Ganesha,Mooshika and Thoppukaranam

Thoppukaranam, traditionally a prayer ritual for pleasing Lord Ganesha has become very popular across the globe as “Super Brain Yoga”.It is proven that regular practice of Thoppukaranam enhances the functioning of our brain. But, how did this wonderful practice originate? There is a story behind all our rituals and there is no exception for this practice also.

Gajamukhasura, an asura king was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and did a lot of penance to please him. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Shiva appeared to grant him any wish that he desired. Gajamukhasura asked for a boon that he should not be killed by either deva, man or asura and any form of weapon.

This boon made Gajamukhasura very powerful and he captured all the devas from devalokha. He made them do thousands of “Thoppukaranams” everyday as a sign of subservience to him. The devas were miserable and Lord Shiva came to know of their plight. He sent Lord Ganesha to rescue the devas.

Ganesha defeated the asura army and Gajamukhasura decided to go to the battlefield and fight Lord Ganesha by himself. His wife,Priyamvatha begged him to reconsider his decision as Ganesha  was Lord Shiva's son. But, Gajamukhasura was confident that the boon given by Lord Shiva would save him and he left for the battlefield.

Priyamvatha,a devotee of Godess Durga surrendered to her and sought her help.Therefore,Durga went to the battlefield and protected Gajamukhasura.Ganesha wanted to know why his mother was protecting the evil asura. Durga explained that Priyamvatha was her devotee and hence, it was her duty to save her husband.

Lord Ganesha quickly thought of a way to both defeat and save Gajamukhasura.He broke his tusk and flung it at Gajamukhasura who took the form of a rat to escape the tusk as he knew it could kill him because it was not a weapon and Ganesa’s form was that of animal, human and deva combined.

On seeing the great asura king Gajamukhasura as a rat, Lord Ganesha became compassionate and sat on him to subdue his ego. Gajamukhasura felt humbled and surrendered to the Lord, who made him his vahana. Priyamvatha’s wish was also granted as Gajamukhasura became immortal in the form of Lord Ganesha’s vahana(Mooshika).

The devas were very happy and said that they would continue to do the thousand thoppukaranms, imposed on them by Gajamukhasura, in front of Lord Ganesha everyday to show their gratitude. But, Lord Ganesha told them that it was enough to do just three thoppukaranams in front on him to receive his blessing.Hence,the ritual of doing thoppukaranam in front Lord Ganesha began.

Sources:

http://www.maalaimalar.com/2014/08/27120421/thoppukaranam-to-vinayagar.html