Ganesha and the Moonगणेश जी और चंद्रमा
Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi)गणेश चतुर्थी (भाद्रपद शुक्ल चतुर्थी)
One Chaturthi night, after a great feast of modaks, Ganesha was riding home on his mouse. A snake crossed their path, the startled mouse stumbled, and Ganesha tumbled to the ground, his round belly bouncing.
The Moon, watching from the sky, burst out laughing at the sight.
Ganesha was hurt by the Moon's pride. He said: "You are proud of your beauty — from now on, whoever looks at you on this day will face false blame." The Moon's light faded and the world grew dark.
Ashamed, the Moon begged forgiveness. Ganesha, being kind, softened the curse: it would hold only on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi, and the Moon would wax and wane, reminding all that pride does not last.
That is why people avoid looking at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi night. If someone sees it by mistake, tradition says to listen to the story of the Syamantaka jewel — in which even Lord Krishna was falsely accused after seeing the Chaturthi moon, and cleared his name.
The lesson: laugh with others, never at them; and humility is the true beauty.
Read aloud by your phone's own voice, not a recording. While listening, tap any line to jump to it.आपके फ़ोन की अपनी आवाज़ में पढ़ा जाता है, रिकॉर्डिंग नहीं। सुनते समय किसी भी पंक्ति पर टैप करके वहाँ जाएँ।
Retold from the Purana tradition. Switch the language at the top to read and hear it in Hindi or English.पुराण परंपरा से पुनर्कथित। हिंदी या अंग्रेज़ी में पढ़ने और सुनने के लिए ऊपर भाषा बदलें।