THE POWER AND THE POTENCY OF THE GAYATRI MANTRA

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THE POWER AND THE POTENCY OF THE GAYATRI MANTRA

AS TAUGHT AND EXPOUNDED BY BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

 

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Published by The Sri Sathya Sai Organisation Sri Lanka (Region XV)

22 Barnes Place Colombo 7 Sri Lanka

Thai Pongal Day January 15 1996

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Dear Sai Brothers and Sisters,

This book was blessed by Bhagavan on Tuesday, the 2nd April, 1996.

On Bhagavan's Divine Command, 2,000 copies of this book were given

for study to the students attending the Summer Course held at the

Brindavan Campus in May 1996.

This is for your information, please.

The Publishers

 

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No copyrights are claimed in respect of this book

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In humble adoration at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

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INTRODUCTION

 

There appear to be reservations in the minds of some learned people

as to who are and who are not entitled to chant or to repeat the

Pranava and the Gayatri Mantra as part of their spiritual Sadhana.

 

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of our Age, has declared to

us as follows:

 

"There are many who argue that the Pranava can be repeated only by a

few, and that others are not entitled to it. This is wrong. This

false conclusion has been arrived at since they do not know the

Truth. It springs from a mistaken belief. The Gita does not mention

this group or that group. Krishna declares 'whoever' (Gita VIII -

12,13) without any qualifying words limiting it to one class or

sex." (GEETHA VAHINI-143)

 

Bhagavan has also declared:

 

"The Gayatri Mantra is the elaboration of the Pranava Sabda or OM.

It (the Gayatri Mantra) is now held so venerable and valuable that

initiation into the Adhyatmic life is achieved by its

contemplation." (SADHANA - The Inward Path - 90, Prasanthi Nilayam.

Also: SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - III - 242)

 

Quoting the Shukla Yajur Veda (XXVI - 2),

Swami Vivekananda asks: "Can you show any authority from this Veda

of ours that everyone has not the right to it? This Veda is our only

authority, and everyone has the right to it." (Collected Works Vol

III - 457)

The Publishers

 

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1. What is the Gayatri Mantra?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is the Universal Prayer enshrined in the Vedas,

the most ancient Scriptures of Man. (SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - X - 109)

 

The Gayatri Mantra is a Prayer that can well be spoken with yearning

by men and women of all creeds and climes in all centuries.

Repetition of this Mantra will develop the Intelligence. (SATHYA SAI

SPEAKS - V - 58)

 

2. Recite the Gayatri Mantra.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is as follows:

 

Om

Bhur Bhuva Svaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

Dhiyo yonah Prachodayat

 

3. How may the Gayatri Mantra be translated?

 

OM - Para Brahman

BHUR - Bhu loka (Physical plane). It also refers to the body made up

of the 5 Pancha Bhutas (5 elements). These 5 elements constitute

Prakriti (Nature).

BHUVA - Bhuva loka - The middle world. Bhuva is also Prana Sakthi.

However, it is the presence of Prajnana that enables the Prana

Sakthi to animate the body. It is on this account that the Vedas

have declared "Prajnanam Brahma" (Constant Integrated Awareness is

Brahmam).

SVAHA - Swarga loka (Heaven - the land of the Gods) (SS 9/95-234)

TAT - Paramatma, God or Brahman

SAVITUR - That from which all this is born

VARENYAM - Fit to be worshipped

BHARGO - The Radiance, the Spiritual Effulgence, the Light that

bestows Wisdom

DEVASYA - Divine Reality

DHEEMAHI - We meditate

DHIYO - Buddhi, Intellect

YO - Which

NAH - Our

PRACHODAYAT - Enlighten.

The Gayatri Mantra may be translated in many ways. One such

translation is as follows:

 

(OM) OM (Dheemahi) We meditate (Bhargo) upon the Spiritual

Effulgence (Varenyam Devasya) of THAT Adorable Supreme Divine

Reality (Savitur) the Source (Bhur, Bhuva, Svaha) of the Physical,

the Astral and the Heavenly Spheres of Existence. (TAT) May THAT

Supreme Divine Being (Prachodayat) enlighten (Yo) which (Nah) our

(Dhi Yo) intellect (so that we may realise the Supreme Truth).

