Ganesh Chaturthi: The Story To Be Read And Heard.

Sudhakar V.Rao
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!Sri Vighneswaraaya Nama:

It is believed that anyone who looks at the moon on the night of Ganesh Chaturthi will be
falsely accused. Since it is possible to see the Moon inadvertently, it is customary to hear
the story of Syamantaka Mani, at the end of the Ganesh pooja and repeat a verse relating
to the story. The story is narrated in Bhagavatam and Skanda purana. There is also a
scientific basis for avoiding seeing Moon on this day, but let us examine the puranic basis
for this belief and the lessons to be learnt.

One day Lord Ganesha after conferring boons on Brahma was riding home on His mouse.
When He reached the realm of the Moon, His pace stumbled. Seeing this, the Moon who
was bright from the light borrowed from the Sun and proud of His splendor laughed at
the site of huge Ganesh riding a small mouse and his stumbling steps. Ganesha wanted to
teach the Moon a lesson in humility. He therefore cursed the moon that no light may fall
on the Moon and that any one seeing the Moon on the fourth day of the bright half of the
month of Bhaadrupad be falsely accused. When the Moon realized the consequences, He
asked Ganesha to pardon him for the pride. Ganesha modified the curse and said that
henceforth, there will be waxing and waning of the Moon to remind him to be humble.
He also said that whoever hears or reads the story of Syamantaka Mani will not suffer
false accusations.

The story of Syamantaka Mani is as follows:

In Dwaapara Yuga, the third milleneum, during Lord Krishnas time, there was a yaadava
by name Ugrasena. He had two sons, Satraajit and Prasena. Satraajit worshipped the Sun
God and obtained a special jewel called Syamantaka Mani. The jewel was extremely
bright, shining like the Sun and when worshipped, was capable of giving eight loads of
gold daily. The jewel was to be worn only by virtuous person. Satraajit wore the jewel
proudly and walked the streets of Dwaaraka. Due to the immense luster of the jewel,
people in Dwaaraka mistook Satraajit to be Sun God himself. Satraajit visited Lord Sri
Krishna to show off the jewel. Lord Sri Krishna then suggested that the gold could be
used for the welfare of the people and so it could be given to Him. Satraajit, of course
refused and went home. A few days later his brother, Prasena wore it and went for
hunting. A lion seeing the yellow jewel, mistook it for a mass of flesh and attacked
Prasena. Prasena was killed. But before the lion could walk a few steps with the jewel in
its paws, a huge bear attacked the lion and killed it. The bear was none other that
Jaambavan from Sri Ramas time. He wanted to give this jewel as a toy to his son.
Meanwhile, Satraajit missed his brother and the jewel, and presumed that Sri Krishna
stole the jewel after killing his brother, Prasena. He falsely accused Sri Krishna of theft of
Ganesh Chaturthi: The Story To Be Read And Heard.
Sudhakar V.Rao
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the jewel and murder of his brother. Sri Krishna could not convince Satraajit otherwise.
He therefore decided to prove His innocence and went out to the forest. He soon found
the dead body of Prasena and the dead lion nearby. There were footsteps of a bear. Sri
Krishna followed the footsteps, which lead Him to a huge cave, 800 miles long. In the
cave there was a beautiful young girl, swinging a cradle with a baby boy in it. She was
singing a lullaby to the baby thus:

simho Prasenam avadhee, simho jaambavataa hataH
sukumaaraka maarOdee, tava hyesha syamantakaH

Meaning, Prasensa was killed by a lion and lion was killed by Jambavan. So, little boy,
please do not cry, the Syamantaka jewel is yours.

As soon as Sri Krishna entered the cave the maiden saw His enchanting form and fell in
love. She implored that Sri Krishna take the jewel and leave immediately, lest her father,
the powerful Jaambavan might kill Him! Sri Krishna laughed and blew His conch.
Jaambavan came out and fought with Sri Krishna. The duel went on for 21days and
Jambavan was surprised that although his body was full of wounds and he was tired, Sri
Krishna showed no fatigue and His body suffered no blows. Finally Jaambavan was
defeated and looking closely, realized that Sri Krishna was indeed the incarnation of Lord
Vishnu, whom he knew as Sri Rama in Treta Yuga or the second milleneum. Jaambavan
then remembered asking the boon of a duel with Sri Rama and Sri Ramas promise to
fulfil that desire in Dwaapara Yuga. Jaambavan was pleased and besides offering the
Syamantaka jewel, also offered his daughter, Jaambavati as bride to Sri Krishna. Sri
Krishna then returned to Dwaaraka and gave the jewel back to Satraajit. Satraajit also
now repented for his unjust accusation and offered his daughter, Satyabhama to Lord
Krishna.

Narada one day visited Sri Krishna and revealed to Him that the reason for this false
accusation of stealing the jewel was because of seeing the reflection of the Moon in a
milk pot. Sri Krishna then did the Ganesh pooja on the advice of sage Narada and was
freed from the curse.

Satraajit, after taking the Syamantaka jewel from Sri Krishna was one day killed by
another king, Satadhanva who took the jewel. Later, Satadhavna afraid of Sri Krishna
gave the jewel to Akrura and ran away. Balarama and Sri Krishna chased him and killed
Satadhanva but could not find the jewel on him. They later heard that Akrura was
immensely benevolent in city of Kashi. Akrura heard of Satadhanvas death and out of
fear, returned the jewel to Sri Krishna.

We now repeat the verse:
simho Prasenam avadhee, simho jaambavataa hataH
Sukumaaraka maarOdee, tava hyesha syamantakaH

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Ganesh Chaturthi: The Story To Be Read And Heard.
Sudhakar V.Rao
=============================000===============================

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