Indian mythology story. Curse and boon, indian English mythology stories blog post. Shani Dev & Ganesha's famous story "The Curse of Shanidev from His Wife. Mythological stories for kids. Moral mythological stories for kids
Now listen to a very secret and important episode of history. Although it is somewhat embarrassing to recount before the Divine Mother, still, it must be told.
"O Mother! I have been a devotee of Lord Shri Krishna from the very beginning. My mind was always immersed in the lotus feet of that Lord. I remained detached from worldly pleasures and had become a complete ascetic. But all that austerity came to an end when I got married."
At this point, one of the companions interjected: "It is only natural for austerities to be interrupted after marriage. That happens to everyone. So what's so special in your case?"
Shani replied, "There is something special, that is why I’m telling you. Please pay attention. I was married to the extremely beautiful and radiant daughter of Chitraratha. She, too, was a devoted and austere woman. One day, during her menstrual purification period, she adorned herself with all sixteen traditional adornments. At that time, she looked breathtaking, like a divine goddess decorated with celestial ornaments. Her beauty and grace combined to become irresistible, capable of captivating even sages."
"At night, she came to me. But I was deeply absorbed in meditation on Lord Krishna, so I didn't even notice her arrival. She was intoxicated by desire and spoke sharply, 'Swamin! At least look at me!' Yet I paid her no attention."
"She looked at me with restless eyes, trying to distract me, but couldn't break my concentration. Realizing her efforts were failing, she grew furious, as her fertile period was passing in vain. In anger, she tried everything to rouse me."
"When she failed, she finally said with bitterness:
'O fool! You didn't even look at me, and thus my fertile time has been wasted. Therefore, from now on, whoever you lay your eyes upon shall perish!'"
"When her curse reached my ears, my meditation was shattered. I opened my eyes and saw my wife standing before me, looking exceedingly beautiful. I thought, 'She is my wife—why has she cursed me so? Truly, I am at fault for ignoring my marital duties after marriage.'"
"I thought, ‘If I appease her now, perhaps I can escape the curse.’ Resolving this, I said gently, ‘Devi! Beloved! I was lost in meditation and couldn’t hear your plea. I would never intentionally neglect you. Tell me what you wish—I am ready to fulfill it.’"
"I pleaded with her many times and finally calmed her down. Then I requested her to take back the curse. But by then, she had lost the power to revoke it. Her spiritual chastity had been compromised due to giving the curse. Regretfully, she admitted her mistake and said she wished she could undo it—but the curse remained."
"Since that day, I’ve never raised my eyes to look at anyone. For the welfare of the world, I always keep my head bowed. That is why, O Mother of the Universe, I did not look at you or your child."
On hearing the tale of Shani’s curse and the reason he always keeps his head bowed, Parvati laughed. Her companions, handmaids, celestial maidens, and apsaras all laughed with her. Their laughter echoed for a long time. Poor Shani stood there with his head lowered.
After narrating this story, Suta Ji paused. Seeing this, Shaunak humbly asked, “Then what happened, Suta Ji? We have never heard this secret story before. Only you are worthy of revealing such mysteries. Please complete the account.”
Parvati Allows Shani to See Her Son
.jpeg "Why did Shani Dev's wife curse him, which became the reason for Lord Ganesha's head being severed?")
After a long laugh, Parvati remembered Lord Vishnu and said:
"O Lord of the Planets! The curse you received cannot be undone, but you must be prepared to face its consequences. However, I believe that the curse will have no effect on me or my child. So, look at either me or my son."
Shani was puzzled—Whom should I look at? Or should I look at no one? What if something terrible happens if I do? But even avoiding a glance may cause harm. It is better to look at the child.
Shani took a vow with Dharma as witness and resolved to look only at the child. He thought it better not to glance at Parvati. Still, full of anxiety, his throat, lips, and palate went dry. Composing himself, he glanced at the child’s face from the corner of his right eye.
The moment Shani’s gaze fell upon the child, the child’s head was severed!
