Mantras - 7

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The Gayatri Mantra

 

The Vedic form of the famous Gayatri mantra:

 

Om bhuurbhuvahswaha tat savitur varENyam,bhargO dEvasya dhiimahi dhiiyO

yO nah pracOdayaat.

 

(Rigveda 3.62.10)

 

Summary of the Mantra:

 

May we meditate on the Glory of the Lord, the Remover of pains and

sorrows, the Bestower of happiness, Who has created the universe, and

Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light. May the Lord, enlighten

our intellect in the right direction by destroying all our sins and

ignorance.

 

Meaning of each letter in mantra:

 

Om = Almighty God

 

bhuur = Embodiment of vital or spiritual energy

 

bhuvaha = Destroyer of suffering

 

swaha = Embodiment of happiness

 

tat = That (indicating God)

 

savitur = Bright, luminous, like and sun

 

varENyam = Supreme, best

 

bhargO = Destroyer of sins

 

dEvasya = Divine

 

dhiimahi = May receive

 

dhiyO = Intellect

 

yO = Who

 

naha = Our

 

pracOdayaat = May inspire

 

Gayatri is a Mantra(Vedic hymn) which inspires righteous wisdom its

meaning is that the Almighty God may illuminate our intellect which may

lead us to righteous path. This is most important teaching. All the

problems of a person are solved if he is endowed with the gift of

righteous wisdom. Having endowed with far sighted wisdom, a man is

neither entangled in calamity nor does he tread wrong path. Righteous

wisdom stars emerging as soon as a methodical recitation of this Mantra

is performed.

 

" May we meditate on the Glory of the Lord, the Remover of pains and

sorrows, the Bestower of happiness, Who has created the universe, and

Who is the embodiment of knowledge and light. May the Lord, enlighten

our intellect in the right direction by destroying all our sins and

ignorance. "

 

The Gayatri Mantra is the form of eternal truth. It is the heart of all

beings and the eternal Veda Mantra. Gayatri destroys the sins of the

world. All the four Vedas have originated from this mantra:

 

This can be translated: Aum. Let us contemplate the spirit of the divine

of the earth, the atmosphere and heaven. May that inspire our minds.

Savitri is the Sun and this mantra is recited at the three junctions or

twilight of the day. Here is described how the mantra Aum hums in the

base or Muladhara chakra, and moves through seven stages to the chakra

above the head Sahasra.

 

Maha Vishnu describes Aum as consisting of the following. Bhur is

existence, Bhuvah is the elements, Svah is the Atma of everything, Maha

is greatness and light, Tat is Brahman (the absolute). Tapah is all

knowledge, Satyam is supremacy and internal wisdom. This tantra connects

the three letters of Aum to the seven worlds.

 

Tat, refers to the first cause of all substance, as fire in the circle

of the sun and is supreme Brahman. Savituhu is the source of all living

beings. Varenyam is the excellent one who receives adoration.

 

Bharga destroys sin. Devasya means it is full of light, while Dheemahi

refers to knowledge being golden and always within the sun. Dhiyo means

Buddhi. Yo stands for energy (tejas).

 

The mantra is divided into three sections of eight letters and four

sections of six letters.

 

A dhyana (meditation) - Gayatri as having four faces, which are white,

yellow, red and black. Yet the tantrik tradition has different views of

the Gayatri. For example, in the Matrikabhedatantra, there is a couplet,

which says a person who knows the Brahman (the absolute) is a Brahmin.

 

Gayatri is mother of Vedas. Sadhana of Gayatri mantra is the essence of

all Vedas. Even God like Brahma mediates on and performs Japa of Gayatri

at the time of twilight.

 

Gayatri Japa performed daily for three years realizes God and like air,

acquires the power of going where the person wants to go. Merely by

offering water to the Sun and performing Japa of three thousand Gayatri

mantra at the time of twilight, a person becomes adorable by God.

 

By Gayatri Sadhana the person may get salvation, wealth, victory in

battle, and freedom from disease. A man may know all the four Vedas very

well but all his labour goes waste if he does not know Gayatri mantra. A

person who worships mantra other than Gayatri cannot get success even if

he takes millions of birth.

 

Rishis, Saints say that there is no other mantra like Gayatri mantra in

all the Vedas. Veda, yaga, dana (donation, charity), tapa are not

equivalent even to a small fraction of Gayatri mantra. Whether a man is

pure or impure, he is sitting or walking, in whatever condition a wise

man may be, he should perform Gayatri Japa. A man gets rid of all sins

by this Japa. Nothing is greater than GAYATRI MANTRA in this as well as

other lokas for the success of daily work; fulfillment of desires and

for development of tapas.

 

The following guidelines are provided for the Sadhaka:

 

In Bhavanopanishad, one witnesses within oneself the effulgent figure of

Divine Mother with the different phases of the waxing and waning Moon.

 

The Devi is to be meditated upon as of a ruddy complexion, with eyes

expansive, as an ocean overflowing with waves of grace, with noose,

goad, arrows of flowers and a twig of sugar- cane in her hand,

surrounded by Anima and other deities and ultimately as one´s own

self.

 

1. Complete faith unflinching loyalty backed by a clear heart towards

the deity is required for Sadhana.

 

2. Do not start Mantra Shakti under any pressure. Trust in God, kindness

and patience should be the virtues of a Sadhaka.

 

3. Avoid harsh speech, lust, anger, restless thoughts, evil company and

egoism. Do not get emotional. Mantras on hearsay should be avoided, as

they must be authentic.

 

4. Sadhana done without any specific aim bears fruits early. In case you

see any miracle, do not fear. Keep your WILL POWER strong and continue

your Sadhana. All troubles will vanish.

 

5. Brahmacharya or celibacy should be observed during Sadhana. In case

of failure, do not lose heart. Try it again and again and you will be

crowned with success.

 

HOW MANTRAS ARE USEFUL:

 

One´s subconscious mind can help to find the solution through

meditation and recitation of Mantras.

 

1.Purity of thoughts, words and deeds, sincerity and deep seated. Belief

in repeating Mantras systematically and without any stress or strain on

the brain or body is the keynotes for the efficacy of Mantras.

 

2. Concentrate and Meditate without having any desires in mind. The

Mantra should be recited softly so as to be audible only to be person

concerned and not to others. Mantras should be recited in a pleasing

musical tone, which will help in concentration.

 

3. Continuous Sadhana will enable the Sadhaka to find solutions to the

problems, attaining peace of mind, reducing mental strain.

 

4. The Sadhaka should have a light meal, hot and well cooked and in

small quantity, as over eating leads to the excitement of the sensory

organs which aggravate passions. Onions, Garlic and Meat have

stimulating effects on the sensory organs and will do harm to the body

than good. Intoxicates and smoking of any kind should be avoided. Lack

of control in the diet is a great obstacle to progress. Small quantities

of wholesome food purify the mind and a pure mind retains the memory of

God.

 

The deity worshipped in the Gayatri Mantra is Savita or the Sun, hence

the best day to do this ritual is Sunday. Through this Sadhana one can

awaken all mental faculties and gain a sharp intellect and photographic

memory. Even a child can be encouraged to try this practice for he can

thus go on to excel in his studies and build an excellent career.

 

Early morning before sunrise have a bath and dress in yellow clothes.

Fill a copper pot with water in it drop a few rice grain and flower

petals. Face the morning sun. Raise the pot to the heart level and till

it forward allowing the water to follow onto the ground gently. At the

same time chant the Mantra seven times " Udityam JaatavedasE Namaha "

 

There are various gayatri mantras to the Lord and His different

expansions and to various demigods, for particular purposes and the same

will be given later.