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The Rig Veda (10:16:3) Om : Para Brahman Bhur : Bhu Loka (Physical Plane). It also refers to the body made up of the five Panch Bhoothas. These five elements constitute Prakriti (Nature). Bhuva : Bhuva Loka - the middle world. Bhuva is also Prana Sakthi. However it is the Presence of PRAGNANA 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 Brahman). Svaha : Swarga Loka(Heaven, the land of Gods). Tat : Paramatma, God or Brahman. Savitur : That from which all this is born. Varenyam : Fit to be worshiped. 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 (Dhiyo) Intellect (so that we may realise the Supreme Truth). GAYATRI MANTRA 1. What is meant by 'Mantra'? 'Ma' means MANANA (i.e. Meditation) and 'thra' means saving; so 'Mantra' means that which can save you, if you meditate on it. Mantra will save you from being caught up in the coils of this worldly life which is infested with death, grief and pain" - Baba. A 'mantra' may also be a combination of letters which has a mysterious power hidden within it, of bringing about certain results when used in a particular manner. It has been said: "BRAHMANAM BRAHMANA VAHANAM" and it means, Brahma is the carrier of Brahman. Baba has said: "The word Brahma here is understood to connote Mantra". The inner meaning is that THE PURUSHA WHO IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE VEDAS, has the mantra as His carrier. A mantra has two aspects; The first is MANANA which means whatever you have learnt has to be taken into the mind and the second aspect is TRAANA, which means, whatever has been taken into the mind, has to be firmly established and preserved in the mind. "The Vedas have been obtained by listening to 'sound' (ghosha), they have been referred to as SRUTI. This is directly connected with the Lord, taking in and giving out His breath. Brahman rides over these mantras and therefore He has been called BRAHMANASPATI. (PATI means KARTA or the head of a situation). If we want to get control over Brahman or obtain His Grace, then His carriers namely the mantras over which He rides must be first brought under control". Baba has said: "I am ghosha" i.e. Baba is Brahman and rides over the mantras. 2. How Gayatri came into existence? Vedas proclaim that at the instance Sree Mahavishnu, the Lord Supreme, decided to create the universe, Gayatri Mantra, interalia, came out from His Divine Face. Gayatri Mantra appears in Rig Veda, as the tenth mantra in the sixtieth sutra of the third Mandala. As Vedas are eternal, Gayatri Mantra also is eternal having no birth and death. 3. How do you arrive at the word 'GAYATRI'? The word 'GAYATRI' is derived from "GAYAntam TRIyate Iti". It means THAT which protects the chanter is THIS. Here THIS is GAYATRI MANTRA (Sabta Brahman). That is the reason for the total absence of the word "Gayatri" in the mantra itself. 4. What is the Gayatri mantra? The Gayatri Mantra is the Universal Prayer enshrined in the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of Man. Universal Prayer means Prayer that can be recited with devotion for one's spiritual or material benefit in all Ages by all men, women and children in any part of the world.
Om : Para Brahman Bhur : Bhu Loka (Physical Plane). It also refers to the body made up of the five Panch Bhoothas. These five elements constitute Prakriti (Nature). Bhuva : Bhuva Loka - the middle world. Bhuva is also Prana Sakthi. However it is the Presence of PRAGNANA 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 Brahman). Svaha : Swarga Loka(Heaven, the land of Gods). Tat : Paramatma, God or Brahman. Savitur : That from which all this is born. Varenyam : Fit to be worshiped. 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 (Dhiyo) Intellect (so that we may realise the Supreme Truth). 7. What do you understand by "Sampoorna Gayatri"? Om : This is Pranava Bhur, Bhuva, Svaha : The Mahavyahritis relating to Gayatri Mantra. The conventional Mahavyahritis pronounced before commencing any spiritual ceremony are as follows: OM BHUH OM BHUVAH OM SUVAH OM MAHAH OM JANAH OM TAPAH OM SATYAM These are the Seven spheres of existence beginning with the physical (BHUH). Actual Gayatri Mantra: TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YONAH PRACHODAYAT These three aspects taken together form 'Sampoorna Gayatri'. 8. How many syllables are contained in the Gayatri Mantra? What is the significance of this number? The actual Gayatri consists of 24 Syllables as follows:
