How Ganesha was born

Told in English, Telugu.

Every year on Vinayaka Chavithi, we place a little Ganesha in our home, decorate him with flowers, and offer him sweet kudumulu. But have you ever wondered how Ganesha came to be? Come close, and I will tell you.

Long, long ago, high up on Mount Kailasa, where the snow sparkles like sugar, lived Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Lord Shiva often went away to meditate deep in the mountains, sitting still for days and days. Their home was guarded by Nandi, the great white bull, and by Shiva's helpers, the ganas.

One morning, Mother Parvati wanted to take her bath in peace. She thought, "The ganas are kind, but they always listen to Shiva first. I wish I had someone of my very own, someone who would listen only to me."

So she took some fragrant turmeric paste, the same kind she used for her bath. Slowly and lovingly, with her own hands, she shaped it into a little boy. She gave him round cheeks, little hands, and strong little feet. Then she breathed gently upon him, and the boy opened his eyes and smiled.

"Amma!" he said.

Parvati's heart filled with joy. She hugged him close. "You are my son," she said. "Now, my dear, I have a job for you. I am going inside for my bath. Stand here at the door and guard it. Do not let anyone in. Anyone at all. Can you do that?"

The boy stood up very straight. He picked up a stick to hold like a staff. "Yes, Amma. I promise. No one will pass."

So he stood at the door, proud and watchful.

Not long after, footsteps came crunching through the snow. It was Lord Shiva himself, returning home after his long meditation. He walked toward the door, and there stood a small boy he had never seen before.

"Stop!" said the boy, holding out his staff. "You cannot go in."

Shiva raised his eyebrows. "Little one, this is my home. Step aside."

"My mother told me to let no one in," said the boy firmly. "And I made a promise."

Shiva did not know that this was Parvati's son. He called his ganas. "Who is this child? Move him away from my door."

The ganas came running. But the boy was strong, stronger than anyone expected, because he was made by Mother Parvati herself, who is the power of the whole world. One by one, he pushed the ganas back. They tumbled into the snow, puffing and blowing.

Now Lord Shiva grew angry. His eyes flashed like lightning. And when Shiva is angry, the mountains tremble. Before anyone could stop it, he raised his great trident, and in one flash, the brave little boy fell to the ground and lay very, very still.

Just then, the door opened. Mother Parvati stepped out, and she saw her son lying there.

"My child!" she cried. She knelt down and held him, and her tears fell like rain. "What have you done? This was my son! He was only keeping his promise to me!"

Lord Shiva's anger melted away at once, like snow in the sun. He looked at the little boy, and then at Parvati's sad face, and his heart became heavy.

"Parvati," he said softly, "I did not know. I am truly sorry. Do not cry. I will bring him back to you. I promise."

The boy's own head could not be put back, so Shiva turned to his ganas. "Go north," he told them. "Bring me the head of the first creature you find, one who gives it willingly."

The ganas hurried away over the hills. Would they find someone in time? They searched and searched. At last, under a tall tree, they met a wise old elephant. He had lived a long and happy life, and he was ready to rest.

The ganas told him everything. The old elephant listened, and then he nodded his great grey head. "For a child who kept his promise to his mother," he said kindly, "I gladly give my gift."

The ganas thanked him with folded hands and carried the gift carefully back to Kailasa.

Lord Shiva gently placed the elephant's head upon the boy. He closed his eyes and gave his blessing. Everyone held their breath. Then, slowly, the little boy's big ears flapped. His long trunk curled. His small eyes blinked open, and he sat up!

"Amma?" he said.

Mother Parvati laughed and cried at the same time, and she hugged him tighter than ever before. "My son, my brave son!"

Lord Shiva knelt down beside him. "Little one, you were braver than all my ganas. You kept your promise even when it was hard. From today, you are my son too, and you will be the leader of all the ganas. That is why your name will be Ganapati."

Then Shiva gave him one more blessing. "Whenever anyone begins something new, a journey, a lesson, a festival, or a prayer, they will pray to you first. You will remove the obstacles from their path."

And all the gods and the ganas cheered. Nandi stamped his hooves happily, and even the snow on Kailasa seemed to sparkle brighter.

That is why, my dear, before we begin anything good, we first say, Om Ganeshaya Namaha. Can you say it with me? Om Ganeshaya Namaha.

And that is how our dear Ganesha was born, with a loving mother, a sorry father, a kind old elephant, and a promise kept with a brave heart.