#295 How does Ganapati bless and guides us?

Devotee: approaches the shrine of  Bhagavan Ganapati, his shoulders slumped and feeling dejected.

O  Ganapati, Remover of Obstacles, I come to you with a heavy heart. My life seems fraught with endless challenges and barriers. At every turn, I face a new hurdle. I feel as though I’m wandering through a maze with no exit in sight. Why, O Bhagavan, are there so many obstacles in my path?

 Ganapati: (materializes before the Devotee with a gentle expression)

My dear child, I hear the anguish in your voice and feel the weight on your shoulders. Tell me, what do you see when you look at me?

Devotee: I see you,  Ganapati, in your divine form. Your elephant head, your broken tusk, your large belly, and your multiple arms and their weapons.

 Ganapati: And, what do you know of my role in this vast cosmos?

Devotee: You are known as Vighnaharta, the Remover of Obstacles. But Bhagavan, if that is so, why do I face so many challenges?

 Ganapati: Ah, therein lies the misunderstanding. I am indeed the Remover of Obstacles, but I am also the Placer of Obstacles. Every challenge you face is not a barrier, but a stepping stone. Let me show you how I am always working in your life, offering protection, perspective, clarity, knowledge, and opportunities.

Devotee: (looks puzzled) I don’t understand, Bhagavan. How can obstacles be beneficial?

 Ganapati: Let’s begin with protection. Do you recall when you ran late for an important meeting last month?

Devotee: Yes, I remember. I was so frustrated because I got stuck in terrible traffic.

 Ganapati: And what happened as a result?

Devotee: I missed the meeting, but… (pauses, realization dawning) I later found out there was a terrible accident on the route I would have taken had I left on time.

 Ganapati: Exactly. What you perceived as an obstacle – the traffic – was my way of protecting you. I placed that obstacle in your path to shield you from harm. Often, what we see as hindrances are actually safeguards.

Devotee: I… I never thought of it that way.

 Ganapati: Now, let’s consider perspective. Tell me about your recent job application.

Devotee: (sighs) I applied for a position I really wanted, but I didn’t get it. It felt like another obstacle in my career path.

 Ganapati: And what happened after that?

Devotee: Well, I was disappointed, but it forced me to reassess my skills. I realized I needed more experience in certain areas, so I took some online courses. And then, a few months later, an even better position opened up, and I was better qualified for it.

 Ganapati: You see? The initial rejection wasn’t an obstacle, but a chance to gain perspective. It allowed you to see where you needed to grow and ultimately led you to a more suitable opportunity. Sometimes, what appears to be a setback is actually a setup for something greater.

Devotee: (nods slowly) I’m beginning to understand, Ganesha. But what about clarity? How do obstacles provide that?

 Ganapati: Think about the time you struggled with a difficult project at work.

Devotee: Oh, that was a nightmare. I couldn’t figure out how to approach it, and it seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.

 Ganapati: And yet, you persevered. What was the outcome?

Devotee: Well, after many sleepless nights and countless revisions, I finally completed it. And actually, my boss said it was some of my best work.

 Ganapati: The obstacle of that challenging project forced you to think deeply, to question your assumptions, and to approach the problem from multiple angles. In doing so, you gained clarity not just about the project, but about your own capabilities. The obstacle became a crucible, refining your thoughts and ideas until the project was shining with clarity.

Devotee: I see now. The struggle itself was a path to clearer understanding.

 Ganapati: Indeed. Now, let’s discuss knowledge. Remember when you tried to learn a new language?

Devotee: Yes, I found it incredibly difficult. The grammar rules seemed like obstacles I couldn’t overcome.

 Ganapati: And yet, with each rule you mastered, with each obstacle you overcame, what happened?

Devotee: I… I learned more. Not just about the language, but about learning itself. I discovered new memorization techniques, I learned about the culture behind the language. I even made new friends in my language class.

 Ganapati: Exactly! The obstacles you faced in learning were not barriers, but gateways to knowledge. Each challenge expanded your understanding, not just of the subject at hand, but of yourself and the world around you. Knowledge, my child, is often hidden behind the veil of difficulty.

Devotee: (nodding enthusiastically) I never saw it like that before, Bhagavan. But what about opportunities? How can obstacles create those?

 Ganapati: Ah, for this, let us look at your journey as an artist.

Devotee: (winces) That has been filled with so many obstacles. Rejections, creative blocks, financial struggles…

 Ganapati: Indeed, and yet, where has this path led you?