Sreemad Devi Bhagavatham gives a reference to 24 Rishis who are associated with each syllable in the Gayatri Mantra. Similarly each syllable is also associated with each of 24 Sakthis and 24 Flowers. Vedas suggest that Goddess Gayatri can be worshiped as Gayatri Vicharam, Gayatri Kavacham, Gayatri Hrudayam, Gayatri Sthothram or Gayatri Sahasranaama. (Here 'Hrudayam' means the whole body.) 9. What is the significance of OM in the Gayatri Mantra? Om is the Naada Brahmam emanated from Supreme God as early as the time of Creation, (Om Iti ekakshcharam Brahman) (Om that syllable is Brahman). It is composed of three syllables 'A', 'U', 'M'. 'A' relates to waking state 'U' relates to dreaming state 'M' relates to sleeping state All these leading to 4th state viz TURYA which is beyond these three states and represented by Silence. When one dives deep into the depths of this silence, he hears the cosmic AUM or the Pranava, which emanates from the Prana (vital vibration) which fills the Universe. Gayatri Mantra is the expanded form of OM and Om is included in the Gayatri mantra to give 'reinforcement' effect to the Mantra. "Om is the Waters, Light, Essence (Saaram and Saaramsam), the Immortal, Reality, the physical (BHUR), the intermediate (Bhuvah) and heaven worlds (Svah) is OM. 10. Who discovered the Gayatri Mantra? The Gayatri Mantra was discovered by Sage Viswamitra. It was the same sage Viswamitra who initiated Sri Rama into mysteries of Sun worship, through the mantra Aaditya Hrudayam. The RISHI (Sage) for Gayatri Mantra is Viswamitra himself. 11. How did Sage Viswamitra become the RISHI for Gayatri Mantra? Being the Kshakthriya King, Viswamitra demanded the Divine Cow NANDINI which was in the possession of sage Vasista, who refused to part with NANDINI. All efforts to get the Divine Cow having failed, Viswamitra gave up his bad quality of pride and arrogance, went to the forest for deep penance and then after the penance was over he came back and surrendered himself with utmost humility to sage Vasista. He made upasana of Gayatri as Veda Maata and was subsequentely recognised by Sage Vasista as Brahma Rishi. Only after this incidence, Viswamitra became the Rishi for Gayatri Mantra. We learn from this incidence that only when our mind is pure, free from pride and arrogance, Goddess Gayatri comes to our rescue and uplifts us to higher status in spirituality. 12. What do you understand by 'Mantra Sakthi'? It is some thing which cannot be seen. It can only be inferred. For instance, when mantras are uttered and oblations are offered in the Fire, we can see the offered materials being reduced to ashes and this is called PRATYAKSHA or perception through direct observation. However, the material which is reduced to ashes gets conveyed by MANTRA SAKTHI to the person for whom it was intended. Baba has said that even if one does not know the place where the offering has to reach, or if one is not acquainted with the person carrying the offering, it is of no consequence. 13. How does 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. 14. How to pronounce AUM? It must be pronounced as slowly as possible rising in a crescendo (musical Arohanam) until it reaches its peak at 'M'. Then it must take a curve at 'M' and descend as slowly as it rose, taking as much time as it took to ascend, it must gradually disappear into the Silence reverberating in the cavity of the heart. Let the Silence coincide with the pause between two breathing cycles and prolong it as long as possible without discomfort. Enjoy it, Relish it. This is the threshold of the residence of the Inner Self, the Real Prasanthi Mandir. This Inner Self is all pervasive and identical with Brahman. This is the Real Nature of Man. "Be still and know that YOU ARE GOD". 15. Mental Repetition of Mantra is more powerful than words. How? While the mantra is repeated mentally, the words are in the background of the mind and serve the same purpose which the notes sounded on a TANPUR serve in Indian vocal music. It has been inferred that if you utter the mantra by mouth producing sound, you will get one unit of benefit. If it is done in the fashion of JAPA, you will get 10 units of benefits. If it is done just by movement of lips without producing physical sound, you will get 100 units of benefits. If the same is done mentally without lip movement or sound, then the benefit you will be deriving is 1000 units! 16. Where we can sit and utter Gayatri Mantra to get best results?
