The Great Power of the Gayatri Mantra
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TwitterGayatri mantra is one of the most popular mantras. Hindus consider it one of the ways to achieve spiritual growth. To obtain the desired effect, mantras are chanted daily. It is believed that due to the sequence of words and their sound, the Gayatri mantra is endowed with special power.
In the article:
Gayatri mantra - what is it?
Gayatri mantra is one of the mantras that is often used in daily practice by people all over the world. It is believed that this is how a person turns to the energy of the Sun. Mantra recorded in Vedas, and appeared thanks to the sage Vishwamitra, one of the most revered heroes Ved, son of god Brahma, the progenitor of the Universe.
The Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer, carefully preserved in the Vedas, the most ancient sacred scriptures of Man.
"Sathya Sai Speaks"
Hindus believe that mantras are different from ordinary prayers in their power. It is believed that the Gayatri mantra helps to get rid of unnecessary thoughts, cleanses the mind, and points to the highest meaning of existence. Some sources say that daily chanting of the mantra protects against the evil eye, cancels karma and even helps achieve the main goal of many world religions - to get out of the wheel Samsara, the cycle of eternal rebirth, moving to another world, but retaining previous lives in memory and without losing consciousness.
A number of spiritual movements consider Gayatri to be the most powerful among other mantras.
In more mundane practices, the text is sung before eating, thereby cleansing the food, before taking water procedures, cleansing the internal space. The mantra is read three, nine or eleven times.
It is believed that while chanting, the practitioner addresses the goddess Gayatri. This is one of the names of the goddess Savitri, wife of god Brahma And mother of the four Vedas. In the Middle Ages, chanting the text was considered mandatory for the daily practice of brahmins. Other castes were prohibited from using the mantra. However, later the song became available for all castes, for women. Nowadays, the mantra is sung all over the world, regardless of religion.
The text of the Gayatri mantra consists of three conventional parts: conversion, meditation and prayer. . Like all mantras in Hinduism, the text is sung in Sanskrit. As follows:
In Sanskrit:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः ।
तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं ।
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि ।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
In Latin:
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayaat
In Russian:
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT
Due to the peculiarities of Sanskrit, in which all the sacred texts of Hinduism were written, there are a large number of translations of the mantra. Here are a few of the most popular.
The word-by-word translation of the meaning of each word separately is as follows:
- sacred syllable OM, meaning seventh chakra Sahasrara, begins and ends the main text. Symbolizes all knowledge.
- BHUR, BHUVA, SUVAHA They speak of three types of creation: physical, astral and heavenly.
- TAT symbolizes the highest deity to whom the appeal is made.
- SAVITUR means the Almighty.
- BHARGO- the highest pure light.
- JAM DEVASYA- divine reality.
- DHIMAHI- we meditate or contact higher powers.
- DHIYO- intelligence.
- YO- which.
- NAH- our.
- PRACHODAYAT- will enlighten.
Literary translation:
“Oh, Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Giver of life, Eliminator of pain and suffering and Giver of happiness! You are the highest Light, destroying sins. We meditate on You so that You inspire, enlighten and lead our mind in the right direction!
Dhanvantari- avatar Vishnu, thanks to which people learned about Ayurveda. Over several millennia, a number of rituals and prayers for Dhanvantari. Basic mantra appeal:
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE DHANVANTARAYE SVAHA
Translated as: “Ohm. Homage to the divine Dhanvantari". Most often used by doctors. It is believed that with the help of text a person is able to see the illnesses of another on more subtle levels. The sacred text increases the power of any medicine, especially those made on a plant basis. In Ayurveda, it is believed that after chanting a mantra twenty-one times over plain water, the liquid turns into healing nectar.
Other sources say that those who practice the mantra one hundred and eight times every day can heal with the touch of their hand. It is believed that prayer gives a person powerful protection from the evil eye and diseases.
In Russian, the full text of the mantra is as follows:
AUM SHANKHAM CHAKRAM JALAUKAM
DADHAD AMRITA GHATAM CHARU DORBISH CHATURBHIH
SUKSHMA SVACCHHATIHRIDAYAMSHUKA PARIVILASAAN MAULIM AMBHOJA NETRAM
KALAMBHODOJJVALANGAM KATI TATA VILASACH CHARU PEETAMBARADYAM
VANDE DHANVANTARIM TAM NIKHILA GADA VANA PRAUDHA DAVAGNI LILAM
Literary translation:
“Greetings to Dhanvantari, who in four hands holds a conch shell, a chakra, a leech and a vessel with amrita; in whose heart the subtlest, purest, blissful light shines. This light also shines around his head, around his lotus eyes; who, with his one play, destroys all diseases like a great forest fire.”
It is recommended to chant mantras at sunrise, noon or sunset. Serious practitioners chant the sacred text one hundred and eight times without interruption or distraction. To avoid losing count, rosary beads are used. The more times the mantra is sung, the stronger the effect. It is very important to pronounce the text in the correct sequence.
For practice, choose a quiet place, you need to stand facing north or east, keep your back straight. they sing to a recording, at the advanced stage - on their own, loudly or in a whisper, and only the most enlightened can chant the mantra to themselves without opening their lips. The latter is especially difficult, since incoming thoughts do not allow concentration and constantly confuse the practitioner.
In the process of singing, a person imagines the image of the goddess Gayatri or tries to focus on a feeling of gratitude to oneself, others, the world.
In Tibet, there is still a practice of tattooing sacred mantras on moving parts of one's body. They are believed to produce the same effect that can be achieved by reciting them.
