Kiddies' Corner
MUSHIKA'S LONG TRIP HOME
1. Sri Gananatha sindhoora varna Karuna sagara kari vadana Lambodara lakumikara Amba suta amara vinuta ( Refrain) 2. Siddha charana gana sevita Siddhi Vinayaka tey namo namo Lambodara lakumikara... (Refrain) 3. Sakala vidya adi pujita Sarvottama tey namo namo Lambodara lakumikara... (Refrain)
Mousie Mushika, vehicle of Lord Ganesha is lost. Oops, the mouse has strayed away. Help him to get back to his master Sri Ganesha… Help him, he has to reach his master. Mousie (in a worried voice): I must hurry. I have to carry him on an important trip. I am his only vehicle. "I am tiny", says Mushika in a voice choked with tears, "but I am strong. Look at the huge size of my master whom I carry on my little back. But right now, I cannot figure out where I am. How can I go to my dear master?" "Hey what is this stuck on the bushes? A clue?", he wonders. It reads Sri Gananatha. "Oh, I know where to find the Ganas ". Mushika runs as fast as he could to the land of the Ganas (demi gods).
Mushika: Friends, where is my master Lord Ganesha? The Ganas are busy polishing their swords and shields. Shoo, shoo don’t run on our weapons. Our natha (master) only comes to us when he has a war to fight. Go and ask the colours in Varna land (land of colours). Mushika goes to the land of colours and shouts, "Tell me quickly where is my master Ganesha?" The colours ask, "What colour is he, this lord of yours? Is he like Vishnu, the colour of a cloud? Or brilliant white like Saraswati?" Mushika thinks hard… he is said to be the colour of Sindhoora (Sindhoora Varna). Mushika is mighty pleased with himself. I am a clever guy I know so much. Colours in a chorus, "Sindhoora is red, don’t you know that, you silly mouse?"  Mushika: What is Sindhoora? Colours: Ha, so you are not as clever as you think you are! Sindhoora is a red powder used by ladies to decorate their foreheads. Mushika: Oh, but I am still lost! Colours: Sindhoora also means elephant and Varna means caste. That means the class of elephants. Mushika (thoroughly confused): Where do I look now? Colours: Ask Sagara, the ocean. He knows everything.
Mushika runs panting, scampering on his little feet. He is ready to fall down when he comes to Sagara, the ocean. He feels very very small and very scared. Sagara is enormous! The waves come with such power, reaching out, trying to drag him in. He shouts in his loudest squeaky voice, "Oh mighty Sagara, excuse me. Can you find my master Ganesha for me?" Mushika is ready to cry. "Sagara is very huge and so awesome, can he even hear my voice", he wonders. The waves swish and gurgle and chuckle, "My son Mushika, don’t worry you will soon get back home to your master". "How do you know that?" demands Mushika. He is tired and hungry. Sagara: I know, because He is Karuna Sagara. Mushika: What is that? Sagara: Karuna means compassion. Wipe your tears, little mousie boy. Ganesha is indeed mighty like me but also overflowing with kindness. Come on, smile. Now your next clue is Kari Vadana. Off you go to the forest! Mushika: My goodness! What does this new clue mean? Sagara (chuckles): Well, Vadana means face. Don’t bother me any more.	Mushika with Sagara, the mighty ocean
Mushika thinks, "But whose face? Kari’s face. Kari? Makes me hungry, to think of delicious curry. No, not to a restaurant, but to the forest, that is where I have to go". Kari Vadana shouts Mushika with all his might. The trees are huge and it is dark in the bushes. He shivers with fear! Again and again, he shouts Kari Vadana! There is a big thump. The thump of four grey legs. "Who is calling me? Speak up, I cannot hear you!" Mushika looks up, up and further up till he catches the eye of this gigantic creature - the elephant! Mushika: I am Mushika the mouse. I am looking for Kari. Elephant: You have come to the right person says the elephant. Kari - that is my name. What is your problem?
Mushika with Kari, the elephant	Mushika: O great Sir, you look so much like my dear master. I cannot find my master. What shall I do? Where can I find him? Kari, the elephant, in a gentle voice: Can you describe him? Mushika (cheers up): Oh, my master has a big fat tummy so huge and long, he cannot even see me. Kari laughs and Mushika squeals with joy. "So that is why he is called he called Lambodara", says Kari swaying his ears wisely. Mushika: What does that mean? Kari: Lamba is anything big or long and Udara is of course tummy. But he is also Lakumikara. Kari says that and ambles off. "Wait, wait!", says the mouse and scampers after him. "Tell me what is this Laku whatever." Kari: Oh, lakumi means Lakshmi in colloquial Kannada. Lakumikara means one who bestows prosperity and success. Just look at all those students breaking coconuts for Ganesha the day before their exams. Go now. Your next clue is Amba suta.
Mushika knows where Amba, Ganesha’s mom lives and he is off like a bullet. Amba looks radiant in her red and gold saree. "Mushika, my child you look tired and worried. How come you are here without my Suta (son)", she enquires. Mushika: Mother Amba, please help me to find your son. I am sure he is making me run around on purpose - just to tease me. Amba’s laughter is like tinkling bells, "What a pair you two are! My elephant-faced son with his potbelly riding on a tiny little mouse! Do you know Mushika, elephants normally avoid rats because they don’t want the creatures nibbling their precious ears. Rats dread elephants with their huge feet that can squash them. But look at the two of you, so happy with each other!" Mushika: But tell me, where is my master! Amba: Go and ask the amaras (the celestials). They watch everybody’s movement all the time and they will tell you. Good luck, mousie. Mushika goes to Heaven and the amaras are bowing down in prayer to Lord Ganesha (Amara vinuta). But Ganesha is not to be seen there. Mushika runs to the land of the Siddhas nearby. They are the celestial ascetics engaged in penance and have supernatural powers (Siddhis). No, not here either. "Let me ask the Charanas", he says and goes to them. The Charanas are celestial musicians forever singing and strumming on their instruments. Ganesha is not to be seen. The abode of the Ganas is nearby. The Ganas have finished polishing their swords and are now engaged in the service of Lord Ganesha. Phew! He has come full circle, back to where he started and yet no master. "Where is he, where is he?", he pesters them Ganas: Relax mousie. Like our friends, the Siddhas and Charanas, we Ganas are forever thinking of ways to do seva (service) for him serve him. (Siddha Chaarana Gana sevita). Bow to him, he will come. Mushika closes his eyes and joins them in their worship. They all say, "Oh Ganesha, the Supreme Leader who always grants success we bow to you, we bow to you". (Siddhi Vinayaka tey namo namo).
Lord Ganesha being worshipped by one and all	Mushika looks down from the Heavens at the world. He is surprised to see so many dancers, musicians, painters, professors scientists, masons, carpenters…. (he lost count) So many skills, so many different disciplines, every single branch of knowledge (Sakala Vidya). They are all worshipping his dear Master, first and foremost before all others (Adi pujita). Mushika is very tired but excited! He jumps around in little circles. He says, "My Lord, my Ganesha, He is the best, the very best! (Sarvottama) I bow to you, dear Master". (Tey namo namo) After a while,"I am tired and my little feet are sore. I can walk no more. Now you find me!", he says and simply sits down. And then presto! Guess who tickles him with his long soft curved nose! Yes, it is indeed Lambodara, his own Master with a big fat tummy, offering him modakas and other goodies, (lakumikara). Life feels good for little mousie Mushika again! Dr. Lalita Ramakrishna
Other stories for kids: Haughty Narada learns a lesson                                 Vara Vina