(Note of author of the site: Hold the rosary over the middle finger, keeping the three Guna fingers together. This means that you are now transcending the world of attributes, and qualities, of name and form, of multiplicity that is the consequence of all this transformation, and proceeding towards the know- ledge of the UNITY. The Jivi finger now slowly passes each bead towards the thumb (Brahmam), touching the tip of the Brahmam finger when the bead passes over, so that the mergence is emphasised with every bead and every breath, for, while the fingers learn and teach the lesson, the tongue too repeats the manthra or the Name, with the Pranava. The japamala is very useful for beginners in Sadhana, but, as you progress, japa must become the very breath of your life, and so the rotation of beads becomes a superfluous and cumbersome exercise in which you have no more interest. Sarvadaa-sarva kaaleshu sarvatra Hari chinthanam : Always, at all times, in all places, Hari (the Lord) is meditated upon. That is the stage to which the japamala should lead you. You should not be bound to it for ever; it is only a contraption. The belt has to be discarded when you have learnt to swim, the crutches when you are able to walk. "SADHANA. The Inward Path" 17. What are the materials which can be spread over for sitting thereon for chanting Mantra? 1) Darbasanam (Kosa grass): Our 'Papas' (sins) are removed, Body and Mind are cleansed immediately. 2) Woollen materials: Our miseries are removed. 3) Deer Leather: Develops our 'gnana', peace of mind 4) Silk material: good fortunes 5) Bark of tree used as clothing: gives strength (it was used by Sri Rama - These materials are still available in the State of Kerala, South India) 6) Leather of female elephant: Removes diseases. Lord Shiva sometimes wears this material and perform "Ananda Thandavam" (dance) 7) Leather of Tiger: gives Liberation (Moksha); increases the power of renunciation. 18. List out a few sayings from Scriptures about Gayatri. 1) "Gayantam Trayate Iti Gayatri": Gayatri saves him who chants/meditates on Gayatri. 2) "Gayatreem Chandasaam maata": Gayatri is the mother of all mantras. 3) "Gayatri Chandasaam aham": In Bhagawad Gita, Lord Krishna proclaims that He is Gayatri in Veda mantras. 19. The Gayatri mantra is divided into three distinct Parts: What are they? First Part: Pranava and Mahavyahritis Viz Om Bhur Bhuva Svah Here the chanter contemplates on the Glory of Light that illumines the three worlds. This part is to arouse in the vehicles of the aspirant certain powers which prepare the ground for the effective functioning of the second and third parts. These powers are aroused through the agency of sound (Vaak) which harmonises the vehicles and attunes them to the forces from the higher states of consciousness to manifest through them. Since the repetitive meditation of Pranava is an independent and powerful means of spiritual unfoldment, it is obvious that its inclusion in the Gayatri Mantra increases enormously the effectiveness of the latter. It helps not only in a positive manner by unfolding the spiritual consciousness, but also negatively by removing different kinds of obstacles in the path of the aspirant. Though the powers aroused by the maha vyahritis are also powers which are indirectly derived from the Lord of the Solar System, they are specialised powers, administered and directed by the divinities of the three planes. Second Part: Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi It picturises the Glory, the Splendour and the Grace which flows from the Light. This part is meant to stimulate in the mind of the aspirant an intense aspiration or determination to come into contact with consciousness of Savita, the presiding Deity of