It is a common sight in India to find a Ganesha icon affixed above the main doorway of any Hindu household. It is believed that placing the icon of Ganesha at the doorway will stop evil forces from entering homes.
There are many stories highlighting the role of Ganesha as a guard or a gatekeeper. The most commonly known story is about how Parvati made a figurine out of the layer of dirt on her skin, breathed life into him and posted him in front of her house to guard her home as she went to have her bath. This is the tale which is commonly associated with the birth of Ganesha. But there is another version of the same tale in Skanda Purana, suggesting how Ganesha was created to guard the doorways of heaven.
Long long ago at a time lost in the past, the gates of heaven were open for all. As a result humans could reach heavens without much difficulty. Soon hoards of humans started ‘immigrating’ to the heavens. Gods, especially Indra got worried as heavens- the abode of gods became crowded with humans, “very soon there will be more humans in the heavens then gods” thought Indra. “Some urgent action needs to be taken to put an end to this influx of humans.” Indra, along with a delegation of the gods approached and pleaded with Shiva and Parvati to find a solution to the problem . Shiva assured Indra that he will soon come up with a solution.
Meanwhile, Shiva asked Parvati to create a clay figurine. She created a small moppet out of the dust and dirt scrapped off from her body. It had the head of an elephant, with four arms, a protruding belly, and was huge in size. Shiva breathed life into him and took him to Indra. “Here is our son, Ganesha! And he will solve your problem. Post him at the gates of heaven and he will see to it that humans will no longer get an easy access to heavens. He will create calamities and obstructions for those humans who aspire for heavens”.
Once Ganesha accepted his role and began implementing his duties, it became very difficult for humans to reach the heavens. Gods were very happy and they gifted him with various weapons to better perform his duty as the gatekeeper. Shiva gave him a sharp axe, and his elder brother Kartikeya gave him a mouse as his vahana. Parvati on her part gave a plate heaped with sweet modaks for him to eat whenever he felt hungry guarding the gates.
Thus began the practice among humans of praying first to Ganesha before embarking on any religious activity, appeasing him not to create any impediments or obstructions.
Story Collected by: Vidya Kamat
Text source: Skanda Purana ( VI. 142.9ff); Encyclopaedia of Puranic Beliefs and Practices By S. A. Dange
Location : Pan India
Illustration copyright : Vidya kamat
I thought he was a vighna harta. Not a vighna karta.