Dating : Little Mohan & his Ganesha

a short-story

Small boats tied to the shore were dancing like puppets as the waves lashed them from all directions. As clouds moved to some unknown destination, it made moon appear to be playing hide-and-seek with life on Earth. Quite safe distance apart but not very far, huts were lined up with lamps lighting the inside. Lights from them illumined the hut, and also pierced its way to the outside. Those inside prayed for another safe night, as all they had was the hut and everything inside it. The family , food , water, clothes and their faith — was all tied to this one little space which kept everything intact. And their boat which they used for fishing and provided for their livelihood was tied strongly with rope and lot of faith, as it was the breadwinner. They prayed to their deity to keep their boat safe. It was only few weeks for monsoon to be done away with. If these weeks went away gracefully, coming year will be peaceful and prosperous.

From one of the huts, curious little Mohan was trying to get a view of what was going on outside. He even titled his head to get a look of happenings up in the sky. His confusion was where the moon was disappearing after every few seconds, and then becoming visible. And what were these streaks of light that was appearing and making whole sky look threatening. He was already scolded twice for trying to open the door to see what was going on. If winds are too strong, they will take away the whole hut with them. Opening the door would be an invitation to destruction, and in such a night there would be nowhere to go, for every other hut was full. It was not that the families were big but the huts itself were too small. But all were grateful that they at least had shelter over their head, unlike others who lived on streets. The storm was gaining ferocity and momentum and Mohan’s parents got worried. But not for themselves, but their curious little son who had just started walking. His life and happiness was all that mattered to them.

But for the innocent little kid, the storm meant no harm. It was something unsual and fun as it rarely occurred. The days and nights he experienced for last few months were too boring for his curious and adventurous mind. He prayed to photo of Ganesha kept at the corner of hut to make life little adventurous. Mohan was happy his prayers were answered. He did not tell it to anyone as he knew he will be scolded to take side of the stormy night. He could feel the effect of storm inside the hut and the little secret hole he made near door allowed him to see the adventure that was going outside. The waves lashing the shore and making boats dance to its tunes were sight to watch and enjoy. His mother was cooking dinner and father closing all small gaps and holes he could find to protect family from the storm and rain , over and around them. Mohan could see worried looks on their faces and it puzzled him. Why they could not enjoy storm and the night like he was? Even he prayed to same Ganesha and his prayers were answered, so why his parents were not having faith on their deity and just enjoy the moment fully taking it as prasad from Ganesha. If storm takes away all they had, they can rebuilt it. Anyway there was no escape, so why worry about something not in our control.

Lost in thoughts of order much higher than his age, he was reminded of his missing adventure. He again pepped outside through the secret hole and continued enjoying the rain, the storm, the night and everything that Mother Nature brought to his doorstep. His adventurous moments were interrupted by a shout from his mother. The dinner was ready and it smelled nice. Mohan closed the little secret hole with paper and ran towards his laid down plate. His father also joined and soon they all ate food with the background full of lashing waves, stormy winds, moonlit sky and Ganesha smiling from the corner.

By the time dinner was completed by Mohan and his parents, lamps of other huts were off. Little Mohan had eaten his part and was made to sleep by his mother. As Mohan slept peacefully, Rama and Deepak lied down on either side of him and made all protection available to him. A blanket over him with another on the side in case it gets cold as stormy night dawns. A jute basket big enough to put Mohan into in case it floods, with some food in it so that whoever finds him can feed him.. With all they could do for their little angel, they slept. Lamp was shut off completely and the only light came from diya placed in front of smiling Ganesha on the corner. Smiling at the innocence of his devotees, totally unaware of abundant grace available and blessings they all had.

The Sun had risen little above horizon. Lights from the rising sun and blue sky illumined the whole space around the beach. People from the nearby city had come to take a walk and see the situation and condition this morning. Yesterday’s storm even gave them sleepless night but they were saved as the rising water did not reach their city. Lot of garbage was left by the receding waves at the shore and few youths had already started cleaning it up. A government team was on its way to clean it up and make beach beautiful again. As sun rose higher and beach became cleaner, more and more people from the city joined the crowd. The same space which was covered with fear, destruction and uncertainty brought about by storm , thunder and rising waves was now bustling with people laughing, playing and dancing to this beautiful morning. After the fearful stormy night that went by , the morning looked more charming and welcoming. No wonder more and more people were joining as time went by. Frequent visitors knew each other well and more than people gathering on beach, it was as if a family was getting together to enjoy a Sunday.

