Why is Lord Ganesha’s vehicle a mouse? Find out.

Lord Ganesha is the most revered of the gods, the remover of obstacles. Any auspicious task begins with his worship. In the scriptures, Wednesday is considered Ganesha’s day. It is believed that fasting and worshipping Ganesha with devotion on this day removes all the troubles of devotees and that Ganesha fulfills all their wishes. Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Gauri. His vehicle is a mouse. Given his physical appearance, why is his vehicle a small mouse? Let’s find out.

Story:

According to the Ganesha Purana, there was a Gandharva named Krauncha in the court of King Indra. Once, in Indra’s court, Krauncha was busy joking with the nymphs. Indra’s attention was drawn to him, and he cursed him to become a rat. The playful Krauncha, transformed into a powerful mouse, went straight to the ashram of sage Parashara. Upon reaching there, he wreaked havoc, breaking all the earthen pots in the ashram and eating all the food. He also destroyed the garden and gnawed at the sages’ clothes and scriptures. Sage Parashara became very sad and began to think about how to escape the terror of this rat. Distressed, Sage Parashara went to Lord Ganesha for refuge. Ganesha then told Parashara that he would immediately make this mouse his vehicle. Ganesha threw his powerful noose, which chased the mouse into the underworld, tied it around its neck, and dragged it out, presenting it before Lord Ganesha.

The mouse fell unconscious from the noose’s grip. As soon as it woke up, it began praying to Lord Ganesha and begging for its life. Pleased with the mouse’s praise, Lord Ganesha told it, “You have caused great suffering to the Brahmins. I have incarnated for the destruction of the wicked and the welfare of the saints. However, protecting those who seek refuge is also my ultimate duty. Therefore, ask for any boon you desire.” Hearing this, the mischievous mouse’s pride was awakened and he said, “I don’t want anything from you; you can ask for a boon if you wish.” Hearing the mouse’s proud words, Ganesha smiled inwardly and said, “If what you say is true, then become my vehicle.” As soon as the mouse said “So be it,” Ganesha immediately mounted him. Now, crushed under the weight of Gajanan, the mouse’s life was in danger. Then he prayed to Lord Ganesha to make his weight bearable. Thus, Ganesha, having crushed the mouse’s pride, made it his vehicle.