*Ganesha with a ladoo in his lower left hand*

Elephant-headed Ganesha is honored by yoga students as the Remover of Obstacles. He is often shown with a full belly, holding a ladoo (sweet) in one of his hands. Did you know that Ganesha’s full belly is said to have led to the phases of the Moon?

Long ago, the Moon was full all the time. Ganesha enjoyed its bright light as he skipped home from a party, his belly stuffed with his favorite treats. Suddenly, Ganesha tripped and fell, squishing his tummy. The Moon laughed at the comical sight.

Ganesha’s face twisted with anger. “Because you have laughed at someone in distress,” he said, “you will wither away and the sky will be completely dark at night!” The Moon was aghast. Divine beings, humans and animals who heard of the curse begged Ganesha, “Please, sir, forgive the moon! The thought of total darkness every night fills us with sadness and fear!”

Hearing the cries of all beings, Ganesha was sorry for his words. But he could not allow the moon to go unpunished. Shaking his mighty ears, Ganesha pronounced, “Over the next fourteen days, the Moon will indeed wither away to nothing… but then, over fourteen more days, it will grow back to its full splendor. This pattern will repeat ‘til the end of the world, to remind us all to be more gracious to those who stumble in life.”

May we all, especially when we are at the full height of our glory, remember to look kindly on others who are stumbling along life’s path. And may we remember that no matter how dark it seems to get, the light will indeed grow again!

story & photo by Atmadarshan