That night and Faith.....

The name sounds of a horror movie, but it’s not. That night has special importance in his life, it's changed way he started looking towards life and his faith doubled for Lord Ganesha – Siddhi-Vinayak. The night has brought new dawn to his losing attitude..

Ganapati Bappa Morya!! means something more, can't be expressed in words. These words which can bring life to his anyways lost desires. Festivals like Ganeshotsav, Aarti-puja, Ganesh visarjan.... He always lived it with full heart. He is everywhere when Bappa comes for 10 days to stay with his devotees.

Choosing the commerce stream was not an option but somewhat compulsion. Except Accountancy, economics and Taxation all other subjects used to worry him a lot. 

Ultimately, the T.Y. B.Com exams were over, the favorites subjects like accountancy, economics and Taxations gone fairly well, but you know there were always a stress lies in the mind whether he will cross 70% marks in the graduation. Considering the past, father had already lost hope but he was somehow sure…. You may give credit to the blessing of Lord Siddhivinayaka and his hard work in college library. During the last year, he was always found engrossed in Accounts, economics, solving difficult questions, taking notes. He din't sought blessing just offering bribes as we always do. He had requested on his own hard work because he has faith in him, if he cross 70% mark, will come to his temple walking… bare-footed.... 

The exam result day had come, loads of stress….. From the beginning of the day, chanting the name of Lord in mind. Results were expected to be declared by 4.00 PM, and he was still in house till 2.30 PM (It takes 2 hours to reach college), somehow stress was making him nervous. Despite the friend’s calls, he was not moving for college to collect results. "Something should not go wrong"…………… tensed, but fact won’t change even he do not appear to collect the results. So he started for college.

Reached college with same tense on the face, sat on same seat where we used to seat. The roll no. was called, he accepted the mark-sheet with very shaky hands and tensed face. The tense lasted for more 20 seconds. He had hit the highest score of college life…………… He had won his battle.

The day was cloudy and raining. Real challenge was walking down 25-26 KMs to Siddhivinayak, bare-footed. Actually he had did it many times in past but never bare-footed. However he was committed to his promise because of Lord he was seeing this victory. The Lord was with him all the last year. 

His mother was trying to persuade him for not travelling to Siddhivinayak this night because sky was full of clouds and there was no doubt that rain will not stop.

‘The journey starts when you take the first step’ observing the early morning rituals, he set out @ 3.00 AM from house in the dusky weather for Siddhivinayak keeping ultimate faith on the Lord to take him through the hard-ships which are laid across the paths – no umbrella/wind cheaters, chilled rains, winds, pot-holes, open man-holes, stray dogs and many more which he had not given thought.

The first few steps  out of house and rain droplets made him complete wet. It was raining heavily, challenging the commitment. At one fraction of second, he thought to return back but that fraction of second passed and his foot steps started walking down the Swami Vivekananda Road (S.V.Road) to Siddhivinayaka

As you know, Mumbai never sleeps but there were nobody on the road that night.The men, vehicles and even stray dogs have taken possible shelters to avoid the rains. Raining was so high that even thieves din't dare to stay on the roads, the tired policemen were snoring in the police wagon seeing the thick rain clouds. The only MAN walking on the road, chanting “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah”

Sometime later when he crossed the Andheri, warmth felt across the body, as if the cold rain droplets are changing to hot water shower, water droplets though touching the body but felt like some invisible wind-cheater was covering body, keeping it away from further wetness. He felt, there was someone walking down with him…. He started looking around and across the deserted street, there was nobody….. Surely there was ‘HE’. Trying to protect him, seeing that his promise to him should not be failed.

With chanting of Lords name, he had reached Bandra junction, it was still dark and dusky. The feet were not stopping but started giving hint of tiring due to wet palms, but the mind was racing toward the Lords Temple; the eyes have lust for the Lords sight……

Still 4-6 Kms were remaining. The small stones, concrete triangles were puncturing the bare feet, they were soaked and became white….. The Lords thought were driving the pain-tiredness away. He was on run believing that foots should not make him compromise on his commitment.

At last…… the Prabhadevi Temple’s Shikhar was on site….. His promise was fulfilled. Lord was observing his patience and committment and guess he was succeeded.

He entered the holy place with wet clothes, there were hardly devotees @ 7.00 AM, some of them looking curiously at his ‘Avatar’, all the clothes were dripping but nobody stopped him from entering the temple.

Lord's Darshan was awesome phenomenon, He was right there sitting at center. Not sure it’s eyes imagination or sweet smile of Lords which was making  him forget the pain. It was success of his life-time. He was never so committed.

After Lords Puja, not sure how he reached home with sleepy eyes and punctured legs. Though Mother had given warm welcome, doubted that adventure may likely have high fever. To all surprise, after 5-6 hours’ sleep he woke up normal. Legs were paining but face was bright with fulfillment, courage and Lords Blessing…

“OM Gana Ganapataye Namah”