'Gayathri Mantra An Explanation'

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The Gayatri Mantra does not belong to any particular sect of worship, or it is

not restricted to any certain community. It is universal, for the whole world.

It contains in it the culture not of any particular society, but the culture of

humanity. The Gayatri Mantra is a treasure and heritage that belongs to the

whole of humanity without exclusion.

 

The Gayatri mantra is central to Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology.

For Yoga it sets in motion the Divine will toward transformation, stimulating

the Kundalini force. For Vedanta it grants Self-knowledge, knowledge of the

solar Self. For Ayurveda it gives the power of the cosmic prana that is born of

the sun. For Jyotish it gives knowledge of the movements of the heavenly bodies

ruled by the cosmic sun.

 

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the holiest mantras in the Sanskrit language. Here

we present it in Sanskrit, Gujarati and English scripts.

 

UNIVERSAL GAYATHRI MANTHRA

 

OM BHUR BHUVA SVAH

TAT SAVITR VARAY NIYEM

BHRGOH DEVASYA DHIMAHI

DIYEO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT

OM SHANTHI SHANTHI SHANTHI

 

English Script

 

Aum bhu-bhva svah tat sevitr varay niyem bargoh de vas ya dhi ma hi diyeo yo na

prachodayat

 

English Translation

 

" O Lord, Thou are the protector of life and of breath, dispeller of miseries and

bestower of happiness. Thou are the creator and the most acceptable

intelligence, possessing eternal qualities. May Thine qualities and Thy

inspiration pass to us. "

 

Sanskrit

Hindi Translation

 

Sarvrakshak Pransvarup Dukho Ko Dur Karnay Valay Atyant Grahan Yogya Shudh

Vigyan Svarup Sarvgun Sampannan Ko Prem Bhakti Se Apnay Atma Me Dharon Karo

Jissay Hamari Sabki Prayrit Ho

 

Word for Word Meaning of the Mantra

 

Aum = Brahma ; bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy(pran) ; bhuwah =

destroyer of sufferings ; swaha = embodiment of happiness ; tat = that ; savitur

= bright like sun ; varenyam = best choicest ; bhargo = destroyer of sins ;

devasya = divine ; dheemahi = may imbibe ; dhiyo = intellect ; yo = who ; naha =

our ; prachodayat = may inspire

 

Meaning of Gayatri Mantra

 

Rishis selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them so that they not

only convey meaning but also create specific power through their utterance.

Gayatri Mantra inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that " May the Almighty God

illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path " . All the problems

of a person are solved if he/she is endowed with the gift of righteous wisdom.

Once endowed with far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled in calamity nor

does he tread the wrong path. A wise man finds solution to all outstanding

problems. Only those persons who do not think correctly find difficulty and take

wrong steps due to foolishness. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra removes this

deficiency. The teachings and powers incorporated in the Gayatri Mantra fulfill

this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging soon after Jap(recitation) of

this Mantra is performed.

 

Extracted from " The Great Science and Philosophy of Gayatri " by Shree Ram Sharma

Acharya, Shanti Kunj, Hardwaar, Uttar Pradesh, India.

 

 

GAYATRI MANTRA

THE UNRIVALLED DIVINE FORCE

The Twenty-four Letters of Gayatri Mantra

 

 

Brahma conceived the Gayatri mantra consisting of 24 letters before he crested

the gross world. Each letter in the mantra has hid in itself, a great potential

force, which when released, branches off into the four Vedas with their

sub-branches just as a vast tree is hidden in its seed. The pipal seed sprouts ,

it grows into an extensive tree with many branches and give out leaves, fruits,

flowers, etc. The tree expands so much-lakhs and lakhs of time more the size of

seed. After sprouting, the mantra takes the form of the four Vedas.

