The Chintamani temple in Theur
Is situated in a sacred place in Maharashtra,
Along the Pune Sholapur Highway,
Where three rivers Mula, Mutha and Bhima,
Meet and flow in serenity.
The legend of Chintamani Vinayaka
Is mentioned in the Ganesa Purana.
King Abhijit and his queen Gunavati
Were blessed with a son after much prayers.
The son Kanan grew up into a handsome hulk
With a shrewd mind and extraordinary capabilities.
He was crowned as King Kanaraja.
One day, king Kanaraja, while on a hunting expedition,
Stumbled upon Sage Kapila’s ashrama or abode in the forest.
The Sage invited the king and his army to his ashrama
And offered the king and his retinue food and hospitality.
But the greedy king’s eyes were focused on the jewel
Chintamani -a miraculous precious jewel
That radiated and dazzled like a sun,
Held by Sage Kapila in his hands,
To magically produce food for the entire retinue.
The greedy king wanted to possess the jewel.
He shamelessly asked the Sage for the jewel.
When Kapila refused to part with his Chintamani jewel,
Kanaraja snatched it from him forcefully
And carried it away to his kingdom.
Sage Kapila was both outraged and humiliated.
He sat in meditation invoking Lord Ganesa.
Pleased with the penance of Kapila Muni,
Lord Ganesa appeared before him,
Riding on a lion accompanied by Siddhi and Buddhi.
Sage Kapila recounted his story of
how Chintamani was robbed by Kanaraja.
Lord Ganesa with the aid of Siddhi and Buddhi
Attacked and vanquished the greedy king.
Ganesa retrieved the Chintamani jewel and
Gave it to back to Sage Kapila.
When Sage Kapila received the Chintamani
He was so overjoyed
That he put the jewel around Ganesa’s neck.
Henceforth, the idol of Ganesa in Theur
Is worshipped as Chintamani Vinayaka.
Dr. Geeta Radhakrishna Menon12-09- 2019
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