| THE SPECIAL MANGO |
| Narada, known as mischief-maker took a mango to the abode of Shiva and Parvathi and their two sons, Murugan and Ganesha.
Narada took out a mango from his bag and gave it to Parvathi saying, ‘Parvathi, this is a special mango which tastes like nectar please accept my gift’
Now, both Murugan and Ganesha loved mangoes. Parvathi, knowing this replied saying, ‘thank you dear Narada, I will give it to my sons who love mangoes’. ‘Bring me a knife, I will make equal halves and give it to my sons’.
‘That is what is so special about the mango, you cannot cut it, one must eat it as it is’ Narada said. Parvathi and Shiva were now put in a dilemma.
Narada seizing the opportunity said, ‘Let’s have a competition between the brothers’. Everyone one was in agreement as this sounded like the only logical solution. ‘What sort of competition’ asked Murugan.
Narada after much thought said, ‘Whoever goes around the world three times first will win the mango’
Murugan and Ganesha were both in agreement. Murugan got on to his peacock and off he went to go around the world. Ganesha did not have a peacock or anything else he could ride so he thought for a while. He then went around Shiva and Parvathi three times and went to claim his prize saying. ‘ My Parents are the world for me. I have won the competition.’ He further explained ‘Father , you and mother are the Adi-dampati (first couple) from whom the universe has emanated. All the worlds are in you. When I went around you one, I was going around the earth once. I did so thrice.’
Murugan, exhausted after his three trips around the world comes back to claim the mango but to his outrage found Ganesha eating the mango. When he learnt that his elder brother had got the fruit by his fast thinking instead of running around, he felt ashamed of his own lack of deep thinking.
Ganesha had won the contest by virtue of using his superior intellect and Murugan had to accept defeat in his favour.
Moral: always respect your parents and elders. |
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