Samayachara and Vamachara

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Jaya Jaya Shankara !

Namastripurabhairavyai !

Namo Chandramouleeshwaraaya !

Namo Naarasimhaaya !

 

The Gayathri Mantra is called the ` Mother of Vedas' or

Vedamata. As such, the initiation of Gayathri is conducted as a

ritual called `Upanayana' or `Brahmopadesha'. The understanding of

the mysteries of Gayathri and its regular practice will lead to the

development of a Divine Eye in man. This third eye is called `

Upanayana ` since ` Upa' means additional and `Nayana' means eyes.

Thus the third eye of knowledge is Upanayana.

In the days of the Vedic Rishis, the ceremony of Upanayana

was meant for opening the third eye in the middle of the forehead. It

invariably opened a new world, the unseen world of Devas, celestials

and Gods. Brahmopadesham means ` Initiation into the knowledge of

Brahman `. Indeed Gayathri is Brahmavidya.

The Gayathri mantra is divisible into two prtions :

1. the seven Vyahritis

2. the mantra of Gayathri.

The mantra is of 24 syllables in Sanskrit and composed in a rhythm

called Gayathri Chandas. The Gayathri mantra is a cosmic formula.

The first seven steps of the Gayathri mantra form the seven

Vyahrities, which are seven invocations. They invoke the seven layers

of the universe, which is composed like a song, with seven musical

notes.

1. Bhuh – Physical – Muladhara

2. Bhuvah – Vital – Swadhistana

3. Svah – Mental – Manipura

4. Mahah – Intellectual – Anahata

5. Janah – Super mental – Vishuddhi

6. Tapah – Spiritual – Aajna

7. Satyam – Absolute reality or Parabrahman – Sahasrara

The bottom level or the ohysical plane is called ` Bhuh ` loka. The

plant lives in the vital world with Prana called Bhuvah. Both plants

and animals live. The real difference however lies in the difference

in consciousness or mental level. This level in the grade of

consciousness is what is called a `Vyahriti' of Gayathri.

The seven Vyahrities are aspects of Brahma who is the

Effulgence, the light composed of the seven colours of the solar

spectrum. Why is the prayer of Gayathri to be offered at those

periods in the day , which is neither darkness nor daylight?. A

period of the day is called by the ancient Rishis as the ` Hour of

Brahma –Brahma muhurtha'. In the early hours of the morning Sandhya,

the sky emits a pale bluish light or halo in the east. These Bluish

rays coming from the east containa subtle awakening magnetism, which

affects the brain. These dawn rays of a bluish hue have also got a

soothing effect on the body. Also, the morning air is fully charged

with Prana or vital energy. This living electricity is what the body

cells require for sustaining good health. This Prana is what the Yogi

requires for charging his six Yogic centers during the Sandhya

Vandana o Gayathri. This absorption of Prana into the body by

regulating its movements by will is called Pranayama. So Pranayama is

not just a breathing exercise. What the Yogi calls Prana is not air

or breath. It is a process of conscious breathing. It is unfortunate

that we have forgotten the science of conscious breathing. However

this has been brought back to us by great masters like Babaji ,

Sananda, Melchizedek and Thoth.

The hour of Brahma is specially selected for Gayathri worship

since at that hour, the air is heavily charged with Prana and also

the Sun's awakening rays of an electric Blue radiate from the east

before the physical Sun emerges form the horizon.

Gayathri is a powerful mantra containing the quintessence of

the Vedas, Puranas and all scriptures. There is no Mantra superior to

Gayathri. The power, which created the universe, has also created

man. This power is reflected on the formula of Gayathri. Gayathri is

the mantra embodying the power concealed in this primordial sound

called `Aum' and emanates as universal vibration.

The cosmic sound `Om' gave rise to the seven Vyahrities of

Gayathri which enable the man, living on the material plane to rise

to the spiritual plane of consciousness. Light is associated with

Consciousness. In the outer world, the Sun does the same work as the

mind does inside us. Both include the process of wakening, so that

when the soul is awakened into the consciousness of Brahman, we can

see the light of Brahman. Thus, light and Consciousness are

inseparable.

The Mantra of Gayathri is a prayer to `Savita', who is the

effulgent sun. `Devasya' – glowing with immeasurable light -

Bharga'. The inner SUN of our consciousness is the universal light

that dwells in us. This consciousness or Parashakti is

called `Savithur' which also means the deliverer. Her power works on

the mind of man and stirs him from his dormant state into conscious

awakening.

