Do you know what is the Gayatri Mantra?
The Gayatri Mantra is a Sanskrit mantra that has been chanted for thousands of years. It was written down during the Vedic period (1500-500 BCE) and is considered to be one of the oldest known and most powerful mantras. It is said to contain all the knowledge of the universe.
The Gayatri has 24 syllables, and is listed below with phonetic pronunciation in brackets:
Om bhuh, bhuvah, swaha (Aumm Bhoor Bhoo-va Su-va-ha)
Tat savitur varenyam (Tat Sa-vee-toor Var-ayn-yam)
Bhargo devasya dhimahi (Bar-go Day-vas-ya Dhee-ma-hee)
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat (Dhee-yo Yo Nah Pra-cho-da-yaat)
The meaning of the Gayatri Mantra
A general translation of the mantra is:
O Divine mother, may your pure divine light illuminate all realms (physical, mental and spiritual) of our being. Please expel any darkness from our hearts and bestow upon us the true knowledge.
Translations vary, but Vyaas Houston’s is among the most accessible : “Earth, atmosphere, heavens. We meditate on the sacred light of the effulgent source. Let that inspire our thoughts.” Stuck on the word “effulgent”? Merriam-Webster’s defines it as “radiant splendor,” but in a yogic sense, it refers to the all-pervading light of the celestial realms.
A word-for-word translation is:
Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: The human body, earth, physical realm, existence
Bhuvah: The vital energies, heaven, consciousness
Suvah: The soul, inner space, spiritual realm, bliss
Tat: That
Savitur: The Sun, solar powers
Varenyam: To choose, the best, adore
Bhargo: Effulgence, self-luminous, divine light
Devasya: The divine, radiant
Dhimahi Dhiyo: the intellect
Yo: Which
Nah: Our, of us
Prachodayat: Illuminate, inspire
Across cultures and throughout time, the sun symbolized spiritual light. The word “savitur” refers to Savitri, the Vedic sun deity. The mantra, considered the essence of all mantras, is personified as the resplendent Gayatri, the power behind the sun and the mother of the universe. As we chant her mantra, we tune into the frequencies of universal light and bring it down to the earth plane (bhuh) and ourselves.
The mantra is personified by the goddess Gayatri Devi, who is the bestower of knowledge and is referred to as “the mother of the Vedas.” She is often depicted as having 5 heads and 10 arms, and she rides upon a swan. The five faces symbolize the five pranas and the five elements of the universe. Gayatri Devi represents the combined strength of the three Goddesses, Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kali. Her divine powers are protection, wisdom, and strength.
A regular meditation practice using this mantra can bring peace, joy, grace, and happiness prosperity. It is also said to strengthen concentration, heal the physical body, and protect against negativity, fear, anger, jealousy, hatred, greed, and envy. The ancient texts claim that chanting the Gayatri 10 times per day removes the bad karma in this lifetime, and chanting 108 times daily will dissolve the karma from previous lives.
How to chant the Gayatri mantra?
Although it can be chanted at any time of the day, it is advisable to chant the mantra both early in the morning and at night before sleeping. Keep your mind focused on each word as you chant the mantra. Notice where you feel the vibration of the sacred sound in your head and chest. You may need to keep your eyes open to read the mantra at first, but eventually work on memorizing it so you can practice with your eyes closed.
It will be most powerful to chant the mantra silently. When reciting the Gayatri Mantra, visualize the sun’s light as it enters your heart, radiating outward to bless the world.
Here are the nine steps to chanting the Gayatri mantra:
1) Sit comfortably in a quiet place where there is little distraction.
2) Close your eyes and take a few slow deep breaths.
3) Focus on your breath as it enters and leaves your nostrils.
4) Say the mantra out loud while focusing on your breathing.
5) Repeat it the second time with a whisper while continuing to focus on your breathing.
6) Repeat it the third time silently in your head.
7) Continue to repeat the mantra as long as you’d like.
8) When you have finished reciting the mantra, take a few deep breaths to feel the effects of the mantra on your body, mind, and heart.
9) Continue to repeat the mantra daily until you feel its positive currents of energy flowing into your heart.
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