How Ganesha teach a lesson to Ravana?

Pastimes of Ganesh Chaturthi no. 5

Ravana, king of Lanka, was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. He often went to Kailash. There he worshiped Shiva with great devotion. Once, as usual, he went to Kailas. Lord Shiva was pleased with his devotion. "I'm happy for you" he said Ravana. "Request a blessing. I will give it." When everyone ends up in the floods," said Ravana "Lanka should be spared."

This is the gift I want! Shiva was somewhat perplexed. Ravana had already proved biggest problem for the gods. If he is granted this advantage than he shall disturb gods even more. So what should he do? Shiva thought of a clever idea, he gave a Shivling to Ravana. "Take this Shivling," Shiva told him, "whenever you turn it down, it would stand there and soon this place will be protected against flooding. If you want to protect Lanka, be sure to put it down on arriving Lanka!" Ravana was overjoyed. But Shiva warned, "hold it with both hands. If you leave it anywhere else then it will stick to that place, then it will not be possible to move it. Be careful with it!" Ravana than started for Lanka.

Meanwhile, the gods learned the boon given to Ravana. They were horrified, we went to Ganesha for help. They told him what had happened. "Please do something, God," they pleaded Ganesha, "so that the Shivalinga not reach Lanka. If it happens then Ravana would become more powerful. "Ganesha thought for a moment. He had a brilliant idea: "Very well," he said in fact a solution "I see that the Shivling not reach Lanka." And Ganesha, in the disguise of a cowherd, stood in the path of Ravana. Ravana had come a long way, he was tired and sweaty. He wanted to wipe his sweat, but he could not do it because he had the heavy Shivalinga in his hands.

At this time, Ravana saw the cowboy standing on his way. Behind him, there was a river. "Hey boy! Come here." Ravana called the boy. "What do you want?" the boy asked, not moving from where he stood. "I am very thirsty," said Ravana. "Please hold this Linga just a minute. I want to go to the river to drink some water. I will not take long."

"Very good!" said Ganesha, "but the Linga seems very heavy, so my hands get tired I'll call you three times if you do not come back immediately, then I'll put it down!" he warned. "Do not worry!" Ravana said. "I'll be quick." With great relief, he handed over the lingam to the boy.

Then he rushed to the river. And as soon as Ravana reached the river, the boy shouted: "Ravana! Ravana! Ravana!" and quickly put down the linga. Immediately it stuck there. When Ravana returned from the river, there was no sign of the boy. Shivling had stuck to the ground. Ravana tried to pull. But he did not move a bit. Yet, because of the strength of Ravana the Shivling lost it form. It now looks like the ear of a cow. This is why it is known as 'Gokarna' and the place became a famous place of pilgrimage. Even today, we know that place as Gokarna Mahabaleshwar.