Curse & Boon Indian mythological Stories The Tale of Gajasura

The Tale of Gajasura

 Curse & Boon Indian Mythological Stories The Tale of Gajasura

Gajasura was the son of Mahishasura, and he possessed the magical power to expand his body up to nine thousand yojanas. Mahishasura had been slain by Goddess Durga. Driven by revenge, the matted-haired Gajasura began intense penance to please Lord Brahma. The fire generated in his matted hair from his severe penance began to dry up rivers and oceans. The heat of this fire caused planets and stars to fall onto the earth. Chaos erupted in the heavens, and the gods fled to Brahmaloka for refuge. Lord Brahma finally appeared before Gajasura to grant him a boon.

Gajasura asked Brahma for the boon that he should become invincible to lust-driven men and women. With this boon, Gajasura conquered the three worlds.

One day, Gajasura reached Kashi and began tormenting Shiva's devotees. The devotees prayed to Lord Shiva for help. In response, Shiva hurled his trident at Gajasura. Overcome, Gajasura surrendered to Shiva and requested a boon that Shiva should wear his skin and become known as Krittivasa. Later, the Krittivaseshwara Linga was established under this name, symbolizing the destruction of sin.

Second Tale:

After receiving his boon from Brahma, Gajasura undertook severe penance again, this time to please Lord Shiva. He requested Shiva to reside in his stomach. Lord Shiva agreed and entered Gajasura's stomach.

Witnessing this, Lord Vishnu devised a plan with Brahma and Nandi. Vishnu disguised himself as a sitar player, Brahma as a tabla player, and Nandi as a dancer, and they arrived at Gajasura's court. Impressed by Nandi's dance, Gajasura offered him a boon. Nandi asked for Lord Shiva's release. Gajasura fulfilled Nandi's wish and released Lord Shiva.

Pleased with Gajasura's devotion, Vishnu offered him a boon. Gajasura requested that his elephant face (Gajamukha) be remembered forever. Vishnu granted this wish, declaring that Gajasura's elephant face would be worshiped eternally.

Gajasur Katha in Hindi

Pehli Katha:

Gajasur, Mahishasur ka putra tha, jo apni mayavi shakti se apne sharir ko nau sahastra yojan tak bada kar sakta tha. Mahishasur ka vadh Devi Durga ne kiya tha. Badle ki bhavna se jataadhari Gajasur ne Brahma ka ghor tapasya shuru ki. Gajasur ke ghor tapasya se uski jataon mein jo agni utpann hui, usne nadiyon aur samudron ko sukhana shuru kar diya. Agni ke tap se grah aur nakshatra dharti par girne lage. Swargalok mein trahi-trahi mach gayi. Sabhi devta bhag kar Brahmalok mein sharan lene gaye. Tab Brahma Gajasur ko var dene aaye.

Gajasur ne Brahma se var maanga ki woh kaam se vashibhut stri-purushon se avadhya ho jaye. Var prapt karne ke baad Gajasur ne teenon lokon par apna adhikar jama liya.

Ek baar Gajasur Kashi pahunch gaya aur wahan Shiv bhakton ko kasht pahunchane laga. Shiv bhakton ne Bhagwan Shiv se guhaar lagayi. Shiv ne Gajasur ki taraf apna trishul phenka. Gajasur ne Shiv ke samne sharan maang li aur unse var daan maanga ki Shiv unka charm (skin) dharan karen aur unka naam Krittivasa ho jaye. Baad mein isi naam se Krittivaseshwar Linga sthapit hua, jo paap ka nashak maana jaata hai.

Doosri Katha:
Gajasur ne Brahma se var prapt karne ke baad phir se Shiv ki tapasya ki aur unse apne udar (stomach) mein sthapit hone ka var maanga. Bhagwan Shiv Gajasur ke pet mein sthapit ho gaye.

Tab Vishnu ji ne Brahma aur Nandi ke saath mil kar ek yojana banayi. Us yojana ke tahat Vishnu ji sitar vadan karne wale, Brahma tabla vadan karne wale, aur Nandi naachne wale ke roop mein Gajasur ke darbaar mein pahunche. Nandi ke naach ko dekh kar Gajasur itna prasann hua ki usne Nandi se var maangne ko kaha. Nandi ne Shiv ko maang liya.

Gajasur ne Shiv ko mukt kar diya. Is par Vishnu ji ne prasann hokar Gajasur se var maangne ko kaha. Gajasur ne var maanga ki uska Gajmukh sada yaad kiya jaye. Tab Vishnu ne use var diya ki uska Gajmukh hamesha pooja jaayega.