The Three Sai Manthras (The Manthra, The Yanthra, The Thanthra)

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The Three Sai Manthras

 

The Manthra,The Yanthra,The Thanthra

 

On 24 December 1977, in Thrayee Brindaavan, the Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree was

revealed by Swami to Ghandikota Subrahmanya Shaastri, doyen of Vedhik learning,

culture, and practice. Years later, on 22 September 1997 the Sai Suurya

Gaayathree was revealed to Ghandikota V. Subba Rao, Ghandikota Subrahmanya

Shaastri's son, when Sathya Sai Baba was riding the Golden Chariot. (Click on

either picture to see a larger version of it.)

 

On 15 February 1999 the Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree was revealed to Ghandikota

V. Subba Rao, during Mahaashivaraathree. The last line of the Sai Hiranyagarbha

Gaayathree was actually first said by Sathya Sai Baba, as Subba Rao was

struggling to complete the Gaayathree.

 

It was Sathya Sai Baba Himself who coined the term " Saithree " for these three

Sai Gaayathrees. The three Sai Gaayathrees, with translations, are presented

below.

 

Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree

 

Om Saayeeshvaraaya vidhmahe

Sathya-dhevaaya dheemahi

Thannah-Sarvah prachodayaath Om.

 

(We know this Sai as supreme divinity incarnate. We meditate on this God of

Truth. May this Almighty All-in-all Personality lead us on the path of total

liberation.)

 

Sai Suurya Gaayathree

 

Om Shree Bhaaskaraaya vidhmahe

Saayi-dheyvaaya dheemahi

Thannah-Suurya prachodayaath Om.

We know this Self-shining Entity.

 

(We meditate on this divinity as Sai Suurya. May this divine Light enlighten us

on the path of liberation.)

 

Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree

 

Om Premaathmanaaya vidhmahe

Hiranyagarbhaaya dheemahi

Thannah-Sathyah prachodayaath

 

(We know this embodiment of divine Love, Sathya Sai.We meditate on this

Golden-wombed divine personality. May the Truth Incarnate, Shree Sathya Sai,

inspire us on the path of liberation.)

 

Ghandikota V. Subba Rao has written a little booklet titled " Saithree: Manthra,

Yanthra, Thanthra " , which discusses these Gaayathrees. The booklet is available

in the Prashaanthi Books & Publications Trust in Prashaanthi Nilayam. The

booklet explains these manthras and their use in detail. For example, the

booklet tells us that:-

 

Sai Eeshvaraaya Gaayathree serves as a bridge to the divine cosmic life

Principle of Eeshvara. It is related to the deepest Super consciousness in us

all. The best time to chant this Gaayathree is 4AM to 10AM.

 

Sai Suurya Gaayathree relates to the body level in cosmic form-Suurya is the Sun

God. It is related to consciousness in the outer world. The best time to chant

this Gaayathree is 10AM to 4PM.

 

Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree enables us to link with the divine cosmic Mind,

Hiranyagarbha (Golden-wombed Divinity). It is related to the

subconscious-psychosomatic conscience. The best time to chant this Gaayathree is

4PM to 10PM.

 

The Sai Yanthra, or Sai Chakra

 

A yanthra, or chakra, is a geometrical diagram used like an icon in meditation

or worship of a deity. It is a potentised diagrammatic inscription of

letters/words pertaining to that deity. The Sri Sai Yanthras shown below were

created by Ghandikota V. Subba Rao. They are actually the same yanthra but in

different languages: Sanskrit using the roman alphabet, Sanskrit, and Thelegu.

Click on a small photo to see a larger version of it-each is about 320KB.

 

Sanskrit in roman letters

 

In his booklet " Saithree " , Subba Rao explains that this yanthra came to him at

early dawn on Monday, 11 October 1999, and that Sathya Sai Baba blessed it three

times that same afternoon, after discussing its contents with Subba Rao. We draw

a few details from that booklet, but you will get much more out of the booklet

itself. This explanation deals with the yanthra that contains Sanskrit in roman

letters.

 

The mode of worship of internalizing this Sai Chakra, or Sai Yanthra, and firmly

installing it within you is called the Sai Thanthra.

 

0. General structure. Divine yanthras are generally enclosed by a square, which

is called the Apex Spiritual City; it constitutes the universal stage where the

play of the individual, collective, and cosmic forces are at work.

