Meaning of Gayatri Mantra #5

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

 

--------------- Fifth Face: Dhiyo Yo Nah PrachodayAt

 

dhiyaH = intellects [stem dhii]

yaH = who

naH = our [stem aham]

PrachodayAt = may He direct/ illuminate

 

(Courtesy of Sunder Hattangadi and JW, p.267)

 

"Dhiyo nah PrachodayAt means <let the effulgence of the Divine

dispel the darkness of ignorance.>" (SSB, 6-May-1995)

 

Sir John Woodroffe in p. 265, translated the above as "May He

direct our minds (that is, towards the attainment of Dharma, Artha,

KAma and Moksha). Dharma = righteousness, Artha = wealth,

KAma = desires, Moksha = Liberation.

 

"Like sunrise after the night, the Gayatri mantra dispels the

darkness of ignorance: " Dhiyo-yo-nah prachodayAt " The rays of

the Gayatri mantra illumine the mind and intelligence and promote

knowledge, wisdom and discrimination." (SSB, 17-Mar-1983)

 

Dhiyo yo nah Prachodayat" is the prayer to God to confer the

steady and pure intellect. The Divine is first praised and meditated upon

and then an appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen the

intellect (Buddhi)." (SSB, 11-Oct-1998)

 

Related: "Out of compassion for them I, who dwell within their

heart, destroy the darkness born of ignorance by the shining lamp

of Self-knowledge." (BG 10.11)

 

--------------- End of Meaning of Gayatri Mantra series

 

The above were excerpted from the discourses of Sri Sathya Sai

Baba (SSB) and from Sir John Woodroffe's book, "The Garland of

Letters" (3rd Edition 1955) (JW). Bhagavad Gita (BG) verses

translated by Dr. Ramanand Prasad. Anything that is not

referenced are comments.

 

 

 

--

Warmest regards,

Ruben

rubenn

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