 

Also: Dhi Yo YoNah Prachodayat = Awaken my Discrimination, O Lord

and guide me. (GEETHA VAHINI - 3)

 

4. Who discovered the Gayatri Mantra?

 

The Gayatri Mantra was discovered by Sage Viswamitra. It was the

same Sage Viswamitra who initiated Sri Rama into the mysteries of

Sun worship, through the Mantra Aaditiya Hrdayam. (Sathya Sai

Vahini - 183, 184)

Aaditiya Hrdayam is chanted by many people as part of their Sadhana.

Booklets on the Aaditiya Hrdayam have been published by the Sri

Ramakrishna Math, Madras 4 and by the Central Chinmaya Mission

Trust, Bombay 72.

 

5. What did the Gayatri Mantra enable Sage Viswamitra to do?

 

The Gayatri Mantra enabled Sage Viswamitra to use rare weapons which

bowed to his will when the Mantra was repeated with faith. Through

the powers he attained in this way, Viswamitra was able to create a

counterpart of this Cosmos. (Sathya Sai Vahini - 184)

 

6. To whom is the Gayatri Mantra addressed?

 

The Gavatri Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Sun, Surya.

(Sathya Sai Vahini - 183)

 

(Bhagavan is Surya Narayana)

 

7. What is the potency of the Gayatri Mantra?

 

This Mantra has infinite potentiality.

It is a vibrant formula.

It has immense powers, powers that are truly amazing, for the Sun is

its presiding Deity. (Sathya Sai Vahini - 184)

 

8. Where is the Gayatri Mantra enshrined?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient

Scriptures of Man. (Rg Veda III 62. 10)

 

9. Who is Gayatri?

 

Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas -

Gayatri Chandasaam Maathaa.

 

10. Whom does Gayatri redeem?

 

Gayatri redeems the chanter of the Mantra -

Gaayantham thraayathe ithi Gayatri.

 

11. Where is Gayatri present?

 

Gayatri is present wherever the Mantra is chanted. (SS 9/95-235)

 

12. What are the three Names of Gayatri?

 

Gayatri has 3 names - Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi. These three

are present in each one of us. Gayatri is the master of the senses.

Saavitri is the master of Prana (Life Force). Saavitri signifies

Truth. Saraswathi is the presiding Deity of Speech (Vaak). These

three represent purity in Thought, Word and Deed (Trikarana Suddhi).

(SS 9/95-235) See also Q 30

 

(One who practises purity and harmony of Thought, Word and Deed will

have Gayatri, Saavitri and Saraswathi residing in him)

 

13. To whom is the Gayatri Mantra addressed?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent

Divinity.

 

14. What name has the Immanent and Transcendent Divinity been given?

 

The Immanent and Transcendent Divinity has been given the

name 'SAVITHA'.

 

15. What does 'SAVITHA' mean?

 

'SAVITHA' means "that from which all this is born".

 

16. How many parts may the Gayatri Mantra be considered to have?

 

The Gayatri Mantra may be considered to have 3 parts. The Mantra has

all the three elements that figure in the adoration of God - Praise,

Meditation and Prayer. The first nine words represent the attributes

of the Divine

 

"OM BHUR BHUVA SVAHA

TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM

BHARGO DEVASYA"

 

"DHEEMAHI" pertains to Meditation.

 

"DHI YO YONAH PRACHODAYAT"

 

is the Prayer to God to confer on us all powers and talents. (SS

9/95-236)

 

17. What may these 3 parts also be described as?

 

The three parts may also be described as:

 

(1) Praise to Savitha. The Divine is first praised.

(2) Meditation on Savitha. The Divine is then meditated upon in

reverence.

(3) Prayer to Savitha.

An appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen our

Intellect, the discriminating faculty (Buddhi) in us.

 

18. What is the Gayatri Mantra considered to be?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is considered to be the Essence of the Teaching

of the Vedas - the Veda Sara.

 

19. What does the Gayatri Mantra foster?

 

Chanting the Gayatri Mantra fosters and sharpens the knowledge-

yielding faculty in man.

