As we observe the auspicious occasion of Gayatri Jayanti on June 23rd, 2018, let us remember its deeper significance in the unfolding of the Divine consciousness within us. In the Devi Bhagwat, Gayatri Devi’s nature is described as existence, intelligence and bliss.
Gayatri Devi
The Gayatri Mantra is well known by most Hindus, however information about Gayatri Devi is not widespread. Gayatri Devi has 1,008 names. Among those, the more popular ones are as follows:
- Veda Maataa – Mother of the Vedas
- Agni Mukha – Burning power of fire ( in havan)
- Saraswati – Goddess of Knowledge
- Prithivi – Goddess of Earth
- Amrita – Giver of Amrit (nectar)
- Aditi – Mother of the Devtas
Gayatri Devi is described in the Devi Bhagwat as follows: She wears red clothes. She has a red jap maalaa. She holds the Rig Veda and is engaged in the study of this sacred text. She sits on the swan. Her four feet are the four Vedas. She is represented as the controller of the eight directions. She has seven heads representing grammar, learning, imagination, understanding, horoscope, history and knowledge of God as taught by the Guru.
Gayatri Devi has Vishnu Bhagwan as her conscience, Agni Devta as her power of fulfilling yagyas and Rudraji as her guiding power of intellect. When praying to Gayatri Devi, they must be incorporated in the meditation. The mantra to Gayatri, as with all mantras, begin with Om, the sacred primal sound. In addition, the Gayatri mantra should be preceded with the words, “Hari Om Tat Sat”. This should be repeated three times as a form of purification; then one can begin the Gayatri jap.
The mantra can be repeated in any place. However the Devi Bhagwat has mentioned some places where greater benefits are accrued. These are: under a peepal tree, in a cowshed, under any holy tree, in a temple, on the banks of any sacred river or any spot designated for poojaa only, for example, a pooja room in our homes.
There is the 100-syllabled Gayatri mantra mentioned in the Vedas. It is a combination of “Om bhur bhuvah…”, “Om trayambhakam yajaa mahay…” and “Om jaat deva sa sunvaas som”. The Devi Bhagwat recommends this 100-syllabled Gayatri as very auspicious.
By reciting the Gayatri mantra the four fruits of life are attained. Regardless of the sect one belongs to in Hinduism, all believe in the power of Gayatri. The Gayatri mantra is an extremely powerful weapon against evil. One can keep it as personal protection or place on the walls of your home for peace and protection. This is the secret as stated in the Devi Bhagwat about the power of Gayatri Devi.
The following information on the Gayatri Devi and mantra is derived from the Soorya Upaasanaa (2010 SWAHA Publications):
The Gayatri Mantra
The Gayatri mantra, also known as the Savitri mantra, is a verse taken from the Rig Veda (3.62.10) and is addressed to the Sun. The metre in which this mantra was composed is the Gayatri metre and 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 for the Divine Mother. Gayatri Devi has 1,008 names. Some of her other 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, 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.
Power of Chanting Gayatri
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, mid-day and at 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. The practice of chanting this mantra should be done by everyone at least five times daily.
Gayatri Mantra
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah,
Tat Savitur Varenyam.
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi.
Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat.
Meaning:
Bhu: Earth, existence, the plane of truth
Bhuvah: 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, implying the Divine Himself
Nah: Ours
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.
