Brahma Vaivarta Purana – Ganapati Khanda: The Divine Birth and Glory of Lord Ganesha
3. Ganapati Khand
The third section of Brahmvaivart Puran is called Ganapati Khand due to the mention of the details of mythological histrionics related with Lord Shri Ganesh. This khand comprises 40 chapters. The Ganapati Khand begins with the episodes of the story of Sati, wedding of Shiv and Parwati, birth of Kartikeya, and invoking of curse on all the gods by incensed Parvati. In this discourse Lord Shiv explains the glory of the Punyak vrat to Parwati when she asks the way to get progeny.
After that there are episode of Parwati observing Punyak vrat, and, by the influence of the vrat, Shri Krishna emerging at Parwati's home in the form of Ganesh.
Thereafter sighting by Shanidev at the child Ganesh on the insistense of Goddess Parwati at the birth ceremony of Ganeshji and, as a result, Ganeshji's head falling away from his body have been described. Seeing his son dead, when Goddess Parwati began crying with grief, Lord Vishnu replaced the head with that of an infant elephant. Ganeshji holds the first right to be worshipped among all the gods due to a boon of Lord Vishnu. The first worship and prayer of Ganeshji at any occasion or auspicious act represents freedom of the work from all the hurdles.
In this story there is episode of Shri Vishnu and Indra addressing Ganesh by eight names while worshipping and praying him. These eight holy names of Lord Ganesh are - Vighnesh. Ganesh, Herambh, Gajanan, Lambodar, Eikdant Shoorpkarna, and Vinayak.
Why did Lord Ganesh, the destroyer of hurdles, get beheaded? This important question has been answered through a story narrated in the 23rd chapter. In this story there is description of the execution by Suryadev of demons named Mali and Sumali who were devotees of Shiv, incensed on the execution of his devotees. Lord Shiv executed Suryadev by Trishool, and invoking of curse on Shivji by Maharshi Kashyap.
After that there is description of the armour and stotra of Suryadev and Mahalakshmi. Thereafter there is the description of the episode of assassination of Maharshi Jamdagni by King Sahasrarjun and execution of Sahasrarjun by Parashuram, the son of Maharshi Jamdagni. In the context of this episode Durga's armour, Kaali's armour, and the discipline of Dashakshari are described. After that there is the incident of breaking of a tooth of Ganeshji due to the attack of the weapon called farasa of Parashuram. Lord Ganesh was known as Eikdant due to loss of one tooth.
Finally the prohibition of Tulsi leaf during Ganesh Puja has been established through the help of the episode of lord Ganesh and Tulsi.