Just a glimpse from the corner of Shani’s eye caused the child’s head to fly off. Blood flowed like a stream from the severed neck. Parvati’s lap was soaked in blood. But the head rose upward and entered Goloka, merging into the body of Lord Krishna.
Everyone present was devastated. Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas, was overwhelmed with grief and fainted. Her distant companions ran to her. Many stood stunned like painted statues. Despite all efforts, they could not revive her.
Hearing the commotion, Nandi rushed in and then returned to say:
“O Lord Shiva! A terrible incident has occurred. Shani came to see the child. The moment he looked at him, the child’s head was severed and flew away. Poor Shani stands there, head bowed, devastated.”
Everyone present was engulfed in sorrow. Lord Shiva fainted from grief. Mount Himavan, Indra, and all the gods, sages, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras began to weep. But Lord Vishnu immediately summoned Garuda and departed toward the north.
Lord Vishnu Beheads the Elephant King
.jpeg "Why did Shani Dev's wife curse him, which became the reason for Lord Ganesha's head being severed?")
Near the bank of the Pushpabhadra River, in a dreadful forest, an elephant king was sleeping peacefully with his mate. Lord Vishnu dismounted Garuda and, with His Sudarshan Chakra, severed the elephant’s head. The sound was so loud that all ten directions trembled.
The elephant’s mate and calf cried out in agony. Lord Vishnu placed the blood-covered head on Garuda’s back. The grieving elephant queen grabbed Garuda’s wing and lashed out at Lord Krishna:
“Why did you kill my husband? Where are you taking his head? Tell me the truth—or I shall curse you!”
Lord Vishnu said, “O Queen of Elephants! Calm yourself. I did not wish to kill him. Ideally, someone else should have died. But according to divine law, the first creature seen must be sacrificed for this purpose.”
She asked, “Why did you need the head of the first creature you saw? If you cannot give a proper reason, I will curse you.”
Lord Vishnu explained the incident of Shani’s curse and how the child of Parvati lost his head.
She exclaimed, “How is it fair that to save a child’s life, you killed an innocent elephant? You should have severed Shani’s head instead—he always brings misfortune!”
Lord Vishnu said, “O Devi! Shani is immortal, invincible, and constantly moving for the good of the world. He cannot be killed.”
She retorted, “Still, you had no right to kill my husband. If you took his life, you must also give it back. Gods are known to revive lives by attaching new heads. You’re probably taking my husband’s head for that reason.”
Lord Vishnu responded, “You speak rightly. Only the one who can grant life should take it. I will not disappoint you. I will search for another head and revive him.”
She insisted, “No! Use my husband’s head again. Use someone else's for Parvati’s child. I believe you won’t do injustice to me.”
Lord Vishnu explained, “O Devi, this head can’t be used again. Only the first visible being’s head can be used to restore life. Be patient. I will find another creature to revive your husband.”
Vishnu Revives the Elephant King
The elephant queen fell silent. Lord Vishnu mounted Garuda again, found another elephant nearby, severed its head, and joined it to the dead elephant’s body. Then he said with grace:
“Rise, O Elephant King! You’ve slept long enough. Wake up now.”
The elephant opened his eyes and, seeing Lord Vishnu, bowed at His feet and sang His praises:
“O Lord! I am most blessed today. The one whose darshan requires penance of countless births, I saw with ease today.”
"O Lord, wielder of conch and discus, four-armed, crowned, adorned with all divine weapons, and mounted on Garuda—I bow before You again and again. Being slain by You is a great blessing, a sure path to liberation. But now that I’ve been revived, I may have lost that rare chance of moksha.”
Lord Vishnu, caressing his head, replied:
“O beloved devotee! You shall attain what you desire. It is due to your chaste wife’s request that you were granted life again.”
The elephant queen then prayed:
“O Lord! Please forgive my mistake. I was overwhelmed with grief and anger. I spoke harshly without understanding your divine will.”
