Ganesha: Eccentric but loved

It is the week of Ganesh Chaturthi, we are all getting fat on modaks and the shouts of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' are renting the air with their fervent passion.

Food, Family and fun!

That's how I describe it.

However, this year it got me thinking that how with an elephant's head and potted belly Lord Ganesha appears different from any other deity but he is still worshipped with utmost devotion and is loved by people of all caste, religion and age. It is difficult- extremely difficult to deny his charms and find faults within a God who loves Modak more than anything. Infact people consider him their protector and guide, so whenever they start a new journey they never forget to say hello to him. Children are especially fond of him and consider him their best friend even though he looks different.

Now, if I tell you to imagine Ganesha as a pot bellied, short person who is in your college, or is your colleague or is just a person around you do you think people would still look past his appearance, not judge him and won't hesitate to be friends with him.

I fail to understand why prejudice is hard wired in human brains, why we feel the need to judge, discriminate or bully a person who looks different, or is from a different cast or race when we don't find flaws or judge our God's like Ganesha and Krishna who look unconventional, infact they are the most loved and honored deities. When we can teach our kids to befriend Ganesha why can't we teach them to befriend others not based on their appearance but based on their personality. It makes me think that

Aren't we all just big 'HYPOCRITES'?

And now for those who are getting bullied or are being treated differently here's a tale of lord ganesha that teaches us to stand up for our self respect.

Once, all the gods and goddesses left Lord Ganesha in-charge of the Swargalok, as they left with Lord Vishnu's marriage procession headed towards Goddess Laxmi's abode. Lord Ganesha was tricked into taking care of Swargalok, because the other deities were embarrassed of his physical appearance and massive diet. On getting to know the truth, Lord Ganesha wanted to avenge himself, and devised a clever plan that would make them realise his importance. Ganesha sent his vahan, mooshak, to dig up the path that led to Goddess Laxmi's abode, and he obeyed. As expected, the deities couldn't move further, and called for help. A farmer who was crossing by the road decided to help the deities, and pulled out the carriage stuck in the road in the first attempt after chanting Lord Ganesha's name. He explained how since Lord Ganesha's is the Remover of Obstacles and only his name could have induced the strength in him to lift the carriage, this made the deities realize that there's more to a being than his physical appearance, and they returned to offer their apologies to Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesh's story is a lesson to never let anyone undermine your abilities, or your physical appearance cloud people's judgment of you.