Ganesh Loses his head
Out of his deep-seated anger against his father Saturn started doing penance (see Birth of Planets). His objective was to become more powerful than Sun, his father.
In Indian Puranas it was believed that by doing penance one could gain such powers that one could even topple the seat of Indra (Indian equivalent of Zeus).
During penance, one had to remain celibate, control all his emotions and subject the body to extreme suffering. In summer, one had to stand on one leg within a Ring of Fire or in winter stand neckdeep in cold water through the night. All the while chanting specific mantras, which could energize one’s latent powers. Saturn went through this for years and finally success was his. While Sun gave life to all beings, Saturn became the dealer of Death. He had the additional power of bestowing instant wealth and prosperity and also the power of healing (by denying death).
Even after achieving his goal he continued to be a celibate and led the life of a hermit. Chhaya, his mother was alarmed. She literally forced him to marry a girl of her choice believing that the beauty of the bride would ensnare Saturn into domesticity.
No such thing happened. Saturn continued with his daily meditation after going through the marriage rituals with extreme reluctance only to please his mother. He remained a celibate, although technically married. It is not clear why he agreed to marry. While agreeing to his mother’s entreaties he remained totally oblivious to the fact that in the process he was ruining the life of normal and healthy girl. Possibly he did not quite understand the responsibilities of marriage! His wife tried her best to win him over. She would bedeck herself with all kinds of finery and try to attract his attention. But Saturn did not even look at her.
One day she had enough of it and cursed Saturn saying “Since you did not even bother to look at me, I curse you that from today whomsoever you look at will perish.”
All this while, elsewhere other important things were happening. Mother Uma the consort of Shiva created a child from her mind. The baby was most gorgeous looking and Shiva made him the leader of his guards known as the ‘Ganas’. Hence his name became Ganapati or Ganesh.
There is an Indian ceremony when a child receives his first meal of solid food. Family and friends are invited and there are festivities. It is known as Annaprashan.
The time came for Ganesh’s Annaprashan. Uma in a joyful mood invited all the gods and demigods. Everybody was too happy to oblige. Everybody except Saturn. Remembering his wife’s curse he did not turn up. Uma noticed his absence and sent her emissaries to fetch him. It was difficult to avoid her summons and reluctantly Saturn went. He decided that he would not look at the child and only join the festivities and bless him with his eyes closed.
Alas, that was not to be. Uma brought the child to him and wanted to know what he thought of him. Saturn told her that he did not want to see the child because if he did something terrible might happen.
Uma would hear none of it. She asked Saturn to look at the child and assured him that she herself would remain responsible for the consequences. What could Saturn do? He looked at Ganesh and as he did Ganesh’s head dropped off his shoulder.
Uma was hysterical. There was general confusion. Everybody started crying. Only Vishnu kept him cool. He took one of Shiva’s attendants aside and asked him go out and find the first living being lying with its head towards the north. He was to cut the head off and bring it as fast as possible to Vishnu.
The attendant found an elephant lying down with its head northwards. He chopped the head off and brought it to Vishnu and he set it on a Ganesh’s headless body and Ganesh became whole again. Since then he became known as the elephant god.
Such were the powers of Saturn - made even more potent by his wife’s curse.
In Indian astrology it is said that the house which receives Saturn’s aspect (i.e., the house to which Saturn looks) is ruined and nothing good can be expected from it.
Madhushri completed her early schooling at the Shri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry. Having grown up in an environment of literature, music and spirituality she proceeded to complete her Masters in Comparative Literature from the Jadavpur University after completing graduation studies in the same course of the University. In addition, Madhushri also hold a Masters degree in Music from the Rabindra Bharati University.
Given her deep interests in mythology, literature and spirituality, the move to Vedic Astrology was a natural extension. Being an intuitive reader of Natal Chart, she brings a successful blend of astrology and spiritual skill-sets into all her readings and counseling’s. A natural flair for expressing complex and difficult matters makes her a prolific creator of most of the content on CyberAstro website since 2001. Madhushri has a large following for the accuracy of her daily, weekly and monthly zodiac predictions.
Tags: astrology, Devotion, future prediction, hanumaan, hinduism, Lord Ram, religionA Bone to Pick
In the Ancient times, there was always arch enmity between God and demons. On one occasion when the Gods had performed a Yajna or fire sacrifice, the demons demanded a share of the sacrifice.
