hamipatra is offered to Ganesha in the 21 Patra pooja. It is believed that Ganesha has a special liking for these leaves. It is also called Vanhipatra. Here is the story why Shamipatra is dear to Lord Ganesha -
Long back in time there lived a king named Priyavrat.
King Priyavrat was very religious and generous. He had two wives named Kirti and Prabha.
Prabha had a son named Padmanan.
Padmanan was an intelligent boy. His thread ceremony was solemnized amid great celebrations when he only five years old.
Padmanan was treated very dearly by everyone in the palace. The prince enjoyed all lavish things. Soon he became proud by the virtue of attention he had been receiving.
One day when the prince was having meal, Kirti came to him with some delicacies. Prabha refused to have them and badly insulted Kirti. He called her a childless woman who roamed to feed other's children.
Kriti returned weeping to her chamber. Her heart agonized. She silently grieved being childless and decided to kill herself.
That night Kirti quietly left the palace. She walked across the forest reaching a heavy waterfall. When she was about to jump an unknown voice called her, "O great woman, stop in name of God".
He was Sage Deval. The sage approached Kriti and asked her why she desired to end her life. Kriti broke into tears. She was unable to speak, but somehow gathered strenght to speak. She spoke between sobs, "O holy sage, I am the queen of King Priyavrat. I am childless. Due this no one loves nor respects me. There is no value of my life and so I decided to end it".
The sage politely replied, "O royal woman, please the God and He shall please you. I suggest that you mediate upon the name of God Ganesha. He shall take care of you".
Kriti pleaded the Sage to take her under his kind endurance. The sage took mercy on her and allowed her to live in hus hermitage.
Kriti began living in the forest hermitage of the sage. She did severe penance to please Lord Ganesha with her true heart. She offered Shamipatra to Ganesha instead of the Dhruv grass.
Ganesha was greatly pleased by Kriti's penance. She was blessed by Ganesha to achieve her heart desire and gain prosperity.
After years, Kriti returned to the palace. Soon she gave birth to a boy who was named Shiraprasadan.
Shiraprasadan began growing up. He was a keen eyed, graceful boy. However his elder brother could not stand his blissfulness. He ploy against him.
Shiraprasadan was positioned and killed by Padmanan. However, it is said that Ganesha always takes care of his devotees.
While Kriti wept helplessly over her dead son, a sage named Gutsamand came there. The sage was an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha. He said, "Kriti, you did great penance to please Lord Ganesha. Your good deeds will help to bring life back to your son. Ask the merciful Lord Ganesha to bless you with your son's life in return for your good deeds'.
Thus Kriti called upon the name of Lord Ganesha.
Lord Ganesha blessed Kriti for her good deeds and granted life to her son Shiraprasadan.
On the other hand, Lord Ganesha cursed Padmanan for his evil deeds. He got afflicted with great incurable aliment and was sidelined by the King gradually. The King began loving and giving attention to Shiraprasadan.
Years passed by. Padmanan became very ill and passed away. The King declared Shiraprasadan as the heir to his throne.
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