Udaipur: Prashant Agarwal, President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, conveyed messages of wisdom, discernment, devotion, sacrifice and selfless service through inspiring stories associated with Lord Ganesha. He said that when obstacles arise in life, one should look for solutions instead of making excuses. True devotion, he emphasised, is reflected in a spirit of service and sacrifice.

During the ‘Apnon Se Apni Baat’ storytelling session, Agarwal narrated the story behind Lord Ganesha’s Ekdant form. Referring to the Mahabharata, he said that when Maharishi Ved Vyas began dictating the epic, Lord Ganesha agreed to write on the condition that his writing would not stop even for a moment. Ved Vyas, in turn, stipulated that Ganesha should not write anything without first understanding its meaning.

According to the story, when Ganesha’s writing instrument broke during the narration, he broke one of his tusks and used it as a pen, continuing the work without interruption. Agarwal said the episode teaches that dedication and sacrifice are essential for completing a great task.

He also highlighted the power of faith and devotion through the story of Sankashti Chaturthi. He narrated how a poor elderly woman prayed to Lord Ganesha and observed a fast for the safety of her only son, who had been taken for sacrifice. After the boy was saved, the king abolished the practice of child sacrifice. Agarwal said that God does not seek sacrifice of human life but sincerity of heart. Maintaining faith even in difficult circumstances, he said, reflects the true power of prayer.

Through the story of King Indradyumna, Agarwal highlighted the importance of charity. He said that even the king’s vast treasury could not satisfy Lord Ganesha, whereas a single tulsi leaf offered with devotion by a poor woman was enough to please him. He emphasised that the value of charity lies not in its quantity but in the भावना, faith and sacrifice behind the offering. He also narrated episodes associated with the curse of the Moon and King Priyavrata.

Agarwal said Ganesh Chaturthi is not merely a festival of worship but also an opportunity to take a pledge to help and serve those in need. Providing assistive limbs to persons with disabilities, spending time with someone in need or extending support according to one’s capacity are also expressions of true devotion to Lord Ganesha, he said.

Summing up the teachings of the stories, Agarwal said Lord Ganesha symbolises wisdom, understanding, faith, sacrifice and service. His stories teach that true devotion is not limited to rituals and worship, but also lies in becoming a source of support and hope in someone else’s life.

During the programme, Agarwal also interacted with beneficiaries who had received artificial limbs and learnt about their experiences and journeys.