This year, I'm ashamed to say, I welcomed Ganesha to my home with the bare minimum of joy. Given everything that has been going on in my life - a rollercoaster ride to say the least - I was just about ready to give up and consign myself to everlasting depression this morning. This was only the third year that we've had Ganesha come home. And not knowing the rituals that are supposed to be performed, I was tense - torn between making an effort and feeling rather hateful toward the spouse, whose parents had commenced the annual ritual at one of their visits three years ago. The spouse wasn't even home this year. And they don't bring Ganesha home on Ganesh Chaturthi themselves. And once you bring Him home, you bring Him home every year. You don't ever stop. So why me, I wondered. That, and all the other stress, saw me simmering most of this morning.
I made something of an effort and Munchkin, Mum and I went to the local market to bring home the idol, fruit, flowers, and sweets to celebrate the festival. Munchkin - at whose insistence my in-laws had begun the festival in our home - came home from the market and promptly flopped down on the couch declaring he was exhausted. Hmph! I simmered some more. But I made an effort and once everything - well, everything I could think of - was in place, and I began the aarti - or whatever I knew of it - I couldn't find the tape, nor the hymn book!! Blasphemy, what? But Ganesha's never held that against His devotees, a voice inside me said.
I picked up the puja thaali and started, and all of a sudden, it all came flooding out. In my head, I was apologizing for having been a complete ass! I was telling him about all that I was going through. I was ashamed for having hurt the ones I love most because I simply can't cope with all that is going on. I confronted the thoughts and truths that I would never have admitted to anyone, had never admitted even to myself. The layers of ego, of individualism, of identity, rapidly peeled away, washed away by the tears that were now flowing down my face. I submitted. I told Him I knew I had been a fool to have thought I had the answers, that 'trying to do the right thing' made everything right, that I had all the strength needed to cope with the drama in my life, that I could take anything that came my way. And He heard me.
I was able to go down to Mum's house with some semblance of peace in my heart, able to make her slightly happy because I wasn't looking tired and depressed or angry or stressed. Munchkin had asked me why I'd begun crying and I'd honestly told him I couldn't explain.
In the evening, when we did the aarti again, I spoke to Him some more. I told Him I was sorry for being such a sour puss in the morning. I told Him I didn't want Him to leave, that I wished I could hold Him back for another day or more... And he responded by filling my heart with joy! I was sad that He was leaving, but just looking at Him and talking to Him filled my heart with joy... and peace! Oh what a wonderful, blissful state it was. And at that moment, I understood why millions of people dance and sing and celebrate His arrival in our midst every year. And why they tell Him - yes, tell him, not request Him - to come back again earlier next year. He doesn't always do that - perhaps He really wants us to wait for him.
As I bid Him adieu - for now - I asked for the sense to know what I can and cannot do and to be blessed with softer Heart so that I could welcome Him home with greater joy. I know He will not disappoint me. Ganapati Bappa Morya!
Image taken from: http://www.craftsinindia.com/products/blessing-ganesha.html
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