 

20. What are the other benefits to one who chants the Gayatri Mantra?

 

To one who chants the Gayatri Mantra regularly and with faith -

 

the Gayatri Mantra is the reliever of diseases -

Sarva roga nivaarini Gayatri,

the Gayatri Mantra wards off all misery -

Sarva duhkha parivaarini Gayatri,

the Gayatri Mantra is the fulfiller of all desires -

Sarva vaancha phalasri Gayatri.

(SS 9/95-236)

 

21. What does the Gayatri Mantra bestow on the person who chants it

with faith?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is the bestower of all that is beneficial to the

person who chants it with faith. (SS 9/95-236)

 

22. What are the other results of chanting the Gayatri Mantra?

 

If the Gayatri Mantra is chanted various kinds of powers will emerge

in one. Hence the Gayatri Mantra should not be treated casually. (SS

9/95-236) See also Q 30

 

23. What is Truth?

 

Truth is that which is valid at all times past, present and future.

That Truth is the Gayatri Mantra. (SS 9/95-236)

 

24. What does the Gayatri Mantra imply?

 

The Gayatri Mantra implies the 4 Maha Vakyas or the 4 core

declarations enshrined in the 4 Vedas.

 

25. What are the four Maha Vakyas?

 

The four Maha Vakyas are:

1. PRAJNANAM BRAHMA

Consciousness is Brahman (Aitareya Upanishad of the Rg Veda)

2. AHAM BRAHMA ASMI

I Am Brahman (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad of the Yajur Veda)

3. TAT TVAM ASI

That Thou Art (Chandogya Upanishad of the Sama Veda)

4. AYAM ATMA BRAHMA

This Self is Brahman (Mandukya Upanishad of the Atharva Veda)

 

26. When should the Gayatri Mantra be chanted?

 

The Gayatri Mantra should be chanted at dawn, noon and dusk.

 

27. What are these times also known as?

 

These times are also known as Sandhya Kaalam, that is to say, the

meeting point between night and day, morning and evening, day and

night. These times are beneficial for spiritual practices.

 

28. Do we have to be bound by these periods of time to chant the

Gayatri Mantra?

 

No, we do not have to be bound by these three periods of time to

chant the Gayatri Mantra.

 

29. When then can the Gayatri Mantra be chanted?

 

The Gayatri Mantra can be chanted at any time and everywhere.

 

30. What should the person chanting the Gayatri Mantra ensure at all

times?

 

The person chanting the Gayatri Mantra should ensure that his heart

is pure at all times.

 

Bhagavan's injunctions are that we should -

(1) not treat the Gayatri Mantra casually (Q 22) and

(2) that our heart should be pure at all times. We should therefore

obey and practise implicitly Bhagavan's Teachings. These are to be

found in Summer Showers 1990. Briefly, they are as follows:

1. Speak Truth. Attach value to your words. Truth is the life of a

word.

2. Practise Righteousness. How? By developing Trikarana Suddhi (Q12).

3. Purity and Harmony of Thought, Word and Deed.

Think no evil - Think what is good

See no evil - See what is good

Hear no evil - Hear what is good

Talk no evil - Talk what is good

Do no evil - Do what is good

At all times follow Bhagavan's maxim -

4. Help ever - Hurt never.

5. Dedicate all your actions to the Lord - without undue concern for

the results, and without the false sense of doership ("I am the

doer").

 

31. What is Bhagavan's advice to young people?

 

Bhagavan's advice to young people is that they should chant the

Gayatri Mantra when taking their bath.

 

32. Why does Bhagavan recommend this?

 

Bhagavan says that when we take our bath, we are cleansing our

bodies. Therefore, we should take this opportunity to cleanse our

minds and intellects also at the same time.

 

33. At what other times does Bhagavan recommend that we chant the

Gayatri Mantra?

 

Bhagavan recommends that we chant the Gayatri Mantra

(1) before every meal

(2) when we wake up from bed

(3) when we go to bed.

 

34. What should we repeat after chanting the Gayatri Mantra?

 

We should repeat 'Santhi' three times after we finish chanting the

Gayatri Mantra.

