Ancient Wisdom - An Inspiring Hindu Legend

Lord Ganesh (also spelled Ganesha), is the elephant-headed Hindu god of prosperity, and peace. He is one of the best known and loved deities in the Hindu pantheon of gods, and the most recognized outside of India.

Several of the sacred Hindu texts help to explain his distinct iconography.

 "Lord Ganesh represents the unity of the Small Being, the man, with the Great Being, represented by the elephant -The blending of the microcosm with macrocosm"
 
Among many inspiring legends regarding Lord Ganesh, the following one is the one I like most: 

- There was a keen competition among all the gods to gain the first place of worship amongst the laity. It was decided that the god who would return first after traversing the whole universe shall be declared the winner. All gods and goddesses ran on their fast vehicles. Lord Ganesh with his vehicle, a mouse, could never hope to compete. He took a round of his parents, Shiva and Parvati, and just sat there at the starting point. He was declared the winner because one who goes round his parents and touches their feet traverses the whole universe.

Sharanam Ganesh!!!! 

- The word "Sharanam" in Sanskrit means protection.