Indian mythology stories for kids. Mythology: moral stories for kids. Curse & boon: indian mythological stories. How a Mouse Became the Vehicle (Vahana) of Lord Ganesha Ek chuha kaise bana Bhagwan Ganesha ka vaahan aur sawari."
"Indian Mythology: Curse and Boon – How a Mouse Was Cursed and How It Became the Vehicle (Vahana) of Lord Ganesha."
The Story of Gajanan and the Mighty Mouse
In the celestial court of Lord( Lord Ganesha Indra, the king of the gods, there was a distinguished Gandharva (celestial musician) named Kauncha. One day, he stood up and hurriedly began to leave the assembly. In his hurry, he accidentally touched the revered sage Vamadeva with his foot. Feeling insulted, the sage grew angry and instantly cursed him:
“O Gandharva! You shall become a mouse!”
Frightened, the Gandharva folded his hands and humbly begged the sage for forgiveness. The compassionate sage, taking pity on him, said:
“You shall find relief from this curse when you become the vehicle of Lord Ganesha, the Lord of the Gods.”
Immediately, the Gandharva turned into a mouse and fell into the hermitage of Sage Parashara. But this was no ordinary mouse — he was huge and terrifying, like a mountain. His fur and nails resembled sharp mountain peaks, his teeth were massive and fearsome, and his voice was harsh and dreadful.
This mighty mouse wreaked havoc in the hermitage. He broke all the earthen vessels, destroyed the stored grains, and tore the sages' clothes, bark garments, and sacred texts into pieces. With a swing of his enormous tail, he knocked down trees and ruined the entire garden.
With all the essential items in the hermitage destroyed, Sage Parashara was deeply distressed. He lamented:
“One should leave a place tormented by wicked beings — but where shall I go now, where I can meditate and perform penance in peace? Taking my own life would be sinful. What misdeed of mine has led to the destruction of the peace of my hermitage? What should I do now? Whom shall I remember? Who will end my suffering? Whose refuge shall I seek?”
Hearing his father's sorrowful words, Lord Ganesha, his divine son with the elephant head, spoke in a sweet and assuring voice:
“Respected Father, I am the destroyer of the wicked. As long as I am here, you need not worry. I was born to you as your son, and I will accomplish what pleases you. At my roar, the earth trembles; at my footsteps, mountains turn to dust. Watch my divine play now. I shall make this mouse my vehicle.”
Having said this, Ganesha threw his blazing noose, radiant like the sun, toward the mighty mouse. The brilliance of the noose lit up the entire sky, and even the gods fled in fear. The fiery noose whirled through all ten directions, entered the netherworld (Patal), and tied itself around the mouse’s neck, pulling him up to the surface.
The massive, mountain-like mouse was rendered completely helpless. He fainted from fear and pain. After some time, regaining consciousness and gasping for breath, he moaned in sorrow:
“What cruel fate has suddenly befallen me? Destiny is inescapable — no effort can stop it. I once destroyed mountains with the tips of my fangs. Gods, demons, humans — none dared challenge me. Who could have bound my neck?”
Just as the divine Garuda weapon subdues serpents, Ganesha’s radiant noose had bound the mouse and dragged him before the Lord. As soon as the mouse saw Ganesha, realization dawned upon him. He bowed his head at the feet of the Lord and began to praise him with deep devotion:
“O Lord! You are the master of all creation — the universe's creator, protector, and destroyer. Even the gods like Brahma cannot comprehend your greatness. Merciful One, adored by sages, I am blessed to behold you. My eyes are truly fulfilled. Please show me your compassion.”
Hearing this heartfelt praise, Lord Ganesha, the son of Parashara, became pleased and said:
“O, sinless one! You caused great suffering to the gods and the sages. I have taken incarnation to destroy the wicked and protect the virtuous. Since you have surrendered to me, fear not. Ask me any boon you wish.”
The mouse, now a little proud, replied:
“I seek nothing. But if you desire, you may use me as your vehicle.”
Ganesha smiled and said, “If your words are true, then become my vehicle.”
“So be it!” said the mouse, and Ganesha mounted him.
But the moment Ganesha sat on him, the mouse was crushed under the weight and began to suffer terribly. He cried out in pain, “I will be ground to dust!” and then pleaded,
“O Lord! Please become light enough so that I may bear your weight.”
The mouse’s pride was humbled, and Ganesha became light enough for him to carry.
Seeing this wondrous act, Sage Parashara bowed with great reverence and said:
“What a divine miracle! I have never seen such power in any child. The very mouse whose roar tore the skies apart is now your humble mount — and you tamed him in just a moment!”