our Solar System. It is only as this aspiration is intensified that the fusion of the individual monad ('jivaatma') and the supreme spirit ('Paramaatma') can be progressively brought about. This part is really an invocation to SAVITA for more light and is meant to fan the spark of spiritual aspiration in the aspirant into a roaring flame. It is a call of the individual soul to the Universal Being. It is a call for enlightenment of the highest kind, for that knowledge which will make him realise his oneness with Him who is the source of all knowledge, power and bliss. Generally, by the word 'SAVITA', we mean the sun which is the centre of the solar system and round which, all the planets are revolving. BUT, the physical sun, which we see and which alone science has studied is merely an outer cover of a glorious Reality which pervades and energises the whole solar system. In the second place, they indicate that this Reality is in essence and fundamentally the same as the Reality which is hidden in the heart of every human being. In finding this Reality within himself, the aspirant can invoke the Reality hidden behind the sun and through the help which he gets from this supreme source of spiritual illumination make his task of self-discovery easier. When as a result of self training the inner eyes of a man are opened, a tremendous breath-taking mystery reveals itself within his consciousness. This spiritual sun of consciousness is SAVITA, He whom Gayatri meant to reveal by stages. During this process, we seem to be expanding into that all embracing Reality and that Reality seems to be descending into us. This dual process the descent of the Whole into the part and the expansion of the part into the whole is simultaneous. Third Part: Dhiyo yo nah Prachodayat It is a prayer for final liberation, through the awakening of the innate intelligence that pervades the Universe as Light. In this last part, the aspirant surrenders himself completely to the Divine and thus makes it possible for the divine forces to flow into his vehicles so as to purify those vehicles and to raise them to a higher degree of sensitivity and capacity for enlightenment. After putting in the utmost effort, the aspirant lets himself go and opens himself up to the utmost extent to divine Light and life. Thus in prayer we build up or arouse spiritual forces within the deeper layers of our being in the process, we have to pierce through the image of the sun and our ideas of Savita into the Reality, which is hidden behind these ideas. 20. Why Gayatri is called Pancha Mukhi? Gayatri is referred to as 'Pancha Mukhi' or the Goddess with five faces. These five faces or aspects reveal and reflect the Brahman. Five faces of Gayatri Mantra are 1) Om 2) Bhur Bhuvah Suvah 3) Tat Savitur Varenyam 4) Bhargo Devasya dheemahe 5) Dhiyo yonah Prachodayat. These five aspects signify all that is contained within and made up of the 1) Panch Bhutas (Akasa, Vayu, Agni, Water and Prithvi) and the 2) Panch Kosas or the five sheaths of the human body (Annamaya Kosa, Pranamaya Kosa, Manomaya Kosa, Vignanamaya Kosa and Anandamaya Kosa), 3) Panch Pranas (Praanaya, Apaanaaya, Vyaanaya, Udaanaaya, Samaanaya), 4) Panch Tanmatras (Sound, Touch, Roopam, Taste, Gandham (smell)) and 5) Panch Indiriyas (Gnana and Karma) (Eyes, Ear, Nose, Mouth and Body). A knowledge of the inter-connections of the Panchabhoothas within one's body will enable the Sadhaka to appreciate the inner significance of the five faces of Gayatri. Thus while the manthra is capable of purifying the totality of one's being (inner equipment), it also purifies the external organs of the work viz. Karma Indriyas. Here Panch Bhootas as related to human body, Panch Kosas, Panch Pranas, Panch Tanmatras, Panch Gnana Indiriyas are 'internal' organs of human body while Panch Karma Indirias are 'external'. Thus both 'internal' and 'external' organs are purified. Another point of view regarding the above five 'faces' is this: After chanting one 'face' we should exhale and stop breath for a few seconds and then proceed to the next 'face'. This gap of time should be equal and should be enjoyed. In this process the chanter should be slow and steady and should not hurry up. Exhaling breath after chanting each face and continuing this process during the whole of the Sadhana itself constitutes a very good praanayaama system. This result is attained only because the mantra is technically divided into five segments (called 'faces') as above. 