Ganesha's Role in Mahavishnu's Battle with Madhu-Kaitabha

At the time of pralaya, the twelve Suryas rise up together. In that heat, all the oceans completely evaporate. The heavy rain clouds thus formed pour down. Each drop of this downpour will be as big as the trunk of an elephant. This rain will cause pralaya, submerging everything and absorbing everything into itself.

After a long time, when it is time for creation again, Lord Ganesha appears as nada, sound, the sound of his ekakshara mantra 'Gam'. From this primordial sound, creation happens. On one such occasion, the Trimurthys – Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva – came into existence. They started wondering, where are we? Who are we? What is all this? They knew there was someone behind all this, some power behind all this.

They started searching for that divinity. They went to the twenty-one Swargas, then Antariksha, then Pathala. They observed tapas for thousands of years, just to find out who is behind all this. Nothing happened. They again started looking around on earth, in mountains and forests. Suddenly, they found a beautiful lake. They rested for some time on the shore of the lake and proceeded further. They found a bigger lake, and there was a brilliant light, a light as brilliant as a crore of suns in that lake, which blinded all three of them.

It was Bhagawan Mahaganapathy. He mercifully showed them his form, seated on a red lotus, wearing red clothes. His nails were saffron in colour. In his four hands, he was holding a sword, a shield, a spear, and a bow. His crown and his waistband were shining brilliantly. Such a majestic form. The Trimurthys started praising him. This is called Stotraraja. If you chant this stotra every day, all kinds of prosperity will come. This is a blessing given by Lord Ganesha himself.

Lord Ganesha delegated the tasks of srishti, stithi, and samhāra to Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and then disappeared.

Many of you must have heard about the legend of Madhu and Kaitabha, the two demons who came out of the ear wax of Shri Hari Mahavishnu and threatened to kill Brahma, whom they found sitting on the nabhi kamala of the Lord. But the Lord was fast asleep under the influence of Yoga Nidra Devi. Brahma prayed to her to release the Lord from sleep. She did that, and Shri Hari started a battle with the demons.

But you may not have heard how Bhagawan Mahaganapathy played a role in this legend. The battle went on for five thousand years. The demons were very strong; they could not be defeated. Lord Mahavishnu was in fatigue. He wanted a break. So, he assumed the form of a Gandharva and went into the forest. He started playing the veena, sitting in the forest. Everyone was mesmerized. Even Mahadeva heard this and was impressed. He sent messengers to get to Kailasa whoever was playing such beautiful music.

Thus, Shri Hari reached Kailasa. Then Mahadeva realized who it really was. He stood up and embraced Shri Hari. Shri Hari played the veena in Kailasa. After that, they started discussing the battle. Five thousand years, and still, the demons stood firm and strong.

Mahadeva asked, 'Did you do Vinayaka Puja before you started?'

Shri Hari said, 'No.'

'That's why. Now you worship and restart the battle. You will definitely win.'

Shri Hari asked Mahadeva, 'How do I do that?'

Mahadeva said, 'Ganesha mantras are seven crores in number. Out of those, the ekakshara mantra and shadakshara mantra are most important. Now, since your rivals are very strong, you should start chanting the shadakshara mantra itself.'

Mahadeva gave upadesha of the shadakshara mantra to Shri Hari. Bhagawan went to Siddhi Kshetra and started upasana of the mantra. He chanted for a thousand years. Kotisuryasamaprabha Mahaganapathy appeared before him and asked, 'What boon do you want? You should have remembered me before going for the battle. Then this situation would not have come up.'

Mahaganapathy blessed him. The Lord went to the battlefield, and this time, he could destroy both the demons. That is why it is said:

महागणपति: सर्वैश्च वन्द्यः न च तस्य वन्द्यः

Everyone salutes him, but he doesn’t salute anyone.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi