Vighna Harta - Parvati takes Ganesha's help

 

Vighna Hartha – Ganapathi helps Parvati

Lalitha Sahasranaman - Shlokas

77. Kameshvara Mukha Loka Kalpita Shri Ganeshvara - She Who Gives Rise To Ganesha By A Glance At The Face Of Kameshvara

 

78. Maha Ganesha Nirbhinna Vighna Yantra Prahar-shita - She Who Rejoices When Ganesha Shatters All Obstacles

 

The army of Bandasura was proceeding with vigour. They were going towards abode of Lalitha Devi. Bandasura’s atrocities were becoming unbearable in the whole universe and all beings – both the divine and the human alike – were hoping that the Devi along with her army will be able to bring an end to Bandasura

The Shakthi sena of the Devi was well prepared. The Goddess had created a Fort of Fire and she and her army of shakthis were camping there. The first phase of the war was very damaging for the Asuras and for Bandasura. They were receding unable to withstand the onslaught of the Shakthi Sena.

That night, one of Bandasura’s confidant, Visukran came to meet his chief. When they were discussing the tactics of warfare, Visukran suggests that only physical prowess may not be adequate to win the Devi and her army. Visukran suggested to Bandasura that perhaps they should also resort to psychological warfare. (Perhaps the concept of psychological / ideological warfare is not only a creation of the modern world).

Bandasura was also feeling a little worried having witnessed the prowess of the army of Devi Lalithambika. He asked Visukran “What do you think we should do?” Visukran was well versed in the art of magic. He told Bandasura “ I shall use the Vighna yantra.” Bandasura smiled and said “Do it”.

A yantra is a form of metal that has usually has particular patterns and inscriptions. Depending on the underlying design and the inscription, the power of the yantra can vary. Yantras can be used for good and bad purposes.

As promised to his chief, Visukra used his magical powers to create the vighna yantra. The vighna yantra named jayavighna (ie., obstruction to victory), which had eight angles and eight tridents, was defended by eight devatas, viz., Alasa and others, was inscribed on a stone slab two krosas (four miles) in extent and thrown by Visukra on the army of Devi.

The moment the Vighna yantra reached the Sakthi Sena their thinking became confused. They started telling each other “Why are we fighting this war? Asuras are also part of creation and they deserve to live. Why should we listen to Devi Lalitha and go for a war against these Asuras? They have not directly harmed us.” With a lot of confused thinking, the army retreated into the Fort of Fire and became inactive.

While Devi Lalithambika could have removed this illusion and confusion herself, she wanted to show the Universe the greatness of her son, Lord Vighneshwara. So she decided to use her son for this purpose.

Devi realised that she needed to bring forth her son Vighna Hartha Vigneshwara. She thought of her son and he immediately came in front of her. (In the Brahmanda Purana, in Lalithopakiana, this is described as the birth of Vinayaka from the energy of Devi Lalitha smiling at her consort Lord Shiva. When the divine couple smiled at each other with love and affection from that positive energy was born the unborn child Vigneshwara.

Lord Ganesha came in front of his mother and paid his respects. The Devi then directed him to find the vighna yantra and destroyed it. Ganesha bowed and went in search of the yantra. He found it and destroyed it into pieces.

Devi Lalitha’s army the Shakthi Sena woke up as if from their sleep without realising that they were under a magical spell. They go on to fight the Asuras with renewed vigour and defeat them.

Devi Parvati was very happy with her son, Vighneshwara and blessed that since he was powerful enough even to remove a Vighna yantra, he shall have the power to be the remover of all obstacles of his devotees. She also blessed that any activity undertaken by anyone where as a first step they worship Vinayaka will not face any hurdles.