Once, in the divine abode of Kailasha, young Lord Ganesha was feeling very bored. He wandered around the palace, ate delicious ladoos, and plucked beautiful flowers, but nothing seemed to entertain him.
After some time, he noticed a small cat nearby. Excited to find something to play with, Ganesha picked up the cat and began tossing it into the air and catching it repeatedly. In his playful excitement, he unknowingly hurt the poor animal. The frightened cat cried loudly as scratches and injuries appeared on its body, but little Ganesha did not understand its pain.
Suddenly, Ganesha heard the cries of his mother, Goddess Parvati. He immediately left the cat and rushed to her. To his surprise, he saw that her body was covered with scratches and wounds, and she appeared to be in great pain. Shocked and angry, Ganesha asked who had harmed her. At first, Parvati refused to answer, but when Ganesha repeatedly insisted, she gently said, “My son, it was you.”
Ganesha was confused and deeply shocked. Seeing his reaction, Parvati explained, “The cat you were hurting was none other than me. All living beings are connected to me, and their pain is my pain.”
Hearing this, Ganesha felt ashamed of his actions and sincerely apologized. Parvati lovingly advised him, “Even if you are playing, you should never hurt any living creature. Animals, plants, and humans are all creations of the Divine, and they too feel pain and fear. True kindness means respecting and caring for every form of life”.
These words touched Ganesha’s heart deeply, and he promised never to harm any living being again.
Moral:
Nature and all living creatures are precious gifts of God. We must treat every being with love, kindness, and compassion.