 

Philology (the science of language i.e., sound) was born of the 14 sounds. With

these 14 sounds that vibrated and emanated when Lord Shiv, in his happier mood,

played on his favourite damaru (a percussion instrument ). With these 14 sounds

(sutras) as the basis , Panini- the greatest grammarian, wrote his Astadhyayi

(or Maha Vyakarana), the greatest and the most important compilation on Sanskrit

grammar. Many scholars have commented on his work and such commentaries alone

are enough to constitute a large library. Similarly, all literature in various

forms is the outcome of the 24 letters of Gayatri mantra only. While the Gayatri

mantra is the sutra, the compilations with their branches and sub-branches are

its extensive commentaries.

 

The author (the seers & sages) of the science of mantra say that whatever sound

comes out from the mouth is the outcome of the interaction of various organ such

ad the wide-pipe, thee tongue, the teeth, the lips etc. The different organs or

parts of the mouth are interconnected with the various parts of the body through

tubular organs known as nadi.

 

In those areas of the body wherever the nadis are (the six Chakras are related

to the sushumna nadi) there are lots of ganglia (granthis), and the effect of

vibrations of different parts of the mouth (place of sound organs) have a

pressuring effect on these ganglia. If ones talk is defective, it means that

some of the ganglia are not functioning properly or effectively. Our body

contains many ganglia of different sizes, some are seen and some of which are

not seen. The spiritualists know what power is contained in each of the ganglia.

Thew various sounds produced through the organs of the mouth have their effect

on these ganglia; they cause the ganglia to activate and discharge their stored

power. The wordings of the mantras are arranged on the basis of their sounds and

intonations. The Gayatri mantra contains 24 letters, and all these 24 letters

have a direct relation with the 24 ganglia in the human body. Our body can be

compared to a sitar (a stringed musical instrument) with 24 strings. When the

Ganglia are activated they energize those power that yield the right kind of

knowledge. The repetition of Gayatri mantra (or japa) produces notes which

mingle with similar sounds existing in Nature (prakriti). This is what one can

expect from Gayatri sadhana.

 

The word (shabda) is compared to Brahma. When Brahma is inspired, his body

quivers and the vibrations created by the movement of his body fall again on his

body and take the form of Omkar (Pranava) which echoes seven times. Like the

pendulum of a clock, this Omkar creates the movement or vibrations which in turn

keeps Nature (prakriti) functioning. As a result of such functioning, the three

gunas - sattwa, rajas and tamas with their powers hrim, shrim and klim

respectively flow and break off into different rivulets and streams and create

the bija mantra. One should not underestimate the effect of the sound waves

produce. Those well versed in the science of sound know what potency sound waves

contain and what effects they produce. Sound works in it own sphere ad even

controls Nature. Thus Nature functions through the power of the word-sound.

Gayatri mantra is composed of selected sounds and due to their very order in the

mantra a very powerful current or wave is produced and made to flow.

 

If one wishes to know what miracles the power of word-sound can create, one has

to acquaint with the latest developments in science and technology. The Russians

have devised what is known as the transducer, with which the aid of subtle sound

waves can cut even thick iron and steel plates. From the cleansing of the

sophisticated instruments to the working of the ordinary washing machine, all

the work is now done by the aid of sound waves.

 

