PARAKUNNATH SREE VETTAKKORUMAKAN PAYYAN KSHETHRAM (TEMPLE), AROLI, KANNUR, KERALA: Ganesha is denoted through a lot of symbols such as the elephant head, big belly and riding a mouse.

Friday, 22 December 2017

Ganesha is denoted through a lot of symbols such as the elephant head, big belly and riding a mouse.

Ganesha is denoted through a lot of symbols such as the elephant head, big belly and riding a mouse.

Most people are often curious as to why would a huge God like Ganesha would ride such a small rodent. We all know that Lord Ganesha is known as the remover of all obstacles and the one who blesses every being without discrimination. The story of Ganesha riding a mouse also shows how and why Ganesha deserves to be worshipped before all other Gods and Godesses.

According to Ganesha purana, Ganesha's mouse was actually a demi-god in his previous birth and his name was Kroncha. At the assembly of Lord Indra, Kroncha accidentally stepped on the toes of Muni Vamadeva, who was a learned saint. Muni Vamadeva thought that Kroncha had done so intentionally and grew enraged and cursed Kroncha to become a mouse. Terrified, Kroncha fell to his knees and pleaded for mercy. This subdued Muni Vamadeva's anger. He said that his curse could not go in vain, but that Kroncha would meet Ganesha and become his vehicle. That way he would also become worthy of worship even by Gods.

And so it was. Kroncha was transformed into a mouse by the curse of Vamadeva Muni and fell into the hermitage of Maharshi Parashar. Kroncha, however, was no ordinary mouse. In fact, he was as big as a mountain and frightening to all who beheld him. He caused a hell lot of trouble and destroyed everything in his path. He became another name of terror for all the people on Earth.

At this time Lord Ganesha was invited to Rishi Parashar's ashrama and was being taken care of by him and his wife Vatsala. Hearing of the gigantic mouse and the terror it created, Lord Ganesha decided to confront Kroncha. Ganesha unleashed one of his weapons: a pasha (noose), which he sent flying in the direction of Kroncha. The pasha was so radiant its light filled the entire universe. Pasha chased the mouse and looped around his neck and brought Kroncha to Ganesha's feet. Thus, Kroncha asked for forgiveness and Lord Ganesha accepted him as His mount.