One peaceful morning, a little child stood before Lord Ganesha.
The fragrance of incense filled the air. A small lamp flickered gently before Him, illuminating the fresh green durvā grass and vibrant red hibiscus blossoms lovingly offered at His feet, along with fragrant flowers and a plate of delicious modakas. The red hibiscus added a beautiful touch of colour to the sacred offering, traditionally cherished in Ganesha worship.
The child folded their hands and whispered,
“Sharanam Ganesha… Varada Ganesha…”
Looking at the magnificent form before them, the child asked,
“Ganesha, why do you have so many names?”
Ganesha smiled.
“Because, my child, every name tells you something about Me. And every part of My form has something to teach you.”
“Why are your ears so big?”
“To remind you to listen more and speak less. Listen not only to words, but also to hearts and silence.”
“And your small eyes?”
“To teach you to focus. When the mind is steady, wisdom becomes clearer.”
The child looked at His curved trunk.
“My trunk is strong enough to uproot a tree and gentle enough to lift a flower. Learn to be strong when strength is needed and gentle when gentleness is possible.”
“And Your single tusk?”
“Ekadanta reminds you that sometimes we must let go of something for a greater purpose.”
The child smiled at Ganesha's large belly.
“What does Your big belly teach us?”
“To accept and digest life—the sweet and the bitter, joy and sorrow, praise and criticism. Learn from them, but do not carry bitterness within.”
The child noticed the little mouse at His feet.
“And Mooshika?”
“The restless mouse is like the mind and its endless desires. When guided by wisdom, even the restless mind can become your servant.”
“And the modaka?”
Ganesha smiled.
“Its sweetness is hidden within, just as true joy and wisdom are found within you.”
The child thought for a moment.
“Ganesha, You are called Vighna Vināyaka—the remover of obstacles. Will You remove every obstacle from my life?”
Ganesha gently shook His head.
“Not every obstacle should be removed. Some protect you, some teach you, and some reveal the strength within you. I may not always remove the obstacle, but I can give you the wisdom to cross it.”
The child looked at Him with wonder.
“But Ganesha… are You only this beautiful form?”
Ganesha smiled.
“No, my child. I am the formless Divinity expressed through a magnificent form. I am the consciousness that pervades all and brings order to creation. I am in every breath, every thought and every living being.”
“Then where can I find You?”
“Close your eyes,” said Ganesha.
The child closed them.
“Look within. The awareness that watches your thoughts, the silence behind your mind and that is where you will find Me.”
The child opened their eyes.
Suddenly, Ganesha was not merely Gajānana, Ekadanta, Vakratunda or Lambodara.
He was not merely the remover of obstacles or the giver of blessings.
He was the Divine presence within and around everything.
Just then, the child's parents, grandparents, relatives and friends began walking in, one by one, to offer their prayers and seek Ganesha's blessings. The quiet space soon filled with the fragrance of flowers, the glow of lamps, the sound of bells and the warmth of many loving voices.
The child folded their hands along with everyone else. Their heart was filled with devotion, and the words began to flow like a prayer.
Sharanam Ganesha
Sharanam Ganesha, Varada Ganesha
Riddhi Siddhi Pradāta, Sharanam Ganesha
Sharanam Ganesha, Sharanam Ganesha
Vighna Vināyaka, Sharanam Ganesha
Mooshika Vāhana, Sharanam Ganesha
Ekadanta Vakratunda, Sharanam Ganesha
Lambodara Ganesha, Modaka Priya
Mangala Mūrti, Sharanam Ganesha
Gajānana Deva, Sharanam Ganesha
Gauri Nandana, Sharanam Ganesha
Shiva Kumāra, Sharanam Ganesha
Girijā Putra, Sharanam Ganesha
Pāsha Ankushadhāri, Sharanam Ganesha
Karunā Sāgara, Sharanam Ganesha
Buddhi Pradāta, Sharanam Ganesha
Jñāna Pradāta, Sharanam Ganesha
Chorus
Sharanam Ganesha, Varada Ganesha
Riddhi Siddhi Pradāta, Sharanam Ganesha
Vighna Harana, Mangala Karana
Siddhi Vināyaka, Sharanam Ganesha
Ādi Pūjya Deva, Sharanam Ganesha
Sarva Kārya Siddhi, Sharanam Ganesha
Bhakta Jana Pāla, Sharanam Ganesha
Dayā Sāgara, Sharanam Ganesha
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Hridaya Mandira Vāsa, Ganesha
Nitya Sharanam, Sharanam Ganesha
Final Refrain
Sharanam Ganesha, Sharanam Ganesha
Varada Ganesha, Sharanam Ganesha
Ekadanta Vakratunda, Lambodara Deva
Modaka Priya, Sharanam Ganesha
Mooshika Vāhana, Gajānana Deva
Vighna Vināyaka, Mangala Deva
Riddhi Siddhi Pradāta, Karunā Sāgara
Sharanam Ganesha… Sharanam Ganesha…
As the final notes faded, everyone raised their hands in devotion and joy:
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Mangala Moorthi Morya!
Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!
And perhaps, in that moment, the child understood:
The form helps us see Him.
The symbols help us understand Him.
The prayer helps us connect with Him.
And the consciousness within us helps us realise Him.
Sharanam Ganesha. 🙏
