Divine Mother Everywhere-Recall During Durga Puja

Anecdotes

oi-Staff

By Staff

Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 11:32

Universal oneness is the essence of Hinduism. A short story from the Hindu mythology involving the Divine Mother Durga and Lord Ganesha as a little boy, conveys the truth. To read it during Durga Puja gets one to understand the essence beneath the celebrations.

Lord Ganesha, the elder son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (Durga), the Divine Mother, once came across a stray cat while playing. Little Lord Ganesha was thrilled about the animal and began to manhandle it. He even resorted to pulling its hair, scratching it and beating it up with a stick. The frightened cat ran for its life.

Little Ganesha after His play, came home. He was shocked to find His Mother, the Divine Mother's hair disheveled with scratches on Her face. He was horrified to see her limp as she moved about.

He burst into tears, “Oh Mother! What has happened to you? Who beat you up?

The Divine Mother Durga replied, “ It was you who beat me up, a little while ago"

Little Ganesha was perplexed. He claimed to be playing out and hence was not responsible for His Mother's affliction.

Divine Mother Durga replied, “Do you recall the way you ill-treated the little cat? You thought you were hurting it, but you were actually hurting me!"

The truth immediately dawned on little Ganesha that the Divine Mother Durga is the inherent being in all beings of the manifested world. The manifestation of the world is nothing but the manifestation of Durga (Read detailed account of symbolism) Herself in all that is created.

During Durga Puja let us remember the truth of universal oneness portrayed through this short story.