Adopted by Lord Ganesha
Written in February 2008 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
One early morning in July Lord Ganesha came to call,
In a dream/vision so unique, I was not expecting it at all,
From his domain I saw him, saw Ganesha in six forms,
Nestled in separate temples, he was perfectly adorned.
Seated in six compartments, three on bottom, three on top.
In one he was bright like the moon, and he held a coconut.
In another he held modaka and prayer beads used for japa,
In a third he had his palm downturned in boon-giving varada mudra.
In a fourth he held his broken tusk, a mango and a goad.
Seated in stately fashion, on Mushika, his mouse, he rode.
In a fifth he held a pomegranate, and also held a bird,
A sprig of paddy, and a noose, he was carrying a sword.
In temple six, bedecked in jewels, he held some sugar cane,
He had a discus and an axe, and arrows made of flowers.
While gazing at the murthis cradled in their shrines,
I became aware of a sensation located in my spine.
After some time this awareness brought me to a waking state.
I lay there swimming in remembrance, this was nothing short of great!
Lord Ganesha, gatekeeper of muladhara chakra, and Shiva’s eldest son,
Had blessed me on this morning, was there something special I had done?
How did I ever merit this? I could think of nothing in particular,
My life’s accomplishments were rather weak, nothing spectacular.
Days went by – I definitely did feel different.
The significance of Ganesha’s gift to me filled my heart and mind.
By removing this great obstacle there was nothing that I missed.
No longings for anything or anybody, no feelings of loneliness.
Not so concerned with unfulfilled desires – a much easier way to live,
More days went by, more days went by, it was better to live like this!
Through sadhana/meditation, Ganesha had been secretly dissolving knots,
Disentangling gnarly karmic threads of blockages and congestion,
Then after years of knocking at his door, he showed me a better way,
Most humble one, Ganesha – great lord of total compassion!
Like an insect changing from egg to larva, from pupa to caterpillar – in a predictable progression,
Loving good Ganesha gave me a giant boost on my road to transformation.
Hidden from the view of others, but most surely noticed by me,
He pointed out a better route to take on the road to realization, to discernment and harmony.
Deluded for years, focusing on independence, what i thought was my free will,
Ignorant and unaware, I was practically standing still!
Like a headstrong kid, heading in one direction, then another,
Allowed to run wild, unsupervised by either father nor mother.
I tried to satisfy my desires this way, made lots of stupid choices,
I was thwarted by lots of obstacles (mostly self-made), and from invisible past karmic forces.
But now as part of Ganesha’s family I am protected from limited instinctive freewill.
He keeps me from getting in trouble, and makes me know what I should fulfill.
I let Lord Ganesha lead the way now, he knows what’s good for me.
I just gave up – surrendered – on this path of “prapatti.”
Why refuse divine assistance, I wasn’t doing that great on my own.
Now with Lord Ganesha inside me I never feel alone.
I offer him fragrant flowers, I give him fruits to eat,
I repeat his mantras, recite his names, and give him an honored seat.
Ganesha watches over his devotees, and gives them his love complete.
He takes good care of his family, his darshan is very sweet.
In a dream/vision so unique, I was not expecting it at all,
From his domain I saw him, saw Ganesha in six forms,
Nestled in separate temples, he was perfectly adorned.
Seated in six compartments, three on bottom, three on top.
In one he was bright like the moon, and he held a coconut.
In another he held modaka and prayer beads used for japa,
In a third he had his palm downturned in boon-giving varada mudra.
In a fourth he held his broken tusk, a mango and a goad.
Seated in stately fashion, on Mushika, his mouse, he rode.
In a fifth he held a pomegranate, and also held a bird,
A sprig of paddy, and a noose, he was carrying a sword.
In temple six, bedecked in jewels, he held some sugar cane,
He had a discus and an axe, and arrows made of flowers.
While gazing at the murthis cradled in their shrines,
I became aware of a sensation located in my spine.
After some time this awareness brought me to a waking state.
I lay there swimming in remembrance, this was nothing short of great!
Lord Ganesha, gatekeeper of muladhara chakra, and Shiva’s eldest son,
Had blessed me on this morning, was there something special I had done?
How did I ever merit this? I could think of nothing in particular,
My life’s accomplishments were rather weak, nothing spectacular.
Days went by – I definitely did feel different.
The significance of Ganesha’s gift to me filled my heart and mind.
By removing this great obstacle there was nothing that I missed.
No longings for anything or anybody, no feelings of loneliness.
Not so concerned with unfulfilled desires – a much easier way to live,
More days went by, more days went by, it was better to live like this!
Through sadhana/meditation, Ganesha had been secretly dissolving knots,
Disentangling gnarly karmic threads of blockages and congestion,
Then after years of knocking at his door, he showed me a better way,
Most humble one, Ganesha – great lord of total compassion!
Like an insect changing from egg to larva, from pupa to caterpillar – in a predictable progression,
Loving good Ganesha gave me a giant boost on my road to transformation.
Hidden from the view of others, but most surely noticed by me,
He pointed out a better route to take on the road to realization, to discernment and harmony.
Deluded for years, focusing on independence, what i thought was my free will,
Ignorant and unaware, I was practically standing still!
Like a headstrong kid, heading in one direction, then another,
Allowed to run wild, unsupervised by either father nor mother.
I tried to satisfy my desires this way, made lots of stupid choices,
I was thwarted by lots of obstacles (mostly self-made), and from invisible past karmic forces.
But now as part of Ganesha’s family I am protected from limited instinctive freewill.
He keeps me from getting in trouble, and makes me know what I should fulfill.
I let Lord Ganesha lead the way now, he knows what’s good for me.
I just gave up – surrendered – on this path of “prapatti.”
Why refuse divine assistance, I wasn’t doing that great on my own.
Now with Lord Ganesha inside me I never feel alone.
I offer him fragrant flowers, I give him fruits to eat,
I repeat his mantras, recite his names, and give him an honored seat.
Ganesha watches over his devotees, and gives them his love complete.
He takes good care of his family, his darshan is very sweet.