In ‘Sveta Varaha Kalpa,’ two anecdotes about Kartikeya and Ganesha were narrated by Lord Brahma to His Son Devarshi Narada. When both Ganesha and Karthikeya reached marriageable age, the parents decided that whosoever could circumambulate the entire Universe will get married first. Kartikeya started immediately on his vahana, the peacock. Ganesha applied His mind. He recalled Vedic verses that say that a single ‘Pradakshina’of one’s parents would yield the fruit of ‘Bhu pradakshina.’ He did a Pradakshina of his parents and got married first.

When Karthikeya was half way through his journey, Narada informed Kartikeya of the marriage of Ganesha with Siddhi and Riddhi (they were blessed with two sons Kshema and Labha eventually). Kartikeya felt cheated and retired to Krouncha Mountain and had to be cajoled back.

Strangely, stories originating in the North depict Kartikeya as a bachelor and Ganesha as married while the reverse is the case in the South.

Source: VDN Rao, “Essence of Ganesha Mahima.”

When Vyasa was wondering who the scribe for the epic Mahabharata would be, Brahma suggested to him that Ganesha was the right choice. Ganesha had a special condition. Vyasa must not give a moment’s rest to his pen. He also said that he would not write down a single letter if he did not understand it completely. At times, Vyasa composed verses which were difficult for Ganesha to comprehend. These came to be called kuta-slokas. These are said to number 8800 verses.

VS Sukhthankar who worked on the critical edition believes that the references to the kuta-slokas are later interpolations in the epic. Mahabharata was composed in the age of oral works and this story is likely a later folk tale. Nevertheless, many scholars like Macdonell & CV Vaidya believe that the original core of the epic consisted of these 8800 verses. Traditionalists believe that the entire epic consisting of 100000 odd verses was composed by Vyasa. They also opine that if we exclude the upakhyanas from these, the actual story of Mahabharata is 24000.

The Mahabharata being an encyclopedic work has many anecdotes not related to the main storyline which demonstrate some learning of Dharma. The Ramayana for example is summarized as Ramopkhyana.

Source: SR Ramaswamy, “Evolution of the Mahabharata”

Lord Kubera, the King of Yakshas and the God of Wealth once hosted a lavish feast at his grand capital, Alkapuri. Among other dignitaries, he requested Shiva and Parvati to join but they deputed Ganesha instead. Feeling miffed, Kubera kept on passing snide remarks when Ganesha arrived. When the lavish dinner commenced, Ganesha played a prank on Kubera. With unending appetite, he kept on asking for more and Kubera ran out of food. In shame and realizing his arrogance, he ran to Kailasha with a fistful cooked rice as offering to Shiva & Parvati. Ganesha with dissatisfied appetite too was already present there. Shiva Paravati asked both to calm down and all was fine when Kubera asked for Ganesha’s forgiveness. This story is likely a folk tale.

Source: Chinmaya Mission, “Glory of Ganesha”

Agastya Muni took cauvery river in his Kamandala and carried her to south India.

There are different versions of why he did it. One says it was to restore the balance of earth which had tilted north because of the crowds gathering for Shiva’s wedding. Another says it was to bring water to parched South India.

In all versions, Ganesha appeared before Agastya Muni and tricked him into releasing the cauvery from Kamandala. Again there are many versions of why and how he did it. In one version he is helping Indra to water his gardens so that Indra can please Shiva and defeat Surapadman. In another, Ganesha becomes a crow and tilts the Kamandala releasing the river.

The spot where cauvery was released is known as Talacauvery and it is in Coorg district.

Source: Shakunthala Jagannathan and Nandita Krishna, “Ganesha, the Auspicious, the Beginning.”

Ravana did Tapas at Kailasha to make his kingdom indestructible. He also sought an atmalinga of Shiva so that his mother can worship a divine linga instead of a sand linga. Ravana cut off his heads one by one to show his dedication to Shiva. When only one of his heads was remaining, Shiva appeared and granted him the requests. However, Shiva insisted that Ravana should not place the linga anywhere till he reaches Lanka. Ravana tried walking fast, but he had to stop in the evening for his prayers.

At the request of Devas, Ganesha appeared before Ravana as a cowherd and offered to hold the atmalinga while Ravana did his evening routine. Ganesha also made a condition that if Ravana does not return after being called three times, he will leave the linga on the ground. Ravana agreed, but Ganesha tricked him by calling him thrice quickly and leaving the linga on the ground.

Ravana returned and was stunned to see that the linga could not be lifted. He tried punching Ganesha in anger and ran after Ganesha. Ravana could only catch the ear of one of his cows. This is the reason the place is called Gokarn. The linga remains there since then. There is a dent on top of the lingam showing the punch Ravana tried to give.

Source: Shakunthala Jagannathan and Nandita Krishna, “Ganesha, the Auspicious, the Beginning.”

When Parvati was feeling lonely without Shiva, she created Ganapati out of perfumes and dirt from her body. She threw Ganapti into the Ganga. Ganapati became as big as the world in the river. Parvati then accepted Ganapati as her son. Gangaji also called Ganapati her son because she nurtured him to become big. This is the reason Ganapati is also known as Gangeya. Ganesha Purana tells this story.

