The Devata in the picture is Raja Muneeswaran , a very regal and kingly devata, the one whom I idolized, worshipped, and proudly called my Guru from the age of twelve.
My world revolved around him. My Guru was the oracle through whom Raja Muneeswaran spoke, so most of my learning came directly from those moments. As his eldest śiṣya, I believed I would be the next vessel of his Śakti. But destiny, it seems, had other plans!
Instead, I got handed over to a gruff, rowdy, dark-skinned deity named Sangili Karuppan , the kind of ugra energy I had zero fondness for back then. I was furious. From the regal Raja Muneeswaran, lord of dignity and grace, to this rough-edged guardian of the crossroads? Unacceptable!
Or so I thought.
But here’s the thing about Sadhana — It doesn’t care about your preferences.
It cares about your progress.
That day, I learned one of the most humbling truths in spiritual life:
It is not the Devata you emotionally link to that necessarily lifts you; it’s the one who works on you.
Few actually undertake the Sādhanā of their chosen deity. In my case, though Sangili Karuppan claims my heart as Iṣhṭa, it is Maha Ganapati and Devi who anchor my practice.
Many mistake devotion for qualification. We think loving a deity is enough reason to start their Sadhana. But love alone isn’t initiation — it’s an invitation.
Actual Sadhana begins when the Guru, the lineage, or life itself hands you the deity that will shape your evolution, not soothe your ego.
Recently, two friends reminded me how common this confusion is. One, deeply into Sri Vidya, loves the Sri Chakra Puja but struggles to complete her Ganapati Sadhana, which is the foundation of that path.
Another feels drawn to Hanuman and Rama, yet her mentors wisely asked her to do Bhairava Sadhana ,which she resists because it doesn’t “feel” like her.
Here’s my gentle advice: Do not let feelings dictate your spiritual curriculum.
Let the path decide.
Because sometimes, the deity you dislike the most is the one who’s rolling up his sleeves to make sure you actually grow.
If these words stirred something in you, perhaps it’s time to elevate your practice and go to the next level.
Join a living space https://shorturl.at/4Fs5a where practice ripens into grace, and every mantra begins with His blessing.
Aum Mahaganapataye Namaha
Sangili Karuppan Thunai
Gurubhyo Namaha
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