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Gayatri mantra - translation and meaning
It is believed that the Gayatri mantra is capable of doing the impossible - these words are the oldest human appeal to the great Gods. There are no restrictions on the use of the method, the only condition is that the Gayatri mantra is pronounced 108 times in a row (the so-called mala circle). Further, at your discretion, you can make two or even three circles per knock, this only increases the effectiveness of the prayer.
Gayatri mantra for relaxation - a very beautiful meditation formula
The sacred Vedic formula works in a variety of situations - regardless of religion, gender, nationality and age of a person. A prayer is addressed to Savitar, the god of the radiant Sun - this is a hymn to purity and nobility, aimed at saving the soul and healing the body. Practitioners are convinced: for this mantra to work in full force, it is necessary to at least in general outline the meaning of the mantra.
It is clear that individual transcriptions may differ slightly. Usually the adapted text of the Gayatri mantra is read as follows:
- Om Bhur Bhuvah Swach
- Tat Savitur Varenyam
- Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
- Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat!
In a general sense, a mantra is a request addressed to the Higher “authorities” (heaven, air and earth) to fill a person’s existence with sunlight, cleanse him of filth and any negativity, and direct energy and strength in the right direction. This is a kind of coding for success, which begins to work with regular use.
How and who will it help?
Words are vibrations, and the latter are capable of influencing physical bodies. Each syllable of the Gayatri mantra is associated with one of the human organs, so during meditation they are cleansed of accumulated negativity. Such a procedure serves to improve the health of the body as a whole, increase vitality, and redirect energy in the right direction.
In the Gayatri mantra, the translation and meaning are correlated rather conditionally (like all formulas originally written in Sanskrit), so it is more important to represent the general message sent to the heavens. The person who pronounces the text asks to protect his soul, enlighten his mind, send inspiration and show the right path.
No spiritual progress is possible without purifying the mind and developing in a person the principle of Buddhi, the main function of which is to distinguish between true and untrue. Buddhi is an ability of a higher level compared to intellect, which in European terminology is called intuition (literally “direct cognition”). For intellectual knowledge to become true knowledge, it must be illuminated by the light of Buddhi. The development or, more precisely, the discovery of buddhi within oneself is the starting point of conscious spiritual practice. This role is played by the Gayatri Mantra in Hinduism.
The text of this mantra reads:
| OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DhiiMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT |
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat |
Om! Blessings to the Earthly, Subtle and Heavenly Worlds! Let us meditate on the radiant Light of Savitar (personifying the divine Glory of Ishvara)! May He illuminate our minds!
The word Gayatri* is used in Hindu scriptures in three different senses. First of all, this word refers to a well-known mantra, the repetition of which is an obligatory part of the daily religious practice of all devout Hindus. The second is the poetic meter in which this mantra is written, and the third is the goddess who personifies the power of this mantra.
(* Gayatri" - this is exactly the stress (i.e. on the last syllable) that one of the most authoritative and famous Sanskritologists in the world, Monier-Williams, gives in his “Sanskrit-English” dictionary.)
Purpose of Gayatri Mantra
The word "Gayatri" (feminine with the emphasis on the last syllable) literally means "that by chanting of which salvation is achieved" (where "ga" - "to chant", "tri" - "to save"). Another version of the word “gayatra” (male and middle class), as Sai Baba explains, is etymologically deciphered as “that which protects individual souls” (where “gaya” is “individual souls - jivas”, “tra” is “ protect"). Thus, the very meaning of the word indicates the highest goal of spiritual practice - salvation or liberation, as well as the highest power of the mantra, capable of protecting the one who practices it.
The main purpose of the Gayatri Mantra, in which the sadhaka addresses God as the radiant Light of the Highest Consciousness with the words “May He illuminate our mind!”, where the word “mind” means “buddhi,” is precisely to reveal this highest in a person principle. It is also important that the practice of Gayatri Mantra ensures a gradual and progressive opening of consciousness. This is why the ancient Rishis made Gayatri Mantra a mandatory part of the daily religious practice of Hindus.
The primary task of a person who has embarked on the spiritual path, striving to understand his true nature, is not to achieve liberation (for this is not the work of one life), but to eliminate his ignorance, which consists in an illusory vision of the world. This requires the purification and reorganization of all the lower vehicles of consciousness, so that the one striving for truth can have more subtle tools for working on higher spiritual planes. This is the light of buddhi, the awakening of which is facilitated by the practice of Gayatri Mantra. If a person, persistently practicing Gayatri Japa, sincerely strives for the Light, which can only come from within, in his aura, as one of the most profound researchers of Gayatri Mantra, Professor I.K. Taimni writes (See I.K. Taimni. Gayatri: the daily religious practice of the Hindus. Adyar: Madras, 1974.), a special tension is created, which opens a channel for the descent into his consciousness of the Divine power of the higher planes.
Knowledge of God can be carried out at three levels: at the level of the mind (manas) or intellect; at the level of intuition (buddhi) or spiritual perception and at the level of Reality, directly - through the merging of one’s Higher Self (Atma) with the consciousness of God. Gayatri Mantra is capable of giving such knowledge on all these three levels.
