Storytelling sessions with grandmothers are indeed priceless moments. Each story that we hear has a great moral value and significance.
Stories with Hindu Gods and Goddess as characters inspire us in more ways than one. They are enriching and meaningful.
In this article, we will take you through the ‘Ganesha and the Mango’ story. Once, Sage Narada, known for being mischievous, visited Lord Shiva and Parvati at their abode with a mango in his hand. And like we all know, everything that Narada does playfully, leads to something constructive. This time too, his intent was good but the way he implemented his trick triggered a fight between siblings – Ganesha and Kartikeya.
Narada had actually wanted to see who among Ganesha and Kartikeya was wiser. So he gave the fruit to Lord Shiva and Parvati, asking either of them to consume it. But the two refused to eat it as Narada had asked them not to cut it as it would lose its vitality.
So the divine couple decided to give the mango to one of their children. But being parents to both their children, choosing one among the two proved difficult. And hence Narada stepped in with a solution.
Narada asked the two children to travel around the world three times and said that the one who wins the race would be rewarded with the mango. Kartikeya instantly mounted on his peacock to literally go around the world. But Ganesha chose to walk around his parents with them seated in the centre.
Thus Ganesha won the mango. Kartikeya gracefully accepted his defeat. Moral of the story:
Literal meaning – Children must respect their parents as they are dearer than the rest of the world.
Symbolic meaning – One doesn’t need to go around the world to gain wisdom and understand the truth. One must look within to find the truth. A wandering mind cannot get enlightened but a stable one certainly will.
