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19-Ganesh Wins the Race

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19-Ganesh Jee Wins the Race
See also    Race-1,     Race-2

Ganesh Jee is born of divine parents and is himself a divine being. According to the Hindu mythology, in the snow-capped mountains of Kailaash, Lord Shiv and Goddess Paarvatee, the divine couple, live with their two divine children, Ganesh and his brother Kaarttik, also known. The following is the tale of those days when both Ganesh and Kaarttik were very young. Ganesh being the elder son, was full of patience and wisdom. Kaarttik, on the other hand, was impish and playful. But both of them were intelligent and powerful.

The two brothers had much difference in their physique. While Ganesh had a massive body with a big belly and an elephant's head, young Kaarttik was a beautiful boy with strong limbs. They were kind to everybody and were loved by all. Shiv and Paarvatee also loved their two children and they in turn were devoted to their parents. The Devtaa were also pleased with the lovely divine children and they worshipped them.

But one day, as the Devtaa talked about the qualities of the two brothers, a doubt arose in the mind of one of them. "Who is the wiser of the two brothers, Ganesh or Kaarttik?" he asked the others. Soon this doubt spread to all the Devtaa. All of them were talking and expressing their opinion about the matter. But no one could surely decide upon the matter. As they racked their brains to solve the issue, suddenly, a Devtaa got an idea.

"I know to whom to ask?", said he. As others looked at him curiously, he continued, "Lord Brahmaa. He is the Creator of the world. He should know the answer, so let's go and ask him! He can surely solve this doubt." Without any more delay, the Devtaa rushed to Brahmaa Jee  and asked their Creator about their doubt. Brahmaa was surprised to see all the deities, together.

"Such a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?"
The Devtaa told Brahma about their doubt. "O Lord Brahmaa, who is the wiser brother, Ganesh or Kaarttik?", asked they.
"Alas, I also do not know!" replied Brahmaa Jee. "I am the creator of the mankind, not divine beings. Ganesh and Kaarttik were born to the celestial gods Shiv and Paarvatee."

The Devtaa got disappointed, "Even the Brahmaa does not know it?" Then how could they answer it, after all. Looking at their glum faces, Lord Brahmaa decided to help them. "It is true that I do not know who is the wiser of the two young gods", he thought. "But I can probably find it out with the help of my son Naarad." Naarad, the son of Lord Brahmaa, was a mischievous sage who was famous for creating disputes. Wherever he went, he created trouble. But if he got away with all his pranks and without getting cursed it was only because the trouble he caused usually ended on a happy note.

So Brahmaa Jee called Naarad Jee and after explaining him the problem said to him - "Naarad, help these Devtaa. Find the answer to their question,"
"Certainly, Father," replied Naarad Jee, and his eyes twinkled naughtily, smelling an opportunity to play a prank.

Using his magical powers Naarad Jee swiftly flew over the white mountains of Kailaash and, in no time, arrived at the Divine abode of Shiv and Paarvatee. He was warmly welcomed by the heavenly couple. He praised the Lord - "0 Shiv, Saviour of the Universe!, O Devee Paarvatee, I thank you for your warm welcome. It is indeed a pleasant joy and an honor to see you both together as the Divine couple".

Everyone knew about Naarad's mischievous nature. Shiv understood that Naarad was up to some mischief so he said jokingly - "Now tell us the truth. I can sense some mischief brewing in your mind. What is the prank you are planning to play on us?"

Naarad Jee pretended to be hurt, he said in a sorrowful voice - "You greatly insult me, Lord Shiv, I have just come here to give you a gift."
"A gift for me? What is it Naarad?", asked Lord Shiv. Naarad, hearing the eagerness in Shiv's voice, smiled to himself in amusement and produced a golden mango and gave it to the Lord.
"A mango!" exclaimed Shiv. "Now don't say you that you traveled all the way here to give me this fruit."
"It is no ordinary fruit, my Lord," Naarad Jee replied, "The taste of this fruit is said to be sweeter than nectar. This is the Divine fruit of knowledge that bestows eternal wisdom to those who eat it.
"Is it so?" asked Shiv, looking at the mango. He then asked his wife Paarvatee to have a bite.
Naarad Jee cried - "No, no, stop! What are you doing?"
Shiv looked at Naarad curiously. "Why? Do you want me to eat it without letting Paarvatee taste it? Surely I am going to share it with her". Saying so, he turned to share the fruit with his wife, Paarvatee.
Naarad Jee again shook his head in disagreement. "That cannot be done, Lord Shiv. It is a magical fruit, blessed by the sages and Devtaa. It is not possible to cut the mango into pieces. It should be eaten by a single person as a whole fruit".