Significance of Gayatri Mantra
Gayatri Mantra is considered the holiest and most powerful mantra of the Vedas. This universal mantra-prayer is mentioned in all four Vedas, as well as in the tantras (Tantras are one of the types of sacred scriptures of Hinduism. Tantras are considered the esoteric part of the Vedas - the Vedas of Kali Yuga. In the Tantras, the science of mantras is most deeply developed - mantra-shastra. Word "shastra" means "treatise". Great sages and rishis speak of her with the highest praise. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, it is intended for all people without exception, regardless of their caste, religion, place of residence and level of development. She contains the quintessence of all the Vedas, and therefore she is truly called the Mother of the Vedas. Just as the essence of the teachings of the Vedas is contained in the Upanishads (philosophical parts of the Vedas), the essence of the Upanishads is contained in the Gayatri Mantra. Each of the four Vedas affirms one basic truth: Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahman) - Rig Veda; Aham Brahma Asmi (I am Brahman) - Yajur Veda; Tat Tvam Asi (You are That) - Veda Itself; Ayam Atma Brahma (This Atman is Brahman) - Atharva Veda. When these four truths are combined, Gayatri appears. It is claimed that if it is recited regularly, its effect will be as beneficial as that of reciting the Vedas themselves.
The enormous significance of the Gayatri Mantra is reflected in one of the most important rituals of Hinduism - "upanayana". Upanayana is a rite of passage for boys, when they were brought to the house of a teacher (guru) for a period of apprenticeship. One of the elements of this ritual is initiation into the Gayatri Mantra. After this, the initiate becomes “twice-born.” Receiving the Gayatri Mantra from the guru, as one of the most important elements of this rite, symbolizes a person’s entry onto the path of conscious spiritual evolution, that is, his “second” - spiritual birth.
Just as the process of descent into matter begins with the division of Unity into many with the words of God “Eko “ham Bahu Syam” - “I am One. May I become Many!”, the process of union with God begins with the words “Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi” - “We meditate on the Divine Light!”
Rishis and mantra size
Usually, the reading of important Vedic mantras is preceded by the recitation of auxiliary ones - viniyoga mantras, which indicate the rishi, size, deity and purpose for which this mantra is pronounced.
In the Viniyoga Mantra related to Gayatri, it is reported that the Rishi of the main part of the Gayatri Mantra is Vishwamitra. Some identify him with the famous sage mentioned in the Puranas (mythological texts of Hinduism). However, according to Professor Taimni, this does not correspond to the high purpose of the Gayatri Mantra, which is considered the Mother of the Vedas. "Vishwamitra" is one of the names of the creator of the universe, Brahma, and he is the Rishi of this mantra.
The main part of the Gayatri Mantra is written in a meter that has the same name - Gayatri. It consists of twenty-four syllables, organized into three lines of eight syllables each. This size is considered ancient and sacred.
The purpose or purpose of the mantra has already been discussed above. As for the Devata Gayatri Mantra, the Viniyoga Mantra says that it is Savitar.
Savitar or Ishvara of our universe
Another name for this mantra is “Savita Gayatri” or “Savitri” (with emphasis on the last syllable). Here again there is some confusion. The combination "Savita Gayatri" literally means "Gayatri Savitar", where the word "Savita" (masculine) can be interpreted as "The Devata of which is Savitar." A synonym for this word is its other form - the word “Savitri” (sounding more like Savitr-r-r; it is also masculine with the so-called syllabic “r” at the end, which has a vowel similar to the short “i”), which confused with the word Savitri`, meaning mantra. This word (feminine) has a long and stressed “i” at the end and, again, is simply another name for the goddess Gayatri.
The mantra says “We meditate on the divine Light of Savitar.” Savitar is the Sun Deity in its highest aspect. The Light of the Sun or Savitar (and not Savitar himself) is his Power, that is, the goddess Savitri or Gayatri. Therefore, the mantra is addressed simultaneously to both Savitri (the goddess Gayatri) and Savitar - Devata or the presiding deity of the mantra.
From dawn to sunset the sun is called Surya. The predawn sun, which is a symbol of the animating or life-giving force, is called Savitar. Just as the basis of the manifested Light of the sun is the “vivifying force” of the pre-dawn sun, which makes its manifestation possible, so the basis of Surya’s existence is Savitar. The latter is the Supreme Spiritual Essence of our universe - God or (in Hindu terminology) Ishvara.
In the mantra he personifies Brahman himself. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba says: “The immanent and transcendental Deity, called Savitar, which means “that from which everything is born” ... that is, the Being to whom the Gayatri is addressed is truly Brahman itself” (see Dharma Vahini ).
According to Indian philosophy, there is only one Supreme Reality - Brahman (in European philosophical and religious traditions called, respectively, the Absolute or God). At the unmanifested level, this Supreme Reality (Nirguna Brahman) is an undifferentiated unity of Consciousness and Force. When this Reality begins to unfold outward (as Saguna Brahman), a primary differentiation into Consciousness and Power occurs, in tantric terminology called Shiva and Shakti. Shakti is further divided into innumerable powers corresponding to the multiplicity of functions to be performed in the manifest universe. Each force corresponds to a special function of consciousness, which determines the basic processes occurring in the universe. These functions and powers, representing various aspects of the one Supreme God - Brahman, are the devatas or deities of Hinduism.
In the great Universe there are many small universes or solar systems. The supreme deity, or rather the God of any universe, is Ishvara. Each solar system or Brahmanda is a separate self-sufficient unit of the Universe and is ruled by Ishvara in his three aspects called Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, whose main function is creation, maintenance and dissolution. In his highest aspect, Rudra is called Mahesha or Mahesvara. Both Rudra and Mahesa are identified with Shiva, or rather, they represent his functions on the manifest level. If Rudra at the manifest level performs the function of destroying forms, then Mahesha corresponds to the pure function of consciousness underlying the manifestation of any forms. In this aspect, he is practically no different from Ishvara, whose main function can be described as “control”.
