I Am the Stream of Joy* Joy is the Primordial Power, the Primal Energy

We often hear and even tell others: “The purpose of human birth is to share joy.”

How beautiful that sounds, doesn’t it?

But in truth, most of the time, the Guru’s words remain merely verbal expressions.

The satsang ends, the chanting stops, and we return to the same old patterns of anger, bitterness, stress, competition, and greed.

So, that lofty statement — so easy to utter, yet so hard to live — loses its power.

Why?

Because the very source from which joy flows — Self-awareness: “I am of the nature of joy” — has not yet awakened.

Look at a little child.

No education, no job, no wealth, no status — yet a sparkle in the eyes, laughter on the face.

Why? Because its joy does not come from outside; it is the very nature of its being.

As Saint Tukaram beautifully said:

“The body itself is joy, immersed in joy, filled with joy.”

But as we grow older, we forget this truth.

We chase joy in possessions, in money, in achievements, in recognition — and the original spring of joy within us is left behind.

Slowly it dries up.

In satsang we say: “Share joy, celebrate joy.”

Yet, sometimes even before reaching home — right after the satsang itself — a small mistake or a harsh word is enough to make the face tighten and bitter words spill out.

Where then is the nectar of the Guru’s words?

The slogans we chant are one thing, but our conduct is often the exact opposite.

Why this gap? Why does this happen?

Because philosophy is merely heard, but not lived.

Words may sound sweet, but our actions end up sowing sorrow.

The reason is simple:

We have forgotten that joy is the seed of our very existence.

A seed buried in the soil holds within it the whole tree.

But without rain and favorable conditions, no sprout can emerge.

In the same way, “I am of the nature of joy” is the awareness that acts as the rain.

When it comes, the dryness of life disappears, and the stream of joy begins to flow — ceaseless, eternal, brimming with life.

Many believe: “Once the children are educated, the house built, the land and wealth secured — life is fulfilled.”

Yes, these arrangements are necessary.

But they are for life, not the essence of life.

A house may be grand, but if there is no warmth of love, if the members lack wisdom and discernment, then it remains just a structure, not a home.

True warmth, true wisdom, comes from self-awareness.

And true fulfillment is this: the realization “I am of the nature of joy” — and then allowing that joy to flow through one’s actions, relationships, and conduct, nourishing all.

The principle of Ganesha is the living symbol of this truth.

Ganesha’s most beloved offering is the modak.

• Mod = joy

• Ka = giver

Thus, modak = joy-giver.

Ganesha himself is of the nature of joy, and he sows joy into the lives of his devotees.

He is the remover of obstacles — not only the outer ones, but also the inner obstacles of fear, envy, and greed.

Once these are destroyed, only one experience remains — joy, joy, and nothing but joy.

Ganesha is the Lord of Ganas, the master of divine qualities.

“Isha” means auspicious.

Therefore, the true worship of Ganesha is — auspicious thinking (Shubha Chintan).

For the seed of joy to sprout, the soil of the mind must be prepared.

Preparing that soil is Shubha Chintan.

Bitterness, envy, negativity — these are the weeds.

Through auspicious thought, they are removed, and the seed of inner joy begins to grow.

And the supreme practice of auspicious thought is — the Universal Prayer.

Because in this prayer, we do not ask only for ourselves, but for the happiness of all:

“May all beings be happy, may all beings be blessed.”

This feeling purifies the mind.

Then the seed of joy blossoms, and like a flowing stream, spreads nourishment and coolness to the whole world.

It is then that the deeper meaning of “The purpose of human birth is to share joy” truly dawns upon us.

✨ In short:

• Ganesha = Isha = Auspicious.

• Auspicious thinking = true worship of Ganesha.

• Universal Prayer = the highest form of auspicious thinking.

• Joy = our original seed.

• Self-awareness = the rain that nourishes that seed.

When this rain comes, the stream of joy begins to flow ceaselessly — irrigating both ourselves and the world.

This is true fulfillment, this is true worship of Ganesha.

So let us, not just in this Ganesh festival but from this very moment,

immerse ourselves in auspicious thought and the Universal Prayer,

and allow the stream of joy to flow endlessly from our hearts.

Ganapati Bappa Morya!

Mangal Murti Morya!

Joy-Giver Bappa Morya!

✍️ A pilgrim walking towards the realization of joy

*Jayant Joshi*