 

The dot at the centre is the nondual, monistic, five-lettered (in Sanskrit) holy

formula for deep contemplation, SAI SHIVOHAM (I AM THIS SUPREME UNIVERSAL FORCE,

SHIVA SAI). It is enclosed by a triangle, whose sides represent Truth, Goodness,

and divine Beauty. These three spiritual illuminating impulses radiate outward

and sanctify the whole Sai spiritual field, or Sai Mandala. This Sai Spiritual

Terrain between the inner triangle and outer perimeter of the square has three

circles, within which are the three Sai Gaayathrees. Note also that there are

nine enclosures, each containing Sai principles. We now explain these, from the

outer to the inner.

 

1. Seven-fold mission. Closely following the sides of the perimeter, the square,

are the seven-fold missions or purposes of the Sai Avathaar (e.g. Aakarchanaaya

Sarva Janaanaam in the upper left). These are (1) drawing all people by His

magnetic power of universal love, (2) weeding out wicked qualities by His loving

kindness, compassion, and grace, (3) reforming the inactive and ignorant and

lazy, (4) rechanneling the energies of the selfishly active and passionate

people, (5) elevating the good and noble to ever higher levels of spiritual

consciousness, (6) Bestowing direction vision of the Lord on true devotees, and

(7) manifesting by His own example the principles of selfless, loving, egoless

service to the needy.

 

2. Swami as the universal embodiment of all religions. This concept is

symbolized by the symbols of seven different religions. Clockwise, starting at

the upper right, we have: (1) Zoroastrian flaming fireplace, (2) the Jewish

menorah (with seven candles), (3) the Buddhist wheel, (4), the Jain outstretched

hand bearing the word ahimsa (nonviolence), (5) the Christian cross, (6) the

Islamic crescent and moon, (7) the Sikh double-edged sword surrounded by a wheel

held up by a sword on each side. At the top is the Omkaar, or Pranava, standing

for both the immanent and transcendental aspects of the Supreme Spirit --this is

why it lies partly outside and partly inside the chakra. This is the symbol of

the Sanaathana Dharma, the Ancient Eternal Universal Religion, in which all

other religions are " sourced " .

 

3. Seven steps to liberation. Between the religious symbols and the first

circular space are the seven steps to liberation (e.g. Sath Sankalpam near the

Sikh symbol at about 11 o'clock). These are: (1) good resolution, (2) good

company and character, (3) good deeds, (4) living a spiritual life, (5) living

in close proximity to Divinity, (6) experiencing divine nature and bliss, (7),

becoming one with the Divine.

 

Sai Suurya Gaayathree. The Sai Suurya Gaayathree is in the first circular space.

 

4. Seven miraculous powers of Sathya Sai Baba. The seven miraculous powers are

just within the outer circle (e.g. Vishva janeena dhivya aakarshana shakthi at

the top center). The powers are (1) magnetic miracle of universal love, (2)

materialisation miracles, (3) medical miracles, (4) metaphysical miracles of

teachings, preachings, and reachings, (5) miracles of public service (e.g. free

medical services), (6) miracles of micro and macro management, (7) man-making

miracles --reforming and transforming vast numbers of people for spiritual

progress and welfare.

 

5. Seven divinities with their respective powers. These seven divinities and

their powers are above the seven petals, closely following the inner perimeter

of the first circle (e.g. Gaanaapathyam at about 11 o'clock). They are (1) power

of intellect, (2) power of right action, (3) power of nondual, unifying

knowledge, (4) power of universal divine love, (5) power of beneficial creative

activity, (6) power of vital sacrifice, (7) power of supreme Aathma, or Self.

 

6. Seven-fold moral disciplines. These disciplines are written just under and

perpendicular to the powers in number 6 (e.g. Dhamam is under Gaanaapathyam).

They are (1) control of outer senses, (2) kindness and compassion, (3) mastery

of inner senses, (4) giving, sharing, caring, serving, (5), righteous altruistic

service to the needy, (6) courage with self-confidence, (7) contemplation and

meditation.

 

Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree. The Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree is inscribed in

the second (middle) circle.

 

7. Seven-fold stages of self awareness and realization. These stages are just

inside the second (middle) circle (e.g. Aathma Vichaarana at about 11 o'clock).

These stages are (1) self awareness through self inquiry, (2) developing self

confidence, (3) acquiring wisdom of the Self, (4) living in self surrender, (5)

gaining self-satisfaction, (6) selfless self-sacrifice, (7) reaching the state

of bliss in self realization.

 

8. Seven-fold paths to Braahmik consciousness. These paths are inscribed on the

petals between the middle and inner circle (e.g. Sathyavathi at 12 o'clock).

These are (1) the quest for truth, (2) contemplation of the Divine in its

partial manifestations in nature (e.g. the five elements), (3) contemplation of

the Divine through symbols, idols, pictures, etc., (4) devotional self

surrender, (5) acquisition of knowledge of God, nature, and man, (6) experience

of unit in diversity and contemplation of " Thou are That (Thatvamasi) " , (7)

experience of the truth of " I am Brahman (Ahambrahmaasmi) " .