“Inside the physical Sun,” as Prof. I.K. Taimni writes in his book “Gayatri” (p. 88), “pervading the entire solar system, there are hidden many invisible worlds of extraordinary splendor and power, and all of them are the expression or bodies of the Mighty "A being called the Solar Logos or Surya Narayana. This being is the God or Ishvara of our universe. All forms of consciousness in our solar system are the limited expression of His Consciousness. All forces are derivatives of His Power."
Gayatri Devi as Ishvara's Shakti
Since Vedic times, Gayatri Mantra has been considered personified as Goddess Gayatri or Gayatri Devi. Its symbolism, according to prof. Taimni is the same as the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha with the only difference that this is a trinity of female hypostases of one God. “There is no doubt,” he writes (ibid., pp. 23-24) “that these three female forms represent the force that allows the sadhaka to achieve unity with the consciousness of these three Deities. The three forms of Gayatri have nothing to do with the powers of the three Deities manifested as their ordinary functions in the manifested universe. These three powers or Shaktis, generally called the powers of creation, preservation and destruction, are personified by the goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali, who are called the consorts or Shaktis of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (Shiva). Thus, if the sadhaka desires knowledge or vidya, he worships Saraswati; if he desires wealth and good fortune in worldly affairs, he worships Lakshmi; if he asks for help in distress, he calls upon Kali.
However, if he does not desire anything that these three Deities can give through their respective Shaktis, but desires to (comprehend) Ishvara himself, then he must turn to Gayatri, since she is the power to achieve union with His Consciousness and thereby - to know Him." Thus, Gayatri Devi is the Shakti of Ishvara himself. Hence she has such power!
The meaning and symbolism of the mantra
Gayatri Mantra, like many other sacred things, has rich symbolism and many levels of interpretation. There are many translations of the Gayatri Mantra. At the physical level of interpretation, Savitar is understood as the physical sun, which is represented as the Deity, and its light and energy are also understood in a purely physical sense. Then the words of the mantra can be translated as “We contemplate the radiant radiance of the Sun! May It grant us true understanding!” or “May It guide us to the path of truth!” At a higher level of interpretation, when the word Savitar means the Supreme Consciousness or God himself (Ishvara), and his Light means his Power, Greatness and Glory, the meaning of the mantra can be, for example, this: “On the divine Glory of Ishvara, worthy of the highest reverence, we Let's focus our thoughts! May He illuminate our minds!" or “May He grant us enlightenment!” You can combine both of these meanings, giving them in parallel in a more expanded form: “We meditate on the radiant Light of the Sun (personifying the divine Power and Glory of Savitar, who is the highest goal of all worship and Ishvara himself)! May He grant us enlightenment!” The words "Bhur - Bhuvah - Svah" can either be translated, for example, as "Om! Earth! Air Space and Sky!" or: “Good for the Earthly, Subtle and Divine Worlds!”, or remain without translation. These are sacred words, which we will talk about below.
There are also freer translations of this mantra. So, for example, John Woodroffe in his book “Introduction to Tantra Shastra” in the chapter “Gayatri Mantra” gives the following translation: “Om! Let us indulge in reflection (meditation) on the wonderful spiritual nature of the Divine Creator of the earthly, airy and celestial spheres! May He guide our thoughts to achieve dharma, artha, kama and moksha!”, where the last words (the four goals of human earthly existence) are simply added, although, in general, this does not contradict the meaning. There are also simply poetic translations, in which the main thing is not to convey the meaning of the words absolutely accurately, but rather to express the spirit of the mantra using the beauty of the language. Here is one of them: “O Divine Source of Light and energy on earth! Grant me one of your countless rays, so that in my life, at least for one moment, I can shine as brightly as You!” In principle, most translations are correct, since in general they correctly reflect one or another aspect of understanding the main idea of the mantra. The degree of penetration into the essence of the mantra, of course, depends on the spiritual experience, knowledge and level of development of the one who is trying to understand its meaning. The depth of meaning and significance of the Gayatri Mantra is as limitless and inexhaustible as the Divine Source of which it is an expression.
This mantra is also deeply symbolic in its structure. It can be divided into three, five and nine parts. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba points out, the first 9 words of this mantra are a ninefold description of the Supreme Reality.
1. OM- the original sound vibration that underlies Creation; symbol of Brahman, as well as Ishvara;
2. BHUR- Bhur-loka; Earthly plane of existence; correlates with the Earthly World, dense physical substance and Brahma;
3. BHUVAH- Bhuvar-loka; Ethereal plane of existence; also correlates with the Subtle (astral) World; etheric and astral matter, as well as with Vishnu;
4. MATCHmaker- Svar(ga)-loka; Heavenly plane of existence; also correlates with the Divine (casual) World, the substance of the mental and causal planes, also Maheshvara;
5. TAT- That (named after); The Supreme Reality, inexpressible in words, and therefore designated simply by a demonstrative pronoun; Brahman, the Absolute; Also<здесь>- On Togo (vin. pad.); can relate to both Brahman and Ishvara;
6. SAVITUR- Savitar (born from Savitar); the life-giving force hidden behind the physical shell of the Sun, personifying Ishvara, who in turn himself represents Brahman;
7. JAM- desired; worthy of all aspirations and veneration (modal adjective or adjective of duty);
8. BHARGO- Shine; Light (divine Consciousness); Glory; can be correlated with the Shakti of Shiva, as well as the Shakti of Ishvara; that is, Gayatri Devi;
9. VIRGIN- Divine, radiant, bestowing Grace (genus fall. or adjective from Deva).
The remaining words, divided into three groups, represent, together with the first nine words, the 12 most important attributes of the mantra:
10. DHIMAHI- meditate; contemplate (verb in 3 literal plural);
11. DHIYO- Reason, buddhi, mind; YO- which, He;
12. NAH- our; PRACHODAYAT- let us guide you (to the path of truth); may it illuminate!; may he grant enlightenment! (subjunctive).