 

35. Why should we repeat 'Santhi' after completing our recitation of

the Gayatri Mantra?

 

We should repeat 'Santhi' because it will give 'Santhi', or peace of

mind, to the three entities in us - body, mind and soul.

 

36. Bhagavan taught the Gayatri Mantra and its importance to Sri

E.B.Fanibunda. What are the main points in Bhagavan's Teaching?

 

Bhagavan's Teachings to Sri Fanibunda are given in his book "Vision

of the Divine" (pages 79 to 88). The main points are -

 

1. If the Gayatri Mantra is not recited correctly, it has the

opposite effect of enveloping the person in darkness. But, if we

recite it with Love, God will accept it.

 

2. Baba advises that each word should be pronounced clearly and

distinctly, without undue haste or hurry.

 

3. Gayatri is at the very basis of the Vedas, and merits the name

Veda Mata or The Mother of the Vedas.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is all-pervasive throughout the manifest Cosmos.

 

4. Gayatri is "That which preserves, protects and rescues the

chanter from mortality".

 

5. The Gayatri Mantra is a Universal Prayer which asks for a clear

Intellect so that the Truth may be reflected therein without

distortion.

 

6. Bhagavan has said that the Gayatri Mantra can be chanted by men

and women of all climes and creeds. It calls upon the Glorious Power

that pervades the Sun and the Three Worlds to arouse, awaken and

strengthen the Intelligence, so that it may lead us through intense

Sadhana to success. (See also: SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - III - 242)

 

7. The heart needs to be cleansed thrice a day - dawn, noon and

dusk. Besides these times, Bhagavan has said that the Gayatri Mantra

can be repeated anywhere at any time, including night time.

 

8. The Gayatri Mantra is synonymous with Divinity and has therefore

to be approached with humility, reverence, faith and love towards

the Mantra.

 

9. The Vedas are the very breath of God and the Gayatri Mantra is at

the very basis of the Vedas.

 

10. Bhagavan is the Vedapurusha and is therefore the Supreme

Authority on the Vedas.

 

11. Love and reverence for the Mantra and faith in its promised

results are far more important than mere mechanical repetition while

the mind wanders.

 

12. This prayer is directed to the Divine Mother -

"O Divine Mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make

this darkness distant from us and promote Illumination within us".

 

13. Full faith in the power and potency of the Gayatri Mantra will

be generated only when the seeker has developed the requisite degree

of enthusiasm, reverence and love towards this Mantra.

 

14. The more one chants the Gayatri Mantra, the greater the benefit

to the one who chants it. (See Q47)

 

37. How does man misuse his life?

 

Man forgets his true nature owing to his attachment to his body. He

makes bodily comforts the goal of his life and involves himself in

misery. The body is a car and the Atma is the driver. Forgetting

one's true role as a driver, one identifies one's Self with the

body, which is only a vehicle. (SS 9/95-233,234)

 

38. What should man's life be?

 

Man's life should be a continuous series of sacrifices of the lower

for the sake of the higher, or of the tiny in favour of the vast.

 

39. What cannot our two eyes reveal to us?

 

Our two eyes are focussed towards the objective world and its

transient attractions. They cannot therefore reveal the

magnificience and the majesty of the realm of the Spirit.

 

40. For what purpose has the Gayatri Mantra been given to us?

 

The Gayatri Mantra has been given to us as the Third Eye (the Ajna

Chakra) - to reveal the inner vision to us. By developing this inner

vision, we may realise Brahman. (Q46)

 

41. Why should we guard the Gayatri Mantra throughout our lives?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is a treasure and we must therefore guard it

throughout our lives. We must learn to pronounce and chant the

Gayatri Mantra correctly and exactly as taught by Bhagavan.

(Bhagavan has taught the correct pronunciation and intonation of the

Gayatri Mantra in Sathya Sai Bhajanavali Tape No 14 sold at the

Prasanthi Nilayam General Stores (Rs 30). The Tape is entitled -

Bhagavan speaks on Gayatri at Upanayanam Ceremony on 17-3-83 at

Prasanthi Nilayam.)

