Atri was one of these manas putra.  Atri was married to Anusuiya, the daughter of Maharishi Kardam.  Goddess Anusuiya had three sons who came to be known as Durvasa, Dattatreya and Som.  It is believed that Som also one name of Chandra .

According to another Purana story, Brahma ji entrusted the work of expansion of the universe to his manas putra Atri. He started an ascetic called Anutara for this.  While doing penance, one day some very bright drops of water dripped from his eyes, all the directions took the form of a woman and took these bright drops in their womb to wish for a son, but for a long time the directions could not kept this in their womb and abandoned them.  Then this abandoned womb was given a male form by Brahma ji which got fame in the name of Chandradeva.  It is believed that many life-giving herbs originated on this earth by the glory of Chandra.  Brahma ji gave him the lordship of the constellations, vegetation, Brahmins, ascetics etc.

There is also a belief that when the gods and asuras together churned the sea, one of the 14 gems received during that time was the moon which Lord Shiva held on his forehead.  However, it is also believed that the presence of the moon as a planet preceded the churning.  Because when the auspicious time of the churning was try to knowing, then the auspicious situation of the moon and the guru was said.  Thus it is also believed that the different kala(in sense of quality) of the Moon were born at different times.

The moon is adorned on his head in every picture and idol of Lord Shiva.  Have you ever wondered what is the relation of Shiva with him? Bholenath has placed Chandra on his head, that is why he is also known as Shashidhar, Chandra adorns his yogi form.

Lord Shiva whose friends are ghosts and who wear garlands of heads around the neck.  Shivji is seen wearing a moon on the head.  Shiva is the symbol of destruction and the moon is of infinite coolness.  Both are opposite of each other.  Why did Mahadev, who is complete in himself, need to wear the moon on his head.  In this post we will explain why Mahadev Shiva wears a moon on his head.

In fact, there are two reasons for Shiva to wear the moon.

☆ Shiva, Daksha and Chandra.

An interesting story is also told about Lord Bholenath's wearing of the moon on the head.  According to the Shiv Purana, Daksha Prajapati married 27 of his daughters to the moon because the moon was very beautiful and these girls started loving him.  These girls are 27 nakshatras (constellations), these girls were extremely beautiful but Rohini's beauty was amazing among them.  That is why all the affection of the moon was always towards Rohini.  All of the other wives began to worried and they told their grief to the father.

Daksha Prajapati explained Chandra Dev in many ways for this.  But it had no effect on him.  Eventually Daksha got angry and cursed Chandradeva (moon) to decay.  Due to this curse, Chandradev immediately decayed and his body began to weak daily.  Chandradev tried hard to get rid of it but to no avail.

As soon as he was decayed, all their work of coolness-precipitation on the earth stopped.  There was a chaos in every place.  The deities went to the Lord Brahma for the salvation of Chandra Dev and told him the whole thing.  Then Brahmaji told the moon that worshiping Lord Shiva would only welfare him.  The Moon did severe penance to Lord Shiva.  Pleased with his austerity, Shivaji conferred the boon of immortality to the moon and placed it on his head.  It is believed that due to the curse of Daksh and the boon of Shiva, the moon keeps on decreasing and increasing.

After the boon of Lord Shiva, Chandra slowly started recovering and appeared as a full form on the full moon.  The place where the Moon did penance to Lord Shiva is called Somnath.

According to beliefs, even today, due to that curse of Daksha, the size of the moon keeps decreasing and increasing, but even today, on the full moon day, the moon is seen in its full size.

☆ Shiva, Chandra and the story of Samudra Manthan.

Another story is also said in this regard  when the sea was churned by the gods and asuras(demons), then 14 gems appeared from the churning.  The poison was first came from this sea churning.