I. OM BHUR BHUVAH SWAH!
The first part of the mantra consists of the sacred syllable OM or pranava (from “pra” + “nu” - “to vibrate, make a sound”) and three mystical words-mantras called mahavyahriti: BHUR - BHUVAH - SWAH. The latter originated from pranava and are its differentiated form. OM expresses the relationship between the individual jivatma (Divine Spirit in man) and Paramatma (Divine Spirit in the Universe) and is the mantra of Ishvara. Just as our universe was created by uttering the sacred sound “Om,” so by uttering the three Mahavyahritis, the three lower worlds or planes of existence (physical, astral and mental) were created. This whole combination as a whole has a sacred character, since these words represent the bija mantras and the deities that control them, respectively: Ishvara, Agni, Vayu and Aditya, which is what is said in the viniyoga mantra. This four-word expression is uttered by every Brahmin at the beginning of prayer and is equivalent to an expression of greeting and adoration before the Supreme Reality. By pronouncing these sacred words, the reader of the mantra, as it were, mentally connects with the Creator (Om) and the entire Creation (the three worlds in which the Soul goes through a cycle of incarnations) and bows before Them.
II. TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI!
In the second part, the person reading the mantra, remembering that the highest goal of any human aspiration is God (Ishvara), concentrates on His boundless Greatness, Glory and Power and mentally connects with Him. At the same time, he imagines how through the Radiant Light of the Sun (through his Shakti) the Grace of this Supreme Being flows onto him.
Here it is important to pay attention to the word “dhimahi”, which is in the plural - “meditate”. It indicates that the sadhaka cares not only about his own welfare and does not pursue purely selfish goals, but performs the practice as if on behalf of all living beings. This word can be translated in two ways: as “let us meditate” and as “we meditate.” In the first case, the sentence has the meaning of a wish and becomes a prayer. In the second case it is an affirmation and expresses the determination of the sadhaka to come into contact with the Supreme Being, which is more in keeping with the meaning of this part understood in the sense of meditation.
III. DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT!
The third part of the mantra represents the actual prayer or request-wish, in which the utterer asks Ishvara to grant him enlightenment, awakening his Divine nature through the illumination of his mind (buddhi). As in the second part, in this sentence the word “prachodayat” has a double interpretation: as “He (who) illuminates our mind!” and how “May He illuminate our minds!” In view of the above (since this is more in line with the spirit of prayer), the second option is more acceptable. The word “dhiyas” (according to the rules of merging sounds, changed to “dhiyo”) is also in the plural and, literally meaning “our minds,” indicates that the sadhaka prays to God for mercy not only for himself, but for all people.
By the way, both this Main mantra-prayer of Hinduism and another daily repeated prayer for universal happiness; "Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu! Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu!", which means "May all beings in all worlds be happy!" (along with vegetarianism and true religious tolerance) characterize Hinduism as a highly altruistic world religion. Sri Sathya Sai Baba says that this is the highest religion, which includes all others (see Sathya Sai Vahini).
The symbolism of the trinity and trinity of the mantra can be traced at several levels. Consisting of three sounds (A-U-M), the sacred syllable OM, three Mahavyahriti and three parts of the mantra correlate both with each other and with other sacred triads: the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva-Maheshvara), three Gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas), three periods of time (past, present, future), three phases of Pranayama (inhalation, retention, exhalation), three states of consciousness (jagrat, swapna, sushupti), three Bodies (sthula-, sukshma- and karana-sharira ), three aspects of the Shastras (tantra, mantra and yantra), three sacred Fires (garhapatya, dakshina, ahavaniya), etc.
In many cases, the trinity that dominates the manifest level of Creation presupposes and points to a fourth, more essential, unmanifested aspect (torment - the inaudible sound of silence as a continuation of the sound of OM; Ishvara, uniting the Hindu Trinity; turiya - the fourth state of consciousness, superior to all others, etc. .d.; here is Gayatri herself as the fourth - the synthesizing power of the three Shaktis).
Another very important aspect of the trinity with which Gayatri is associated are the three sandhyas, i.e. three transitional periods of time of day (dawn, noon, sunset), symbolizing transitional states.
Morning sandhya correlates on the one hand with the main name of the goddess - Gayatri, and on the other - with Shakti Brahma (Brahmani), as well as with the Rig Veda. Midday sandhya is associated with the name Savitri and with Shakti Vishnu (Vaishnavi), as well as with Yajur Veda. Evening sandhya is associated with the name Saraswati and with the Shakti of Rudra (Rudrani), as well as with the Sama Veda. Moreover, these three sandhyas, due to the essential nature of Gayatri, themselves symbolize the fourth - the transitional state. Transitional states (between sleep and wakefulness, life and death, the gap between two thoughts, the moment of change in the action of energies - tattvas, etc.) are very important for spiritual practice. This is the visible nothing from which everything is born. It is no coincidence that Sai Baba advises meditating on the state between sleep and wakefulness. Knowing the nature of these states is equivalent to knowing the nature of Brahman. Gayatri Mantra controls these transitional states and that is why it can lead to enlightenment, that is, the transition from ignorance to full knowledge.
Before starting the practice of japa, you must first memorize the mantra (with the correct intonation and pronunciation), understand the meaning of each word in it, as well as its meaning as a whole.