As time went by, few people felt something was missing. Amidst the mesmerising beauty of morning sky, sun, wind and ocean it felt as if a piece was missing from the art. They had been coming to the beach for long and it always felt complete. But today something was amiss. As they all gathered to discuss, government vehicle came with blaring siren. Few officials got down and started surveying the area.

As discussions took over and noise grew over what happened one of them muttered to her friend beside, “The huts had disappeared”.

Mamta had just sat for her morning puja. The thali was arranged with flowers, kumkum, chandan, diya, agarbatti and a sweetdish. Going to temple was not an option as flood was still in receding phase. It will take two to three days for life to get normal. Her husband was having breakfast and would be leaving for office soon. When flood comes to town, boat becomes available for important transportation. Last year few youths started this service for helping people and also got paid. It is their part-time business now.

Mamta started puja with a heart full of contentment and gratitude for all that she had received and prayed for well-being of her family and everyone else in the world. Today she did not feel like asking anything for herself. She had received more than what she needed. And one thing she wished for was only to come by grace of Divine. She had surrendered her wish to Ganesha and waited for Him to do what will be best for her. As she got up from puja to give prasad to her husband Rohan , her eyes went on to a basket that had come her door. The flood had brought about something which she had waited for years, it’s just that she did not know. It somehow got stuck at the entrance and resisted moving ahead with the flow. She tried looking hard from distance to know what it contained and why it was not moving ahead with river water. She ignored it and moved ahead to give prasad to Rohan. She went back to puja room and kept the plate there. As she was returning, her eyes went again to the basket at her door. This time she saw something more. Little hands moving in all directions trying to catch something in air. Mamta’s breath stopped and she ran for the basket. Rohan ran behind her.

They picked up the basket with tears falling from their eyes. Mamta picked up little kid and took her in arms, holding as if she found a lost son. For years she had prayed to Ganesha and after lot of tapsya, the prayers got answered. They took him to the puja room and keeping him in front of Ganesha and thanked their Bhagwan for this shower of grace and a blessing much awaited. She took him to dining table and started feeding him. Little Mohan was hungry like every morning and like every morning he was fed today also but the faces and hands had changed. Two faces that he saw were very different from what was in his memories till now. The faces were not same as he saw them yesterday. Also the home has changed. This was bigger, brighter and there was more space to run around and play. As time passed by more and more people came to see him as Rohan called everyone he could and informed about the miracle that occurred to them. Mamta’s parents from nearby town and Rohan’s parent’s from village were on way. Also the family pundit was called to decide on what needs to be done next. After feeding him, Mamta took him for bath and dressed him nicely. Also they were calling him by name ‘Ganesha’, and little Mohan liked it. By evening many had arrived to take darshan of Ganesha and congratulate and bless Mamta and Rohan. Punditji also arrived and a big celebration was announced.

A friend asked Mamta, “Why the name after Bhagwan Ganesha? Because you worship Him!”

“One reason is this, but also because the basket which brought him had little Ganesha idol in it”, she replied.

When little Mohan slept last night he had kept a small idol of Ganesha with him, which came along as his parents put him in the basket when water rose . Their time on planet and with their son had come to end and storm and flood was just a to make destiny happen. Little Mohan’s time with his biological parents also had come to end and it was time for him to be taken to couple who were waiting for him for many years. It was not that they this was first birth they were not having child. This was a third one. Tapasya of last two births and this one was fructified now with little Mohan coming to them, being carried safely by Mother Divine in form of a river flood. His life continues from here as per the wish and will of Ganesha.

It is evening and puja, havan and celebrations have started with house full of friends, neighbours and relatives. It seems Ganesha Chaturthi came early this year. Little Ganesha is all dressed up and lies at the lap of her mother. Mamta is unable to take her eyes off him and since morning it is rarely without tears. His father is sitting beside and grandparents around them. A house with two people in the morning is now overflowing with people. Preparations for the grand feast are on way and lot of gifts have arrived already for Ganesha to play with. There is joy, happiness , tears of gratitude and talks of blessings and grace of Ganesha bhagwan. Little Ganesha was surprised at all that was happening around since morning but as time passed things started making sense to him. The small idol that little Mohan kept with him while sleeping last night now stood near big Ganesha idol at nearby puja room. Ganesha is still smiling from the corner.