Carlo Rovelli, the famous Physicist, in his book Seven Brief Lessons on Physics (2016) talks about the theory of relativity. To quote “ In short, the theory describes a colourful and amazing world where universes explode, space collapses into bottomless holes, time sags and slows near a planet and the unbound extension of interstellar space ripple and sway like the surface of the sea..” Can we completely comprehend the Universe? Or Brahman or God?

The body is made of Panchabhootaas, (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind and sky) and this body experiences world through the pancheendriyaas (hearing,sight,smell,touch and taste), controlled by “manas” and managed by “ Budhi” (Intellect). Truth is above all these. We are limited in our capacities to perceive what really is out there. Experiences vary.

This is endorsed by again Rovelli (and many scientists):

“Interestingly the images we construct of the Universe lives within us, in the space of our thoughts. Between these images – between what we can reconstruct and understand with our limited means- and the reality of which we are part, there exists countless filters: our ignorance, the limitations of our senses and of our intelligence”. They decide our experience.

Religions teach us the complexity of Universe, simplicity of truth and love and directs to search for God within.

“Isvarah sarva-bhutanam

hrd-dese ‘rjuna tisthati”

(Bhagavad Gita)

The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna!

“Thy body is the temple in which God dwelleth” (The Bible)

Your body is the temple where in God resides. A major purpose in this life is to grow in the righteous character of God.

An example of Lord Ganapathy

Ganapathy (the Pathi of Ganaas), popular as Vigneswaran or Vinayak: is the God who is symbolic with obstacle removal.

Ganapathy has a head of an elephant (big sized) and rides on a small rat/mouse. Lot of symbolic meanings can be well derived from this. Again, symbolising that the wisest and largest can move in smaller vehicles. The paradox that has great imagination, giving lessons to the humans to think of unthinkable, which can materialize.

The astute capacity of God is evident when Ved Vyasa was advised by Brahma to pray to Ganapathy ( who is the ideal person who can write down his narration of the great epic Mahabharata.) Often the different appearance of Gods has been a mystery to many.

A foreign disciple of Ramana Maharishi once asked the Saint if there exists such a thing as a Personal God.

Bhagavan: Yes, Ishvara.

Disciple: (with astonishment)- What ? With eyes, nose, ears etc?

Bh- Yes, if you have them why should not God also have them?

Disciple: When I read in the Kabbala and the Puranas that God has these organs, I laugh.

Bh- Why don’t you laugh at yourself for having them?

(Guru Ramana, Cohen, SS 1998)

Many of us initiate auspicious events in life by worshipping Ganapthy in different ways, to bring in peace, harmony and remove obstacles on the way to achieve what we desire. We break coconuts as an offer of prayers. The breaking of coconut, symbolically denotes the breaking of a problem to elicit a solution. It’s an activity that builds inner confidence (in addition to the blessings from the God). This develops self confidence , and improves belief in self.

In fact, it works as a psychological outlet in instilling self confidence, and drives us to go ahead and solve problems, ultimately bringing peace.

This is for a human, the self-manifestation, or an image of confidence within self projected as a symbol of ardent faith.

Kamba Ramayanam, the Tamil epic was written by Kambar during the 12th century. The story says that the Chola King (King Kulotunga Cholan III) had asked Kambar to come to his palace and gave him an ultimatum to complete the final chapters of Ramayana Charita by the next day (probably, there was an undue delay in finishing the epic by the poet! Hence he was given a deadline). It is said that Kambar slept and woke up worried saying

“neeravum vedinchitu ambey”

(Oh, Time is out my mother (Goddess Saraswathi)

And Goddess said

“granthavum mudinchitu kamba” (your book is also over Kambar!)

To his surprise, the scriptures were completed in front of him, ready to be submitted to the King.

One view on this could be that creativity and God, that dwell in us are the same. It’s not me but the power in me that makes me. That power is a boon to me. Kambar himself wrote it. But he seems to have not known it. Probably he was deeply involved in the writing, from which he might have felt like waking from sleep.

It’s the belief. Sustained belief is faith, and faith helps us unravel the mystery of Universe, through the tools of truth and love. The search through founded facts and experiments help us to unravel truth. Religion, Science or both, we need to be on board, balancing the act of life on these two wheels or on any one bigger wheel.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Albert Einstein