The practice of meditation and recitation of mantras is gaining more and more popularity around the world. Mantras are sacred texts (special words) in Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Reading these texts allows the meditator to heal his physical body from diseases, clear his mind of negative thoughts, connect with his spirituality, and gain wisdom.
Mantras help heal the soul and body
The essence of the chant
The Gayatri mantra is one of the most powerful and famous among all existing Vedic mantras.
It is included in the scriptures of Hinduism in the ancient literary language of India (Sanskrit). These scriptures are called Vedas. References to the Gayatri Mantra also appear in Hindu religious texts such as:
- Bhagavad Gita is the main scripture of Indian philosophy, consisting of 18 chapters based on philosophical conversations between God Krishna and the hero Arjuna on the battlefield of two clans;
- Harivansha is an important religious text in Sanskrit by the greatest Vedic sage Vyasa;
- Manu-smriti is a collection of Indian moral laws and regulations, created by the first king of the world, Manu.
Hindus believe that the Gayatri mantra is an invocation of the deity Savitar because his name is mentioned in the text. In Vedic mythology, Savitar is the sun god. After his name, the mantra is often called Savitari. But there is also an opinion that the embodiment of the mantra is the Hindu goddess Gayatri - one of the wives of the god of creation Brahma.
The mantra consists of 24 syllables taken from the collection of religious hymns of the Rig Veda. The poetic size of the sacred text has the same name Gayatri and, according to the canons, consists of three lines of eight syllables.
Since ancient times, the structure of Indian society was built on classes. There were four classes or so-called varnas: three higher varnas (brahmana priests, kshatriya rulers and warriors, vaishya artisans) and one lower varna of servants - shudras. For a long period in Indian history, the chanting of the Gayatri mantra was part of Upanayana. Upanayana is the ceremony of initiation of a young man from the highest varnas into adulthood and the study of the Vedas. However, after a while, chanting of sacred texts became possible for women and representatives of the lower varna. In the modern world, anyone can read mantras, regardless of age, gender and faith.
The highest goal of chanting the Gayatri Mantra is to purify one’s consciousness, liberation from attachment to material things.
Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit
Appearance
The emergence of the sacred song Gayatri is associated with the name of one of the Vedic sages Vishvamitra. He is one of the seven greatest rishis - sages to whom the gods revealed the Vedic hymns.
The ancient Indian texts of the Puranas, which describe the history of the world from creation to extinction, say that throughout all time only 24 sages were able to understand the meaning of the Gayatri mantra and use all its power.
With the help of the power gained through faith and the Gayatri mantra, Rishi Vishwamitra could create a double copy of our universe and subjugate any weapon.
Meaning and Meaning
Before the beginning of the main mantra comes the sacred syllable Om, which in the Hindu and Vedic canons is the “word of power.” It is followed by the formula maha-vyahriti, which sounds like Bhur Bhuvah Svaha and is a sublime address to the earth, air and heaven.
The original text of the Gayatri mantra is as follows:
- Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha
- Tat Savitur Varenyam
- Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
- Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.
Transcription in Cyrillic:
- Om bhur bhuvah suvaha
- Tat savitur jams
- Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
- Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat.
Literal translation of individual parts of the mantra and their meaning:
- Om – basic sound vibration, sacred syllable;
- Bhur – physical, material world;
- Bhuvah – astral, subtle world;
- Svaha – heavenly world or land of the Gods;
- Tat – Supreme being;
- Savitur – source of life, solar deity;
- Varenyam - venerable, desirable;
- Bhargo – spiritual light;
- Devasya – divine;
- Dheemahi - we meditate;
- Dhiyo – mind or spiritual intelligence;
- Yo- which;
- Nah – ours;
- Prachodayat - will enlighten.
Since the ancient language Sanskrit has a very complex synthetic grammar, there are different translations of what the text of the Gayatri mantra means. Here are some possible meanings of the mantra:
- “We meditate on the Divine Light of the Sun of spiritual consciousness. Let it illuminate our minds as the shining sunlight dispels darkness”;
- “May that essence of Lord Vishnu manifesting as the Sun make my mind abiding in His divine Self in all actions and deeds and at all times!”;
- “We meditate on the all-revered power and glory of Him who created the heavens, the earth and the underworld, and Who guides our minds!”
Efficiency
Hindus consider the Gayatri Mantra to be universal and perfect. Its text contains enormous spiritual power. What can this mantra do:
- Leads a person to truth and enlightenment, develops the sixth sense - intuition.
- It heals the physical body, gives it beauty, and prolongs life.
- Helps avoid damage or the evil eye, cleanses karma.
- Relieves the mind and consciousness of negative energy, develops intelligence.
- Gives well-being.
Anyone can meditate. There are no rules limiting or prohibiting meditation. It can be practiced at any time of the day in any convenient place. But to improve the effect, there are a number of recommendations that are practiced by Hindus and Buddhists who have dedicated themselves and their lives to communication with the Divine.
- Perhaps the most important condition is the emotional and mental state during meditation. It is necessary to pronounce the holy text with a feeling of love and gratitude to God; this is not easy for many people right away, so experienced monks advise continuing to meditate in a calm state, listening to your feelings, and love and gratitude will come with time;
- The ideal time for meditation is when day and night meet (Sandhya Kaalam), that is, before sunrise and before sunset.
- Meditation before eating will allow you to clear it of negative energy.
- You can read the sacred text both out loud and mentally. For mental meditation, it is necessary to master the art of purifying the mind so that nothing distracts from the process, so beginners are advised to pronounce the words of the mantra out loud - this way it is much easier to concentrate on it.