21. How Vedas and three Lokas are related to each other? Once PRAJAPATI performed SAMYAMA (three phased yogic meditation) on the nature of the Universe and found that i) the essence of the physical world BHUR was AGNI and the essence of AGNI was RIG VEDA, ii) the essence of astral world BHUVAH was VAYU and the essence of vayu was YAJUR VEDA, iii) the essence of the lower heaven of the mental world was ADITYA and the essence of ADITYA was SAMA VEDA, iv) the essence of Rig Veda was BHUR, that of YAJUR VEDA was BHUVAH and that of SAMA VEDA was SVAH. 22. Who are the deities of three Lokas referred to in the Gayatri Mantra? How they are related to Panch Kosas? The deity of Bhuh is AGNI which relates to Annamaya Kosa The deity of Bhuvah is VAAYU which relates to Praanamaya Kosa The deity of Svah is INDIRA as related to Manomaya Kosa The Prathyatcha Devatha SUN GOD who is related to the fifth Kosa viz Anundamaya kosa awakens and strengthens our intellect, (the discriminating faculty) or Buddhi which is related to the fourth Kosa viz Vignanamaya Kosa. 23. What do you understand by 'Immortality'? One must not construe the meaning of the word 'immortality' to mean a state where life is permanently retained in the body. As Baba has said "There is birth and death for the body, but there is no birth or death for the Atma". To be able to understand this permanency of the Atma, is the real meaning of obtaining immortality. 24. Why the effect of Gayatri Mantra differs during Tri-Kaala? Traditionally the aspirant is advised to repeat Gayatri Mantra during dawn, noon and dusk. Japa during dawn: At the dawn Gayatri appears as BRAHMASWAROOPINI on Her SWAN Vaahana (on which to ride). So during this time, the attributes of SARASWATI predominate and influence the effect. SARASWATI grants wisdom to the aspirant. Japa during Noon: At noon, Gayatri appears as RUDRASWAROOPINI on Her BULL Vaahana. So during this time the attributes of DURGA predominate and influence the effect. DURGA removes distress of the aspirant. Japa during Dusk: At dusk, Gayatri appears as VISHNUSWAROOPINI on Her GARUDA Vaahana. So during this time the attributes of LAKSHMI predominate and influence the effect. LAKSHMI grants wealth and prosperity to the aspirant.The above is the traditional analysis of Tri-Kaala with respect to Gayatri. 25. There is another school of Thought: What is that theory? I.K.Taimni in his "Gayatri" observes the significance of 'Tri-Kaala' in a somewhat different way. His philosophy, briefly is as follows: Gayatri is Brahmani in the morning, Vaishnavi at noon and Rudrani in the evening. Morning is the time when creative forces are predominant in nature, and as Brahma represents the creative principle, it is His influence which can most profitably be sought by the aspirant at that time. At noon, the forces of preservation are predominant and therefore Vishnu is the Presiding Deity of this part of the day. He is the Preserver who keeps in balance the forces of creation and destruction and it is therefore His influence which is invoked at this time of the day. In the evening the forces of destruction become strong and since destruction is the function of Rudra, naturally it is His influence which pervades nature and can most profitably be utilised at this time of the day. (Instead of 'Destruction', 'Regeneration' is a much better word because it carries the idea of creation and preservation also, with that of destruction). Destruction by Rudra is not for its own sake, but takes place because the form which He destroys has ceased to serve its purpose efficiently and has become a hindrance in the evolution of the life embodied in that form. So He takes it away and gives, in its place, a new, more elastic and useful form. This conception of the function of Rudra gives quite a different complexion to the outer destruction. 