Prayer – A Plea Beyond Words* “When the heart is pure, the Ganesh Tatva reveals itself.”

*

When Ganeshotsav begins, every home is adorned with decorations, the melodious sound of aartis fills the air, the sweet fragrance of modaks spreads everywhere, and the resounding chant of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” makes the atmosphere vibrant with joy and devotion. Yet, behind this festive fervor, a subtle but profound question arises – we do pray, but does our prayer truly reach Bappa? Or does it remain limited only to our lips? A prayer uttered merely by the lips stops at our ears. But when it arises from the depths of the heart, it surely reaches Bappa. That is why the essential question is – what is the heart (antahkaran)? And what does it mean to pray from the heart?

Yogic wisdom tells us that the mind has four aspects –

buddhi (intellect), manas (mind-stuff), ahankara (ego), and chitta (pure consciousness). Together they form what we call the antahkaran.

*Buddhi* is like a double-edged sword – if used wisely it protects life, but if misused it can cause destruction. Its true purification lies in clarity and discrimination.

*Manas* is like a large notebook filled with endless pages of memories – some inspiring, some fear-inducing. Its purification comes through remembrance of the Divine, listening with awareness, and moments of quiet contemplation. *Ahankara* is like a mask – useful in playing roles in society, but when we get stuck in it, we lose our true identity. Its purification lies in humility, service, and the spirit of oneness.

And

*chitta* is like a flame – ever burning, but often veiled by the smoke of restless thoughts. Silence, meditation, and gratitude clear that smoke and make the flame shine bright again.

When these four aspects are purified, the heart becomes like a clear mirror – transparent and receptive. And then prayer, passing through this mirror, reaches directly to Bappa. The idol of Ganesha is not merely a form of divinity; it is the reflection of our own inner being. His large head teaches us to expand our thoughts. His large ears remind us that the mind must find peace in listening rather than wandering in constant speech. His mighty form seated upon a tiny mouse tells us that the ego must be humbled. And the modak in His hand is the sweet symbol of the joy that arises from a pure chitta.

A little child stands before Bappa, hands folded. Its words may be broken, its pronunciation imperfect, but its innocence is pure – that is the voice of the heart. We, however, often pray while the mind is elsewhere. Sometimes we serve, but with inner reluctance. Sometimes we fulfill duties, but without love. Such prayer does not reach Bappa. Only when buddhi is honest, manas is calm, ahankara is humble, and chitta is clear – only then does prayer go beyond words and become a true plea.

This purification of the heart is not only for the spiritual life; it has very practical value in our everyday lives too. A pure buddhi leads to sound decisions. A pure manas reduces stress, opens communication, and brings focus. A pure ahankara strengthens relationships with sweetness and trust. And a pure chitta makes one stable, peaceful, and resilient even in the face of challenges. Spiritually, prayer connects us with the Divine; practically, it makes us calm, wise, humble, and joyful. That is why it is said – When prayer bears fruit, God comes closer; when the heart is purified, man too comes closer to man.

This same spirit echoes in the Vishwaprarthana of Sadguru Shri Wamanrao Pai:

“O Lord, grant everyone the gift of good intellect.”

This is not just a request for cleverness; it is a prayer for the purification of the heart – a clear buddhi, a serene manas, a humble ahankara, and a radiant chitta. When these are in place, obstacles melt away, and the Ganesh Tatva naturally reveals itself in our lives.

During Ganeshotsav, we sing aartis, offer flowers, and present modaks. But the truest offering is our pure heart. As we sit before Ganesha, immersed in the sound of the aarti, savoring the sweetness of the modak, if we feel a quiet peace blossoming within, then know that the prayer has gone beyond words. It has arisen from the heart. And when the heart is pure, the Ganesh Tatva reveals itself.

A devotee of Ganesha

*Jayant Joshi*