Lord Ganesha and His Mushak

Lord Ganesha is known for his wisdom and knowledge. He is worshipped above all the Gods and he brings all the luck and blessings in our life.  In Hinduism Lord Ganesha occupies a very special place. Traditionally, every auspicious occasion begins with worship of Lord Ganesha. You know that word Ganesha is a form of Brahma and hence symbolizes Omkar. Thus, no other God occupies that much significance that Ganesha does. And Lord Ganesha is incomplete without his small, cute vehicle (Vahan) a mouse on which he rides everywhere. But why lord Ganesha choose Smaller Animal for his vehicle? Well he is a God of knowledge, and there must be a relevant reason behind his vahan.

Actually, the word Vahan is taken from the word Vru – Vaha which means transport. And every God has their own vehicle on which they ride and in our religion, these vahans are also worshipped. And today, I will share a story of Lord Ganesha and his Vahan. As we all know that the rat is very quick, alert and can travel through all the crevices. This symbolically states that every creation whether it is big or small, holds an equal value in the eyes of the creator.  

According to the Mythology, Lord Ganeshas vahan i.e Mouse was a Gandharva who was a celestial singer in his previous birth, named Kroncha, in the court of Indra Dev. One day, Kroncha insulted sage Vaamedeva. And the sage got angry and cursed him to become a mouse. Krauncha forgot his role as a musician and derived all the characteristics of a mouse. He went to the ashram of sage Paraashara and created despoliation. This interrupted the peace of the ashram and the helpless sage prayed to Lord Ganesha. His unrivalled and earnest reverence elated   and he brought the mouse under his control. And this is how Lord Ganesha had his vahan in the form of mouse.

It is believed that the mouse is a symbol of all pervasive omniscient Brahman. As it is considered as the creature of the dark underground, he travels all under the ground where nobody can reach. It is a symbol of ignorance that fears light and knowledge. Therefore, he teaches us to remain alert and illuminate our inner self. Its swiftness can be considered as a hyperactive quality which is a symbol of our senses. Thus Lord Ganesha sitting on such a vahan signifies that he is the controlling of all the senses. Well it is also said that the mouse has the unlimited, active and dormant desires within us and is enjoyer of all pleasures. This symbolizes those persons who loose control and focus in their lives in chasing material happiness or can say fake happiness. They find themselves trapped in a lustful maze of life. And Lord Ganesha simply signifies that everyone can control their desires and it is in your hand to beat your material happiness in order to attain a divine life.  

In every Lord Ganesha Temples, the mouse is placed opposite the deity. It is said that if one whispers their wishes in his ear, he transfers this message to lord gently and the desires are fulfilled. In every situation, mouse is always seen with the Lord. It is said that the Mouse of the Lord is just a vehicle, he is his friend that is why Lord Listens his messages that are conveys by the devotees. The mouse is also offered with sweets specially Ladoo or Modak, and when Ganesha gives the signal, and then mouse grasps that modak into his paws. The Mushak is waiting for the command from the Lord to consume it. The relationship between the Lord and his vahan is unique, they have a different bonding, and Mushak worships his God and respects him above all whereas Lord Ganesha considers him not only as his vehicle but also as his friend which signifies that there is equality between two different identities.