According to the first mythology described in the Shiva Purana, Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha created leela to expand the earth and create a variety of life on it, and they used the power of Dev and his brother Asuras to churn the sea.  They first created reason for churning the sea. Durvasa Rishi cursed Devaraja Indra to be inferior to Sri (Lakshmi) due to his insult.  Lord Vishnu asked Indra to churn the sea with Asuras for curse salvation and lured the demons with nectar.  This is how the sea churning started.

When the gods and asuras started churning the sea, then Lord Vishnu took part in the churning with the Kachhap avatar.  He remained stationary in the middle of the sea and the Madaranchal Mountains were placed over him.  Then by making rope to Vasuki Nag, the gods from one side and the demons from the other side started churning the sea.

During this Amrit Manthan in Sagar, not only the nectar but also many other things came out of the sea, which were distributed equally among the gods and asuras.

Apart from nectar from the Samudra Manthan, Dhanvantari, Kalpavriksha, Kaustubh Mani, Divine Conch, Varuni or Madira(liqueur),Airavat, Parijat tree, Chandra(Moon), Apsara, Uchai Shrava Ashva(Horse), Hallahal or poison and Kamadhenu cow were also obtained.  But there was a war between the gods and the demons for Necter.

With the help of Lord Vishnu, the gods won this battle and eventually the gods were able to get the nectar. When the sea was churned, the poison also came out.  The poison was so severe that its effect was spreading on the whole creation, but it was not under the control of any deity or demon.  At this time, Lord Shiva drank that very poisonous poison to save the world.

[Lord Shiva put that Kalkuta poison in his throat to protect the world.  Due to the effect of poison, his throat became blue and for this reason Lord Shiva got a name Neelkanth.]

But after drinking the poison, his body started heating up due to the effect of the poison.  The moon we see in the sky today was born during the sea churning.  Seeing this, Chandradeva (the moon) prayed to Lord Shiva and told put me on the forehead and provide coolness to his body.  The effect of such poison will also be reduced.

For this,  Lord Shiva do not consider first, because the moon being white and cold, cannot bear the intensity of that poison.  But Shiva agreed to it after the request of other gods and he put the moon on his head.  Such is the popular belief that since then the Moon is seated on the forehead of Lord Shiva and is giving its coolness to the whole creation. By holding the moon, Shivji gives the message that your mind should always remain calm.

No matter how angry our nature is, but our mind should always be as cool as the moon.  Just as the moon provides coolness to us by taking heat from the sun, similarly we should also make our nature.

Story of Jalandhar birth and death .

Once, the gods including Indra wanted to test Lord Shiva.  They arrived at Mount Kailash with Brihaspati, the guru of the gods.  Shiva came to know this matter by own spiritual power. That these gods are coming to take my test. So he took himself as Avadhoot's form and stood in their way.  Indra signaled him to move out of the way.  But Avadhoota's form of Shiva, stood in his place.  Indra got angry after seeing this.  He said - "Hey move out of the my way, you don't know , who am I?"  Go away, otherwise I will tear you into pieces by Vajra.

Avadhuta's form of Shiva got angry after hearing the threat.  He shouted loudly and all four directions trembled.  Guru Brihaspati immediately realized that Avadhoota is none other than he Lord Shiva himself. He hinted at Indra and said- “What are you doing, Surendra!  You are not recognizing Lord Shiva.  This is Lord Shiva. "

Indra realized his mistake.  He immediately fell at the feet of Lord Shiva and asked for forgiveness - "forgive me Lord!  I did mistake to recognize you. "

Guru Brihaspati said- Yes Lord!  Forgive Devendra.  He did not recognize you.  Unknowingly, he called you abusive words. Please forgive him. "

["Accepting the request of Guru Brihaspati,Lord Shiva turned his eyes towards the sea.  And thus Shiva ji forgave Indra.  Then departed back towards Kailash.  Indra and Brihaspati also returned to their place. Mahadev poured his anger into the sea.  It was a place where the sea and the Ganges merge.  Presently it is called Gangasagar.  A child was born from the sea due to Shiva's anger".]