Now the divine couple looked at each other. They were confused. Then Shiv shrugged his shoulders and said to Paarvatee - "If that is the case, let my better half have this fruit. Here it is, Paarvatee, you can have this whole mango," and offered that mango to his wife.
Paarvatee was surprised. She refused to eat it saying - "Oh no, I don't want to eat it. You are my husband. How can I eat it without you having a taste of it?".

Both Shiv and Naarad requested her to eat the fruit but Paarvatee steadily declined and then suggested - "Instead, let one of our children have the fruit".

"But, how is that possible?" asked Naarad slyly. "There is only one fruit and two children. Who should be given this fruit - Ganesh or Kaarttik?"
While the elders were talking, Ganesh and Kaarttik appeared in Kailaash. They saw that their parents and Sage Naarad were having some serious talk on something. Then Kaarttik noticed something yellow and round in Naarad's hand.

Kaarttik asked Ganesh - "What is it that Uncle Naarad having in his hand?" Ganesh was equally curious.
Ganesh was about to say something that Naarad Jee replied - "This is a magical mango, Kaarttik, I gave it to your father but he wanted that your mother should eat it. But she won't eat it. She wants to give it to one of you."
"A magical mango? I love mangoes!" shouted Kaarttik, "I want it! I want it!".

"No, no, it should come to me. I love mangoes too! I'm the elder son and the right one to eat the fruit of knowledge," argued Ganesh. Soon the brothers started fighting for the mango.

The Divine parents were perplexed. This is nothing but a mountain out of a molehill. Shiv looked at Naarad and said - "So this is why you came to Kailaash? I knew it, I knew there was something in your mind. Well done Naarad, you have finally played the trick. This is why you came here. But now that you have created trouble, please solve it. You decide to whom the mango should go to."

Naarad Jee was delighted that his plan was working so well. "Why don't we have a competition to settle the matter?" he said with a twinkle in his eye. The children agreed to Naarad's suggestion. Shiv Jee thought over the matter for a few moments and said to his children - "All right, then, We'll have a contest. Whoever of you goes around the world three times and returns first will get the fruit."

Hearing this, Kaarttik immediately mounted his vehicle, the peacock, and his brother Ganesh rode on his vehicle, the mouse. Ganesh was fat and slow. Kaarttik laughed to himself in glee. He was very certain that he would win. Ganesh Jee understood that his vehicle, the mouse, could not compete with the peacock's speed. So he thought for a moment. Suddenly, he got an idea. He smiled to himself. Kaarttik had flew around the world stopping at all temples and sacred spots on the way and offering his prayers. To his astonishment, he found Ganesh at every major stop. Kaarttik was puzzled. How did Ganesh managed to be so fast that he arrived at the places before him?

The reason was the razor-sharp intelligence and the great wisdom of Ganesh. Back in Kailash, Ganesh Jee remembered that his parents Shiv and Paarvatee represented the entire universe. Without delay, the young elephant-headed god walked around his parents with great devotion, folding his hands.

"Why are you circling us Ganesh?" asked Shiv Jee.
"I'm your son and to me, you two make up my whole world. Why should I go further to win the contest?" replied Ganesh.
Shiv Jee was very pleased with his elder son's smart answer and gave the magical fruit to him.

When Kaarttik returned after his voyage, he understood what would had happened and accepted the superiority of his clever brother Ganesh. The Devtaa also found the answer to their doubt. They praised and blessed Ganesh. Naarad chuckled to himself. His father had praised him too. So did the Devtaa.

Service to one's Parents is service to God.

 

 

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Created on March 15, 2003 and Updated on May 18, 2013
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