 

Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree. The Sai (Eeshvara) Gaayathree is inscribed in the

third (inner) circle.

 

9. Seven-fold Sai values and principles. These values and principles are

inscribed in the petals within the inner circle (e.g. sathya at 12 o'clock).

These are (1) truth, (2) righteousness, (3) peace, (4) divine love, (5)

nonviolence, (6) service through sacrifice, (7) bliss.

 

Three principles of truth, goodness, beauty. These principles are on the three

sides of the inner triangle (e.g. Sathyam).

 

The nondual formula " I am Sai Shiva (Sai Shivoham) " . This aphorism appears

inside the inner triangle. Unbroken contemplation of this aphorism will result

in liberation.

 

Sai Thanthra

 

A thanthra is a mode of worship, a spiritual technique, a ritual or method for

spiritual progress, a manual of worship.

 

In his booklet, Subba Rao explains the Shree Sai Tanthra, which consists of the

principles or methodology of Sai worship. Basically, he says, Sai Thanthra is

the proper use of the body, senses, mind, intellect, heart, and ego complex. He

says in summary that

 

The Sai Thanthra consists of (1) Steady contemplation of the truths contained in

the Sai Chakra, particularly the three Sai Gaayathrees; (2) continued

performance, with devotion, of one's duties and obligations and of selfless

service to the needy; and (3) living a life filled with love, service, and

bliss, in constant integrated awareness of the all pervasive supreme Reality.

 

He describes a seven-fold schema for Sai contemplation and worship (puuja) of

the truths contained in the Sai Yanthra. Particularly important in this worship

are the three Sai Gaayathrees. Here are is an outline of these seven steps:

 

1. Body-related transformation. Namaskaar-offer salutations by joining both

hands (and prostrating, if you wish) before the altar of the Sai Chakra. To be

repeated three times, while repeating the verse given below to seek Swami's

grace.

 

2. Senses-related transformation. Aavaahana (invocation). invoke or install the

Sai Chakra or Yanthra in the heart by a gesture of turning the palms inward

toward the heart area. Mr. Subba Rao gives a verse (see below) to be repeated

while doing this. To be repeated three times.

 

3. Mind-related transformation. Dhyaana (meditation). Meditate in the heart in

silence, with even breathing, while dwelling on the meaning of a verse (see

below).

 

4. Intellect-related transformation. Chant the Sai Suurya Gaayathree seven

times; perform abhisheka while doing this-sprinkle drops of water on altar of

the Sai Chakra.

 

5. Inner-conscience transformation. Chant the Sai Hiranyagarbha Gaayathree seven

times; while doing this, place flowers on the altar of the Sai Chakra.

 

6. Ego-complex transformation. Chant the Saayeeshvara Gaayathree, while placing

fruit as an offering before the the Sai Chakra.

 

7. Total unitive transformation. Contemplate on the meaning of Sai Shivoham (I

am Sai Shiva); then do aarathi --wave camphor light in a clockwise direction

three times in front of the altar of the Sai Chakra.

 

Verse for step 1.

 

Dhakshine Hastha Chaalana Vibhuuthim

Vaame Bhaktha Lekha Lasath Karam

Aayuraarogya Dhaathaaram

Sai Dhanvanthareem Upaasmahe

 

Purport: We contemplate on Shree Sathya Sai, who holds in His left hand a big

bunch of letters collected from devotees seeking His divine grace to cure their

illnesses of body, mind, intellect, and ego; and, at the same time, creates

vibhuuthi (sacred ash) merely by waving His empty right palm and distributes it

to the needy and suffering. May this Sai Dhanvanthari (divine doctor of doctors)

bestow on us health and longevity.

 

Verse for step 2.

 

Yo Dhevassathya Saayinah

Buddhim Dharmaadhi Gocharaam

Prerayeth Thasya Yattejah

Thadhvarenyam Upaasmahe

 

Purport: Let the effulgent energy of Shree Sathya Sai, which pervades my heart

as pure consciousness, inspire, guide, and actually direct my senses to perform

dhaarmik or altruistic service activities with selfless love. We meditate on

this self-effulgent divine Personality.

 

Verse for step 3.

 

Sarvaruupa Dharam Shaantham

Sarva Naama Dharam Shivam

Sath Chith Aanandham Advaitham

Sathyam Sivam Sundharam

 

Purport: This Shiva Sai bears all names. He is the very form of peace. He is the

embodiment of the nondual principle of Being, Awareness, Bliss. He is the Shiva

Shakthi characterised by truth, goodness, and blissful beauty.