A unique miracle happened a few days after this incident.  On the beach, a boy was lying on the sand and loudly weeping.

Such a devastating weeping was coming from his neck that all four directions started shivering from this.  Gods, demons, monster ,human etc. all panic. The bewildered deity, along with Devraj Indra to reached Pitamah Brahma and said to him - “Pitamah!  At the beach , a wonderful child is crying on the sand. He is crying so loud that there is fear in the gods.  Please remove this crisis . "

Pitamah Brahma, Indra etc. reached to beach with the gods.  Samudradeva(gods of sea) left his place as soon as when Pitamah Brahma ji arrived.  He worshiped Brahmaji along with Indra.  Brahma asked to Samudradeva - "Who is this boy lying on the sand in the water?"  Hearing its cry, the whole world is suffering. "

Samudradeva said - I do not know God!  One day a strong divine energy had came into the sea's water.  This child has originated from that divine energy . "

Saying this, Samudradeva raised the child in his lap and gave it to Brahma's lap.  The child stopped crying as soon as when he came on Brahma's lap, and suddenly the child's arms moved forward, his two arms caught the throat of Brahma. Seeing this, other gods were shocked.  Brahma tried to free his throat but the grip of the child's hands became stronger.  Then suddenly the child left his throat and started smiling.  Brahma said while rubbing his throat - O Sagardeva "What is the name of this child?"

Samudradeva said - "He has not got any name till now. So Pitamah ! You have to give him any name. "

Brahma said - I give him a name Jalandhar.  From today it will be called your son. "

["Jalandhar was married to Vrinda, the daughter of a demon named Kalanemi.  Vrinda was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.  Then after some years Jalandhar became the ruler of demons.  It is said that the secret of the power of Jalandhar was his pious wife. Due to Vrinda's pativrata dharma(virtous qualities), Jalandhar could not defeated by even the Gods and Goddesses.  Due to which Jalandhar was very proud.  He felt that no one could conquer him.  Jalandhar made many mistakes throughout his life. But his biggest mistake was to disregard Vrinda's pativrata dharma(virtous qualities).  He started torturing the wives of the gods.  Not only the deity, even once he attacked Baikunth and tried to get Lakshmiji also.

Then Laxmi Ji told Jalandhar that both of us originated from water.  That is why we have a relationship between brother and sister. Jalandhar went back from Baikunth after listening to Lakshmi.  After this, he reached Kailash and wanted to subdue Parvati ji. Seeing this, Parvati became enraged and due to this the war between Shiva and Jalandhar started.  But due to the power of Jalandhar, Mahadev failed in every attack."]

Naming the child and handing him over to Samudradeva, all the gods including the Pitamah Brahmaji returned to their respective dhams(abode).  When the child grew up, then on the orders of Pitamah, Acharya Shukra started teaching him. On seeing this, the child became a young .  Shukracharya made him the emperor of the demons and married a girl named Vrinda,who was daughter of a demon named Kalnami. Jalandhar proved himself to be a mighty and great warrior . On seeing this, he established his rule over all the islands of the ocean.  His wife Vrinda cooperated with him in every matter.  Vrinda was a sati(virtous) woman.  She had got the blessing of Lord Vishnu that as long as her satitva(dignity) would be safe, no one would be able to hurt her husband's life.

One day Acharya Shukra visits Jalandhar's court.  Jalandhar worshiped Acharya and seated him on a high seat and asked - “Acharya!  We have a warrior named Rahu.  I want to know why his head is chopped off. "

Acharya Shukra said - “ Demon King!  Rahu was beheaded by Lord Vishnu with his Sudarshan Chakra. "

 Jalandhar said - "But why Acharya!  What did Rahu do the fault? ”

In response, Shukracharya told him the whole story of Sagar Manthan(churning of sea) and said - "His crime was that he had fraudly drink Amrit(necter) by sitting in the line of the gods."

