Eleventh Shraddha Story

According to a mythological tale associated with Shraddha rituals in Gaya, there was a king named Gaya who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. One day, while hunting in the forest, his arrow accidentally hit a Brahmin instead of a deer. Enraged, the Brahmin cursed the king, saying, “Though you are a king, your actions are like those of a demon. Therefore, I curse you to become an asura (demon).” The king became Gayasur but retained his virtuous nature, continuing to worship Lord Vishnu. Gayasur gave up his kingdom and went deep into the forest to perform intense penance to please Lord Brahma. Pleased with Gayasur’s devotion, Brahma granted him a boon: anyone who saw Gayasur would be relieved of their sins, no matter how grave. As a result, even sinners and asuras began committing sins freely, knowing they could meet Gayasur to attain liberation. This disrupted the balance of the universe, as unworthy beings started entering heaven. The gods approached Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu visited Gayasur and asked him for a sacred place to perform a yajna (ritual). Gayasur suggested that his body was the holiest location, as it relieved sinners of their misdeeds. Vishnu conducted the yajna on Gayasur’s chest and attempted to kill him, but Gayasur remained unharmed. Vishnu explained that while Gayasur was sinless, his actions allowed sinners and demons to enter heaven, upsetting the balance of creation. Hence, Vishnu had no choice but to end his life. Gayasur then made two final wishes. First, he asked that all the gods present during the yajna continue residing within him as long as the sun and moon exist. Vishnu granted this wish. Secondly, he requested that if anyone comes to his abode in Gaya with sincere prayers for their ancestors’ liberation, their ancestors should be granted salvation, even if they cannot perform Shraddha rituals. Vishnu agreed and granted this wish as well. Afterward, Gayasur willingly gave up his body. Since then, it is believed that performing Shraddha rituals or sincerely praying for one’s ancestors in Gaya ensures their liberation.