2 Ganesha Green background
He experienced pain in all of his senses. Then, with great effort, the King spoke to his ministers”. King Somakanta said, “Curse my kingdom and body. Curse my strength, life and wealth! What has caused this horrible misfortune? I have surpassed Soma in splendor, hence I am known as Somakanta. I have protected the good, the wretched, the learned Brahmins, their hermitages, as well as all nations. I have looked after my subjects as though they were my very own children. I have defeated fierce enemies and conquered the entire earth. With a controlled mind and no false attachments, I worshipped Sadashiva as the Supreme Self. Previously my body was fragrantly scented, but because I now emit a foul smell, my life is worthless. For these reasons, and with your permission, I will retire to the forest. For the sake of my kingdom, you must consecrate my son, Hemakanta, who possesses valour and intelligence. As king, you must protect him courageously. I will never be able to show my face in this world so there is no point having a kingdom, wives. Prime Ministers, I am leaving for the forest to practice austerities for my own liberation”. Suta said, “Excellent Brahmins, after the King spoke, he fell to the ground like a tree blown over by the wind, his body covered by streams of warm purulent blood. The ministers and young women cried loudly along with the rest of his subjects who made dreadful cries of distress.
By the use of healing herbs, sacred medicines, and by fanning him and wiping his body, the ministers revived him. When the King was feeling somewhat better, his ministers spoke to him as follows”. The Ministers said, “Because of you we have all enjoyed happiness equal to that of Indra. How will we live without you? How will we protect the cows? Your worthy son will now rule the kingdom. Hemakanta is a strong leader and possesses great wealth, but leaving behind all happiness, we will now accompany you to the forest”. Suta said, “His chief wife and heroine, Sudharma, declared that she would also accompany the king to the forest”. Sudharma said, “I will stay with him until the end, but you Ministers should stay here. You must help my son rule the kingdom as I would. When one is mated with another, they must both suffer or enjoy the results of their previous karmas together. The King and I both enjoyed many pleasures of the kingdom together and separately, but the Sastras prescribe that a woman should accompany her husband in this world and the next”. Suta said, “The refined Hemakanta, grief stricken, spoke the following words to his father”. Hemakanta said, “Without you I cannot be responsible for the kingdom, wives or riches. Just as a lamp without oil, or a body without breath is useless, so is this kingdom useless without you.” Suta said, “After he heard the kind words of his ministers, wife and son, the King, delighted at heart, addressed his son concerning dharma”. The King said, “A son who always obeys his father and offers oblations to the ancestors, is indeed a real son.
A son like this will also bear a good son who understands the true meaning of dharma and of correct political conduct. Therefore, I give my command for you to preside over the kingdom. In cooperation with my ministers, rule these subjects as though they were your own children. Covered with leprosy and beyond contempt, I will go to the forest with Sudharma. Please agree to this, my strong vowed son”. Thus ends the second chapter of Upasana Khanda of the glorious Ganesha Purana called “Somakanta’s Renunciation”. Chapter 3 Description of Conduct Suta Gosvami said, “Rising up and taking his son by the hand, the King took Hemakanta to a room upstairs in the palace where they often took council. In this room stood a golden nrsingasana bedecked with many precious stones. It was inlaid with pearls and coral that shined like the palace of Indra.
