Wise Old Nanu’s Tales: How Ganapati Found Mushakraaj

It was evening time. Nanu was spread out in his cosy armchair, reading a fat book. All around him were books, stacked in small piles and tall towers. Just then, little Meera hopped into the room. Her eyes popped out when she saw the book towers, and she began to count. “One, two, three. Oh, Nanu! You have so many books! Do you read them every day?" 

Flashing his gummy smile, Nanu said, "Yes, my little princess! I try to read just a little bit every day. Helps me learn something new, you see. Also, Nanu should always be ready to answer your lovely questions! Don’t you think so?"

Meera plonked next to the armchair. "But Nanu, I wonder how you have the answers to all my questions?"

Pointing to the books, Nanu said, "These, my child, are my best friends! Each one takes me on a journey, and I find things. New and amazing. And of course, all the answers."

Meera jumped up and down, clapping her hands. "Aha! I get it!” "There’s the wise old owl, and I have a wise old Nanu. “From today, I'm gonna call you 'wise-old Nanu'!"

"How are you, dear, wise old Nanu? What’s up, wise old Nanu!" she giggled.

Stroking her head, Nanu said, "Alright, little one, if it makes you happy, 'Wise old Nanu' it shall be. But remember, one doesn't get wise just by reading fat books. Wisdom also comes from asking good questions!"

Before Meera could reply—ZIP!

A tiny black mouse zipped past them, with roti crumbs in its mouth!

"Eeks, Nanu! A mouse, a mouse!" shrieked Meera and jumped on Nanu’s chair. "Shoo it away! Please, now!"

Nanu chuckled. "Don’t fear, kiddo, let him go! Looks like the poor guy is hungry. And besides, the mouse carries your beloved Ganapati. He is Sri Ganesh’s vahan: Mooshakraaj!"

Meera watched as the mouse scurried away. She then stared at Ganapati’s statue. Her brows knitted with a new question.

“A mouse is so teeny-weeny, and Sri Ganesh is so big! How in the world does Mooshakraj carry Gannu bhaiyya on his back?"

Nanu's face lit up. "Whoa, my girl! Now that’s a fantastic question!"

Closing his big book, Nanu began with a smile, "Come, let me tell you the story of Mooshakraaj today!"

On hearing the word ‘story,’ Meera’s eyes sparkled with joy.

Wise old Nanu began, "A long, long time ago, there lived a monster named Gajamukhasura. He had a giant head just like that of an elephant. And he wanted to become the most powerful Asura in the world!"

"Did he look like Ganesh ji, Nanu?" Meera was surprised.

Nanu laughed softly. "Oh, no, no, dear one. Far from that. It’s one thing to have an elephant head like Ganapati and quite another to be like him! Ganapati Bappa is kind, but Gajamukhasura was full of himself."

Nanu went on, “Gajamukhasura sat in a deep, dark forest for many, many years, praying fiercely to Bhagwan Shiv. At last, pleased by his deep devotion, Mahadev appeared and said, "Here I am. Ask for a wish."

Gajamukhasura said, "Lord, bless me that no weapon, no god, and no human can ever kill me!"

“Mahdev granted him the wish. And, oh boy! From that moment on, Gajamukhasura became way too proud. He thought that now, nobody in the big, wide world could ever defeat him. He started troubling the gods, the rishis, and innocent people too. Everyone across all three Lokas feared him! One day, the gods came to Mahadev and pleaded, "Dear Lord, save us from this trouble!"

With a gentle smile, Mahadev said, "Don't worry, my son Ganesh will handle this"

"Yes... I knew it!" Meera chimed in. "My Gannu Bhaiya always helps everyone!"

Nanu nodded. "Hold on, Meera. Gajamukhasura was no ordinary demon. To defeat him, one needed not just strength but a very sharp mind!"

Very soon, Ganapati Bappa and Gajamukhasura faced each other on the battlefield. On one side was the God of wisdom, while on the other was Gajamukhasura gloating and bloating under Mahadev’s blessing!

The battle began. Loud noises were heard: CRASH! THUD! BOOM! But no weapon worked on Gajamukhasura. Like a shield, Mahadev’s boon was protecting him.

Gajamukhasura roared with laughter. "Try as much as you want! Nobody can ever defeat me!"

Meera's heart was beating like a drum. "Nanu, Nanu... tell me fast. What did Gannu Bhaiya do?"

"That is our Ganesha's greatest power, little one, " said Nanu. When the work becomes difficult, his wisdom makes it easy!"

Sri Ganesh stopped for a moment. And then, a great idea flashed in his mind. He decided to create a new weapon that the Asura’s boon couldn’t stop. Ganapati Bappa broke off one of his big teeth—his tusk!

"WHAT? He broke his own tusk?!" Meera shouted.

"Yes, he did," Nanu said, "and that’s why he is lovingly called Ekadanta, the One-Tusked Lord. Sri Ganesh flung his broken tusk at Gajamukhasura. It went off like a rocket—zooom! It flashed like a lightning bolt in the sky. Gajamukhasura panicked. His knees wobbled. He had never seen a weapon like this! He was very scared, so he used a magic trick and shrunk himself into a tiny, wriggling mouse!

"Whoa! A giant monster became a little mouse?" Meera almost jumped into Nanu’s lap.

"Yes, my darling," Nanu laughed.

"That’s how fear is. It makes even the strongest bully feel very, very small."

“But before Gajamukhasura the mouse could run away, Ganapati Bappa jumped right onto its back!

Now began a funny game. The mouse went around in a tizzy, running left and right! It kept going in circles! Poor guy, didn’t know where to run or hide. But Ganapati Bappa sat comfortably on its back. With his eyes closed, he enjoyed the bumpy ride.

A few minutes later, the mouse flopped onto the ground, too tired to take another step. He now knew that being strong is not everything. Wisdom and kindness are even more powerful. His pride was shattered. Gajamukhasura bowed down at Ganapati’s feet and sobbed,

"Lord, please forgive me! I became too proud of my strength and boon."

“I hope Ganapati forgave him. Did he, Nanu? Meera was worried now.

“Ah, yes, my child. Sri Ganesh has a very kind heart. He forgave the mouse right away. Gajamukhsura went up on his toes, joining his tiny paws, and begged, "Please, Lord, please keep me near you. I want to serve you forever and ever!"

“Ganapati smiled and said, ‘From this day on, you shall be my special ride! My Vahana.’ And from that very moment, Gajamukhasura became Lord Ganesha's favourite, most beloved companion.”

The story ended, and Meera clapped her hands.

"Yay, Nanu! That means if I eat more chocolates someday and say sorry to Mumma, she won’t scold me."

Nanu smiled and said, “Okay. So, yes, the first time she won’t. But I’m not sure she will forgive, if you keep making the same mistake.”

“But Meera, tell me, what else did you learn?”

Meera kept thinking. “Hmm… hmmm.. I don’t know, Nanu. Your story. You tell me.”

Nanu laughed and said, “This story shows that no matter how strong someone is, if they are proud, they will lose because wisdom and kindness are a million times stronger!"

"Ganpati Bappa Morya!" Meera cheered on with a bright smile.

"Mangal Murti Morya!" Wise old Nanu joined in with his booming laugh.