Mother Universe
Ganesha went outdoors one day to play and found a stray cat. Too small to know better, he began to pull her ears and tail. He roughed up that poor cat and even began to beat her with a stick, making marks on her head till, yowling, she ran for her life. Some hours later Ganesha went into the house. His mother, to his astonishment and dismay, was looking terrible. Her hair was a mess, she had scratches on her face and she limped from the bruises on her body.
“Mom!” cried Ganesha. “Who beat you up?”
Sadly Sri Durga replied, “It was you, I’m afraid.”
“No way! What do you mean? I never did it!”
“Do you remember, his mother asked, “a while ago, how you treated a certain cat?”
Now Ganesha though that the cat’s owner must have come and beat Mother Durga on account of him, and he burst into tears.
“Where is that man?” he sobbed.
“No, not that. You see, my boy, I am not just your physical mother. I have filled the whole universe with My Being. As a matter of fact, whatever you do to any least part of it, you do that to Me.”
Some years later the Mother was sitting in her dressing room in a very lofty mood. She had recently been meditating and in that mood had become quite conscious of her own divinity. Now she put around her neck a lovely necklace of gems, a gift from her husband, Shiva. But seeing Ganesha and her other son, Kartik (Karteek), playing nearby, she said to them “Look, I will give this precious necklace to whichever of you comes back first, after traveling all around the universe. So run this race, but cover every mile of the universe.”
Kartik immediately dropped what he was doing, went out, and finding the animal he most liked to ride upon (which was a magic steed), he set off on the long journey. He went as fast as he could, over the earth, out to the moon and planets, sailed through the galaxies and visited the asteroids, even peeping into a black hole or two. Almost exhausted, he recalled that he had to save energy enough to return. When Kartik finally reached home he saw his brother was already wearing the necklace of gems! Ganesha, you see, had become much wiser now: he had simply gone all the way around his Mother’s body and then bowed down before Her.
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The Spiritual Moral / Meaning of This Story
This captivating story of Ganesha and his mother, Sri Durga, is rich with spiritual lessons that highlight the importance of empathy, wisdom, and the recognition of the divine presence in all aspects of life. Through two distinct episodes, the story imparts profound insights into the nature of actions and the understanding of true devotion.
Interconnectedness and Empathy: The first part of the story revolves around young Ganesha’s rough treatment of a stray cat and the subsequent revelation that his actions have directly harmed his mother. This teaches the vital spiritual lesson of interconnectedness. Sri Durga, embodying the universal mother, conveys that every creature is a part of her being. This underscores the idea that any harm inflicted upon another living being ultimately affects the divine essence that permeates the universe. It encourages us to act with empathy and compassion, recognizing that our actions have broader implications beyond the immediate moment.
Responsibility and Awareness: Ganesha’s initial reaction of disbelief and confusion, followed by his tears, reflects a journey from ignorance to awareness. This mirrors the human experience where we often act without understanding the consequences of our actions. Sri Durga’s gentle but firm teaching moment with Ganesha emphasizes the importance of being aware of our actions and taking responsibility for them. It serves as a reminder that spiritual growth involves acknowledging our mistakes and learning from them.
Divine Presence in All: The story’s message that Sri Durga is present in all aspects of creation highlights the omnipresence of the divine. This aligns with many spiritual traditions that teach the presence of God or the divine in every part of the universe. It invites us to see the sacredness in all beings and treat them with the reverence and respect due to a manifestation of the divine. This perspective fosters a deeper sense of unity and respect for all life.
True Wisdom and Devotion: The second part of the story contrasts the approaches of Kartik and Ganesha in their quest to win the necklace of gems. Kartik’s physically exhaustive journey through the universe represents the external pursuit of knowledge and achievement. In contrast, Ganesha’s decision to circle his mother’s body and bow down before her signifies the recognition of true wisdom and devotion. This teaches that the highest form of knowledge and the greatest achievements come from understanding and revering the divine presence within and around us.
Symbolism of the Necklace: The necklace of gems symbolizes divine grace and the rewards of spiritual insight. Ganesha’s approach shows that true devotion and wisdom are not about physical accomplishments or outward journeys but about inner understanding and alignment with the divine. This part of the story reinforces the idea that the essence of spirituality lies in recognizing and honoring the divine in its immediate, accessible form rather than seeking it in distant realms.
Humility and Reverence: Ganesha’s act of bowing down to his mother signifies humility and reverence, key virtues in spiritual practice. This humble acknowledgment of Sri Durga’s divinity contrasts with the more ambitious and competitive approach of Kartik. It teaches that humility and sincere devotion are more valued in the spiritual path than mere accomplishments and that recognizing the divine in our everyday life is the truest form of worship.
In essence, this story of Ganesha and Sri Durga beautifully encapsulates the journey from ignorance to enlightenment, the importance of empathy, the omnipresence of the divine, and the profound wisdom found in humility and true devotion. It invites us to look beyond the surface and recognize the deeper spiritual truths that guide us towards a more compassionate, aware, and reverent life.
Personal Reflection Questions:
Spiritual stories are an opportunity to reflect on your own life. Here are 10 questions you can use to go deeper with the teachings in this story:
- Interconnectedness: How do you perceive the interconnectedness of all beings? In what ways do you consider the impact of your actions on others?
- Empathy and Compassion: Reflect on a time when you acted without considering the consequences. How did you come to realize the impact of your actions, and what did you learn?
- Divine Presence: How do you recognize and honor the divine presence in your daily life? What practices help you stay mindful of this presence?
- Responsibility: How do you take responsibility for your actions, especially when they have unintended negative consequences? What steps do you take to make amends?
- True Devotion: What does true devotion mean to you? How do you express your devotion in your everyday life?
- Wisdom vs. Achievement: How do you balance the pursuit of external achievements with the cultivation of inner wisdom? Which do you find more fulfilling?
- Humility: Reflect on a situation where humility played a key role in your spiritual growth. How did it change your perspective?
- Reverence: In what ways do you show reverence and respect for all forms of life? How can you deepen this practice?
- Learning from Mistakes: How do you view mistakes and their role in your spiritual journey? What have been some of your most significant lessons learned from mistakes?
- Spiritual Practices: What spiritual practices help you stay aligned with the divine will? How do these practices influence your daily actions and decisions?
A Poem Based On This Story
The Divine Connection: Embracing the Universal Mother
In playful joy, young Ganesha roamed,
With curious heart, the world he combed,
He found a cat, and unaware,
He pulled and tugged without a care.
The cat, in pain, did yowl and flee,
Leaving marks for all to see,
Ganesha laughed and then moved on,
Unaware of the harm he’d done.
He returned to find his mother hurt,
With scratches deep and face dirt,
“Who did this, Mother?” he cried in woe,
“Tell me, for I must surely know.”
With gentle voice and eyes so kind,
She spoke the truth for him to find,
“My son, it was your very hand,
That caused these marks across the land.”
“For I am more than what you see,
I am the universe, endlessly,
In every creature, great and small,
My presence lives within them all.”
Years passed, the lesson sank in deep,
Ganesha’s heart, the truth did keep,
One day, a race to win a prize,
His brother soared across the skies.
Kartik journeyed far and wide,
While Ganesha stayed by his mother’s side,
Around her form, he softly trod,
For he knew she was the face of God.
With gentle bow and humble grace,
He won the race in that holy place,
For wisdom taught and love embraced,
The divine within, he had traced.
No need for journeys far and vast,
When the divine is found at last,
In every act, in every sight,
The divine connection shines so bright.