Gayathri Japam : Part II

[Guest guest]

SrI:

 

Dear BhakthAs:

 

Here are additional Information points:

 

1. Gayathri Manthram is a Veda Mantram. The word Mantram

is made up of two words: MananA (Meditation) and " ThrANa

( protection). Manana refers to take in to mind, what has

been learned for meditation. ThrANa is the consolidation

and firm establishment of what has been learned in the mind

for worship of the Devathai of that Mantram.

 

2. Gayathri Manthram is found in the ancient Rg Vedam

( Rg Vedam: 3rd Mandalam , Soothra 60, Tenth mantram).

" Gaayantham treeyate ithi Gaayathri " ( The Manthram that

protects one , who recites it). Gaayathri is a Manthram

as well as a prayer.

 

3. PraNavam, Saptha VyAhruthis and actual Gayathri manthram and

Siras makes up SampoorNa/Dheerga Gaayathri Manthram. We will

come back to ChathushpAdha Gaayathri later.

 

4. Gayathri MaathA is visualized with 5 Faces , 10 eyes ,10 hands

with specific MudhrAs and weapons. The five faces have been

mapped on to the Upanishadic Pancha KosAs, Pancha BhUthAs,

Pancha PrANAs and PanchEndriyams. The colors of the 5 faces are:

(1) Pearl white 92) Coral red (3) Golden Yellow (4)Blue like

BhagavAn's ThirumEni (5) Spatikam ( white like SrI HayagrIvan's

ThirumEni).

 

4.1:Pearl hued face is connected with the brilliance of

SwAthi Nakshathram , which is special to NrusimhAvathAram

Coral red is connected to the stillness of mind (Niscchalam)

when it is in a state of SamAdhi . Golden Hue is linked to

VaseekaraNam . Blue hued face is connected with the boon-granting

MahA VishNu. The White hued face is connected with the Goddess

of Knoweledge , Sarasvathi, whose power is derived from Lord

HayagrIvan.

 

4.2:The Five faces , when meditated upon destroys Pancha MahA

Paathakams (Sins).The Ten eyes are watching in the ten

directions including sky and earth and blessing the dhig

PaalakAs responsible for each of these directions. Among

the ten hands, one set of five hands realte to the granting of

Ihika Sukhams (lOka Sukhams) and the other five hands relate

to the other worldly bliss granted by Her indweller ,

SrIman NaarAyaNan.

 

4.3:The 10 hands hold Weapons and MudhrAs. There is a Varadha

Hastham (Boon granting MudhrA). There is an abahya hastham,

which assures UpaasakAs not to fear . The third hand has

elephant goad ( ankusam) to control involvement in vishya

sukhams. The horse whip is on another hand to whip out

internal and external elements that interfere with dhyAnam.

One hand carries a skull to show the impermannece of

the world and SamhAra Tatthvam . The sixth hand carries

a gadhai for punishment of offenders against the Lord's

Saasthrams . The seventh hand has Sankham and the Eighth

hand carries Sankham and chakram representing VishNu Tatthvam.

The ninth and the Tenth hands carry lotuses , Which is MahA Lakshmi

Tatthvam.

 

5. One of the best painted images of Gayathri Devi can be

enjoyed at the Mysore MaharAja " s palace (DurbAr hall?).

 

6. Gaayathri DEvi in some traditions is viewed as Braham-

Rudra-VishNu savarUpiNi duirng the PrAtha: , MaadhyAhnika

and Saayam SandhyAs respectively. She is also viewed as

Baala (Young like a child ), TaruNi ( fully developed Youth)

and VruddhA ( Older women) during the above three sandhyAs

respectively.

 

7. Vangipuram Nambi , a direct sishyA of AchArya RaamAnuja

known for his Kaarikai (Commentary on ahnika granthams)

has pointed out that Sriman NaarAyanan dwellling at

the center of Soorya Mandalam is the SarvAntharyAmi

and is the one who binds all (sandhAnam) and should be

worshipped as ParamAthmA during the three SandhyAs.

 

8. During SandhyAs, one has to perform viniyOgam for Rishi,

Chandas and Devathai for the various mantrAs and follow it

up with appropriate NyAsam. Otherwise, SandhyOpAsana

will not be fruitful. It will only generate sins.

For instance , the AapOhishtA manthram has SindhudhvIpa

Rishi, Devi Gaayathri and Aaapa: as Rishi, Chandas and

DevathA. This is the PrOkshaNa manthram with nine paadhams.

We will take up the details of the PrOkshaNa Manthram next

and move on to the next stages of SandhyOpAsanam in

the next posting.

 

SrImath Azhagiya Singar ThiruvadigaLE SaraNam,

Daasan , Oppiliappan Koil VaradAchAri Sadagopan