Ganesh Chaturthi-A Story

‘Twas the most awaited time of the year
As the fourth day of Bhadrapada neared.
And everywhere, the believers prepared
For the advent of the God they so revered.

For Ramu, it was a special occasion, too.
He needed blessings to give an interview.
Lord Ganesha’s idol sat in his puja room
With flowers, dhruva, modaks, and laddoos.

At the prescribed auspicious moment,
He performed the Aarti and sang bhajans.
Then, at night, as he fell into a deep sleep
Lord Ganesha appeared in his dream.

Ecstatic he was, and he fervently prayed
For the Lord to remove obstacles from his way.
Lord Ganesha smiled and said that would be,
And for all success, He would give him the key.

“In the morning, when you get up from your bed,
With closed eyes, eastward, take five steps.
Then, open your eyes, and you will clearly see
Your biggest obstacle, and, to overcome it, the key.”

With that, Lord Ganesha vanished away.
As the Sun rose on the morning of the new day.
Excited, Ramu did exactly as he had heard.
And, he soon found himself in front of the mirror.

As he kept staring at his own reflection,
He pondered over Lord Ganesha’s instructions.
“My biggest obstacle – Me!
My key to overcome it – Me!”

That day saw the birth of a wiser Ramu
As he went on to prepare for the interview.
Yes, he succeeded and grew in life
With Lord Ganesha’s blessing by his side.

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah!