A few tales of Lord Ganesh to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh is one of the most popular gods of the Hindu pantheon. He is the son of Parvati and Shiva. Today is the auspicious day when we celebrate his birthday for today is Ganesh Chaturthi. But how well do we know the beloved Elephant-headed god? Let us revisit some of the miraculous tales that have been told of him through the centuries.
Where did the Elephant head come from?
This tale of the lord comes straight from the Puranas. The most common legend tells us that Ganesha was created Parvati to act as her loving son when Shiva was away. In some versions, Ganesha was created because Shiva was reluctant to give her a son and others say that Ganesha was created to stop Shiva from entering her chambers as she was annoyed his constant invasions of privacy.
Parvati had tasked Ganesha to not allow anyone to enter her private chambers. Ganesha blocked Shiva’s route and in anger, Shiva beheaded him. Parvati was struck with grief. Shiva then vowed to replace his head with the first creature he encounters, an elephant. And that is the place from where the elephant head comes from.
The Tale of the Broken Tusk
Ganesha has always been depicted as Ekdanta, the one-tusked. One story suggests that Ganesha was Brahma’s scribe and broke off his own tusk in order to write when he couldn’t find a pen.
Other versions say that his tusk was broken in a fight with Parashuram, Vishnu’s sixth incarnation.
The most popular and elaborate tale suggests that one day Ganesh ate a lot of modaks, his beloved sweet. He was too full. He rode his mouse to get some fresh air. Suddenly, the serpent Vasuki scared the rat and Ganesh fell off, bursting his belly and spilling the modaks. Then Ganesh took hold of Vasuki and tied him around his stomach to provide support. The moon had laughed at him and thus Ganesh threw his tusk at the moon and that is the reason the moon waxes and wanes.
This healthy dose of tales about Lord Ganesh shall surely embolden your devotion and enthusiasm towards celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. A very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all.
