Four years ago, When my dad passed away I was distraught. One day, I had gone to the a nearby market and was returning in a rickshaw. And Suddenly I had the image of Ganpati flash in my mind. I was not much of a Ganesh believer at that time. I remember I had to ask the Rickshaw fellow to stop, suddenly. I was taken aback. I looked around I was in front of some stalls that were preparing Ganpati Idols The ten days Ganesh festival was still 3 weeks away. I went inside and almost of it own volition I picked up an Ganapati Idol. The shop keeper said they were not yet selling. But I insisted and then got the Idol home.
The Rickshaw fellow told me that after 25 years of driving other peoples vehicle, he had saved up and got his own Rickshaw and that day I was the first passenger and lord Ganesh had entered. Lord Ganesh is said to be the God of New beginnings. Both of us were stunned. But also felt blessed
From that day onwards, This Ganesh Idol has been with me and seen me through some really rough times. I have always felt comforted. That somebody was there to have my back. These idols, the one I bought are made of plaster of paris and are meant to be immersed after 10 days. I did not. My Ganapati travelled with me where ever I went.
After 4 years he had gotten faded and so we painted him, and also ended up chipping a small part. Then I knew it was time to let this Idol go.
Yesterday, after a lot of internal debate and with a heavy heart we went and did the Visarjan. That is let him go into the Ocean. I felt so much grief I was crying all the time. It was as if I was losing someone close all over again. My friends tried comforting me and told me when We do this Visarjan, he, ‘Ganpati’ goes back to his parents and takes away all the ‘bad’ things with him. Lord Ganesh is also known as the obstacle remover.
It was comforting, and yet. It was heavy. Just because something makes sense does not make it less hurtful.
I wondered why was I crying so much. Why was it so difficult to let him go..
And I realised, he had been a witness to my pain and hurts and joys and celebration. He was always there, even when no one else was.
And Perhaps that was it. Perhaps that is all we want a Witness to our life. So that we know, we did go through what we went through. The witness gave my experiences legitimacy.
Perhaps that is why we have God’s. So that we know we are not imagining all this. So that somebody is there to bear witness.
Maybe that is our the most important Role in each other lives – To Bear witness. We cannot really do much often. But we can always bear witness. And give legitimacy.
The is one gift we can give people in our lives.
We also got home a New Idol. This time one made of Solid Stone. One that won’t need immersion. Here’s to New Beginnings.
Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!!
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