How Ganesha Got His Head
Once upon a time, there was a king and a queen who sat down to play a simple game of cards and dice. Maybe it was her wit. Perhaps it was her beauty- but on this day, the king was outmatched, and the queen prevailed to win the game. The king unaccustomed to loosing was angry, and stormed off with his men, leaving his queen alone.
In her solitude, the queen unrobed and began to rub her perfumed body. The oils and radiance of her skin began to mix with the earth, for she was no ordinary queen, but a goddess. She fashioned from herself and the earth a little boy more beautiful than any other and placed him at the threshold of her bedroom chamber. She instructed him firmly, “do not let anyone pass.”
When the king returned eager to see his beloved and makeup, he was met by the beautiful little boy who was guarding his mother’s room.
“Let me pass!” said the king. But the boy did not move. Instead the boy looked directly into the king’s eyes unafraid. The king was furious, how dare this child be so insolent? The king grabbed at the child and struggled. The boy and the king wrestled, and the king was surprised at the boy’s strength. But the king grew angry with the boy, for the king was no ordinary king, but the god of all gods! In his rage, the king struck the boy and cut off his head.
Upon hearing the cry of the boy, the queen appeared and screamed, “What have you done? You have killed our son!”
The king was perplexed, “He’s not my son!” but the queen shouted,”Ignorant fool! Who else but the king’s son could defend the king’s threshold?” The queen grew even more enraged and despondent, “You must right this wrong.” she wept.
The king thought himself clever, “I’ll just put the head back on…” But it was not that easy. The king’s violent act had covered the palace in blood, and caused the demons to appear. They had whisked the head away. There before the king and his grieving queen was nothing more than a lifeless, headless body. What was the king to do?
The earth began to shake, and the sky grew black, as the queen spoke, “If ever you hope to enter this house again, make this right?” She picked up the lifeless body of her son and cast out the king!
The sun was gone, and the days grew cold. The queen’s grief was inconsolable. Her wailing shook the earth. Unsure how to correct his unspeakable wrong, the king consulted his wisest sages and ministers. Yet even the most knowledgeable were of no help. The king knew the answers could only be found in the mountains. He set out alone, heart aching for his beloved, fearful of her broken heart.
In the solitude of his mountain temple, the king sat in deep thought. He fasted and had many visions until finally, an image of his beloved queen appeared before him. “Find the greatest beast,” she said, “This is the beast that will look back at you with love!” Knowing what to do, the king returned to fetch his men, and off they went in search of the most magnificent beast.
The king encountered many beasts, from bulls to lions, but none were majestic enough. None filled his heart with love, and indeed, none looked back at him with love. Then one day, while drinking from the river, the king saw the reflection of a great beast in the river. This beast was more regal than any and yet looked at the king through the water so calmly. What was this great beast? Together, they stared at each other, king and beast. The king’s heart swelled. This was the creature! Slowly as he and the beast drank from the river, the king, who you remember, was also a mighty god, cut the head of the creature in one quick stroke.
Blood flowed from the beast’s body down into the river, causing the river to flood over. The blood river nourished the crops on all sides, bringing so much life there would no famines for many years. The king returned to the palace and his queen. With the earth and blood from the river, the king attached the beast’s head to the boy’s body. The all powerful king danced around the boy’s body until rings of fire appeared, and divine life beat back into his heart.
The king had restored the young prince, and the queen was joyous again. Sun filled the sky and the earth relaxed with celebration. The king fashioned a golden throne beside his own for the boy and named him Ganesha. The king proclaimed to all, “This is my son, he is favorite above all others.”
Works Cited
Brooks, Douglas. Ganesha, Rajanaka 2015–2019
Brown, Robert L. (1991). Ganesh: Studies of an Asian God. SUNY Press.
Narain, A.K. “Gaṇeśa: The Idea and the Icon” in Brown 1991
For history of the development of the gāṇapatya and their relationship to the wide geographic dispersion of Ganesha worship, see: Chapter 6, “The Gāṇapatyas” in: Thapan (1997), pp. 176–213
image of Ganesha statue © Joanna Nowak