Talasura

Sham S. Misri

Once, Talasura performed strict tapas because he wished to get boons from Brahma. Brahma appreciated his devotion. He appeared before him and said Talasura; I am pleased with your devotion. You can ask whatever you want. “Talasura said, "Lord, grant that I may not be any body.” Brahma thought for a while and said, "How can I grant such an absolute boon? You have to fear some species of living beings. Remember this and ask for a boon. There are four species - the gods, human beings, animals and birds. Whom would you fear?"

Talasura thought over the question of Brahma. Then he said to him, "Father, my desire is to ruler over gods and men with pride of power. Therefore I should not have fear of death from them. But let me fear the elephant, the strongest of animals. “Brahma granted the boon and disappeared.

Talasura was already a wicked fellow. Once he secured the boon from Brahma his arrogance knew no limits. Indra and the gods were in hiding. He began to search for them and to torture those whom he found.

Ganesha Can Subdue Him

One day Indra (Devendra), who could no longer bear the torture of Talasura, went to Brahma along with other gods. He explained to him the injustice and wicked deeds of Talasura. He begged Brahma to show a way to destroy Talasura. Brahma said, "Devendra, that wicked Asura has grown strong because of my boon. No one can overcome him except an elephant. If you approach Shiva, he can help you through his son Ganesha. Ganesha can easily subdue that Asura as he has the head of an elephant. "

Accordingly Devendra went to Kailasa to meet Shiva.  He explained the havoc caused by Talasura and the suggestion of Brahma.

He prayed, "Lord Shiva, please save us from this trouble soon.”

Shiva was moved at the plight of Indra and other gods. Immediately he called his son Ganesha and said, "Ganesha, go and conquer Talasura, the wicked enemy of the gods. "

Ganesha was all-powerful and the enemy of the Asura.   So, as his father had commanded, he rushed to the city of Ramanaka, where the Asura lived. He destroyed all the wealth of Talasura. He smashed his huge army. He challenged Talasura and waged a fierce fight with him. The great warrior Talasura also fought with great valour. However, he could do nothing against Ganesha. In the end, Ganesha lifted him bodily in his trunk and dashed him to the ground. The fierce blow made Talasura unconscious. He vomited blood. When he regained consciousness he saw the angry Ganesha before him. He had a shining Parighayudha in his hand. Talasura looked at him for a moment, his eyes filled with fear. Then he remembered that, according to the boon granted by Brahma, his life could be in danger from an elephant. At once his arrogance and strength melted away like butter melting before fire. He caught hold of the feet of the elephant faced Ganesha and begged him for mercy:

"Vighneshwara, please excuse me and spare my life.”

Ganapati is as kind as he is strong.

He said to Talasura, "You were proud of your strength. You troubled all. You drove away Indra from the heaven. If you say you have learnt a lesson will I pardon you and let live. "

Talasura replied: "Vinayaka, I have done wrong. I will not trouble the gods. You have taught me a lesson. The pride that I am the strongest has now vanished. Pardon me. "

The kind Ganesha forgave him.