The Primordial Force
On September 3 this year, falls Ganesh Chaturthi – the festival celebrating the advent of Lord Ganesha. Who is truly Lord Ganapathi? What is the meaning behind observing this festival when Lord Ganesha is actually beyond time? Swami revealed these important aspects and much more in a beautiful discourse delivered on this occasion five years ago in 2002. Let us recapitulate a few significant revelations made during that occasion by Bhagavan Baba.
Today is the sacred festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. ‘Ga’ symbolises buddhi (intellect), ‘Na’ stands for vijnana (wisdom). So, ‘Ganapati’ is the master of buddhi and vijnana. The universe is sustained by Ganas (gods) and Ganapati is their master. In this world, everybody has a master, but Ganapati has none. He is a master by Himself.
This is the birthday of the Master of Masters. Ganapati is also called Mooshika Vahana (one who has a mouse as his vehicle). You may wonder how a small mouse can carry on its back a hefty personality like Vinayaka (another name of Ganapati). Here mooshika does not mean a mere mouse. It symbolises the darkness of ignorance because it is in darkness that the mouse moves about. Hence, Mooshika Vahana is one who subdues ignorance and dispels darkness. It is only when we understand the inner significance of the Vinayaka principle that we will be able to celebrate Vinayaka Chaturthi properly.
One of the main teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is contained in the sloka:
“Sarvadharman Parityaja
Maamekam Saranam Vraja,
Aham Twa Sarvapapebhyo
Mokshaishyami Ma Suchah”
(Surrender unto Me and perform all your actions as an offering to Me. I will destroy all your sins and confer liberation on you.)
So long as man is immersed in body attachment, all types of hardships and misery haunt him. Body attachment is the root cause of sankalpas (thoughts). That is why Lord Krishna exhorted man to give up body attachment. The inner meaning of this statement is that man should experience unity in diversity. Without vyashti (individual), there cannot be samashti (society). Without samashti, there cannot be srishti (creation). So, first of all we have to recognize the role of vyashti, the individual. Only then can we understand the principle of samashti, which will in turn lead to the understanding of srishti, the creation. One who understands srishti becomes one with parameshti (God). In fact, the principles of samashti, srishti and parameshti are very much present in vyashti. Hence, one has to make efforts to understand vyashti in the first instance.
Vyashti symbolizes the individual (Jeeva) whereas samashti stands for God (Deva). There is not much difference between the individual soul and the Cosmic Spirit. So long as the vyashti identifies himself with the body he leads a very ordinary life. It is only when one identifies himself with samashti can he understand the principle of creation. So, firstly, man should make efforts to understand the true meaning of vyashti. This is the message of Vinayaka. The letter ‘Ga’ (intellect) in the name Ganapati symbolizes this aspect. The letter ‘Na’ stands for vijnana (wisdom). So, Ganapati is one who grants good intellect and confers wisdom.
The Primordial Force – divine source behind every breath
The Primordial Force is the silent power behind creation, movement, life, and transformation. It is not merely an idea from ancient spirituality, but a deep truth felt by every seeker who looks beyond the surface of the world. Everything that exists, from the smallest seed to the endless sky, carries a hidden energy that supports its purpose. This force cannot be seen with ordinary eyes, yet its presence can be understood through nature, love, wisdom, and the rhythm of life.
When we observe the universe, we notice that nothing is truly lifeless. The sun rises with perfect discipline, rivers flow toward the ocean, flowers bloom in their season, and the human heart continues its steady beat without our command. Behind all these wonders stands The Primordial Force, guiding existence with balance and harmony. It is the original energy from which all forms arise and into which all forms finally return.
In spiritual understanding, this force is often connected with divine will. It is the sacred power that inspires goodness, awakens inner strength, and leads the soul toward higher awareness. A person may call it God, consciousness, divine energy, or universal power, but its essence remains the same. It is the unseen foundation of life. When the mind becomes calm and the heart becomes pure, one begins to feel that life is not random. There is a deeper intelligence working silently within every experience.
The Primordial Force also teaches us humility. Human beings often believe that they control everything, but life repeatedly shows that a greater power is at work. We can make plans, take action, and use our talents, but the final result is shaped by forces beyond our limited understanding. This does not mean that effort is useless. Rather, it means that effort becomes more meaningful when it is joined with faith, patience, and surrender.
In daily life, this sacred power can be experienced through simple moments. A mother’s love for her child, the courage to forgive, the strength to rise after failure, and the peace felt during prayer are all expressions of The Primordial Force. It moves through compassion, truth, selfless service, and devotion. Whenever a person chooses love over anger, kindness over selfishness, and faith over fear, this divine energy becomes active in human life.
Many people search for this force outside themselves, in temples, scriptures, rituals, and sacred places. These paths are valuable because they remind the mind of higher truth. However, the deepest discovery happens within. The heart is the true temple, and silence is the doorway. When we sit quietly, watch our thoughts, and turn inward with sincerity, we begin to understand that The Primordial Force is not far away. It lives within us as awareness, conscience, and inner peace.
This understanding can change the way we face challenges. Pain, loss, and confusion may still come, but they no longer destroy the spirit. A person who trusts the divine source behind life develops courage and stability. Such a person learns to accept what cannot be changed and to act wisely where action is needed. Faith in The Primordial Force gives the mind a higher direction and prevents the heart from sinking into despair.
Nature is one of the greatest teachers of this truth. A tree does not hurry, yet it grows. The ocean does not boast, yet it holds great depth. The earth does not demand praise, yet it nourishes all beings. In the same way, true spiritual power is quiet, steady, and generous. It does not need display. It works silently, giving life to all and expecting nothing in return.
To connect with this force, one must purify thoughts and actions. Truthfulness, compassion, discipline, gratitude, and devotion open the inner channel to divine energy. Negative habits such as pride, jealousy, greed, and hatred create distance from this sacred awareness. The more pure the heart becomes, the more clearly one experiences the presence of The Primordial Force in every part of life.
Ultimately, the journey of spirituality is the journey from separation to oneness. We begin by thinking that we are small individuals struggling alone in a vast world. Slowly, through experience and inner awakening, we realize that the same divine energy flows through all beings. This realization brings love, peace, and respect for life. It reminds us that every soul is connected to the same sacred source.
This sacred force is not a theory to be debated, but a truth to be lived. It asks us to live with awareness, serve with love, speak with truth, and surrender with faith. When life is guided by this understanding, even ordinary actions become sacred. Every breath becomes a blessing, every duty becomes worship, and every moment becomes a step closer to the divine eternal peace forever within us.