Ganesh Chaturthi 2017: Things we must learn from Lord Ganesha

New Delhi: Before we begin with any auspicious task, worshipping Lord Ganesha is considered to be the first and foremost ritual. He is the harbinger of new beginnings and destroyer of difficulties. There is a lot to learn from the revered elephant god and here are some of the life lessons we can teach us a great way of living:

Duty over everything

The story of how Lord Ganesha got his elephant head teaches us the importance of duty. According to the popular legend, Ganesha was created by Goddess Parvati while Lord Shiva didn't know of the fact that Ganesha was his son. It is believed that Maa Parvati made a turmeric paste from her body before taking a bath and sculpted a formation of a boy, later breathing life into him—thus Ganesha was born.

Goddess Parvati had asked Ganesha to stand outside while she took her bath and not allow anyone to come inside. When Lord Shiva came, Ganesha not knowing that he is his father, stopped the Lord at the gate which made him angry and cut his head off.

When Goddess Parvati came out, she saw what had occurred and asked Lord Shiva to bring their son back to life. Then, the Lord decided that he would place the head of the first living being he found on earth.

The Lord found an elephant and hence, Ganesha has the head of an elephant.

This story teaches us that duty is above everything as Ganesha lost his head, but never gave up on his duty as a son.

Respect for parents

Once Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati gave Ganesha and his brother, Kartikeya a challenge. Both of them had to run around the world three times and whoever came first would get a fruit that would provide supreme knowledge and immorality.

Kartikeya immediately left on his peacock but Ganesha stayed behind. He instead ran around three times around his parents and said that for him, they are the world.

This story gives the lesson of respect and love for one's parents. They are the reason you are on this earth and that is why one must always be grateful and kind towards one's parents.

Sacrifice

Ganesha has an elephant head but one of his tusks is broken. Legend has it that this happened while he was writing the epic, 'Mahabharata'. His pen broke and the lord, as diligent as ever, broke one of his tusks to continue writing. Thus, one must always be ready to make sacrifices for the larger good.

Forgiveness

The moon once mocked Ganesha when the lord had eaten too much and was bloating. Ganesha angered at the moon gave him a curse that from that day, it'll not be visible to anyone. When the moon asked for forgiveness, the kind- hearted Lord forgave him but since he could not take the curse back, he reduced it by saying that the moon may become thinner every day and finally, being invisible once a month.

This story teaches the importance of forgiveness and that one must forgive those who are guilty of their mistakes.

Equality

The mouse is detested by most people as it is a rustic creature who feeds on leftover food and attacks in the dark. Ganesha however, chose this rodent as his vehicle/Vahana. This fact outlines his respect for every creature and no matter how a creature looks like, it is equal to others.

Hence, from this, we must learn that each and every person needs to be respected equally. The background, race, religion, colour or gender does not matter.