Ganesh ji Writes the Mahabharat

Long ago there lived a great sage named Maharshi Ved Vyas. In his mind was a very, very long story, the Mahabharat. It told the story of the Pandavs and the Kauravs, and it held many lessons about dharma, truth and life. Vyas ji wanted this story to be written down, so that everyone in the future could read it. But the story was so long that it needed a very fast and very wise writer.

Vyas ji asked Brahma ji, "Who can write such a huge story?" Brahma ji said, "Pray to Ganesh ji. He is the god of wisdom."

Vyas ji prayed to Ganesh ji, and Ganesh ji appeared. Vyas ji folded his hands and said, "O Ganpati, will you write my story?" Ganesh ji said, "Yes, I will. But I have one condition. Once I start writing, my pen must not stop. You will have to keep speaking without a pause."

Vyas ji smiled and said, "Very well. But I also have one condition. You will write a verse only after you have fully understood its meaning." Ganesh ji laughed and agreed.

The writing began. Vyas ji kept speaking, and Ganesh ji kept writing very fast. Whenever Vyas ji needed a little time to think, he would say a difficult verse. Ganesh ji would pause for a moment to understand its meaning, and in that time Vyas ji would think of the next many verses. In this way, both conditions were kept.

People say that one day, in the middle of writing, Ganesh ji's pen broke. If the pen stopped, the promise would be broken. Ganesh ji did not wait even a moment. He broke off one of his tusks and went on writing with it. In many idols, Ganesh ji is shown with one broken tusk, and many people link it with this story.

The writing went on for many days. At last the Mahabharat was complete. Inside the Mahabharat is the Bhagavad Gita, in which Shri Krishna shared the wisdom of life with Arjun.

Vyas ji bowed to Ganesh ji and said, "Without you, this work could never have been finished." Ganesh ji smiled and said, "Work done with full attention and true understanding is the most beautiful work."