- According to established traditions, various rosary beads with 108 beads are used for meditation.
A rosary with 108 beads is used for meditation.
Using the Rosary
The use of such a spiritual attribute as a rosary came from ancient Indian culture. When pronouncing the mantra, you need to move one bead in your hand after each repetition of the sacred text. Thus, reciting a mantra 108 times is one round of meditation. An exception is the Meru bead, which is used to connect rosaries. Usually it is much larger than the others and is not taken into account when iterating over them.
Buddhists and Hindus consider the number 108 sacred, as it has a number of spiritual meanings. For example:
- God has 108 different names and each one means something special;
- there are 108 major Upanishads (ancient religious treatises in Hinduism);
- the number 108 also means infinity;
- God has 108 gopis devoted to him.
Depending on the material and the specifics of the religion, there are a large number of varieties of beads for meditation. The most popular of them are Vaishnava beads made in Thulas or Nima (the preferred material is sandalwood, juniper, etc.) and Shiva beads made from rudraksha seeds. There are rosary beads made from human or animal bones.
In the modern world, there is a technical analogy to the classic rosary made of beads - electronic rosary or, as they are also called, an electronic counter.
This is a small device that fits on your finger. Electronic rosary beads have a display showing the number of prayers said, a button for counting them, and a button for resetting them.
Pose
Particular importance during meditation is given to body position, because the circulation of energy in the body depends on it. Thanks to the harmonious distribution of tension throughout the body, you can learn to manage the energies within it.
There are many asanas, that is, positions, in meditation, but there is a set of rules that should be followed when choosing any of the asanas:
- the back should be in a straight position - do not hunch or bend too much in the lower back;
- the neck should be straight;
- lower your chin a little;
- with rare exceptions, knees should touch the floor;
- the facial muscles should be in a relaxed state.
The main and most powerful asana is Siddhasana. Hindus believe that those who have mastered this asana ideally do not need to study the other tens of thousands of asanas. The legs are crossed so that the genitals are between the feet. This is an example of a perfect body position during meditation.
The second most popular is the Lotus pose or Padmasana, during which the feet are placed on opposite thighs. Performing this pose in the first stages may cause discomfort, especially if the stretching is poor, but the pain goes away after some time after starting the practice.
The third asana is Virasana. Translated from Sanskrit it sounds “like a hero’s pose.” This position consists of a person sitting on his knees and spreading his feet slightly, lowering his buttocks between them.
For each of these asanas there is a so-called lightweight version for beginners to practice meditation. For example, the Half Lotus pose or Ardha Padmasana, in which only one leg is placed on the opposite thigh, while the other remains on the floor. Or a simplified version of Virasana - Vajrasana, during which a person sits with his buttocks on his heels.
Padmasana - lotus pose
Great Performances
Since Gayatri is the most famous mantra, it has been performed many times by both spiritual leaders and musicians.
Sai Baba
In Hindu philosophy there is such a thing as Avatara - this is the name given to the deity who descended to earth in human form. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is considered the avatar of our time. He died in 2011, and many people from all over the world come to his ashrams to learn the teachings of the religious leader and miracle worker.
Deva Premal
Another of the greatest performances of the Gayatri Mantra belongs to the German singer Jolanthe Fries, known under the pseudonym Deva Premal. The peculiarity of Iolanta’s work lies in the combination of traditional meditative and modern music.
In the nineties, the girl lived in the Osho Ashram, studying reflexology and massage. There she met a famous British singer named Andy Mithen. She began singing at his concerts at ashrams as a backing vocalist, and after performing the Gayatri Mantra, she felt that she had enough strength to start her own musical career. Thanks to the Gayatri mantra, the extraordinary music of Deva Premal was born, which instills love for Hindu culture.
Conclusion
Gayatri Mantra is a universal Vedic mantra that has great spiritual power and has gained popularity outside of India. It is an appeal to the solar deity. For best effect, it is recommended to repeat this mantra every day.
Among all the methods of self-improvement, mantras play one of the most important roles and are widely used in various spiritual practices. It is believed that, unlike prayers, which can be expressed in different words, Vedic mantras have a stronger effect, since they represent a strictly defined series of sounds (syllables), the correct pronunciation of which has an incredibly strong effect, allowing you to quickly achieve the goal for which they are read.
In this article we will look at the Gayatri mantra “Om bhur bhuvah svaha”, its complete text, several translations, meaning and purpose for which thousands of people practice it daily. Let's also watch a beautiful video and listen to how it sounds.
Purpose of the mantra
Gayatri means that which protects the soul and leads to salvation, and the word mantra means. Thus, the name itself indicates the purpose and essence of spiritual practice and speaks to life, implying the purification of consciousness and liberation from the trap of the material world in which it is imprisoned. In certain spiritual circles, this mantra is considered the strongest and most effective, although not all spiritual practitioners recommend it as a panacea for all ills, believing that there are more powerful means. However, let us consider what chanting Gayatri can give us.
The power and capabilities of the Gayatri mantra
Daily repetition of the Gayatri mantra brings a person many spiritual and material benefits: it cleanses the mind and consciousness of negativity, illusions and delusions, develops the intellect (strengthens the mind), gives paranormal abilities and endows the practitioner with wisdom.
The Gayatri mantra returns health and beauty to a person, gives longevity and prosperity, relieves fears and failures, fulfills desires and helps to overcome difficulties and obstacles - both in social life and in spiritual practice.
It is also claimed that Gayatri can get rid of such extremely unpleasant phenomena as damage and the evil eye, because it has enormous cleansing power. This Vedic mantra cancels bad karma, eliminating the consequences of sinful (wrong) actions, and even eliminates the wheel of samsara, stopping our constant rebirth in the material world and returning us to.
