Ganesha*03 Fights Talasura

Sham S. Misri

Talasura was a wicked demon.  Very often the demons used to trouble the gods.  Some of the demons used to grow strong by obtaining boons from Lord Brahma, or Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva. This they would get after doing rigorous prayer and meditation.  Because of the boons, these demons used to become arrogant. They used to take happiness in torturing men and 'gods. Talasura was one such wicked demon king.

Talasura had an eye on Indra, the king of the gods. His greatest desire was to defeat Indra in the battle and become the Lord of all his wealth and grandeur. One day god Indra had called a meeting of other gods.  There was melodious music going on. Beautiful Lovely nymphs were dancing. Indra and the other gods had forgotten themselves in the music and the dance. At that time, Talasura the wicked demon ordered his demon force to enter heaven, and attack god Indra’s palace.

This unexpected attack caused great confusion in the meeting of the gods. They were totally unprepared for war. In the end, Talasura won the battle. The defeated king Indra, along with other gods ran away here and there to save their lives.

After the battle Talasura became the master of all the wealth of the gods. He becomes Lord and master of all unique treasures. Lord Indra lost everything and became miserable. He went into hiding lest Talasura should see him - he was so terrified. He also began to plan how to regain his wealth and kingdom from the wicked demon.

Once, Talasura had performed a prayer. He wished to get boons from Brahma. Lord Brahma appreciated his devotion. He appeared before him and said,” Talasura, You ask whatever you want.”

Talasura replied, "Lord, grant that I may not be any body." 

Brahma said, "How can I grant such an absolute boon? You have to fear some form of living beings. Remember this and ask for a boon. There are many species - the gods, human beings, animals and birds. Whom would you fear?"

Talasura then 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.

One day Indra, 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, "Indra, that wicked demon 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. He can easily control that demon as he has the head of an elephant. "

Thus, Indra went to Shiva. He explained the havoc caused by Talasura. He prayed, "Lord Shiva, please save us from this trouble."
Shiva was moved at the difficulty of Indra and other gods. He called Ganesha and said, "Ganesha, go and conquer Talasura, the wicked enemy of the gods."
Ganesha was all-powerful and the enemy of the demons. He rushed to Talasura and destroyed all his wealth. He smashed his huge army. He fought the great warrior Talasura, but could do nothing against Ganesha. In the end, Ganesha lifted Talasura in his trunk and dashed him to the ground. This made Talasura unconscious. He fell on the ground unconscious. When he regained consciousness he saw the angry Ganesha before him.
Talasura looked at him for a moment, his eyes filled with fear. He recollected 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. He held of the feet of Ganesha and begged him for mercy. “Ganesha, please forgive me and spare my life."
Ganesha said to Talasura, “you were proud of your strength and Brahma's boon. You troubled all. You drove away Indra from the heaven. If you realize your mistake, I pardon you and let you live. "

Talasura replied: "Ganesha, 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.