The Gayatri Mantra is a verse taken from the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and addressed to the Sun. The Vedic metre in which this mantra was composed is the Gayatri metre, hence its name. The Gayatri metre is said to be the base or mother of all metres.
The name ‘Gayatri’ also means “she who protects”. Gayatri Devi is another name of the Divine Mother. Some of her names are: Veda Maataa, Mother of the Vedas; Agni Mukha, the burning power of fire; Amritaa, giver of immortality, Savitri, the energy in the Sun and Saraswati, Goddess of wisdom..
The Gayatri mantra is one of the oldest mantras, and generally thought of as being amongst the highest and most powerful mantras of all. This mantra is therefore often referred to as “the Mother of the Vedas”. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna proclaimed to Arjuna, “Among all the mantras, I am the Gayatri.”
In this mantra the blessings of Soorya Bhagavan is invoked for inner illumination. Gayatri signifies the energy present in the orb of the sun and it is with this dynamic energy that the light of divine wisdom shines and one ascends spiritually to higher consciousness.
The mantra itself is comprised of 24 syllables and divided into three lines of eight syllables each. The first two lines glorify the manifestation of light, that is, light on the earth, astral region and the heavens. It is an adoration of the effulgence of the solar being. The third line is a request for inner illumination.
The Gayatri mantra possesses both the power of mantra and the power of prarthana or prayer. The words have been carefully selected and arranged so that they not only convey meaning but also create enlightenment. By mere chanting of the lines, the intrinsic power of mantra shakti can be attained as well as understanding the meaning of it. Hence, the repeated and correct chanting of the Gayatri Mantra, with proper understanding of its meaning, is believed to be of the greatest good to the individual. One becomes imbued with inner illumination as levels of intelligence, intuition and awareness are heightened.
The mantra can be chanted at any time of the day but the most ideal times are at dawn, midday, and dusk. These times are known as the three sandhyas, morning, midday and evening. Chanting this mantra at dawn is an excellent way to begin the day since it glorifies the Sun, without whom, no living being can exist. This mantra should be recited at least five times daily.
Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat
Meaning:
Bhu: the earth, existence, the plane of truth
Bhuvah: the atmosphere, the plane of consciousness
Svah: heavens, blissful state
Tat: That, implying the Ultimate reality
Savitur: derived from the word Savita, the source of light; the Ultimate light of wisdom
Varenyam: the most exalted one, the highest reality
Bhargo: illumination, radiance, effulgence
Devasya: the Absolute Personality, God
Dhiyo: intellect
Yo: Who, That, the Divine
Nah: Our
Prachodayaat: request, pray
Translation: We meditate upon the Effulgence of that adorable Supreme Divinity, the source of Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. May that Supreme Radiance be embodied within us, enlightening our intellect and inspiring us to realize the Supreme Truth.
Gayatri Jayanti will be celebrated on August 15, 2019.
