Introduction to Mudhal Kadavul (First God) : Ganesha/Vinayagar/Pillayar

Ganesha, is a god known to many be it a follower of Hinduism or not, so much so that he is somehow seen synonymous with Hinduism itself. Ganesha also known as Vinayagar, Pillayar and Ganapathi is known as the First God because it is believed that he is the remover of obstacles. Thus he is worshipped first before beginning anything new. 

Folklore on Ganesha's Appearance

Ganesha is also known as the Elephant God in many other cultures because of his appearance. Ganesha has elephant head and this involves a folklore involving Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

Ganesha is believed to be created by Goddess Parvati using turmeric powder mix to protect her while she bathed. Lord Shiva who came by earlier to visit Parvati was stopped by Ganesha. This angered Lord Shiva leading to a fight which ensued in the beheading of Ganesha's head.  

Goddess Parvati who had finished showering came looking for Ganesha but to avail. When she saw the headless body of Ganesha, she became furious and decided to wage a war! Lord Brahma then intervened with other deities to calm the goddess realizing that this is not good for the Universe. Goddess Parvati issued two conditions; one Ganesha shall be brought back alive, and he shall be worshipped as the first and foremost God. By then Lord Shiva  had realised what his act has done so he decided to solve the problem. 

He ordered his guards to bring back the head of the first creature they see which is lying dead with its head facing north. The Shiva-dutas returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant Gajasura which Lord Brahma then placed and breathed life into Ganesha. He was then declared as Gajanana (the one with an elephant head) and called Ganapati ( The leader of all ganas - classes of beings). Thus an elephant head for Lord Ganesha! 

Appearance

Lord Ganesha is often see with a one whole single tusk and the other being broken! This is related to him writing the first part of Mahabharatha one of the most important epics in Hinduism. He broke his tusk to use it as a pen because he did not want the recital of the poem by sage Vyasa! 

Lord Ganesha is seen with a bloated belly too and his Vahana (mode of transport) is considered a mouse. He is often found with four hands and he holds various things in these hands depending on the type of  avatar that he has taken. He is also found with loads of sweets such as Ladoos Mothakams and Kolakattais which he absolutely loves!

Feuds with other Deities

Though Ganesha is known to be a calm and composed God, he too has his fair share off feuds with other deities. However if we can read between the lines of this stories we will realise that there is a lesson for everyone as a take- away.  There are two very popular stories that have been circulated for generations.

Ganesha and Chandra Deva

Other stories related to Lord Ganesha is his feud with Chandra (the Moon). Chandra is described as a very beautiful God among the Devas. As such , Chandra had become very arrogant and he once made fun of Ganesha's physique.

Ganesha was offended Chandra's mean remarks cursed Chandra then he will be seen as a blackened figure and lose his illuminating light thus disappearing in the sky. Chandra realising his mistake seek forgiveness to Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha then said that he cannot revoke his curse but can make it diminish the power of it.

He then said "From now on you will slowly reduce in your appearance and there will be only one day when there will be no moon in the sky. This shall be called the new moon day and on the days following that, you will keep increasing in size and finally glow on the fifteenth day in your full size!"

Chandra was happy that the curse was lessened but Ganesha was not done.  He also added that since Chandra had laughed at him on his birthday (Ganesha Chathutri) people who look at the moon on his birthday will have problems. However the problems can go away by listening to the story of Krishna and the Syamantaka Gem. 

Ganesha and Karthikeyan

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived with their two sons Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeyan in Mount Kailayam/ Kailash. One day Narada the famous sage who always caused a problem but it always ends well, visited them with an offering, a mango. While Lord Shiva thanked Narada, both Parvati and Shiva looked at each other wondering what problem is Narada going to cause today.  

Lord Shiva then said to Narada " Thank you for this offering Narada. Parvati let's share this!" and he reached out to get a knife to cut the mango into half. Just then Narada intervened and said Lord Shiva forgive me but this mango is meant to be eaten by only one person. Lord Shiva knew then this mango is going to cause problem thus he immediately passed it to Parvati. She also refused it because she want something that she could not share with her husband. 

Just at the moment, Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeyan arrived and they paid their respects to both their parents and Sage Narada. Seeing the mango which was very ripen and had a very sweet smell to it both the brothers were enticed by the mango. They both started arguing about who should consume it. 

Goddess Parvati knew that she had to intervene and she mentioned that in order to see who is worthy of the mango they will organize a competition. Sage Narada who was there humbly said to Parvati that he knows a competition. "Since the one that consumes this mango can have powers to win the entire world, lets make the competition to be: the one who can complete three rounds around the Earth gets the mango!"announced Narada. 

Lord Karthikeyan whose mount is a swift peacock, without delaying a minute got on his peacock and left to make the rounds. Lord Ganesha on the other hand realised that his mount which is a mouse will not be able to compete with a swift peacock. He thought in silence for a while then asked Narada a series of questions.

"Narada, what does world mean and what does Mother and Father mean?". For which Narada answered the both equates to the same. So Ganesha asked " If that is so, then if I circled my parents that would mean to going around the world right?". " Of course. And your parents are no normal people, they protect the entire universe. Therefore it would mean that you went around the entire Universe." 

Ganesha then circled his parents three times and won the fruit! Karthikeyan who came by that way realised that he had lost and he left Kailash to form Palani.