Table of ContentsReign of Vidarbha
Bhīma Mahārāja governed the Vidarbha kingdom, with the city of Kauṇḍinya serving as his capital. Utilizing his great courage and might, he subjugated numerous kings, appointing them as tributaries (Sāmantas) and regularly collecting taxes from them. He maintained a vast, perpetually battle-ready army. The King possessed great generosity in performing acts of charity, never refusing supplicants. Many Vedic scholars relied upon his patronage for their livelihood.
His wife was Cāruhāsinī, a devout woman (Mahāpativratā) endowed with all virtues and beauty.
Sonlessness and Renunciation
Despite experiencing all the pleasures and wealth of the kingdom, the royal couple remained childless. The King performed various rituals, vows (Vratas), and acts of charity seeking progeny, but these efforts proved fruitless. After a prolonged period of expectation with no sign of a child, the King grew weary and distressed.
Ultimately, he resolved to renounce his worldly life, entrusting the affairs of the state to his ministers, Manorañjana and Sumanta. After receiving the blessings of the Brāhmaṇas and performing numerous parting Dānadharmas with ritual invocation, he departed for the forest with his wife. He permitted his entire entourage to accompany them for one krośa (an ancient measure of distance), after which he sent them back and proceeded into the wilderness with Cāruhāsinī.
Encounter with Viśvāmitra Maharṣi
After traveling a great distance, Bhīma Mahārāja discovered a large sarovara (lake). He observed the beautiful natural surroundings, which were pleasing to the eye and refreshing. Nearby, he noticed the Āśrama (hermitage) of a sage. Entering the Āśrama, he found Viśvāmitra Maharṣi seated on a mat of darbha grass, radiating divine brilliance, while disciples chanted the Vedas. With fear and humility, the royal couple performed Sāṣṭāṅga Namaskāra (full prostration) at the Maharṣi’s feet and stood before him.
Though Viśvāmitra was Sarvajña (omniscient) and a knower of the Trikālajña (past, present, and future), he blessed the King as if he were unaware, stating: “May there be fortune! A virtuous son endowed with good qualities will be born to you after a long time! Tell me who you are and your details! Where do you come from? Where do you live? Why are you wandering in the forest? Tell me these details first. I will show you the path to remove your sorrow and destroy your sin.”
Past Life Revelation and Instruction
Bhīma Mahārāja then recounted his entire history, humbly pleading with the Maharṣi to disclose the past-life Duṣkarma (transgression) responsible for his childlessness and to prescribe the appropriate Prāyaścitta (atonement).
Viśvāmitra then revealed the King’s past life: In a previous birth, driven by the pride of wealth and the arrogance of prosperity, the King had scorned the worship of , who had been revered as the Kuladevatā (family deity) by his lineage for generations. By abandoning this Kuladharma (ancestral duty), he incurred the sin that resulted in his current state of being childless. His ancestors, in contrast, were always devout and strictly observed the Dharma prescribed in the Vedas, Śāstras, and Purāṇas.
Viśvāmitra Maharṣi then imparted the highly efficacious Ekākṣara Gaṇapati Mantra to the King and instructed him: “O King! Worship Gajavadana, who is the fulfiller of devotees’ desires and the protector of devotees, with this Mantra. Practice this Mantra in the Gaṇapati temple constructed by your ancestor, Dakṣa. That merciful deity, who was worshipped by all your forefathers, will be pleased and grant all your desired wishes. Gaṇapati, the son of Śaṅkara and the dear child of Pārvatī, is capable of granting the Caturvidha Puruṣārthas (four aims of human life). Therefore, abandon all your worries and achieve fulfillment by obtaining the grace of Gaṇeśa!”
Devotional Practice and Vision
Filled with gratitude and joy, his throat choked with emotion and his eyes brimming with tears of happiness due to the Maharṣi’s compassion and affection, Bhīma Mahārāja bowed in prostration and returned to his capital with his wife. The ministers, army, and entourage joyfully received the King with all royal insignias and led them into the city, which had been adorned beautifully for the occasion. The people rejoiced, feeling that the city had gained new vitality with the ruler’s return. Upon reaching the palace, the royal couple honored the citizens by distributing new clothes, ornaments, betel leaves tāmbūla, and valuable pearl jewelry.
On an auspicious day, Bhīma Mahārāja proceeded to the Gaṇeśa temple complex in Kauṇḍinyapura, built by Dakṣa, to commence the practice of the Mantra as instructed by the Maharṣi. There, observing disciplines such as fasting, he diligently chanted the Mantra with unwavering focus. In all states and times, he meditated upon Gaṇapati, the God of Gods. He began to perceive the entire creation, both animate and inanimate, and the Pañcabhūtas (five elements), as the very form of Gajānana. Everything he saw appeared as a manifestation of the Divine, generating immense love which led him to embrace these forms with affection. Observing this behavior, some people considered the King to have lost his mind, while others believed he was possessed by a spirit.
The Boon of Gajānana
One day, highly pleased by the King’s unparalleled devotion, Gaṇeśa manifested before Bhīma Mahārāja. Holding his hand, the deity smiled charmingly and spoke with compassion: “O King! You are liberated. I shall fulfill all your desires. Ask for any boon you wish without hesitation!” Bhīma Prabhu humbly replied, “O Lord! The boon I seek is unwavering devotion towards your divine feet! Kindly grant me that!” Gaṇeśa then conferred the boon of devotion and further stated: “O King! By my grace, you shall have a worthy son, a boon-child, who will be virtuous, handsome, and shine with the radiant luster of gold! Now, return to your royal palace and engage in the worship of Devas and Brāhmaṇas!” Having spoken, the deity vanished.
Birth of Rukmāṅgada and Coronation
Following the command of Gaṇeśa, Bhīma Mahārāja began to worship the Devas and Brāhmaṇas in the royal court with the sentiment that Gaṇeśa, who resides as the inner dweller in all beings, would be satisfied. After some time, a virtuous baby boy was born to the King. During the birth celebration, the King performed numerous Dānadharmas and named the child .
The divinely-given child, , grew rapidly, likened to the Śuklapakṣa Candra (moon in the bright fortnight). He was sent to a Gurukula Vāsa (preceptor’s residence) for his education. Blessed with a sharp intellect and quick grasp, he instantly mastered whatever was taught. Under the guidance of Kapila Muni, the boy became a repository of all knowledge and arts, appearing like a second Gajānana.
Later, Bhīma Mahārāja conducted the coronation of his son on an auspicious day. also received the instruction of the Ekākṣara Gaṇapati Mantra from his father and commenced the worship with singular dedication.
Sources and References
- Gaṇeśa Purāṇa: Upāsanā Khaṇḍa – Chapters 19 – 27