Mythological anecdotes of Lord Ganesha

As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi today, the festival fever is spreading like fire, with modaks and arts being dedicated to the destroyer of obstacles.

Lord Ganesh’s anecdotes form an integral part of Hindu mythology and impart great life lessons to his followers.

Below are a few stories about the Lord that you may not have known.

1) Ganesh has an elephant head.

The legend goes like Goddess Parvati, Ganesh’s mother carved an idol of a boy out of turmeric powder and breathed life into it, unbeknownst to her husband, Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati was bathing inside, Ganesha denied Lord Shiva entry into his abode. In anger, Lord Shiva decapitated Ganesh’s head.

As per the legend, an elephant was the first animal that Lord Brahma later found when he went out to look for one (to replace Ganesha’s head).

2) Ganesh wrote the Mahabharata

Ganesha wrote the Mahabharata, as it was recited to him by sage Vyasa (Veda Vyasa).  As Ganesh was writing the poem, his pen broke. But Ganesh had agreed to write the poem without stopping, so he broke off his tusk and used that to continue writing. This is one explanation of why Ganesh is always shown with a broken tusk.

It took both of them three years of continuous speaking and writing to complete the epic.

3) Mouse as his vehicle

As per Ganesha Purana Krauncha, the musician-God, once accidentally stepped on the foot of Vamadeva muni. It happened in the court of Lord Indra and the angry sage cursed Krauncha to transform into a mouse. Krauncha became a very big mouse and it damaged everything on its way.

The mouse reached Maharishi Parashar’s ashram and started destructive activities. Lord Ganesha was there at that time and wanted to teach Krauncha a lesson. He trapped the mouse using a rope and brought him to his feet. Thus, as a punishment, Krauncha, in the form of a mouse became Lord Ganesha’s vehicle.

4) Ganesh and the moon don’t get along.

Ganesh once went to a feast for his birthday, but he ate so many laddoos that he toppled over when trying to get up. Seeing this, the moon laughed at him. Furious, Ganesh cursed the moon and anyone that looked at it on this day. In some places, Hindus still avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi because they believe it is unlucky.