In plain words
For man the spirit of sacrifice is most necessary. In this you must take the trees as an ideal. Without sacrifice, joy is not gained.
People today try to cover up their mistakes, but they do not try to repent of the mistakes they have made and correct themselves. The ancient ṛṣis were very noble. If ever some mistake happened through them, they would undergo the punishment fitting it, repent wholeheartedly and ask God's forgiveness. They alone were tyāgīs and yogīs. But those who do not repent of the mistake they have made and do not ask forgiveness are the bhogīs of today. To these bhogīs comes nothing but disease, not yoga. You must repent wholeheartedly of the mistake you have made, and ask God's forgiveness. Asking merely with words or in writing is not enough. All these are outward, useless displays. You must grieve over it from the heart, and pray.
God is the embodiment of Prema, full of compassion. Yet sometimes God acts as if He had no compassion; but truly it is not that He lacks compassion. Yet you must earn the ‘capacity’ to understand that compassion. Compassion can be understood only through compassion; Prema can be seen only through Prema. So only when there are compassion and Prema in you will you understand God's compassion and Prema.
The elephant head and the mouse mount: the inner meaning
Man must make amends for his faults and offer God salutations full of gratitude. The worship of Vighneśvara began with this very aim in view. Who is meant by Vighneśvara? Who is meant by Gaṇapati? ‘Ga’ has to do with Buddhi. So Gaṇapati is the lord of Buddhi and of Vijñāna. He who brings every undertaking to fulfilment without obstacle is Vighneśvara. His mount is the mouse. What is the inner meaning of this? The mouse is a symbol of darkness. For mice move about mostly in the night-time. Vināyaka has put the mouse beneath him. That is, treading down the darkness of ignorance and making Prajñāna shine, he whose mount is the mouse gives people joy and an ideal.