 

42. What should we never give up?

 

We should never give up the Gayatri Mantra. That is to say, we must

chant the Gayatri Mantra at least a few times every day with a pure

heart.

 

43. What may we give up?

 

We may give up or ignore any other Mantra, but we should never give

up the Gayatri Mantra throughout our lives.

 

44. What benefits can we derive by chanting the Gayatri Mantra

several times a day with a pure heart?

 

The Gayatri Mantra will protect us from harm wherever we are,

whether - in a bus or car, in a railway train or a plane, in a

bazaar or on the road.

 

45. What have the Westerners discovered about the Gayatri Mantra?

 

The Westerners have discovered that when the Gayatri Mantra is

chanted with the correct accent as laid down in the Vedas, the

atmosphere around is visibly illumined by the vibrations produced by

the Gayatri Mantra.

 

Bhagavan tells us: "The Sound of a Mantra is as valuable as its

Meaning". SADHANA - The Inward Path - 90, Prasanthi Nilayam. Also:

SATHYA SAI SPEAKS - III - 242

 

(We should therefore learn to chant the Gayatri Mantra correctly as

taught by Bhagavan.)

 

(The Gayatri Mantra chanted by Bhagavan is repeated 3 times at the

end of each Bhajan session in the Sai Mandir at 22 Barnes Place,

Colombo 7.

It is not advisable to learn the pronunciation of the Gayatri Mantra

from other teachers.)

 

46. What spiritual benefits will we derive by chanting the Gayatri

Mantra?

 

The effulgence of Brahma - Brahmaprakasa, will descend on us,

illumine our intellect and light our spiritual path when we chant

the Gayatri Mantra correctly as taught by Bhagavan.

 

While chanting the Gayatri Mantra, we may be well advised to follow

the Instruction that Lord Krishna gave to Arjuna in the Bhagavad

Gita V - 27 "Shutting out all sense perceptions, and fixing the gaze

between the eye-brows..."

 

47. How often should we chant the Gayatri Mantra?

 

Bhagavan has said that we should chant the Gayatri Mantra as often

as possible. (SS 9/95-238)

 

See also Q 36 Item 14 - "The more one chants the Gayatri Mantra, the

greater the benefit to the one who chants it."

 

We should chant the Gayatri Mantra at least 108 times (One Mala)

every morning. This will take only 15 minutes.

 

Those who take up to the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra as a Sadhana

by itself may chant 3 or, preferably, 5 Malas every morning and an

equal or lesser number of Malas in the evening. Chanting 10 Malas (2

1/2 hours) every Sunday morning and on holidays is not beyond the

capacity of the earnest Sadhaka. Gayatri purascharana consists in

chanting 10 Malas each morning for 24 or 40 days without a break.

 

To absorb the Mantric power, purity of life and an abstemious diet

are essential.

 

48. What is the result if we chant the Gayatri Mantra while taking a

bath or before taking our food?

 

If we chant the Gayatri Mantra while taking a bath, our bath gets

sanctified. If we chant it before taking our food, our food becomes

an offering to the Divine. We should develop heartfelt devotion to

God. (SS 9/95-238)

 

49. Who is Gayatri?

 

Gayatri is Annapurna, the Divine Mother, the Divine Force that

animates all Life.

 

50. Gayatri is described as five-faced. What are they?

 

The five Faces of Gayatri are:

1. "Om", the Pranava is the 1st Face. The Pranava Principle

represents the eight different forms of wealth (Ashta Aiswarya).

2. "Bhur Bhuva Svaha" is the 2nd Face.

3. "Tat Savitur Varenyam" is the 3rd Face.

4. "Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi" is the 4th Face.

5. "Dhi Yo YoNah Prachodayat" is the 5th Face.

All these five aspects of the Gayatri Mantra are within each one of

us. (SS 9/95-235) See also Q 12

 

51. Why should we take up the Gayatri Mantra and chant it

unceasingly?

 

We should take up the Gayatri Mantra and chant it unceasingly,

because -

(1) The Gayatri Mantra will protect us from harm wherever we are,

whether - in a bus or car, in a railway train or in a plane, in a

bazaar or on the road.

