Ekadanta Ganapati is one among the numerous names of Ganesha and it means the single-tusked one. Mudgala Purana states that Ganesh took the form of Ekadanta to defeat demon Madasura – symbolically the demon represents pride. Madasura was created by Saint Chyavana. Madasura propitiatedShukracharya who initiated him with the Shakti mantra ‘Hrim.’ He performed intense penance by chanting the mantra. Madasura soon attained the power to rule the universe. With huge power in his disposal he became corrupt and evil. His activities caused immense difficulties to all living beings. Devas, saints and humans approached Sanatkumara one of the Sanakadi Rishis to find a way to defeat Madasura, Sanatkumara asked them to pray to Ganesha in Ekadanta form. He taught them the greatness of Ekadanta – Eka stands for maya and danta stands for truth. Ekadanta is one who controls maya. Ganesha answered the prayers of living beings and he appeared before Madasura as Ekadanta. Madasura did not fight Ekadanta. He completely surrendered before him. Ekadanta asked Madasura not to be present where Ganesha is worshiped in Sattvic manner. Thus where Ganesha is worshiped for spiritual wisdom there will be no pride. Ekadanta Ganapati is one among the 32 forms of Ganesha. This form of Ganesh is believed to bless students and help them in concentrating in their efforts. Ekadanta means one with a single tusk. Ekadanta Ganapathi mantra is Lambodaram Shyamatanum Ganesham Kutaramakshastraja moordhavagaatram Saladukkam dantamadhaha Karabhyam Vameteraabhyam cha dadhaanameede Ekadanta Ganapati is blue colored and has four hands. The hands hold axe, Rudraksha, sweet and the broken tusk. A symbolism attached with Ekadanta Ganapati states that those who work hard will be blessed with sweet by this form of Ganesha – meaning they will be successful in their endeavor. This form of Ganesha is worshipped for attaining inner strength and to overcome lust. Meditating on this form helps in attaining peace. Shukracharya was the son of Sage Bhrigu and he was also the guru and priest of the Demons or Asuras. Shukracharya was blind in one eye. He had lost his one eye to Vamana the dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There is an interesting story which explains how Shukra Acharya lost his one eye in the Puranas. When Lord Vishnu appeared as Lord Vamana in the yajna or the sacrifice ground of King Bali, Shukracharya sensed an impending danger. Shukracharya warned King Bali that this dwarf was no ordinary human being but it was Sri Hari Vishnu in disguise. But King Bali was pleased to make any offering that the little Vamana asked. He said to King Bali that what more can I achieve when God Sri Hari Vishnu is standing before me and asking for Dhana (gift). King Bali readily agreed to give the three steps of land that was asked by Vamana. Now it was the duty of the head priest (Shukracharya) to read the mantras and pour water from the vessel to ratify the dhana. To deny the Dhana, Shukracharya entered the vessel and blocked the water from flowing from the vessel’s sprout. Vishnu, who was aware of this trick, put a straw in the vessel’s spout and this entered the eye of Shukracharya and thus blinding him. Unable to bear the pain, Shukracharya moved out of the vessel’s sprout and thus the Dhana was ratified. Soon King Bali did the sankalpa and agreed to the three steps of land as asked by Vamana. Soon, the short roopa of Vamana grew in size – so huge that it was impossible to describe in words – to be called as Trivikrama roopa. With his first step, Vamana covered all of Earth. His second step covered all of the Sky. There was no place for the third step and King Bali offered his head. Vamana sent Bali to Patalaloka or Underworld. He was also given the boon that he will be allowed to rule the entire universe for one day in a year and on that day he can visit the earth. Sanakadi Rishis are the combined names of four great sages – Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara. They are the four sons of Brahma and appeared at the beginning of the creation. Scriptures state that due to their high spiritual attainments, they remain as five year olds. Brahma who did penance to start creation pleased the Supreme Truth and That appeared in the form of four Rishis – Sanakadi Rishis. Sanakadi Rishis are the greatest gyanis, yogis and bhaktas. Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana and Sanat Kumara They lead a life of renunciation. They can travel anywhere by merely wishing. They arrive on earth to give lessons in dharma to human beings. Immersed in Brahman they keep on chanting Hari Sharanam. Sage Narada addresses them in the Padma Purana like this – Though looking life five year olds, You are the eldest of the eldest, the great grand ancestors of the great grand ancestors. Vaikunta, the highest Heaven, the spiritual realm, your abode. Recitation of the glories of the Lord is Your only food. Atman alone is below. Atman is above. Atman is behind. Atman is in front. Atman is to the south. Atman is to the north. Atman alone is all this. Verily, he it is who sees thus, and understands thus, has pleasure in Atman, delight in Atman, union in Atman, joy in Atman. He becomes Self-sovereign; he becomes free to act as he wishes in all the worlds. But those who know otherwise than this are ruled by others and live in perishable worlds; they are not free to act as they wish in all the worlds.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:19:09 +0000
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