Devotee: Well, I’ve had to be creative in my approach. I started teaching art classes to supplement my income. I explored new mediums when I felt blocked in my usual style. I’ve connected with other struggling artists and we’ve supported each other, even collaborating on projects.

 Ganapati: And are these not opportunities, my child? The obstacles you faced forced you to adapt, to grow, to connect. They pushed you out of your comfort zone and into new realms of possibility. What you saw as roadblocks were actually doorways to new opportunities.

Devotee: (eyes widening with understanding)  Ganapati, I… I’m beginning to see now. But still, sometimes the obstacles seem so numerous, so overwhelming. How can I maintain faith and perseverance?

 Ganapati: My dear devotee, consider the mighty river. As it flows from the mountains to the sea, does it encounter obstacles?

Devotee: Yes, Bhagavan. There are rocks, fallen trees, narrow gorges…

 Ganapati: And what does the river do when it meets these obstacles?

Devotee: It… it flows around them. Or over them. Sometimes it even carves through them.

 Ganapati: Precisely. The river doesn’t lament its fate or question why there are obstacles. It simply finds a way. And in doing so, it creates beautiful rapids, serene pools, and majestic waterfalls. The obstacles shape its journey, making it more beautiful and diverse.

Devotee: So you’re saying I should be like the river?

 Ganapati: You ARE the river, my child. Your life force is that flowing water. The obstacles you encounter are shaping your journey, creating experiences and beauty you cannot yet fathom.

Devotee: But Bhagavan, the river’s journey seems so effortless. My struggles feel so… well, like a struggle.

 Ganapati: Ah, but that’s where you’re mistaken. The river’s journey is not effortless. It requires constant movement, constant adaptation. But the river doesn’t perceive this as struggle – it’s simply being what it is, doing what it does.

Devotee: How can I adopt that mindset, Bhagavan?

 Ganapati: By remembering that you, like the river, are always supported. The river is held by the earth, just as you are held by the divine. Trust in that support. Know that even when you cannot see the way forward, the path is there.

Moreover, understand that struggle is not inherently negative. It is through struggle that you build strength, resilience, and character. Each obstacle you overcome makes you better equipped for the next challenge.

Devotee: But what if I fail, Bhagavan? What if an obstacle proves too great?

 Ganapati: (chuckles warmly) My dear child, there is no such thing as failure, only feedback. If you cannot go over an obstacle, you go around. If you cannot go around, you go under. And if you cannot go under, you reevaluate and choose a new direction. Every perceived failure is a lesson, an opportunity for growth.

Remember, I am Vighnaharta, but I am also Buddhi Pradayaka – the Giver of Wisdom. With each obstacle, I offer you the chance to grow in wisdom. Embrace these chances. See each challenge not as a roadblock, but as a teacher.

Devotee: (takes a deep breath) I think I understand now,  Ganapati. The obstacles in my life… they’re not punishments or barriers. They’re opportunities for protection, perspective, clarity, knowledge, and new possibilities.

 Ganapati: You’re beginning to see clearly, my child. But remember, this understanding is not a destination, but a journey. There will be times when you forget, when the obstacles seem insurmountable. In those moments, come to me. Remind yourself of this conversation.

Look at my form – my elephant head represents wisdom and the ability to remove obstacles. My large ears remind you to listen more than you speak, to be receptive to the lessons life offers. My small eyes encourage you to focus on the essentials. My broken tusk teaches the beauty of imperfection and sacrifice. And my large belly contains the entirety of the universe, reminding you that you have all you need within you.

Devotee: Thank you, Bhagavan Ganapati. I feel… lighter. More prepared to face life’s challenges.

 Ganapati: Go forth with this new understanding, my child. Face your obstacles with courage, wisdom, and the knowledge that each one is a gift in disguise. And remember, I am always with you, not just removing obstacles, but helping you grow through them.

Devotee: (pauses, then looks up again)  Ganapati, I am grateful for your wisdom about obstacles. But I must confess, even with this understanding, I sometimes feel… weak. How can I find the strength to face these challenges?

 Ganapati: (his eyes twinkling with compassion) Ah, my dear one, you touch upon a crucial point. Understanding is the first step, but action requires strength. Let us explore the wellsprings of strength that lie within you.

Devotee: Within me? But Bhagavan, I often feel so depleted, so overwhelmed.

 Ganapati: That is because you’re looking in the wrong place. You seek strength as if it were something external, something to be acquired. But true strength, like a seed, lies dormant within you, waiting to be nurtured and awakened.