(2) Brahmaprakasa (the effulgence of Brahman) will descend on us and

illumine our spiritual path when we chant the Gayatri Mantra.

 

52. How does the Gayatri Mantra protect us?

 

The Gayatri Mantra protects us because Gayatri is Annapurna, the

Mother, the Force that animates all Life. We do not therefore have

to wail for food or for shelter when we are under the protection of

Annapurna, the Divine Mother.

(We should therefore chant the Gayatri Mantra as often as possible.

The more we chant the Gayatri Mantra, the greater the benefit to us.

See Q 47)

 

53. Do we need any protection other than what we can get by chanting

the Gayatri Mantra?

 

No. Bhagavan tells us that the Gayatri Mantra is enough to protect

the person who chants it. (SS 9/95-237)

 

54. Why is the Gayatri Mantra enough to protect the person who

chants it?

 

The Gayatri Mantra is enough to protect the person who chants it

because, as Bhagavan tells us, the Gayatri Mantra embodies all the

Divine Potencies.

 

55. What are the benefits that students will derive by chanting the

Gayatri Mantra?

 

At the Upanayanam ceremony held at Prasanthi Nilayam on 17-3-1983,

(Bhajanavali Tape No 14) Bhagavan told the students:

 

"You may or you may not chant any other Mantra, but do remember that

by chanting the Gayatri Mantra, the benefits are there for you to

see. By continuously chanting the Gayatri Mantra you yourself will

reach the state of fulfilment, a sense of feeling that you have

achieved something. But there is an inner meaning in this Gayatri

Mantra being given to young children. We have in this Mantra the

concluding words - 'Dhi Yo YoNah Prachodayat'. The meaning is this:

Before you have been given this Mantra, you have been backward

intellectually, mentally a bit lazy and with a few negative points

to your credit. But after you have been given this Mantra, you have

become sharper in Intellect, you have become more zealous, more

enthusiastic, and certainly qualified to get better marks, better

rank and first classes. From tomorrow, the children by virtue of

chanting this Mantra in the morning and in the evening, may they be

endowed with a rare Intelligence which will take care of their

fortunes that will be presiding over their destiny. They will become

highly qualified. They will become model citizens so that the future

of the country will be safe in their hands."

 

In His Discourse in the Prasanthi Mandir on 23-8-1995, Bhagavan said:

 

"It (the Gayatri Mantra) is an essential requisite for the young,

because it ensures a bright and auspicious future for them." (SS

9/95-237)

 

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NOTE - Except where otherwise stated, the answers to the above

questions have been taken from SATHYA SAI BABA SPEAKS Vol X pages

109 and 110 and from SANATHANA SARATHI September 1995 pages 233 to

238.

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APPENDIX

 

WHAT INDIA'S SAGES HAVE DECLARED ABOUT THE GAYATRI MANTRA

 

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Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887 - 1963)

 

Of all the Mantras, the Supreme and the most potent power of powers

is the great, glorious Gayatri Mantra. It is the life and support of

every true Hindu. It is the support of every seeker after Truth who

believes in its efficacy, power and glory, be he of any caste,

creed, clime or sect. It is only one's faith and purity of heart

that really count.

 

Indeed, Gayatri is an impregnable spiritual armour, a veritable

fortress that guards and protects its votary, that transforms him

into the Divine and blesses him with the brilliant light of the

highest spiritual illumination.

 

The regular repetition of a few Malas (one Mala consists of

repeating the Gayatri Mantra 108 times) of Gayatri every day will

bestow upon you all that is auspicious and benevolent to you, herein

and hereafter.

 

It is wrong to conceive of the notion that the Gayatri Mantra is

solely meant for the orthodox Brahmin class. It is universally

applicable, for it is nothing but an earnest prayer for Light

addressed to the Almighty Supreme Spirit. It is verily the sole

transcendental Guide-Light to humanity.

 

The Sun that the Gayatri Mantra speaks of is 'TAT SAVITUR', the

Great Sun which this sun or moon does not illumine, and that is the

Impersonal Absolute Brahman.

