The story of Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, losing his head and later regaining is associated with birth of Ganesha and is mentioned in the Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana.
The Birth of Ganesha
The story begins with the birth of Ganesha, the beloved son
of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. This joyous event brought all the gods and
celestial beings to the divine abode to see the newborn child. However, among
the visitors, there was one notable absence: Shani, the god of Saturn. Parvati
noticed Shani's absence and insisted that he come to see her son.
Shani's Reluctance and the Calamity
Shani was reluctant to look at the child due to a curse that
caused misfortune to anyone who came under his gaze. Despite his hesitation, he
finally agreed to visit Ganesha. The moment Shani's eyes fell upon the newborn,
an unfortunate event unfolded—Ganesha's head broke and fell apart. Parvati was
horrified and heartbroken by the sudden tragedy that had befallen her son.
Parvati's Wrath and Divine Intervention
In her immense grief and anger, Parvati was ready to unleash
her fury upon Shani. She picked up a trident, determined to avenge the loss of
her son's head. The other gods, fearing the destruction that Parvati's wrath
could bring, pleaded with her to calm down. They reminded her of her true
nature as the mother of all creation, including Shani. They also reminded her
that it was she who had bestowed upon Shani the power that brought misfortune
through his gaze.
Brahma's Solution
To resolve the dire situation, Brahma, the creator god,
assured Parvati that he would restore Ganesha's life. He instructed Vayu, the
wind god, to travel north and retrieve the head of the first living being he
encountered. Vayu soon came across Airavata, the majestic white elephant and
the mount of Indra, the king of gods, who was resting on the banks of the Ganga
River. Vayu severed Airavata's head and brought it back to Brahma.
Ganesha's Resurrection
Brahma then attached the head of Airavata to Ganesha's body,
bringing him back to life. The child now had the body of a human and the head
of an elephant. This transformation gave rise to the distinct and iconic form
of Ganesha, who is revered as the remover of obstacles and the lord of
beginnings.
Indra's Loss and Restoration
While the gods and Parvati rejoiced at Ganesha's
resurrection, Indra was left grieving for his beloved mount, Airavata. To
alleviate Indra's sorrow, Brahma once again sent Vayu on a mission, this time
to the western direction, to find another suitable head. Vayu found a white
elephant resting there and severed its head, which was then fitted onto
Airavata's body, restoring him to life.
Thus, through a series of divine interventions and acts of
compassion, both Ganesha and Airavata were brought back to life, each bearing
the mark of this extraordinary tale. This story not only highlights the deep
connections among the gods but also underscores themes of sacrifice,
restoration, and the complex interplay of divine destinies.