2 Ganesha Green background
They said, “Because you have nourished and protected us, it is not right that you should leave. In the same way that cold does not leave water, or heat and light from the Sun, or as the ocean does not abandon its shores, how can we enter the city without you, our beloved King. Indeed, like the starry heavens without the moon, this city will have no splendor without you. O conqueror of enemies, we will go with you onto two or three sacred spots. Your bodily appearance, which was splendid before, will be splendid again by visiting such places. With the sages chanting mantras, and with great joy, we shall again enter the city together, which is decorated with banners”. Suta said, “King Somakanta, although bowing down to them after having heard their speech, was irritated and anxious, and said repeatedly, ‘No! No!’ Then Hemakanta, accompanied by the ministers, spoke to the beloved king with appropriate decorum along with feelings of compassion and affection”. Hemakanta said, “I cannot bear to go and rule the kingdom living without you. How can I tolerate be separated from you, never having experienced this before?”
The King said, “It was for this very reason that I instructed you in the Sastras which contain so much knowledge about good conduct and politics. Don’t be useless! Once upon a time Rama, having left his kingdom, went to the forest with his younger brother Laksman. Rama causelessly abandoned Sita in there. Therefore, at my command, Hemakanta, go quickly to the city with my three ministers and rule the kingdom which I have entrusted to you. Just like a wise man, who is intent upon remaining fixed on the Supreme Self, when I have left for the forest, I will always think of you. When good fortune has arisen again through the power of fate, I may again come home. The injunctions of the Sastras will certainly continue to operate if you act in accord with my command, but if you accompany me, this will not be so. Therefore, go back to the city so I may leave”. Suta said, “The towns-people, ministers and his son were feeling very depressed, but when the King decided to depart, they offered obeisance to him. After having praised the King with prayers and circumambulating him, he dismissed them to return home. The proud Hemakanta, holding a parasol and banner, then assembled his great army with foot soldiers, chariots, horses and elephants, and went back to the city”.
Thus, ends the fourth chapter of Upasana Khanda of the glorious Ganesha Purana called “Entering the City”. Chapter 5 Conversation between Sudharma and Cyavana Suta Gosvami said, “Speaking to his mother, Hemakanta said to her eagerly with a mixture of affection and embarrassment, ‘Mother, why abandon me? I am faultless’.” Hemakanta said, “You should tell my father that his son must go with you also! If you command me to go, he will take me with him and I will serve you both. I don’t desire to be king. How will this kingdom give me happiness when I am without you and father?” Sudharma said, “Although he is plagued with so much grief and misery, the King will not issue this command to me. Therefore, my great-armed son, depart with my permission! Son, I am obedient to the oath of loyalty to my husband. For a wife there is no hero other than her husband, so he alone must be regarded”. Suta said, “After he heard these orders, their kind-hearted son Hemakanta offered obeisance to his mother, obtained her consent, circumambulated her, and then returned to the city. Like Indra’s kingdom, the city’s moistened roads were opulent with fragrant scents and were adorned with blossoms, flags and banners. After Hemakanta had distributed betel nut and various clothing to his subjects, he sent them away to their homes. The joyous, but grieving King, entered his own splendid home. He ruled the kingdom by dharma, protecting his subjects as he would his own sons. Consistent with the teachings of the Sastras, he contemplated the four aims of human life, which are religious duty, economic development, sense gratification and liberation”.