 

Therefore it is the greatest of all Mantras, and its presiding Deity

is Para-Brahman Itself. Yet it is acceptable to all types of

aspirants. The tejas of the Brahmachari, the prosperity of the

Grihastha and the strength and solace of the Vaanaprastha lies in

his Gayatri Japa.

 

Even if you are of a different religion or caste, you can also take

to the Gayatri Sadhana, if you are really sincere, earnest and

faithful. Your life will indeed be blessed.

 

Dear aspirants! Realise the wondrous potency of the glorious

Gayatri. Realise clearly what a precious heritage you have in this

Mantra. Neglect not this Divine Shakthi that the Rishis of yore have

bequeathed to us.

 

Start regular, daily Gayatri Japa and feel for yourself the wondrous

power that you derive therefrom. Fix a particular time for the Japa

and stick to it permanently.

 

At least one Mala of Japa you must do daily without a break. It will

guard you from all dangers, give you infinite strength to overcome

all obstacles, and take you to the very pinnacle of splendour,

power, peace and bliss.

 

The Lord says in the Vedas "Samano Mantraha". Let one Mantra be

common to all, and that Mantra is the Gayatri. The secret lore of

the Upanishads is the essence of the Four Vedas, while the Gayatri

Mantra with the three Vyahritis (Bhur, Bhuva, Svaha) is the essence

of the Upanishads.

 

Gayatri is the Mother of the Vedas and the destroyer of all sins.

There is nothing more purifying on earth than the Gayatri Mantra.

The Japa of Gayatri brings the same fruit as the recitation of all

the Vedas with the Angas. This single Mantra repeated sincerely and

with a clear conscience brings the Supreme Good, which is liberation

or emancipation from the wheel of birth and death.

SADHANA

by Swami Sivananda

1985 pages 217 to 220.

(Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba spent one full week in the Ashram of

Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh from 22-7-1957 to 28-7-1957. There is

no record of Bhagavan having visited any other Ashram.)

 

See Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram - Part I pages 107 to 115.

 

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Sri Chandrasekharendra Sarasvati Svami (1894 -1994)

 

(The Shankaracharya of Kaanchiipuram)

 

Gayatri is the mother of all the Vedic Mantras. People who chant the

Gayatri Mantra with affection and devotion are protected. Gaayantam

traayate yasmaat Gayatri tyabhidhiyate.

 

If the Brahmin keeps the fire of Mantras always burning in him,

there will be universal welfare.

 

He must be able to help people in trouble with his Mantric power. He

lives in vain indeed if he turns away a man who seeks his help,

excusing himself thus: "I do the same things that you do. I possess

only such power as you have."

 

Today, the fire of Mantric power has been put out, or perhaps it is

like dying embers. But may be, a spark of the old fire still gives

off a dim light. It must be made to burn brighter, so that one day,

it may become a blaze.

 

This spark is the Gayatri Mantra which has been handed down to us

through the ages.

 

At least on Sundays, all those who wear the sacred thread must do

Gayatri Japa a thousand times. They must take every care to see that

their body is kept pure and fit to absorb the Mantric power.

 

The Gayatri Mantra contains in itself the spirit and energy of all

the Vedic Mantras. Indeed it imparts power to the other Mantras.

Without Gayatri Japa, the chanting of all other Mantras would be

futile.

 

Only by the intense repetition of the Gayatri Mantra shall we be

able to master the Vedic Mantras.

 

Gayatri is essential to the Self and its Japa must not be given up

at any time.

 

Gayatri must be worshipped as a Mother.

 

The Vedas proclaim Gayatri to be such a Mother.

 

The benefit we derive from the Gayatri Mantra is the cleansing of

the mind - Chitta suddhi. Even other Mantras have this ultimate

purpose.

 

However, Chitta suddhi is the direct result of Gayatri Japa.

 

Let us all pray to the Lord that the fire of the Mantras is never

extinguished in us, and that it will keep burning brighter and

brighter.

 

HINDU DHARMA pages 548 to 553

(Translation of Discourses originally delivered in Tamil by The

Shankaracharya of Kaanchiipuram) -

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan 1995.