The result of quality practice is the ability to see the truth, the achievement of the so-called universal consciousness, the awakening of intuition and spiritual enlightenment.
Text of Gayatri mantra and translation of words
To practice, you need a clear understanding of the meaning of Gayatri, so let's get acquainted with the text itself and several options for its translation.
The most commonly used transcription is:
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA
TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM
BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT
In Latin it is usually written like this:
(Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayaat)
The text of the Gayatri mantra in Sanskrit can be seen in the picture, and you can listen to the sound in a beautiful video clip, which you will find at the end of the article.
Word-by-word translation with explanations:
OM is a sacred syllable, often pronounced before and after the mantra itself. It is believed that OM contains all knowledge, being the source of the Vedas and all creation.
BHUR, BHUVA, SUVAHA – it is specified which creation is meant: the Physical, Astral and Celestial spheres of Existence.
TAT - Let That Supreme Divine Essence. (The word TAT means Parabrahman, the Supreme Being)
SAVITUR - Source, solar deity, Vishnu, the Most High.
BHARGO - for Spiritual Radiance (sparkling, self-luminous, highest pure light).
VARENYAM DEVASYA - This Delightful Supreme Divine Reality. (The word "Vareniyam" implies Lord Vishnu, the shelter and ultimate goal of all souls; and the word "Devasya" indicates the divine personality)
DHIMAHI - We meditate. (Meditation implies connection, and in this case, through the Gayatri mantra we connect with)
DHIYO - mind (so that we can realize the Supreme Truth)
YO - which
NAH - ours
PRACHODAYAT - will enlighten
Due to the peculiarities of Sanskrit, in which the Vedas (the oldest sacred scriptures) and, in fact, mantras are written, there are many variants of literary translations of Gayatri, which differ in appearance, but are the same in essence. Let's try to see the main thing that is said in all translations:
“Oh, Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Giver of life, Eliminator of pain and suffering and Giver of happiness! You are the highest Light, destroying sins. We meditate on You so that You may inspire, enlighten and lead our mind in the right direction!”
“May that essence of Lord Vishnu manifesting as the Sun make my mind abiding in His divine Self in all actions and deeds and at all times!”
“We bow before the divine Sun, the supreme God who illuminates all, from whom all things come, and to whom all things must return, whom we call upon to guide us in our progress towards his holy feet!”
“We meditate on the transcendental Glory of the Supreme Deity who resides in the heart of the earth, in the life of heaven and in the soul of Heaven. May It motivate and enlighten our minds!”
“We meditate on the splendor of Ishvara, the creator of the Universe, worthy of worship, the embodiment of knowledge and light, and the remover of all sins and ignorance. May he enlighten our minds!”
“We meditate on the all-honored power and glory of Him who created the heavens, the earth and the world below, and Who guides our minds!”
Thus, we see that the Gayatri mantra focuses our attention on the Source, the First Cause, the Creator from whom everything comes, who can help us purify our consciousness and ultimately achieve liberation from the material world, which is the highest goal of human life.
How to practice Gayatri Mantra
There are no strict rules, but there are tips and recommendations that should be followed if possible. Here are general guidelines for beginners, and you can learn more about the practice of chanting the Gayatri mantra in the relevant scriptures.
The best time to practice is early morning (before sunrise) and evening, before sunset. It is also good to chant the mantra at noon. By saying a mantra before eating, you cleanse food of negative energy, and repeating Gayatri before taking a shower will cleanse not only the body, but also the inner space. You can also practice at any other time, anywhere and under any circumstances.
How much to repeat? Traditionally, a rosary containing 108 beads is used to repeat the mantra. It is believed that one full circle of the mantra (108 repetitions of Gayatri) is the minimum for those who are serious about the practice, and this circle must be completed without being distracted by other matters. The more circles, the stronger the effect. And before eating or before taking a shower, you can repeat the mantra several times, for example, 3, 9 or 11.
Choose a quiet place where no one will distract you, sit comfortably, with a straight back, preferably facing east or north. Relax your muscles. In the center of your chest or directly in front of you, imagine the Sun, in the center of which place the image of the goddess Gayatri (see picture above), and begin to read the mantra. If you can't follow these tips, do the best you can.
You can say it out loud, to yourself, or in a whisper. It is believed that the mental repetition of the Gayatri mantra has the most powerful effect, but it is also the most difficult type of practice, since in this case the mind is more distracted than when pronouncing the mantra out loud or in a whisper. Therefore, when your mind is restless, it is better to say it out loud - this will allow you to focus more attention on the sounds.
If, when repeating a mantra, you put love for God into your words, this greatly enhances its effect. If there is no love for God, try to feel gratitude to Him. You can always find something to be grateful for in life. If this is not the case, just repeat Gayatri carefully, listening to your voice and trying not to be distracted by extraneous thoughts, problems or any other extraneous things. Realize the meaning of your appeal to God, and this will be enough for a start. The feeling will come later, at the appropriate stage of spiritual practice.
Video with Gayatri mantra
Artist: Deva Premal and Miten, gayatri mantra.
Video: made by a good person specifically for an esoteric website (the author of the video temporarily wished to remain anonymous).
P.S. Anyone who spreads spiritual knowledge, particularly this article or video, receives spiritual benefits. Please do not forget to link to the source, thereby expressing gratitude to the authors of the articles and the creator of the videos.
The article was written based on materials found on the Internet. You will find more accurate data and recommendations in the original sacred texts. Be blessed!
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