Jalandhar said - "So what a crime in this, Acharya!  After all, even the nectar came out, it was only through the combined efforts of the demons and the gods.  Then how did the gods alone become entitled to drink that nectar? "

Shukracharya said - “In this too there was the deceit of Vishnu!  All the gems from the sea were taken by Devraj Indra. "

Hearing this, Jalandhar was angry and said - "I will not let this happen at all." Indra is not to entitled of my father's gems, I himself entitled for this.  The gods have to return the gems of Samudradeva. "

After that Shukracharya went back to his place and Jalandhar summoned a monster named Ghasmar and sent him to Indrapuri to give a message to Indra that he should hand over all the gems received from Sagar Manthan.  Ghasmar reached Indrapuri. He said to Indra - Devraj!  I have come with a message from the demon king Jalandhar.  Daityaraj has said that during the churning of the sea, which gems you had taken from his father , immediately return those gems ”.  Indra said with astonishment - "Gem!  which gem!  Say to the demon king that those gems were the results of the hard work of the gods. "

Ghasmar said - "But both Gods and Demon had worked hard.  Then how did the gems become part of gods alone?  Return the gems in a straight way or else the result will be terrible. ”

Hearing this, Indra said indignantly - "Your courage so much, threaten me in my Puri(city)."  Wait sinner, I make punish you  right now. "

Saying this, Indra took out his Vajra but then Acharya Brihaspati stopped him and said while explaining to him - "Don't come in anger, Surraj!  He is messenger and messenger is not deserving death . So forgive him. "

Ghasmar came back to Jalandhar and told him the answer given by Indra.  Hearing this, Jalandhar became angry.  He immediately sent message to the demons located in all four directions to immediately attack Indrapuri.  Along with his generals he attacked on Indraloka. Soon the army of demons reached the Nandanvan of Indra and the soldiers started fighting with the gods.  Groups of demons began to destroy and damage Amaravati.  The dead bodies of the soldiers on both sides started falling on the ground.

Both Acharya Brihaspati and Shukracharya own sides started treating the wounded and dead soldiers on behalf of gods and demons and they resurrected and started fighting.  The war was continuing on. But neither side was able to win.  On this Jalandhar got angry and reached Shukracharya and said, "Gurudev!  Only you know Sanjeevani Vidya, then how are these gods living after death ? "

Shukracharya said - "Demons king!  Acharya Brihaspati also knows how to use Sanjeevani Booti(herb).  He has put many gods on this task so that they keep bringing Sanjeevani herbs from Dronagiri.  If somehow the gods stop bringing the booti from Dronagiri, then Acharya Brihaspati will not be able to revive the gods. "

Jalandhar said - "But in this way we will have to take a large part of our army towards Dronagiri mountain and here the war is going on at a rapid pace."

Shukracharya said - "If you immerse Dronagiri mountain in the ocean". Then this problem will solve.

On hearing Shukracharya, Jalandhar left Amravati and went to Mount Dronagiri and with his divine arrows dipped it in the sea.  This caused the gods to stop getting Sanjeevani Booti.  Panic spread among the gods. Nervous Indra approached Acharya Brihaspati.  Said - "Our brave soldiers are getting a large number of casualties Acharya!  what will happen now?  In this way all the gods will be destroyed. "

Acharya Brihaspati said - “Follow my advice, Devendra!  Stop this war immediately and run away with your army and save your life.  Jalandhar is born with the glory of Lord Shiva.  He has immense power of Lord Shiva.  You save your life, later some solution will come out to kill Jalandhar. "

Following the advice of Acharya Brihaspati, the gods left the battle and escaped and hid themselves in the shrines of Mount Meru.  The army of demons chased them, but the gods reached the mountain caves and became invisible. After exhausted, the army of the demons returned.  Jalandhar destroyed all the Amravati and sat on the throne of Indra himself.  Indra descended from the cave of Mount Meru and reached Lord Vishnu with his companions.

He prayed to Lord Vishnu - "Protect God!  Jalandhar has destroyed all Amravati.  Thousands of gods have been killed, I myself have come here to save my life.