Source: Ramakrishna Mission, “Mythology and Iconography of Ganesha”

Ganesha’s vahana (carrier) is the mouse who is lovingly called Mooshakraj (mooshak=mouse). His traditional form always has a mooshak by his side. In some of his avatars he does trade his mouse for another vahana. According to the Ganesha Purana, the gandharva Krauncha was cursed by the sage Vamadeva to turn into a rat. As a colossal rat, Krauncha started eating everything in his path and there was devastation. Ganesha stopped him by sitting down on him and Krauncha couldn’t take his weight. He then agreed to serve Ganesha as his vaahana.

According to another Puranic legend, Ganesha defeated Gajamukha by throwing his tusk at him and turning him into a rat. He was then turned into his vahana by Ganesha. The mooshak is worshipped on the eleventh day of Ganesh Chaturthi. The mooshak symbolises the ego that can nibble away all virtues and must be subdued. The mooshak is also a symbol of the minute details of a subject. The mooshak represents wisdom, talent and intelligence that Ganesha presides over.

Source: Shakunthala Jagannathan and Nandita Krishna, “Ganesha, the Auspicious, the Beginning.”

Parashurama, to avenge his father’s killing by a Kshatriya, wreaked havoc on the Kshatriyas. He killed all male Kshatriyas and repeated this cycle 20 times. After completing the task, he went to thank Mahadeva who had blessed him with weapons. However, Ganesha wouldn’t allow him into Kailasha.

Parashurama threatened Ganesha. Ganesha picked him up in his trunk and whirled him around the seven lokas playfully. An angry Parashurama cut off one of Ganesha’s tusks. Seeing Ganesha’s condition, Devi Parvati became angry. Vishnu pacified her by explaining the greatness of Ganesha in a nice invocation. Parashurama was then granted forgiveness by the Mother of the Universe.

The story of Ekdanta (the one with one tusk) is primarily narrated in the Brahmavaivarta Purana whose composition is dated to 8th-10th CE but the stories could be much older.

Source: VDN Rao, “Essence of Ganesha Mahima.”

On one Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi, Chandra (moon) laughed at Ganesha (there are two versions of why he laughed). Ganesha cursed Chandra to disappear. The universe was in strife. Ganesha modified the curse and said that seeing the moon on Chaturthi should be avoided. By mistake if someone sees the moon they should worship Ganesha. The tradition of worshipping Ganesha on this day also started.

Krishna once saw the moon on this night and did not remember Ganesha. As a consequence he was falsely accused of stealing Shymantaka gem. To clear his name, Krishna had to fight Jambavan which led to Krishna’s marriage with Jambavati and Satyabhama. Later Krishna & Satyabhama would kill Narakasura and this event is celebrated as Diwali in South India. The story is unique as it brings together the Ramayana, Mahabharata & Puranic traditions.

Source: Chinmaya Mission, “Glory of Krishna,” and “Glory of Ganesha.”

Once Devi Parvati happened to meet Lord Shaneswara during Ganesha’s birth celebrations. Shaneswara is one of the planets and the son of Surya Deva. Parvati Devi asked Shaneswara to bless the child. Shani Deva declined politely as his gaze is not auspicious. This is because his wife had cursed that his gaze would bring misfortune. Parvati persuaded Shani Deva and Shani Deva glanced at the child through the corners of his eyes. Instantly Ganesha’s head dropped abruptly. Devi Parvati fainted.

The dropped head of the boy reached Goloka and Vishnu realised what had happened. He jumped on Garuda and flew towards North to locate any ‘Praani’ sleeping northward and found a bull elephant; its head was sliced with his Sudarshana Chakra and fixed on Ganesha.

This story is from the Brahmanda Purana, an early mahapurana dating to at least 4th cent CE.

Source: VDN Rao, “Essence of Ganesha Mahima.”

The Devas requested Rudra to create someone who can obstruct bad people. He looked at Uma and then created a boy. He had a glowing face and looked like Rudra himself. Uma’s gaze got fixed on the boy. Rudra was upset at this and then cursed that the boy would have an elephant face, large belly and will wear a snake as Yajnopavita. He then rose shaking his body in anger and sweat dropped on the earth from his body. Each drop took the form of numerous dark coloured, armed and elephant faced Vinayakas. The earth became agitated by the Vinayakas.

Brahma requested Rudra to make the boy the head of all the Vinayakas. Rudra agreed and made the boy the leader of the Vinayakas and gave him the names of Vinayaka, Vighnakara, Ganesa and Bhaputra. He also commanded that success will be bestowed on those who worship VInayaka in the beginning of all Yagnas.

Source: Prof. J.L. Shastri, “Varaha Purana”

Though Tulasi is considered as very auspicious it is prohibited for Ganeshs. In the course of the Eka Vimshati or 21 leaf pujas of Ganesha puja just one tulasi leaf is offered to Ganesha as an exception.

Once Lord Ganesha was engaged in deep meditation. Tulasi saw him and fell in love with him. She requested him to marry her. Ganesha refused, addressed her as a mother and said marriage would distract him from his devotion to Narayana. Tulasi cursed Ganesha. In return Ganesha cursed that Tulasi would be over powered by demon and would turn into a tree with the curse of elders. After Tulasi regretted her actions, Ganesha relented and blessed that she would be the beloved of Narayana and would become an auspicious plant. But her leaves would not be offered to him.

There are two version of Tulsi’s marriage to a demon, in one to Jalandhar and in another to Shankachud, both of whom were slain by Shiva with the help of Vishnu’s deception.

Source: Ramakrishna Mission , “Mythology and Iconography of Ganesha.”