The laws of ‘atithi Sewa” or hospitality, bound the Gods and they had to abide by the demand. Gods offered Saraswati the Goddess of knowledge and learning to the demons. Alas! Demons were meant always to be ignorant and they refused to accept her. Demons felt that knowledge had no positive aspects and that it only increased sorrow. They were not so concerned with speech and the art of communication. According to them speech only led to disputes and quarrels.
Enraged Saraswati was happy to decree the Gods as always higher and wiser while stated that the demons would always remain fools of ignorance.
Gods are not always serious and somber and ritualistic. They are also witty, cunning and diplomatic. A tale of such a wit is also associated with Saraswati.
A certain demon had practiced meditation over years together and had appeased Brahma. Brahma in such events always blessed the devotee. This would normally be a boon which may make him invincible.
The heavenly kingdom was alert as the demon continued with his austerities and reached a stage when getting a boon from Brahma was looming large. They all in a group appealed to Saraswati to find a way where Brahma’s boon will not make the demon at par with the Gods.
Saraswati the symbol of intelligence transformed herself into a little speck and perched at the tip of the demon’s tongue. When the time came and Brahma was pleased and asked the demon what he wanted as a boon, the demon’s tongue was in control of Goddess Saraswati; the poor demon could only say ” I want to be asleep forever”.
This way Brahma’s boon was diverted towards making the demon ineffective, ignorant and always asleep.
Madhushri completed her early schooling at the Shri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry. Having grown up in an environment of literature, music and spirituality she proceeded to complete her Masters in Comparative Literature from the Jadavpur University after completing graduation studies in the same course of the University. In addition, Madhushri also hold a Masters degree in Music from the Rabindra Bharati University.
Given her deep interests in mythology, literature and spirituality, the move to Vedic Astrology was a natural extension. Being an intuitive reader of Natal Chart, she brings a successful blend of astrology and spiritual skill-sets into all her readings and counseling’s. A natural flair for expressing complex and difficult matters makes her a prolific creator of most of the content on CyberAstro website since 2001. Madhushri has a large following for the accuracy of her daily, weekly and monthly zodiac predictions.
Tags: astrology, Devotion, future prediction, hanumaan, hinduism, Lord Ram, religionHanumaan Saves His Devotees
Saturn is the most dreaded planet as it inflicts sorrow and pain. Its impact can be long lasting and very painful. It can be only borne by persons of great strength, determination and patience. When ever Saturn gets a chance( always through temptation) when a person fails a test, there is calamity. The process is not open and Saturn’s slow intrusion is always shadowy. However shadowed and mysterious he may be, Hanumaan had him in his death like grip and diverted Saturn’s attention else where, away from his devotees.
There are many tales associated with Hanumaan and Saturn in Indian Mythology. However Hanumaan strides across the pages of the epic Ramayana like a colossus. His image on one hand is that of complete obedience and devotion and on the other hand his courage is matchless. So let me depict one from Ramayana.
One day Rama and his army of monkeys were engaged in making preparation for crossing the vast Indian Ocean to go the Lanka in order to rescue Sita who the demon king Ravana had abducted. Hanuman was also sorting boulders that could be used so that a bridge could be built over the ocean. While all were busy, Saturn was taking his rounds. He came across Hanumaan who was working and Hanumaan happened to be in Saturn’s way. Saturn requested Hanumaan to move so that Saturn could continue on his way. To this request Hanumaan agreed but only after he finished doing what was his duty.
Saturn was used to having his way with all mortals as fear of Saturn’s wrath cowed all humans. He was amazed at the audacity of this monkey. He demanded that Hanumaan comply with his request at once or face dire consequences. The Martian energy of Hanumaan came to the forefront and his temper rose. He looked at Saturn and his vice like grip closed around the feeble neck of Saturn. Saturn dangled in the air and gasped for breath. Saturn realized that he would surely die unless there was divine intervention. He prayed to Rama and begged for his life. Rama sensing Saturn’s crisis, came up to Hanumaan and asked him to let go of Saturn.
Hanumaan obeyed Rama and dropped Saturn to the ground but not before he extracted a promise from the terrible and sorrow inflicting Saturn that he would never come near or look at Hanumaan and his devotees. Saturn complied with folded hands and went on his way after saluting Rama and Hanumaan.
This is one of the reasons why Hanumaan is worshipped on Tuesdays for the planet Mars and Saturdays for Saturn. If one worships Hanumaan or takes his name, Saturn and his malice is always kept at bay.
Tags: astrology, Devotion, future prediction, hanumaan, hinduism, Lord Ram, religion