Chandra dev was cursed by Lord Ganesha, due to which he lost his spark. Watching the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi will bring insults in our way. This post deals with the story of how Chandra dev lost his spark, Why shouldn’t we watch the moon on Ganesha Chaturthi.
LORD GANESHA’s LOVE FOR MODAK
It all starts after the race between Lord Ganesha and his brother Karthikeya, where we all know that Lord Ganesha recites the Narayana stotram and circles around his parents Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati to win the race. After which, a feast was organised in Kailasa where all the devas where invited. There was a big celebration, with tasty dishes and a lot of sweets specially Modaks, which Lord Ganesha dearly loved.
After the celebration, when everyone was returning back to their abode, Lord Ganesha, although his stomach was full, picked up some Modaks, and was walking on Kailasa eating them, And soon his modaks fell down. And his hands couldn’t reach the ground due to his pot belly and he was struggling in the attempt to pick his Modaks, he stumbled and fell on the ground and rolled.
CHANDRA’s CURSE
Back in the day, It was said that Chandra was always full and bright. Chandra from upon the head of Lord Shiva, was watching everything that was happening with Lord Ganesha. Chandra, who was proud of his handsomeness, laughed at Ganesha for being stout and falling on the ground due to his pot bellied stomach. This laugh embarrassed Ganesha.
When this news reached Devi Parvathi, it angered her to an extent that she cursed Chandra that he will start to loose his spark and soon his existence. And whoever looks at Chandra will have harsh repercussions in the form of insults. However later on, when Chandra realises his mistake and his pride had broken. He prays for forgiveness, Lord Ganesha is always quick at forgiving people. However Ganesha said he cannot reduce the curse given to Chandra. Hence Lord Shiva and Devi Parvathi reduced his curse. Chandra will lessen in spark and appearance for a fortnight and then start to increase thereafter, and this will continue in a loop. However anyone who looks at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi, will have to face insults.
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OTHER VARIATIONS IN THE STORY OF CURSE
Some people also believe that when Lord Ganesha was going around kalisha on Mooshika. And suddenly there was a snake on their way which scared the Mooshika due to which they lost balance and fell down. This was being seen by the Chandra from the sky. Instead of helping Ganesha Chandra laughed at Lord Ganesha. This enraged Ganesha and he cursed Chandra that since he laughed at the stout body of Ganesha in deep pride of his own spark and handsomeness, Chandra will loose all his spark. Some other variations say that Lord ganesha threw his tusk on to the Moon which dented and made holes on the ground of Chandra .
