Lord Ganesha

Article 7- Pushtipati Vinayak

Our lord Vinayak has three major jayanti's falling in a single year.
The first one belongs to Vaishakh Purnima. The second one, which is the most well-known, comes on Bhadrapada Shukla chaturthi and the third one is observed on Maghi Shulka chaturthi.
In the first two avtars, he appeared as the son of Shiv-Parvati, while in the third one he was born to Maharishi Kashyap.

Ganesha has a different way of slaying demons. The kind of demons he deals with are disembodied and abstract. Demolishing these demons is tougher than slaying a materialised evil. Ganpati's avtars have a pattern. In the past, he has slayed other demons called Kamasur, Krodhasur, Lobhasur, Mohasur, Madasur, Matsaryasur and Ahamkarasur.
Observing these names, one can easily infer that Ganpati wants us to win the demons that are present within each one of us- whether we would like to admit it or not. Demons of lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride, jealousy and ego affect us more often than we are conscious about.

Yesterday was Pushtipati Vinayak jayanti, as it was the auspicious day of Vaishakh Purnima and I was amazed to know about this form that led me to an introspection.

There was a demon called 'Durmati'. It became powerful after acquiring a boon from Adi Shakti. The atrocities committed by Durmati forced Shiva and Shakti to leave Kailash Parvat.
The other Devtas also had to leave their abodes. Soon, Narad Muni guided Shiv-Shakti to worship Lord Vinayak.

Mata Parvati would make an idol of Ganesha everyday, out of clay and then immerse the idol after worshipping it with true devotion. On Vaishakh Purnima, Ganpati appeared in front of the startled Shiv-Shakti and blessed them by granting their wish by assuming the form as their son. Meanwhile, a divine daughter was born to Lord Vishnu and Devi Lakshmi, named Pushti. Ganpati went on to marry her and thus, became renowned by the name Pushtipati.

Ganpati, first of all, sent lord Vishnu as his messenger to make peace with the demon by asking it to stop its atrocities. The demon, acting as per it's name, discarded the path of peace and instead, challenged Ganpati for a battle.
During the war, Durmati threw its weapon on Shri Ganesha's tooth and broke it. Ganesha threw his broken tooth towards Durmati and slashed its neck. This is how he slayed Durmati and relieved the Deva Loka. After completing the cause of his avatar, Ganpati returned back to his loka, Swanand Lok.

Durmati and the other evils that Ganpati has slayed are not just tied up to a mythological folklore. You and I are affected by these demons each and every day.

Just by scrolling through your social media feed, one can catch up various insecurities and can get envious, inviting Matsarasur.
Falling upon inappropriate content, which is widespread due to the sick nature of the film, music and OTT industry invites Kamasur.
Holding grudges and burning yourself in anger is caused by Krodhasur. Aping the greedy west and forgetting the essence of life, leading to discontentment is caused by Lobhasur. Too much attachment, becoming snobbish after achieving something invites Mohasur and Madasur. All these impurities form a false ego within ourselves facilitating Ahamkarasur.

These demons have the power to destroy the widest of men by just sowing seeds of their qualities in the pure minds. Just think how powerful and wise Durmati must have been to be able to please Adi Shakti and acquire such a powerful boon from the mother divine herself! If only that demon would have controlled its inner impurities, it could have achieved grand things and could've established righteousness effortlessly. However, it's mind turned negative leading to its destruction.
If such determined and wise personalities have fallen into the traps of inner impurities causing great destruction, then where do we even stand! Hence, we must keep an extra check upon ourselves. This is only possible by the grace of Ganpati. Thus, we should consciously surrender ourselves, our mind to Pushtipati, in order to prevent our Mati from turning into Durmati.