 

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Sadguru Sant Keshavadas

 

Gayatri meditation is the highest form of meditation known in the

Vedas. Gayatri is chanted for the attainment of universal

consciousness and for the awakening of intuitive powers.

 

Gayatri meditation destroys all delusions, energises prana, bestows

longevity, health, brilliance and illumination.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is the key to opening the door of Cosmic

Consciousness.

 

The best times for meditation are in the morning, just before

sunrise and in the evening, just before sunset.

 

Sit facing East or North in Padmasana or Siddhasana (or Vajrasana),

or in any other easy, comfortable posture. Sit on a mat covered with

a woollen blanket and cotton cloth (to insulate your body from the

ground). Once you sit in a posture, avoid unnecessary movement of

the body.

 

Keep the trunk, head and neck erect.

 

Be fearless.

 

Sit with a firm determination to realise the Truth.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is a cosmic rhythm consisting of 24 syllables,

arranged as a triplet of 8 syllables each.

 

When you repeat the Mantra, meditate on the meaning of the Mantra

and pray for the vision of Mother Gayatri Devi. This Mantra is

dedicated to God as Light and the Sun is the symbol of that light.

 

This Mantra has universality, because it is meditation on Light

through the Sun, which is the same to the whole of humanity. This

Mantra confers wisdom, prosperity, purity and liberation.

 

One who repeats the Mantra 108 times in each sitting will attain

radiance soon.

 

One who repeats the Mantra 1008 times with sincerity and devotion in

each sitting will attain illumination in 40 days.

 

Gayatri Mantra removes all fears.

 

Gayatri Mantra is the best cure for all ills.

 

Gayatri Mantra destroys karma and blesses us with liberation.

 

This entire universe has emerged by the power of the Gayatri Mantra.

Indeed all this is nothing but the manifestation of the power of God.

 

There is no Japa higher than the Gayatri Japa.

 

There is no greater wealth than the Gayatri Mantra.

 

Whoever meditates on the Gayatri Mantra every morning and evening

will certainly be blessed with long life, good health and peace. His

word becomes a blessing. He will attain enlightenment and will

become a great blessing to the society and the entire world.

 

Even though the holy Gayatri Mantra is chanted for the highest Light

of God, still anything a man wishes in the name of Mother Gayatri is

instantaneously fulfilled.

 

Gayatri brings healing to any sickness, be they physical, mental,

emotional or spiritual.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is the Body of the Deity.

 

Therefore by constant repetition of this holy Mantra, one will have

the darshan or perception of that Deity.

 

The scripture says a purascharana (repetition of the holy word of

God) should be at least 24,000 times.

 

Gayatri Mantra has 24 syllables.

 

To repeat the Gavatri Mantra 24,000 times is therefore very

auspicious.

 

The Vedas constantly emphasise the performance of Gayatri

purascharana and Gayatri yajna for peace - individual, national and

international.

 

May the Universal Mother Gayatri bless the entire world with

transcendental peace!

 

GAYATRI - THE HIGHEST MEDITATION

by SADGURU SANT KESHAVADAS

1983 (pages 74 - 78 and 157 - 159) Vishwa Shanti Ashrama,

24 Km. Arasinakunte, Bangalore District 562 123.

 

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Svami Mukhyananda

 

In the Sukla Yajur Veda (XXVI - 2) it is urged to spread the

beneficient words (Vaacham Kalyaaniim) of the Vedas to all people

without distinction of caste, creed or sex, even to people of other

religions.

 

Now the time has come, as declared by Swami Vivekananda in 1901

(Complete Works III - pages 454-461 The Religion we are Born in)

that the Vedas and the Gayatri Mantra must be propagated among all,

as before, irrespective of caste, creed, sex or religion. Women

should also perform Sandhya as in olden times.

 

"This Veda is our only authority, and everyone has the right to it."

 

OM, GAYATRI and SANDHYA

by Svami Mukhyananda

1989 pages 48 and 49 - Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Madras 600

004.

 

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First Edition 3,000 copies December 6,1995

Second Edition 5,000 copies (Revised & Enlarged) January 15,1996

Third Edition 15,000 copies (With minor amendments) November 23,1996

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