In the prayer, who is pleading for protection from Ganesha?

The prayer features a devotee (referred to as 'dāsī,' meaning servant or devotee) who is pleading with Ganesha for protection.

What actions does the devotee threaten if Ganesha doesn't offer protection?

The devotee threatens to give up their body (tyajāmi śarīraṁ) if Ganesha does not protect them, expressing their deep devotion and desperation.

What qualities of Ganesha are highlighted in the prayer for help?

The prayer emphasizes Ganesha's roles as the remover of obstacles (Vighnesha), the beloved with a large belly (Mahodara priya, Lambodara), and the destroyer of demons.

Why does Shiva eventually intervene in the story?

Shiva intervenes after Parvati pleads and he hears the cries of Brahma, realizing the gravity of the situation and the devotee's plight.

What is the ultimate source of this prayer and story about Ganesha's protection?

The prayer and the story of Shiva's intervention are found in the Mudgala Purana, specifically within the Heramba Stotra.

hēramba stōtram

1309
Ganesha Stotra

gauryuvāca |
gajānana jñānavihārakāni-
-nna māṁ ca jānāsi parāvamarṣām |
gaṇēśa rakṣasva na cēccharīraṁ
tyajāmi sadyastvayi bhaktiyuktā || 1 ||

vighnēśa hēramba mahōdara priya
lambōdara prēmavivardhanācyuta |
vighnasya hartā:’surasaṅghahartā
māṁ rakṣa daityāttvayi bhaktiyuktām || 2 ||

kiṁ siddhibuddhiprasarēṇa mōha-
-yuktō:’si kiṁ vā niśi nidritō:’si |
kiṁ lakṣalābhārthavicārayuktaḥ
kiṁ māṁ ca vismr̥tya susaṁsthitō:’si || 3 ||

kiṁ bhaktasaṅgēna ca dēvadēva
nānōpacāraiśca suyantritō:’si |
kiṁ mōdakārthē gaṇapādbhr̥tō:’si
nānāvihārēṣu ca vakratuṇḍa || 4 ||

svānandabhōgēṣu parihr̥tō:’si
dāsīṁ ca vismr̥tya mahānubhāva |
ānantyalīlāsu ca lālasō:’si
kiṁ bhaktarakṣārthasusaṅkaṭasthaḥ || 5 ||

ahō gaṇēśāmr̥tapānadakṣā-
-maraistathā vāsurapaiḥ smr̥tō:’si |
tadarthanānāvidhisamyutō:’si
visr̥jya māṁ dāsīmananyabhāvām || 6 ||

rakṣasva māṁ dīnatamā parēśa
sarvatra cittēṣu ca saṁsthitastvam |
prabhō vilambēna vināyakō:’si
brahmēśa kiṁ dēva namō namastē || 7 ||

bhaktābhimānīti ca nāma mukhyaṁ
vēdē tvabhāvān nahi cēnmahātman |
āgatya hatvā:’ditijaṁ surēśa
māṁ rakṣa dāsīṁ hr̥di pādaniṣṭhām || 8 ||

ahō na dūraṁ tava kiñcidēva
kathaṁ na buddhīśa samāgatō:’si |
sucintyadēva prajahāmi dēhaṁ
yaśaḥ kariṣyē viparītamēvam || 9 ||

rakṣa rakṣa dayāsindhō:’parādhānmē kṣamasva ca |
kṣaṇē kṣaṇē tvahaṁ dāsī rakṣitavyā viśēṣataḥ || 10 ||

stuvatyāmēva pārvatyāṁ śaṅkarō bōdhasamyutaḥ |
babhūva gaṇapānāṁ vai śrutvā hāhāravaṁ vidhēḥ || 11 ||

gaṇēśaṁ manasā smr̥tvā vr̥ṣārūḍhaḥ samāyayau |
kṣaṇēna daityarājaṁ taṁ dr̥ṣṭvā ḍamaruṇā hanat || 12 ||

tataḥ sō:’pi śivaṁ vīkṣyāliṅgituṁ dhāvitō:’bhavat |
śivasya śūlikādīni śastrāṇi kuṇṭhitāni vai || 13 ||

taṁ dr̥ṣṭvā paramāścaryaṁ bhayabhītō mahēśvaraḥ |
sasmāra gaṇapaṁ sō:’pi nirvighnārthaṁ prajāpatē || 14 ||

iti mudgalapurāṇē hēramba stōtram |

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