| He would wait
till his father was asleep and then cut off the huge jata-mukuta from his bead-would that
not oblige Ganga to leave him? Where would She stay and where could Shiva hide her then?
He looked at his mother for approval, but to his consternation found that she had
gone white with rage. She told him that he dare not touch the great Lord. She would never
tolerate such a mischief played on her husband and more over, had he ever thought of how
Shiva would react when he found himself minus the jatas? Such a foolish course would
ruin everyone. Whatever had to be done was to be achieved in a manner that would not
arouse Shiva’s suspicion. This sharp rebuke
brought Ganesh to his senses and then he promised his mother to find out a way of doing
things in a less spectacular but safer manner. He thought of various schemes but discarded
all, because it was impossible to deceive his father. Days passed by and his immobility
invited a sharp reminder from the enraged mother. Soon however, a plan suggested itself to
Ganesh. He was greatly pleased with himself. It would certainly satisfy his mother and at
the same time avoid any possibility of arousing Shiva’s suspicion It would take a
good deal of time, but was safe and was bound to succeed. He then invited Varuna to his
aid, and decided to make use of Gautama in this game. Of course the age was not aware of
anything, be was not to be ia the secret, but his great prestige was to be utilised.
Ganesh requested Varuna to help him in his scheme. The latter was hesitant in the
beginning because if by some mischance Shiva came to know of the plot to deprive him of
Ganga, he was bound to curse all those party to it. |