We read in history that the Dipak Rag was sung by Tansen, by the vibrations of

the oil lamps, which had gone off glowed again. We know deer forgets its own

self and the cows yield more milk when they hear enchanting music. Similarly,

hearing the sound of cuckoo, a mans sensuousness is said to be aroused. When

battalions of soldiers in formation cross a bridge, it is said the soldiers are

not expected to maintain the uniformity in steps, ass it is feared that when

they keep uniformity in steps, due to the impact of the sound waves produced

(known as resonance), the bridge, may collapse. Dr Huchisson of U.S.A., who has

gained much popularity claims sure success in fighting certain diseases with the

aid of sound waves. In all these cases, the vibrations mingle with similar

sounds spread in subtle Nature (sukshma prakriti), revolve round and round and

converge again on the place of their origin, thereby producing a kind of energy

which produces the desired effect. In other words, many miraculous things happen

due to the power of a mantra. The Gayatri spell also derives its force in the

same fashion. While uttering the mantra whichever organs of the mouth come into

play, activate their corresponding ganglia also. When the ganglia are activated

thus, a musical (which is also spiritual) sound resembling the Vedic Mantra

spreads in the air, returning to its base again carrying along with it a

powerful force of similar sounds already spread in Nature to help achieve the

desired end. The musical effect of the vibrations, or the current occasioned by

the utterance of the mantra on the already existing current created by the five

elements and the subtle soul force (atma shakti) created by the five

elements-ether, air, fire, water and earth, the subtle soul-force created by the

intensity of piety, sincerity and earnestness of the prayer offered, make the

Gayatri forces powerful as a Divine Blessings.

 

Absolute and firm faith in the divinity by the sadhak in rhea Gayatri spell

yields a powerful subtle force. Psychologists are well aware of the power of

such force. As a matter of fact, many people have been saved and resuscitated

from untimely death by this force. Many might have perished due to lack of

faith. The great saint Tulsidas, in one of his couplets, has compared faith and

belief to Parvati (Shard) and Parameshwar (vishwas). Belief has the power of

converting a piece of rope inn the dark into a snake, a tree into a spirit, and

an idol into deity. Because of faith man spends his energy, money and even

sacrifices his life. We can quote several people- Ekalavya and Kabir, for

example, who were able to amass better knowledge(which otherwise had to be

learnt at the feet of the tutor) on account off their faith and belief. If for

instance a sadhak takes a sadhana of Gayatri with the supreme faith and belief,

he gets an unparalleled siddhi because of the mingling of the sound force in

Nature (prakiti) with the spiritual powers.

 

The 24 letters of the Gayatri spell and its relation to the power.

 

The 24 powers of Gayatri awaken in the sadhak certain qualities, and along with

this awakening he starts getting success and prosperity i.e., siddhi. Many feel

that these benefits are showered by some God or Goddess. They do not realise the

development of the subtle force in themselves. If they are able to know the

subtle force working in them, they will realise that such benefits do not accrue

of their own accord and that all of them are the results of the interplay of

spiritual forces in them. Gayatri sadhana or upasana is not blind faith, but a

scientific process whose development and progress are sure to yield to desired

fruits.

 

Gayatri is the adi shakti (the prime force). With this force both sentient and

insentient worlds (life and matter) derive their movement (gati) or force or

inspiration, and result is development and progress. Just as one can easily hear

any broadcast from any station by just tuning a knob, similarly, one can

establish ones contact through ones spiritual powers with the subtle, all

pervading Gayatri. One can use ones own spiritual power for attainment of all or

a particular benefit-material, psychological or spiritual. This is sdhana.

 

A sincere devotee with a weak determination faces many odds; even the easiest

course becomes very difficult for him. It is just like cold which enhances the

strength of the strong but weakens the spirit of the weak and makes them suffer

with pneumonia etc. In other words, the principal which becomes fatal to the

weak, become energizing to the strong and determined. The weak sheep is devoured

by the wild beasts and even eaten by men, but the lion is adored not only by the

wild beast and animals but even by the strongest emperors who wear it as an

insignia on their person.

 

A man suffers from sorrow for three reasons viz., lack of power or ability,

greed for a thing, and ignorance or lack of knowledge. If he does not possess

certain things, say food, clothing, water, shelter, land servants, friends

wealth, medicine, books weapons, etc., he faces many difficulties and may feel

depressed. Because, he fails to act at the right moment, he suffers endlessly

and opportunities rarely to him.

 

Gayatri is the desire-yielding cow (kamadhenu) . One who recites Gayatri and

engages one self in her sadhana is blessed by Mother Gayatri. He remains outside

the purview of ignorance, incapacity and want of things and gets the desired

things.