Sri Ganesha Chaturthi was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams and at a few Branches of the Society on Tuesday, 26 August 2025. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans and a reading.
Sri Swami Sivananda explains in Hindu Fasts and Festivals, that Lord Ganesha cursed the moon that no one should look at it on Ganesh Chaturthi Day. Sri Gurudev said, “If anyone does, he will surely earn a bad name, censure or ill-repute. However, if by mistake someone does happen to look at the moon on this day then the only way he could be freed from the curse would be by repeating or listening to the story of how Lord Krishna cleared His character regarding the Syamantaka Jewel. This story is quoted in the Bhagavatam”.
A summary of the reading, “The Story of the Jewel Syamantaka”, is that a radiant gem originally belonged to the Sun-God, Surya. Whoever possessed it would never face famine or calamity, and it would produce eight measures of gold daily. It also protected the owner if he was virtuous, but it would bring ruin if possessed by the unrighteous. Satrajit, a nobleman and devotee of Surya, received the Syamantaka Jewel as a boon from the Sun-God. His brother, Prasena, once wore the jewel and went hunting but he was killed by a lion. The lion was then slain by Jambavan (the great bear-king who fought in Lord Rama’s time), who took the jewel and gave it to his child.
When Prasena did not return, rumours spread that Lord Krishna had coveted and killed Prasena to steal the jewel. To clear his name, Lord Krishna set out to find the missing man. He followed the trail, found Prasena’s body, and discovered that Jambavan possessed the jewel. Lord Krishna entered Jambavan’s cave and fought with him fiercely for 28 days. Eventually, Jambavan realised the Lord’s true identity as Lord Rama (whom he had served in the past). He surrendered, offered the jewel, and also gave his daughter, Jambavati in marriage to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna brought the jewel back to Satrajit, who was filled with shame for having doubted Him.
To make amends, Satrajit offered Lord Krishna both the jewel and his daughter, Satyabhama in marriage. The Lord accepted Satyabhama but refused to keep the jewel, leaving it with Satrajit to avoid jealousy and conflict.
Satrajit was later murdered by Shatadhanva, who coveted the Syamantaka Jewel. Lord Krishna pursued Shatadhanva, slew him, but again refused to keep the jewel, returning it instead to its rightful family.
The story highlights how greed and suspicion bring destruction, while truth and righteousness ultimately triumph. It also shows Lord Krishna’s nature: though falsely accused, He proved His innocence through action and upheld detachment, refusing to keep the jewel despite having every right to do so. Though, later conflicts arose over the gem, Lord Krishna consistently refused to keep it, showing that truth, humility, and detachment overcome greed and false accusation.
May we find resonance and deep meaning in Sri Swami Sivananda’s message on Lord Ganesha. He said, “On the Ganesh Chaturthi day, meditate on the stories connected with Lord Ganesha early in the morning, during the Brahmamuhurta period. Then, after taking a bath, go to the temple and do the prayers of Lord Ganesha. Offer Him some coconut and sweet pudding. Pray with faith and devotion that He may remove all the obstacles that you experience on the spiritual path. Worship Him at home, too…
“Take fresh spiritual resolves and pray to Lord Ganesha for inner spiritual strength to attain success in all your undertakings.
“May the blessings of Sri Ganesha be upon you all! May He remove all the obstacles that stand in your spiritual path! May He bestow on you all material prosperity as well as liberation!”
