Mushika
Vahana is a word formed from the root “vah” (means carry, bear, transport). This is a means of transport that almost every Indian deity has. More often, vahanas are various mythical creatures and animals.
The traditional interpretation of the vahana is the pashu bhava that was obeyed by the deity, his “created origin”, which is under control. But it is also the energy that helps the deity to act in this world, an inexhaustible source of strength and the manifested kriya shakti (shakti of action). One of the methods of the Tradition is not to suppress your passion, but to direct and ride it for moving on the right way through the energy generated by the passions.
There are many stories about how mushika became a vahana of Ganapati — the essence of most of them is that a certain power was obeyed and began to serve the deity, be the story of the demon that was outfitted by Ganapati and was made his vahana or of the damned Gandharva turned into mouse.
Mūṣika means both rat and mouse. This word comes from the root “mūṣ” — to steal, to rob. Rodents were in the past and are in present a serious problem in India. Despite the fact that part of the Ganapati image has been transferred to the mushika and it had also become associated with well-being and luck — primarily this is a disaster. They spoil food and damage communications, fleas in their hair are carriers of various infections, diseased mice and rats infect water, vegetables and fruits, and their bites also are troubles. Mushika as a symbol of disaster (vighna) being controlled by a force that itself was an embodied disaster — Ganapati-Vighhnesvara (the lord of disasters and obstacles).
Contrary to popular opinion, elephants are not afraid of mice. Pliny the Elder was the first to write about the elephant fear of mice in his Natural History. While it hasn’t practical evidence, perhaps such rumors had objective existence that being the case of additional allegorical example of ruling over your fears.
The huge Ganapati, which rides a tiny mushika, is an image of control over siddhis, primarily over mahima and anima. And also is the complement of the image of a large and laggard elephant with all the mushika characters — speed, dexterity, endurance, learning ability and a huge potential for survival. Mushika is a symbol of the rajoguna, taken under control and directed by Ganapati.
Mushika is also identified with the acquisitive mind of a neophyte apprentice and with his potential energy, which can destroy everything as it goes without being saddled up and directed. With the correct use of this tool the apprentice receives many opportunities, because mushika is a smart, strong, fast creature with amazing memory, analitical skills and creative thinking. The image of mushika on the path of apprenticeship is the development of your potencies, control over them and crossing all possible obstacles