*Om – The Rhythm of Creation*🌸 ✨ The Principle of Ganesha in the Cosmos ✨

When Ganeshotsav arrives, Ganesha takes his seat in every home. Hymns resound, modaks spread their fragrance, joy fills the air.

But a deeper question arises — is Ganesha merely a guest for ten days, or is he the very principle pervading every particle of the universe?

Saint Tukaram answers with piercing clarity:

“Omkar is the primal form of Ganesha;

It is the birthplace of all the three deities.”

Om is the primordial vibration of creation. Not just a sound, but the very heartbeat of the cosmos. Out of Om emerge three streams — Akar, Ukar, and Makar.

“Akar is Brahma, Ukar is Vishnu,

Makar is Mahesh, know this well.”

• Akar – Creation: the sprouting of a seed, the first dawn.

• Ukar – Preservation: the nurturing of the tree, its blossoming and fruiting.

• Makar – Dissolution: the falling of leaves, the fading away that makes way for renewal.

This rhythm is not limited to nature alone. It is present in every cycle — day and night, changing seasons, birth and death. Om is the pulse of existence, and Ganesha is its embodied form.

This very rhythm mirrors itself in our inner world of thoughts.

A thought is like a seed — Akar.

When nurtured through will and effort, it grows — Ukar.

But not every thought deserves to survive. Negative, harmful or directionless thoughts must wither away — Makar.

Only then does a thought take shape, find expression in action, and blossom into creation.

Om is not only a spiritual symbol, but also scientifically validated. Chanting Om produces alpha brainwaves — calm yet alert rhythms in the brain. Stress reduces, focus deepens, the heartbeat steadies, and sleep becomes restful. Alpha waves are considered the ideal state for study, meditation and creativity. Thus, Om harmonizes the body, mind, and emotions. No wonder the saints called it the heartbeat of the cosmos, inseparable from the principle of Ganesha.

This is also the essence of true prayer.

Prayer is not a mere repetition of words, but a cry of the heart. Just as a mother understands her child’s emotion even in its cry, so does the Divine receive the authentic call of prayer. In such prayer, stress melts, fear vanishes, the heart is cleansed. Psychology tells us that in these moments, the brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the very chemicals of joy and calm.

As Saint Dnyaneshwar expressed in his ovi:

“As long as the heart is impure, all rituals, mantras and discipleship are futile;

But when the heart is purified, the Supreme is revealed on its own.”

The message is clear — when the heart is pure, the principle of Ganesha, the Self itself, shines forth effortlessly.

When our rhythm aligns with the rhythm of nature, we too become natural. Our behavior turns spontaneous, pure, free of artificiality. This is the true purification of the heart. And it is then that Ganesha’s principle is revealed within.

Such purity, however, is realized only through the guidance and grace of the Guru.

Yet, the Guru’s grace is not passive — as they remind us: “Grace means — do and see.”

Grace is the hand that helps us stand, but walking we must do ourselves. The Guru’s work is to constantly awaken us with the reminder:

*You are the sculptor of your own life.*

This remembrance itself is grace, a light of awareness that shows us the path of inner cleansing.

And then arises the deeper question: where do we experience this principle of Ganesha in living form? The answer is — in the principle of the Sadguru.

“Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu,

Guru is Maheshwara;

Guru is verily the Supreme Brahman,

Salutations to that Guru!”

The Sadguru is the living embodiment of Ganesha.

Just as Brahma creates the world, the Guru gives birth to the disciple through knowledge.

Just as Vishnu preserves the world, the Guru guides the disciple, nurturing values and truth.

Just as Mahesh dissolves, the Guru destroys ignorance, ego and vices — making space for a new Self to blossom.

The Guru is not merely a guide, but the very presence of the Supreme in human form. By their words, their touch, even their silent presence, the dormant principle of Ganesha within the disciple is awakened.

The harmony between Ganesha and the Guru is profound.

Ganesha is called Vighnaharta — the remover of obstacles. He removes outer hurdles.

The Guru removes inner obstacles — ignorance, fear, doubt.

Ganesha is the Lord of Buddhi, of wisdom.

The Guru teaches us how to use that wisdom rightly.

Ganesha presides over every beginning.

The Guru gives us the courage to take the first step on the inner journey.

Ganesha is the Lord of the multitude, bringing unity amidst diversity.

The Guru too dissolves the divisions of life — the conflict between thought, emotion and action; the rift between personal, social and professional spheres; the gap between values and conduct — leading us towards wholeness.

Thus, both Ganesha and the Guru lead us back to the same truth:

“You are the sculptor of your own life.”

Yet today’s youth often ask: “Why worship Ganesha and the Guru? What relevance does it have in our busy, practical lives? Isn’t this something to think about after retirement?”

The question is fair — but the answer is even more vital.

Because the principle of Ganesha and the Guru is not a pastime for the elderly; it is the life-energy that sustains us every day.

Ganesha is the Lord of wisdom. And wisdom — discernment, patience, right decision-making — is the greatest need of youth today, whether in career, relationships, or choosing the right direction in life.

Ganesha is Vighnaharta. But the real obstacles are not outside — they are confusion, fear, inferiority, ignorance. To face these, we need Ganesha’s principle alive within us.

And the Guru? The Guru is like a living map of life.

Just as Google Maps shows the right turn at the right moment, so too does the Guru correct our course, restore our balance, and lead us back to harmony. A young person confused about career choices, or burdened in relationships — both need the clarity and guidance that the Guru brings, often silently, subtly.

Spirituality, then, is not retirement leisure. It is energy management for today’s life.

Just as we breathe every moment, so too does the mind need pure breath each day. Ganesha’s principle and the Guru’s principle are that pure breath.

Such is the Supreme principle, embodied uniquely in our beloved Sadguru —

Sadguru Shri Wamanrao Pai.

Ganeshotsav is not just decoration and hymns. It is a reminder that Ganesha is the Lord of the cosmos, and the Guru is the Lord of our life.

The mantra given by the Sadguru —

*You are the sculptor of your own life*

This mantra enchants life, fulfills the human birth.

For ten days of Ganeshotsav, we touch this rhythm; but the true practice is to keep this rhythm alive in our hearts for a lifetime.

🙏 Ganapati Bappa Morya!

🙏 Jai Jai Shri Sadgururaya!*

✨ A reflection on a cosmic principle – *Jayant Joshi*