Devotee: How can I awaken this strength, Bhagavan?

 Ganapati: Let me share with you five sources of inner strength. Listen closely, for these will be your allies in times of challenge.

First, there is the strength of purpose. What drives you, my child? What is the deepest yearning of your heart?

Devotee: I… I want to make a positive difference in the world. To help others with my knowledge and skills.

 Ganapati: Excellent. When faced with obstacles, reconnect with this purpose. It is the fire that will warm you on the coldest nights of doubt. Remember, the stronger your ‘why’, the easier becomes your ‘how’.

Devotee: (nods thoughtfully) I see. But sometimes, even with a strong purpose, the path seems so long and tough.

 Ganapati: Which brings us to the second source: the strength of perseverance. Do you know the story of the bamboo tree?

Devotee: No..

 Ganapati: When a bamboo shoot is planted, nothing appears above the ground for nearly months.  All the growth happens underground, developing a complex root system. And then, almost overnight, the bamboo shoot grows up to 90 feet in just six weeks!

Devotee: That’s incredible!

 Ganapati: Indeed. Life often works in a similar way. Your efforts may seem futile, your progress invisible. But persist! Trust that deep roots of strength and wisdom are forming within you. Your moment of rapid growth will come.

Devotee: (looking more hopeful) I’ll try to remember that during difficult times. But Bhagavan, sometimes I feel so alone in my struggles.

 Ganapati: Ah, this brings us to our third source of strength: the strength of community. No person is an island. Look around you. Who are your supporters? Your mentors? Your fellow travelers on this journey of life?

Devotee: Well, there’s my family, my close friends, my Vedanta sangha…

 Ganapati: Precisely! Draw strength from these connections. Share your burdens. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Remember, even the mightiest elephant relies on its herd.

Devotee: (smiles) That’s a comforting thought, Bhagavan. But what about when I face internal struggles? Doubts, fears…

 Ganapati: For this, we turn to our fourth source: the strength of self-compassion. You are often your harshest critic, are you not?

Devotee:  (looks down) Sort of

 Ganapati: Learn to treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a dear friend. Acknowledge your efforts, forgive your mistakes, celebrate your progress. Self-compassion isn’t weakness; it’s the bedrock of resilience.

Devotee: That sounds… challenging, but liberating.

 Ganapati: It is indeed both. Practice it diligently. Now, for our final source of strength, we look to something both within and beyond you: the strength of shraddha, trust.

Devotee: Shraddha in you,  Ganapati?

 Ganapati: Trust in me, yes, but also trust in yourself, in the inherent goodness of life. When all seems dark, when your other strengths waver, let your trust be the small flame that guides you forward.

Remember, I am always with you. In your moments of deepest doubt, whisper my name. Feel my presence in the quiet of your heart. Know that you are never truly alone.

Devotee: (takes a deep breath, standing taller) Thank you, Bhagavan. These sources of strength… they’ve always been there, haven’t they? I just needed to recognize them.

 Ganapati: Exactly, my child! And here’s a practical way to embody these strengths. When you face a challenge, take a moment to ground yourself. Touch your heart and say:

“With purpose, I move forward.

With perseverance, I persist.

With community, I am supported.

With self-compassion, I nurture myself.

With trust, I walk the journey.”

Do this, and you will feel my blessings flowing through you.

Devotee: (places hand on heart, repeating the words softly) I feel… different. Stronger somehow.

 Ganapati: Because you are strong. Nurture your strength. Trust it. It will grow with each challenge you face.

Devotee:  Ganapati, I am deeply grateful. You’ve not only shown me the true nature of obstacles but also the wells of strength within me to face them.

 Ganapati: (smiles warmly) Remember, my child, you are stronger than you know, more resilient than you believe, and more loved than you can imagine. Go forth with courage. Face your challenges not with fear, but with the quiet confidence of one who knows their own strength.

And should you ever forget, should the weight of the world ever seem too much, come to me. I am always here, ready to remind you of the strength that lies within.

Devotee: (does a namaskar) Om Ganapataye Namah. Thank you Bhagavan.

 Ganapati: (nods, his form beginning to shimmer) Go in peace, my child. Face your obstacles. Grow through them. And remember, with every challenge overcome, you’re not just changing your life – you’re changing the world.

 Ganapati fades away, leaving the devotee standing tall, eyes shining with newfound strength and determination.