(Story of Shri Krishna and Banasura)
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| Ashwin Krishna-Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat Katha |
Ashwin Krishna-Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat falls in which month?
Ashwin Krishna-Ganesh Chaturthi Vrat falls in the month of September or October.
Which name of Ganesha should be worshiped in Ashwin Krishna?
On this day Ganesha named 'Krishna' should be worshipped.
Description:
This fast is one of the Sankatnashak Ganesh Chaturthi fast. You can observe this fast to fulfill all your wishes. This fast brings happiness and peace to your home. You can also recite Shanti Path during this fast. The fast will be completed after offering water to the moon at night.
Katha:
॥Shri Mahaganadhipataye Namah॥
Parvati ji asked Ganesh ji that O God! What is the rule of worshiping Ganesha in the month of Ashwin and what is its result? I want to know this.
On this Ganesh ji laughingly said that O mother! A person desirous of attaining Siddhi should worship Ganesha named Krishna in the month of Ashwin according to the method mentioned earlier. Do not take food on this day. Leaving anger, false pretense, greed, etc., worship the form of Ganesha while meditating in the heart. The story of Shri Krishna and Banasura is famous in this fast.
Banasura was the eldest of the 100 sons of King Bali. Since he was dear to Lord Shiva since childhood, he meditated and worshiped hard to please Lord Shiva when he grew up.
Lord Shiva appeared before him and blessed him with a thousand powerful arms, which made him very powerful. Banasura also asked for a boon that whenever he was in trouble, Shiva would always protect him and Lord Shiva granted him that too.
Banasura had a daughter, Usha, who saw a handsome boy in her dream and fell in love with him. One day she told Chitralekha, one of her maidservants, about her dream. Chitralekha made a picture of the boy seen in Usha's dream with her black magic and showed it to Usha, along with telling her that this prince is the grandson of Lord Krishna. Usha then insisted Chitralekha if she could bring the prince.
Chitralekha reached Dwarka due to friend love and made Anirudh unconscious while he was sleeping. Then she took Aniruddha to Banasura's palace while he was asleep. When Anirudh awoke, he found himself in front of Usha. Usha tells Anirudh about her dream and how she fell in love with him. Seeing the beauty of Usha, Anirudh fell in love with her and started living with her in the same room. When Banasura came to know that Anirudh was in Usha's room, he made Anirudh a prisoner.
Meanwhile, there was a great hue and cry in Dwarka over the loss of Aniruddha. Lord Krishna got the message that Banasura had captured Aniruddha.
Shri Krishna was well aware of the boon of Banasura and it was difficult for him to fight with Lord Shiva. He met Rishi Lomesh to ask for a solution to his problem. The sage advised them that it was the month of Ashwin and on the day of Ashwin Krishna Ganesh Chaturthi they should worship Lord Ganesha. Fast should be observed after worshiping God in the morning. Meditation is an integral part of prayer this month. Food should be taken only after worshiping the moon in the evening and feeding the Brahmins. On this day Ganesh ji should be worshiped with grass.
Lord Krishna prayed and with its influence, he along with Balarama and some army attacked the kingdom of Banasura. Balarama destroyed the entire army of Banasura with his power. Then Banasura prays to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva, bound by his boon, came to rescue Banasura and started a war with Shri Krishna.
Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna both fought with each other. Shri Krishna then got intuition and started praying to Lord Shiva in his mind that O Lord, I cannot win the war with you and it is necessary to end this Banasura. Then Lord Shiva gave a trick to Shri Krishna to vent the anger and pride of Banasura. Krishna shot an arrow which put Lord Shiva to sleep.
Krishna took out his Sudarshan Chakra and cut off all the arms of Banasura. Finally, when he threw the Sudarshan Chakra to behead Banasura, Shiva woke up and blocked the chakra. And started the war again. At the end of pride, Banasura felt very ashamed and he also promised to be good in the future. Banasura then married Aniruddha and Usha to each other and respectfully left them with Krishna.
Oh, Lord Ganesha! Help us the way you bring clarity to Banasura's mind and make him realize the truth. With the effect of this fast, the devotee becomes mentally and physically strong.