Sankashti Chaturthi Stories in Mudgala Purana

Sankashti Chaturthi Stories in Mudgala Purana.. The Mudgala Purana contains several key stories associated with Sankashti Chaturthi, observed monthly by devotees of Ganesha. Here are some of the most inspiring “Sankashti” stories and their meanings from the Mudgala Purana:

1. Ganesha Curses the Moon (Chandra Dosh Story)

After overeating, Ganesha’s belly bursts and he wraps it with a snake. The Moon laughs at him, so Ganesha curses the Moon to lose its brilliance and become invisible. The Moon seeks forgiveness, and Ganesha modifies the curse to a monthly waxing and waning cycle.

• Moral: One should never mock others’ weaknesses. The story also explains why seeing the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi is considered inauspicious.

2. The Eight Incarnations of Ganesha and Demon Slaying (Ashtavinayaka Stories)

Mudgala Purana narrates eight avatars of Ganesha, each destroying a specific demon (symbolizing human shortcomings):

• Vakratunda versus Matsaryasura (envy)

• Ekadanta versus Madasura (arrogance)

• Mahodara versus Mohasura (delusion)

• Gajanana versus Lobhasura (greed)

• Lambodara versus Krodhasura (anger)

• Vikata versus Kamasura (desire)

• Vighnaraja versus Mamasura (attachment)

• Dhumravarna versus Abhimanasura (pride)

• Moral: Observing Sankashti helps devotees overcome negative traits represented by these demons.

3. Sins and Sankashti Vratam: Kritaveerya’s Redemption

King Kritaveerya was suffering due to sins from his past life. As per Mudgala Purana, by calling out to Ganesha on a Sankashti Chaturthi in a previous birth, he attained a better rebirth and, through observing the Sankashti Vratam, mitigated the effects of grave sins.

• Moral: Regular and sincere Sankashti observance frees one from great difficulties and past sins.

4. Creation and the Banyan Leaf

After a cosmic deluge, Brahma sees Ganesha as a child on a banyan leaf. Ganesha swallows Brahma, reveals the universe within himself, and guides Brahma to begin creation anew.

• Moral: Ganesha is the remover of obstacles for all new beginnings, including cosmic creation itself, and Sankashti prayers reach the highest divine.

5. Angarki Sankashti (Mars/Special Sankashti)

According to Mudgala Purana, observing Angarki Chaturthi (when Sankashti falls on a Tuesday) brings special blessings and removes severe obstacles.

• Moral: Devotion on special Sankashti days brings greater divine support and auspiciousness in life.

These stories, celebrated during Masik Sankashti, inspire humility, devotion, repentance, and faith in Ganesha as the remover of difficulties and granter of wisdom.