“The Race”
Retold by Debajani Chatterjee
Readings in Social Studies, Ancient Times
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458, Copyright 2003
This Hindu myth reflects information regarding the belief system of Hinduism and the
competition between brothers.
No two brothers could be more different. Kartikeya, the younger son of Shiva and Parvati, is a
most handsome god, and he knows it. He is tall and athletic, is the god of war, and is
accomplished in using weaponry. Like some, he can be somewhat vain about his looks and his
abilities to use weapons in battle. His pet is the proud peacock, a beautiful bird and the national
bird of India. Kartikeya enjoyed all kinds of games and competitions where he could compete
with other gods, especially with his brother.
One day Kartikeya was teasing his rather hefty older brother and challenged him to a race.
Ganesh was used to his brother’s antics, so he just smiled and continued to read his book.
“Look, Mother,” Kartikeya complained, “he does nothing but poke his trunk into a book all day.
Tell him that we gods should fly around and patrol the world once in a while. I am flying about
all the time on my peacock, so I am surely a better god than he is.”
“We shall see,” was his mother’s answer. Then she created a little test for her sons. She asked
each of them to go at once around the universe and whoever returned first would be the winner,
and he would receive a special blessing.
Kartikeya jumped up and bragged, “I will get on my peacock right away and will be back in no
time at all.” The young god laughed to think of Ganesh riding on his tiny rat; it would take him
millions or billions or even zillions of years to go around the universe. “You may as we give up
right now because you have no hope of winning,” boasted Kartikeya.
Waving a spirited goodbye, Kartikeya set off on his colorful bird. Ganesh simply sat and quietly
thought about his situation. He then joined his palms together and bowed his head in prayer to
the goddess Parvati. Next, he climbed onto his rat and slowly he proceeded to ride in a circle
around his mother.
It took Kartikeya an entire day and night to fly once around the entire universe. He flew so
rapidly that he hardly saw the planets, stars, moon, and comets as they whizzed past. At last,
proud of his accomplishments, he presented himself to his mother, expecting to be pronounced
the winner of the contest.
“Kartikeya, it is your brother who was first because your speed was no match for his wisdom!”
responded his mother, for she knew that her younger son had to be taught a lesson if he was ever
going to grow up.
Kartikeya could not believe that he had heard his mother correctly, but he knew that his mother
always spoke the truth. He turned to his brother, Ganesh, and asked, “How did you go around
the universe so quickly on your little rat?”
Ganesh responded, “Little brother, our mother who gave us birth and who looks after us, is also
the Creator of everything and everyone in the universe. The sun rises in the east because our
mother wills it. The birds sing, and the rivers flow because our mother wills it. When you see
people, animals, trees, mountains, and even the gods, you are reminded of our great mother who
made them all. We are all part of her; she is the universe, so I simply went around her,” he
explained.
Kartikeya understood what his brother was saying and felt ashamed of his pride and boasting.
He humbly asked Ganesh to pardon him and then bowed to Parvati, his mother.
“Mother, will you also forgive me? Because you are so loving, and I am young and foolish, I
think of you as mine only. I forget that you are the universal mother.
Parvati stretched out her arms and called both gods to her.
“My sons, you are both winners,” she commented. “A mother’s love is freely given and there
can be no child who fails to win her blessing. You both have my blessings; may you in turn be a
blessing to all who call to you in need.”
The Major Gods & Goddesses of Hindu Mythology
Brahma: creator of the universe
Vishnu: preserver of the universe; saves mankind & destroys evil
Shiva: destroyer of the universe; rides a bull named Nandi
Indra: king of the gods & rain giver
Parvati: Shiva’s wife & the goddess of motherhood
Ganesh: elephant-headed god and Hindu god of wisdom
Kartikeya: god of war
Ganesha
Ganesha