The Gayathri mantra stimulates us to meditate on the

Bhagavati seated in the lotus inside the solar plexus. The lotus

symbolizes a yogic chakra in the path of kundalini, situated along

the spinal canal.

It is the state of B-ness. Brahman is the state of `Sat',

which is the truth, which indicates our conscious existence. It

enables us to experience our existence as a living reality like our

breath. The lotus signifies the symbol of creation, opening petal

after petal in the process of evolution.

Also, the allusion to light does not refer to sunlight only,

but to the inner light from where the seven vibrations have descended

from the `Brahma-plane' down to earth, and to the living beings.

The light vibrations descend as seven planes of consciousness

into man. Thus, man is a seven-layered being, corresponding to a

structure like the Universe. The seven vibrations of the Sapta

Vyahrities are contained within the universal sound `Om'.

It is clear that what is contained in the macrocosm is also

contained in the microcosm. There are seven lokas in man also, which

respond to the seven vibrations of Gayathri. These lokas in man are

the seven yogic chakras along the Brahmadanda or the spinal column.

The Gayathri mantra has the enduring potency to grant divine

vision and infinite powers. The weak are made strong. The agitated

recover peace and calm and the mystery of grace is unraveled through

this sacred formula. Manu declares that the Gayathri mantra must be

practiced with a balanced mind, near a place of water and that it

moulds one's character.

Sage Yagnavalkya says that one must chant Gayathri when stars

are visible in the evening and in the morning at sunrise, and that a

recitation of Gayathri 1110 times every day will cast off all

negative forces. No other form of spiritual activity becomes

necessary since this in itself is the most complete spiritual sadhana.

" Face the east and repeat the Gayathri with Om and three

Vyahrities at least 108 times and destroy all sins", proclaims the

Smriti. All karmas will cease to take effect as parched seeds, which

do not sprout. The recitation of Gayathri with offerings of parched

rice, milk, lotus petals and sesame saturated with ghee, will confer

peace and plentitude, splendor and vitality with all desires

fulfilled. Offerings made in fire through Gayathri are most

effective. " One who recites Gayathri facing the Sun is liberated of

all sins ", says Rishi Atri. Perform the mantra with complete faith

and love, contemplating on the meaning of the Mantra. This is the

best form of Japam. The aspirant's heart becomes pure and he imbibes

the power of Parashakti to translate faith into action.

Therefore it is so necessary for all to realize and take to

the constant chanting of Gayathri. Whoever surrenders to the Supreme

Brahman will surely be rewarded. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says, "

Worshipper truly becomes pure and he SEES ". The Narada Bhakti Sutra

says if one opens his heart to the divine mantra, he will be guided

in the right path.

Bhuh stand for the great Brahman who is the basis of life

dearer than our breaths. Bhuvah is the name of God as his contact

frees the aspirant soul from all unwarranted ills and pains of life

arising due to Duality or DWAITA. Svah is the name of the lord, as he

pervades the vast universe and sustains all and is All Bliss.

Gayathri is a harmony, the most excellent incantation invoked

as "Param Param Jyoti Parame- Oh Thou of lustrous radiance". At the

Sandhya hour of the dawn and sunset, with the inter-play of light and

darkness, the Gayathri incantation carries immense splendor, with the

spreading rays of the frontal light which forms the texture of the

worlds. Just as the kindling of Agni makes visible a hidden light, so

the utterance of the chants makes perceptible a silent principle of

sound. The spoken word, the mantra is a revelation of the silence

that measures the trance of what is in itself immeasurable.

The glory of Gayathri Japa is beyond words. Regular Sadhana

leads to liberation from Bondage.

" O man, let us with devotion worship that great Brahman, who

is the support of the Sun of all such luminous bodies, who as

unprecedented lord of all that was and is all that shall be, existed

before creation of the universe and who has created the worlds from

the earth to the sun" – Rg Veda X.121.1

" He who practices the japa of Gayathri regularly for three

years assumes the form of air after death and becoming all-pervasive

like ether attains the Supreme formless Brahman " – Manu Smriti 11.82

" the learned Brahmana who worships the Sun at the time of

rising and setting attains all forms of auspiciousness" – Taittariya

Aranyaka P2.A2

Sage Yagnavalkya says : "Bhuh is your Head, Bhuvah is your

eye and Svah is your voice". Bhuh is Prana. The brain, intellect and

knowledge are all in the realm of the head. They should be ready to

serve all those who breathe. Bhuvah means the destroyer of pain.

Therefore our eyes must not be indifferent to the pain of others.