Lord Vishnu assured Indra and said - "Don't panic, Surraj!  I go to your aid myself.  Jalandhar will not be able to survive for long.

Then Lord Vishnu went to Amravati.  As soon as Lord Vishnu reached there, there was a new energy in the gods.  They started attacking the enemy army.  Jalandhar came in front of Vishnu with great speed.  Whatever weapons and arms Vishnu used on him, Jalandhar would immediately make them resultless.  Finally, Vishnu gave up.  Said - "You are really brave Jalandhar!"  You have also made so many of my weapons useless.  Now stop this war. "

Jalandhar said - "This war can now be stopped on one condition only God.  If you accept my hospitality on my islands including my sister Lakshmi. "

 Vishnu accepted the condition of Jalandhar.  The war came to an end on Jalandhar's orders.  Lord Vishnu reached Sagar islands including Lakshmi.  Jalandhar brought all the wealth of Amravati to his capital and started serving Lord Vishnu with great love.

One day Devarshi Narada visited his assembly.  Jalandhar welcomed him.  Narada ji said - "Demon king!  At this time all the opulence is available to you.  But one thing is lacking. "

 Jalandhar said - "Lacking, what is lacking, Devarshi!  I have everything. "

 Narada said - "There is a lack of such a beauty, which despite being beautiful, is always full of virtues."  Though your wife Vrinda herself is also very beautiful, but there is something more about Shiva's wife Parvati. "

Jalandhar said - "If it is so, I will definitely make Parvati my wife.  Today I order my army to attack Kailash. "

Weicked Jalandhar attacked on Mount Kailash with his army.  Fierce war broke out between his army and Shiva's gana.  At last, Shiva's gana escaped from the battlefield.  Lord Shiva was forced to go to the battle ground.  In the presence of his lord, the enthusiasm of the Shiva's gana increased.  They rapidly attacked on the demon's army at a rapid speed and started killing them.  Shiva stood in front of Jalandhar.  A fierce war broke out in both.

["Then Lord Vishnu took the form of Jalandhar and reached Vrinda.  Vrinda thought that Jalandhar had come to him.  She began to treat Lord Vishnu like as her husband .  Due to which her wife's dharma  broke and Shiva succeeded in killing Jalandhar on Kailash.  Vrinda committed self-immolation to embrace due to the breakdown of her Satitava(dignity).  As her body was consumed, the Tulsi plant grew at that place.  That is, Tulsi is the form of Vrinda which is very dear to Lord Vishnu".]

On the other hand, Lord Vishnu was creating his own maya.  Jalandhar's wife Vrinda was a great virtuous woman.  Vishnu disguised as Jalandhar and went to his room.  He embraced Vrinda.  But Vrinda realizes that this person took form as her husband is not her husband.  So loudly said - "Who are you?"

Vishnu appeared in his real form and laughingly said - "I am very sorry Vrinda!  But it was necessary to do so.  Your husband was invincible because of you.  Now Lord Shiva will have no problem in killing him. "

Vrinda said while crying - "Why have you betrayed me like this, Lord!  My husband did not leave any lacking in your hospitality. "

Lord Vishnu while blessing her said - “You are truly a venerated woman Vrinda!  But every terror ends one day.  The pot of your husband's sins is full.  Its end time has come to a close.  I give you a boon that from today onwards you will be worshiped in the whole world.  Women will worship you. "

Vrinda, burning in the fire of repentance, jumped into the fire and was consumed on sight.  The glow of her body came out and entered Parvati's body.  Gods shower flowers.

Jalandhar's intensity decreased as Vrinda was consumed in the fire.  Lord Shiva cut his head with his trident.  As soon as Jalandhar died, his glory, which he was invincible till today, entered Shiva's body.  The demon army fled in panic.

The Gods praised and worshiped to lord Shiva.  Indra regained his throne and after some time, peace and tranquility spread everywhere.