26. Can we chant Gayatri Mantra during the 'Pollution days' arising from death, child birth, etc? Our sages have prescribed that Gayatri mantra should be recited every day - without a gap of even a single day. During the above pollution days one should not touch the Divine asthras (weapons) to fight the enemies. However reciting Gayatri Mantra is given special exemption. First ten days from the date of death occurring in a family are treated as 'pollution days'. During these days, the Sadhakas can wear VIBHUTI (sacred ash) (without mixing the same with water drops) slightly on his forehead and recite Gayatri Mantra. On the eleventh day, the above 'pollution' time is a few minutes only. The Sadhaka can avoid this short pollution time and thereafter he may recite Gayatri Mantra. Our elders have made this ceremonial arrangement with the point of view in mind that the Sadhaka should not miss even a single day; he should not be deprived of the benefit even for a single day. 27. If the Mantra is not chanted correctly, whether it harms the individual? "Yes - it has the opposite effect of enveloping the person in darkness, but if we recite with Love, God will accept it". – Sai Baba.
The words BHUH, BHUVAH, SVAH are said in context of Prajapati (that is one who presides over or is at the head of a situation). Individually they are represented by INDRA (Bhuh or Earth), Vayu (Bhuva or Atmosphere) and Aditya (Svah or Heaven) but the word Prajapati connotes the totality of all these three. 29. How Bhoomi (earth) was created? When God wanted to create (in His aspect as Parambrahman), He first created the basis and that basis was sound. This premordial sound was the first picture. The bhoomi or our earth is born in the form of mantras and Brahmanas. 30. Relationship between breath and mantra: One's breath becomes a mantra. This is so because the word SOHAM is contained in the breath itself and when we inhale and exhale breath, we are continuously uttering the word SOHAM. It means I AM GOD. Therefore this mantra is SWA-SWARUP. It means the Form of our own self. 31. Traditionally a second OM is interposed before TAT (in the 3rd line) of Mantra. Is it necessary? Baba says it is unnecessary. It has therefore been deleted. Each word should be pronounced clearly and distinctly without undue haste or hurry. It should be noted that recitation should not be allowed to deteriorate into a routine chore. 32. Why Gayatri Mantra is called Trikala Sandhiya? Like the utensils need to be cleansed every day - thrice a day - so our heart too needs to be cleansed thrice a day. This injunction has been given by Baba. The fixed occasions are Dawn, Noon and Dusk and besides these times, it can be repeated anywhere at anytime, including night time. It should also be recited before taking food and while pouring water over one's head during a bath. The Mantra purifies the food and removes all the ill effects of the subtle vibrations such as bad thoughts, which may have been generated by the person responsible for the preparation of food. Further it also protects one from the harmful effects of germs which may have got mixed up in the food. Thus the mantra takes care of the inner equipment of the individual. 33. Significance of the number of times of uttering the mantra: Baba advises us to recite it three, nine or eleven times before meals. Traditionally one is required to repeat it 108 times. But there is really no limit. When a target is fixed as to the number of times, the pleasure of contemplating the Might and Majesty of the Mantra is overshadowed by the effort required to keep track of the count. Love and reverence for the mantra and faith in its promised results are far more important than mere mechanical repetition while the mind wanders in other pasteurs. 34. Why Solar energy is invoked in Gayatri Mantra? "Solar energy has to be drawn down to re-enforce the inner vision of Man. That is the Soul Force latent in Man. When this Soul force is strengthened, the intellect, the senses and the moral emotions are activated and guided along fruitful lines. Can darkness confuse the brain or hide the Truth, when the sun shines? Can sorrow prevail, can ignorance confuse, can egoism blind, when the Divinity that shines as the sun blesses you with Illumination? Therefore rely on the Gayatri to draw down the Effulgence of the Sun so that it may impart Illumination to your Intellect." - Baba. |