Svah means the giver of happiness. Therefore our voice should impart

happiness to others. Everyone should find truth and hope in our

words. This is true worship of Gayathri. This is the simplest way to

realize the absolute.

Ultimate reality though beyond empirical knowledge is

attainable through intuitive perception. Integration of will is one

method of cultivating intuition, which can be achieved by

concentrated Gayathri incantation. Intuitive insight is brought about

by unified will. Incessant japa of Gayathri is beneficial. It is the

answer to the problems of life.

Gayathri contains the mystic formula about the universe, the

solar system viewed as a living thing. It says, you are the living

Time or the life span of the universe. You are the divine path. You

are the divine power within this universe as well as in the limited

body. All creation sprang from this same Parashakti that we call

Gayathri. The first thing that the God bestows on man is Splendor –

Bhargo, so that one can behold Him face to face. The sun has received

only a fraction of that Effulgence. All unworthy pursuits and

sentiments of man are kept under control, regulated and transformed

by the Bhargo of the Gayathri. Bhargo means the light that leads to

progress and annihilates fear and evil. Bhargo has thirty-three

divine forces of God that hold on the universe and are also poised in

man. These are stated in the Vedas; Eight Vasus or the abodes of the

whole creation – Earth, water, fire, air, ether, moon, sun and

Purusha. Eleven Rudras are the soul and the ten Pranas namely prana

etc up to Dhanajaya. The twelve Adityas are the twelve months of the

year. Indra is the source of great power while Prajapathi stands for

the lordship of creation. The grace of Brahman, which helps us to be

virtuous, is known as Bhargah.

The solar globe of the physical Sun is the body of the Solar

Logos. Therefore the `Devaysa' within the Sun is the consciousness

pulsating interior to the Sun. what Gayathri signifies is not the

visible or the physical Sun, the giver of heat or light, but pure

consciousness, symbolized by inner Sun or Savita. The aim of Gayathri

is to transform the human nature into divine so as to realize the

self as the Parabrahman.

One can comprehend the loftiness of the concept contemplated by the

Gayathri Mahamantra by looking into the meaning of the Shlokas of

Gayathri Aavaahana during Sandhyavandana.

" the single letter `OM' represents the ultimate reality.

Power is its presiding deity. Brahman, the ultimate reality itself is

the seer or the Rishi of this Mantra. Its metre or Chandas is

Gayathri. It is the personification of the ultimate itself. Its

sadhana is only for the union of the individual self with the

ultimate i.e realizing the self as the supreme Paramatma. Let Shree

Gayathri the mother of the Vedas, established by Vedas,

indestructible, giver of divine blessings, llllllet her come and

reveal the Ultimate ( Brahmavidya) to me. Whatever unrighteous deeds

are done they are got rid off that day itself. Whatever are done

during the night, they are got rid off that night itself.

Oh great power ! the embodiment of all letters in the

alphabet, the diety that represents the conjugations of Day and

night, ( Oh ! I forgot to mention that the three Sandhyas of the day

actually are access points to achieve Bhedana of the three Yogic

Granthis in the body !) you are the power of knowledge. You are the

enemy of all that is evil. You are the strength and light of the

universe and its infinite existence. You are the abode of all Gods. I

invoke Gayathri, Savitri the power of Savita, Saraswathi, Lakshmi,

Uma or Brahmavidya, and the Rishis. The rishi-chandas-deity of

Gayathri are Vishwamitra – Nichrid Gayathri - Savitaa. And of the

seven Vyahrities : atri-gauthama-kashyapa-vishwamitra-vasishta-

bharadwaja-jamadagni and Gayathri- ushnik-anushthubh-brihati-pankti-

trishtub-jagati and Agni-vayu-surya-brihaspati-varuna-indra-

vishwedevaah. ( The Yagnavalkya Samhita and Gayathri Tantra forbid

the discussion of the fourth Pada of Gayathri since this is to be

given only to advanced sadhakas.)

Agni is her face. Vishnu is her heart. Rudra is her coiffure.

Prithvi is her medium of creation. She is alive with the five vital

Pranas. She is white in colour. She is of 24 letters or eternal

tatvas. Has the three Vedas for three feet. Has six faces in the six

directions (Five visible faces for Vamadeva, Sadyojata, and other

faces of Sadashiva or the Five Aamnayas ,where as the sixth hidden

face is the Anuttara Aamnaya which is the abode of the great vidya of

mother Mahatripurasundari. ) her purpose is to take us to the

ultimate "

Ya Devi Sarvabhooteshu Jnanaroopena Samsthitaa

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah !!!!!