Aum Sri Ganeshayanamaha||

Magha chaturthi Mahatyam

Sri Mudgala purana is one of the core scriptures for the devotees of Lord Ganesha, as it lays
out 32 manifestations of Lord Ganesha, while presenting the detail ritualistic procedures
relating to the Lord.

As per Mudgala Purana, Maudgalya maharshi described the importance of “Magha Chaturthi”
through a conversation between King Dasharadha and Vasistha maharshi.

One day King Dasaradha wanted to know about the most prominent and powerful chartuthi of
all, that can lift mankind from the sufferings and drive them into a divine path .

Much to the King’s surprise, Maharshi Vasistha said Lord Ganesha born to Maharshi Kashyapa
for the first time on Chaturthi day of waxing lunar fortnight in the month of Magha. King
Dasaradha became curious and wanted to know the complete story associated to this great
event. Maharshi wanted to tell King Dasaradha importance of this day with some historical
experiences.

* * * *

1. Long time back, in the kingdom f Karnata, there used to a town called Bhanu-pura. A heroic,
thoroughly knowledgeable, devotional, dharmic and respectful king by name Soma used to rule
this town. He has a sacred, virtuous and loving wife called Yashovati. After several years of
peaceful and prosperous times, his kingdom hit by an extreme drought and famine . King Soma
could not save his people from sorrows and destitution. He escaped to an in-animate forest
and met Maharshi Saunaka. King Soma prayed Maharshi and begged for help to save his
people and kingdom. After hearing King Soma’s earnest request and owes of the his people,
Saunaka suggested a solution. Maharshi Saunaka attributed the insurmountable suffering is
due to the fact that in his kingdom, people never performed Chaturthi vratam in any of the
lunar fortnights for the last hundreds of years. Thus he suggested the King to perform Magha
maasa Chaturthi vratam with dedication and devotion. King Soma relieved, and excited. He
then asked Suanaka Maharshi how he could be able to obtain the status of Ganaptya padamu?

Saunaka affectionately explained the sequence of events that led to secure him the status of
Ganapatyam. Once long time back, maharshi was meditating Lord Brahma with internal
firmness and devotion. During that period the maha-yogi Bhrugu maharshi appeared in his
hermitage. Satisfied with Saunaka’s formal and respectful oblations, Bhugu maharshi heard
about his meditation. Then Brigu maharshi suggested Saunaka to realize that Lord Ganesha is
the Lord to the best yogic peace and asked him to worship Lord as described in the scriptures.
Bhrugu Maharshi informed that all gods including Lord Brahma could be able to overcome their
mental distortions by propitiating Lord Ganesha and received the path to realization. Maharshi
Bhrigu then gave Ganapathi mula mantra to Saunaka and left the place. Thereafter, Saunaka
meditated Lord Ganesh as suggested by Bhrugu maharshi with dedication and devotion,
leading to the Lord’s blessings. Saunaka Maharshi received a boon of Ganapatyam from Lord
Ganesha on first chaturthi day in the month of Magha. From that time onwards, this day was
remembered and celebrated as “VaradA Chaturthi”.

Saunaka gave the mantra “gaNanam twa” to king Soma and asked him to mediate on it.
Maharshi Saunaka also explained the king the procedure to worship Lord Ganesha on Varada
Chaturthi day. Later King Soma returned his kingdom. On the next Varada Chaturthi day, King
Soma along with his people in the kingdom, worshipped Lord Ganesha exactly as taught by his
Guru Saunaka. After sometime, the draught disappeared with timely rains. Peace and
prosperity returned the kingdom. Thereafter people started worshipping Lord Ganapathi on
both chaturthi days of each month to enhance their devotion and experience the peace.

* * * *

Maharshi Vasistha informed King Dasaradha another beautiful and interesting story that can
help mankind to get rid of their sins.

2. Once there lived a very evil person with all the bad habits in Vidarbha region. His name was
Bhanu. He was a drunkard, womanizer and greedy. He used to rob people while hunting them
in secluded forests. He derives happiness while slaughtering Brahmins. In spite of all his horrible
deeds - may be due to his luck or due to a good karma in his earlier lives, one day he
disappeared into a thick and unknown forest. He could not get any food to eat or water to
drink. He pitied a group (gaNa) of birds flying in the sky, thinking how they could survive with
out any food or water in this forest. After roaming in the forest, he reached a mountain in the
night and died there. Thereafter messengers of Ganesha happened arrive there and gave an
opportunity to take a darshan of Lord Ganesha to Bhanu after his death. Bhanu asked the
messengers why did they give such an opportunity to him, in spite of the living hell that he
created to the people around him. Messengers of Lord explained him that he mentally
visualized the word “gaNa” (in Ganapathi). while fasting on Magha chaturthi day, and thus he
was given access to Lord’s abode. They eventually gave Bhanu “Ganesha mantra” and asked
him to meditate on it. After sometime Bhanu cleansed himself and subsequently secured a
place in the Lord’s abode. * * *

Maharshi Vasistha asked King Dasaradha to worship “Varada Siddhi Vinayaka” on mAgha
chaturthi day. Thus whoever read and get to know “Magha Suddha Chaturthy Mahatyam” and
worship Lord Ganesha on that day, they would be blessed with perfect life all along.