ॐ प्राज्ञाय नमः
Om to the Lord of All Knowledge and Wisdom
Ganesha and his brother Kartikeya were the two sons of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. Like all siblings (brothers and sisters) though they loved each other very much they would quarrel too. Sometimes they would argue over a game they were playing or sometimes about who got to eat the last modak or even sometimes about who got to sit on their parents lap first! But these were just childish fights and always in good fun. In fact the boys actually enjoyed competing with each other.
One day Ganesha and Kartikeya were having so many silly disputes that their parents were quite fed up with their naughtiness. So they decided on a plan that would bring a little peace and quiet in the home and keep the two children busy for a while.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy knew how much their two sons loved to compete with each other, so the plan they devised was to send their two children off on a long race. The winner their parents announced, would be presented with the cherished “fruit of knowledge and wisdom”. Both boys had always wanted this fruit and were very excited to get a chance to win it. They ran up to their parents and asked them to tell them quickly where they had set the start and finish lines of the race, because they were both in a tearing hurry to begin the competition.
However, it wasn’t going to be easy to win the fruit of knowledge and wisdom. This was going to be a long and difficult race. Ganesha and Kartikeya’s parents told them that the one who ran around the whole universe and returned back first would receive the fruit of knowledge and wisdom.
Kartikeya could not contain his excitement. He was sure this would be an easy win for him as Ganesha having just eaten a heavy lunch and lots of modaks would definitely be much slower than him. So Kartikeya not wasting another minute hopped onto his vahan (vehicle), the peacock, and shot off on his race across the universe.
On the other hand Ganesha sat quietly and was in deep thought, even as Kartikeya had disappeared from sight. He knew that because of his his heavy weight no matter how quickly his little mouse, Gajamukha, travelled he would never be able to catch up with his brother.
Seeing her son, Ganesha, sitting quietly without even making any attempt to start the race, his mother Parvathy came to him and said, “Ganesha, your brother has long since raced off. He will already be way ahead of you. When are you going to start or have you given up without even trying?”
Ganesha smiled at his mother and then instead of starting on the race went and took a dip in the river. He bathed and wore clean clothes and then returned to where his parents stood. He then started to circle his parents three times with love and devotion.
His astonished parents watched him circle them and when Ganesha had completed his three rounds they asked in unison, “Ganesha what are you doing? Why did you go around us three times?”
Ganesha now with a beaming smile replied, “Mother, father you had asked us to circle the universe three times. I did just that. My parents are my whole universe so I have just circled my universe three times. The world and the whole universe lies within you my father Lord Shiva and you my mother Goddess Parvathi. So there was no need for me to go any further to circle the whole universe.”
Both Shiva and Parvathy were so impressed with Ganesha that they knew that he was the most deserving of the fruit of wisdom.
When Kartikeya returned puffing and panting and exhausted after zipping around the whole universe he heard what his brother Ganesha had done and he too could not contain his admiration for his brother’s wisdom.
Kartikeya said, “ Ganesha you are definitely more deserving of the fruit of knowledge and wisdom. I in my haste to win had not stopped for a moment to think or use my intelligence. Undoubtedly, our parents make up our whole universe and you were wise enough to understand this. I concede defeat to you Ganesha.” He then ran up to his beloved brother and hugged him with delight.
From that day onwards Ganesha has been renown for his considerable intelligence and wisdom.
LIFE LESSONS
1. Just like Ganesha and Kartikeya we too must love, respect and obey our parents. We must remember that Mom and Dad truly love us and will always protect, guide and support us through out our lives
2. Whereas Kartikeya rushed off on the race in haste without a moment to think or plan, Ganesha first took time to think out carefully his course of action. After thinking carefully he decided on the best and most suitable response to the task set by his parents. It was because of this that he won the race. We too must first always take time to understand fully the task or problem and only then decide on the most appropriate and suitable plan of action.
3. Kartikeya thought only of Ganesha’s weakness of being unable to move quickly he did not take into consideration Ganesha sharp intelligence. In any competition is is important to know ones own strengths and weaknesses and also those of the other competitors.
4. Kartikeya was overconfident of winning. He was sure he would win easily. To be confident is good but overconfidence can result in carelessness and failure.
moral stories teach valuable lessons about life to the readers, particularly children. well written.
The title is quite appealing and it’s rather refreshing to note that your stories are based on one of the richest elements of Indian culture. I read the first one “ Wise Ganesha “ and I really liked it . These stories would certainly help parents to inculcate interest in Indian culture in the younger generation and to impart the values of our culture . Indeed a good initiative 💐
Loved the style of writing. Very engaging even though I know this story from childhood. Lessons of learning reminded me of my mother's story telling .
Very nicely written