There are lot of interesting mythological references and legends around Ganesha but one of the better known ones is of him and the moon.(you can see the image below in this link)
The legend :
Ganesha is heading back home after a feast from his devotees in his vehicle the mouse. (The legend varies here - one says he falls down from his vehicle and then hears a laugh and the other says that he hears laughter) He hears someone laughing and looks around for the source. He realises that it is the moon. The moon continues to laugh and Ganesha asks for a reason. The moon points out how funny Ganesha looks - a huge creature on top of a tiny one and continues giggling. An angry Ganesha curses the moon saying that, "Your vanity has made you blind to even my divinity. You are but a reflection of the sun and still you dare to mock me. May no one see you again."
The moon is very upset as he realises that nobody is going to be able to see him and begs Ganesha for forgiveness. Ganesha cools down and offers him a boon as he cannot take his curse back - "You will wane for 14 days and come back thereby going through a 28 day cycle."
That is one of the mythological explanations behind the moon's cycle.
The philosophy :
1. Vanity, even in one so radiant is extremely unbecoming. When you are vain, you start by mocking those you consider beneath you, but overtime you forget to realise even the divine because you are so blinded by vanity. You have to grow beyond plain vanity, for even someone as high up as the moon forgot to acknowledge the divine
2. Do not be deceived by appearances. In something seemingly ridiculous, there may lie a power far beyond mortal comprehension.
3. Anything that wanes also has an inherent power to bounce back except when it is in the natural order of things to not do so (like old age, sickness etc. ) Do not be bound down by supposed shackles when you watch yourself wane due to some reason or the other - it could be obvious or not so obvious. Remember the moon and you can be inspired to bounce back.
The legend :
Ganesha is heading back home after a feast from his devotees in his vehicle the mouse. (The legend varies here - one says he falls down from his vehicle and then hears a laugh and the other says that he hears laughter) He hears someone laughing and looks around for the source. He realises that it is the moon. The moon continues to laugh and Ganesha asks for a reason. The moon points out how funny Ganesha looks - a huge creature on top of a tiny one and continues giggling. An angry Ganesha curses the moon saying that, "Your vanity has made you blind to even my divinity. You are but a reflection of the sun and still you dare to mock me. May no one see you again."
The moon is very upset as he realises that nobody is going to be able to see him and begs Ganesha for forgiveness. Ganesha cools down and offers him a boon as he cannot take his curse back - "You will wane for 14 days and come back thereby going through a 28 day cycle."
That is one of the mythological explanations behind the moon's cycle.
The philosophy :
1. Vanity, even in one so radiant is extremely unbecoming. When you are vain, you start by mocking those you consider beneath you, but overtime you forget to realise even the divine because you are so blinded by vanity. You have to grow beyond plain vanity, for even someone as high up as the moon forgot to acknowledge the divine
2. Do not be deceived by appearances. In something seemingly ridiculous, there may lie a power far beyond mortal comprehension.
3. Anything that wanes also has an inherent power to bounce back except when it is in the natural order of things to not do so (like old age, sickness etc. ) Do not be bound down by supposed shackles when you watch yourself wane due to some reason or the other - it could be obvious or not so obvious. Remember the moon and you can be inspired to bounce back.
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