TALES OF GANESHA

Modaka and Ganesha

Once, all the deities visited MountKailasha and brought modakas as a gift. The modakas were tempting and both Ganesha and Kartikeya wanted to have them, and be the first at that. They went to their mother, Parvati, for a favourable decision. Parvati replied that both of them must take a round of the universe, and the one to return first will get a modaka.

Kartikeya set off on his journey right away, covering the whole universe, visiting each and every pilgrimage to earn punya or blessings. Ganesha, on the other hand – the epitome of intelligence and wisdom – chose to circumambulate his parents, Shiva and Parvati. It is believed that the one who is dedicated to his parents and respects them, receives more punya (blessings) than the one who undertakes pilgrimages and does pujas.

Thus, Ganesha was awarded the modaka! This tale is a lesson for all of us, that we should respect our parents and in turn be blessed by them, which will be our reward.

Tulsi and Ganesha

Wandering near about the banks of River Ganga one day, Tulsi, the daughter of King Dharmraja, came across an ashram abounding with beautiful flowers, its environs filled with the fragrance of these flowers. She caught sight of Lord Ganesha, who was lost in deep meditation. She became infatuated with Ganesha and proposed to him. Ganesha refused, as he was not at all interested in a married life. However, Tulsi refused to take no for an answer, and kept insisting, telling him that a day will come when he will readily marry her. Annoyed, Ganesha cursed her: she would be married to an asur (demon), and thereafter be born as a plant. Dismayed, Tulsi repented and begged for mercy. Ganesha relented, and told her that her leaves would have great medicinal value, and she will be offered in the form of leaves to all gods and will be especially preferred by Narayana, the Supreme God. But, she will never be offered to him by any devotee – and if anyone did so, that person would have to bear the brunt of such misdoing. And that’s why tulsi leaves are not offered to Lord Ganesha.

Ganesha’s Marriage

There are two quite different tales regarding Ganesha’s marriage. According to one school of thought, which is popular in South India, Ganesha is a bachelor. The belief goes that Ganesha considered Goddess Parvati as the most beautiful and ideal woman in the universe, and that she was the perfect wife. Consequently, he expected a wife who would be exactly like Parvati but realized that there wasn’t any woman who would measure up to Goddess Parvati. Therefore, he preferred to remain single.

However, in North India it is believed that Lord Ganesha married two women: Siddhi (goddess of success) and Buddhi (goddess of wisdom).

Ganesha and Kuber

It is generally accepted that human beings are never satisfied; the desire for materialistic things never ends. But once self-realization and enlightenment with divine energy takes place, needs automatically get satisfied and reduce.

Once, Lord Kuber invited Ganesha for dinner. Ganesha was delighted at the food spread out before him and started feasting happily. Soon all the food that there was to be had was finished, but since he still felt hungry, he started eating utensils, furniture, etc, but even then his hunger was not satiated. Then, Lord Shiva offered Ganesha a handful of baked rice, and his hunger was satisfied. The moral of this story is that if we bake our vasanas in the heat of divine power and self-realization, we will be satisfieds