Ganesha the Ultimate- Friend, Protector, Guide

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

"What I have written here is the result of guidance received through inspiration. This is a chronicle of Ganesha as He revealed Himself to me, and this book is a testimony of that revelation. It is the unfolding of my humble offering to Ganesha."

The book, besides depicting Ganesha as the Ultimate, also explains beautifully and in a simplified manner the wisdom of the Ancient Scriptures, as well as an anatomy of spiritual tenets necessary for one's evolution, to finally merge into the Ultimate, under various topics.

The author, Deepa Kodikal (1940-2013) was a Delhi University graduate in B.Sc., a home maker with four children, and a mystic as well. Deepa had varied interests such as playing the sitar, performing Indian dance and music, flying gliders, cooking, writing and directing plays, and she was a painter as well. Deepa is also the author of A Journey Within the Self, a diary of yogic revelations in which she has described her journey of yogic experiences; Teachings of the Inner Light: a blueprint of right living, a work that received wide critical acclaim, and Enlightenment is your Birthright, which was in response to the questions put to Deepa by spiritual seekers. In spite of all her spiritual experiences and achievements, she always referred to herself as a housewife who loved taking care of her family and was always relaxed, smiling, and positive in her outlook towards life.

Deepa's inspiration about Lord Ganesha took form once she started putting it on paper, and thus began the construction of a book that in its simplicity has revealed the ancient wisdom of our scriptures.

I still vividly recall the day in the early 1990s when I met Deepa for the first time, and now I realize what a profound influence she has had on my life. What I thought to be a casual social evening was, for me, the first step on a spiritual journey that would take me full circle to where I am today.

Over many casual meetings, nuggets of wisdom were slipped in by her during courses of conversation so simply and practically, with such ease and casualness, so full of love and compassion, so humbly, so subtly, so powerfully, without even one realizing that these were the blessings of an enlightened being, the realization dawning only after they gently start decoding in your mind later, releasing knowledge within for one to ponder and meditate upon. Participating in these casual conversations and being in her presence was a life-changing gentle process for me over a period of time.

When Raja Kodikal, late Deepa's husband and also a dear friend of mine, requested me to edit and organize the Ganesha manuscript which Deepa had written just before she passed away in 2013, I was at first very hesitant because I had never done any such work before. But as an afterthought, I realized that I should consider myself blessed and accept it as a privilege and an opportunity to balance out all that I had received from her.

As I proceeded with the editing, the putting together, and the organization of the book, I began to understand that, apart from Deepa's effort, this book had also come together with the grace and help of Ganesha Himself, especially considering Deepa's ill health, her frequent travelling to the hospital, and the dropping of her heartbeat to forty counts a minute for almost a year and a half, in spite of which she moved around normally, which the doctors referred to as a miracle. After reading the entire book, I have also understood that no action in this world can be undertaken and nothing whatsoever can be achieved without Ganesha's support, grace, and blessings.

When I was just a child, I was aghast when one night in my dream I saw Lord Ganesha occupying the small altar meant for my beloved Lord Krishna. As there was no trace of Krishna anywhere, I stared incredulously at the impertinent-looking Ganesha. From the glint in His eyes, I knew at once that He had forcefully jostled Krishna from the throne that had always been occupied by Him. By this wicked act, Ganesha had made it apparent that He was expecting me to worship Him instead of my Krishna. I could not believe it! Ganesha actually thought that He could compel me into worshipping Him! I kept staring at His gleeful expression of victory. It was filled with smugness and teasing, almost a provocation, a kind of merriment at my anger and helplessness. I had no special feelings for Ganesha and thought of His high-handed act as outright ungodly and felt that He was abusing His godly status. As I glared at Him, He jumped down from the tiny throne on the altar and, resting His pudgy palms on His broad waist, He chuckled loudly and stared back at me as though daring me. Naively, I thought that my hostile silence would shame Him into leaving! But, how mistaken I was! In fact, He was quite enjoying the fare.