Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Gayathri Mantram

Gayathri Mantra...

What it is???

The Gayathri (Vedic prayer to illuminate the intellect) is the universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas (Divine Knowledge), the most ancient scriptures of man. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divine, which has been given the name 'Savitha', meaning 'that from which all this is born.'
Gayathri is Annapurna, the Mother, and the sustaining Force that animates all life. So do not neglect it.
The Gayathri is considered as Veda Sara --"the essence of the Vedas." Veda means knowledge, and this prayer fosters and sharpens the knowledge-yielding faculty. As a matter of fact, the four mahavakyas or 'core-declarations' enshrined in the four Vedas are implied in this Gayathri mantra.
The Gayathri mantra (Vedic prayer to illuminate the intelligence) is a sacred mantra that demonstrates the unity that underlies manifoldness in creation. It is through the recognition of this unity that we can understand the multiplicity. Clay is one and the same thing, though pots of different shapes and sizes can be made from it. Gold is one, though gold ornaments can be multifarious. The Athma (Divine Self) is one, though the embodied forms in which it resides may be many. Whatever the colour of the cow, the milk is always white.

What it consists of???

The Gayathri may be considered as having three parts: (1) praise, (2) meditation, and (3) prayer. First the Divine is praised, then it is meditated upon in reverence, and finally an appeal is made to the Divine to awaken and strengthen the intellect, the discriminating faculty of man.

This mantra is the byword of all deities. It is not related to any particular sect, caste, idol, or institution. It is said to embody nine "colors": (1) Om (2) Bhuh (3) Bhuvah (4) Suvah (5) Thath (6) Savithur (powers) (7) Varenyam (8) Bhargah (9) Dhevasya. "Dheemahi" is related to the meditative aspect. "Dhiyo-yo-nah prachodayaath" relates to the aspect of prayer. The mantra as a whole thus contains three aspects: descriptive, meditational, and prayer.

Triple aspects of Gayathri???
Who is Gayathri? Gayathri is not a goddess. Gayathri is the mother of the Vedas (Gayathri Chandhasam matha) Gayathri, however, has three names: Gayathri, Savitri, and Saraswathi. These three are present in everyone. Gayathri represents the senses; it is the master of the senses. Savitri is the master of Prana (Life Force). Many Indians are familiar with the story of Savitri, who brought back to life her dead husband, Sathyavan. Savitri signifies truth. Saraswathi is the presiding deity of speech (vaak). The three represent purity in thought, word, and deed (thrikarana shuddhi). Although Gayathri has three names, all three are in each of us as the senses (Gayathri), the power of speech (Saraswathi), and the life force (Savitri). When one's intelligence and intuition are developed by recitation of the mantra, the activating deity is Gayathri. When the life-forces are protected, the guardian deity is called Savitri. When one's speech is protected, the deity is called Saraswathi. Because of the protective roles of Savitri, Saraswathi, and Gayathri in relation to life, speech, and the intellect, Gayathri is described as "the embodiment of all goddesses (Sarvadhevathaa-swaruupini)".

Gayathri pervades everywhere. It consists of three deities, Gayathri, Savitri, and Saraswathi. Of these, the first one is master of the sense, the second is the teacher of truth, and the third is the master of speech. Hence it is a Trinity of the senses, the mind, and speech.

The five faces of Gayathri…


Gayathri is said to have five faces and hence is called Panchamukhi. Is there anybody in the world with five faces? No. In the Ramayana, Ravana is said to have ten heads. If really he had ten heads, how would he be able to lie in his bed or move about? This is not the inner meaning of this description. He is said to be ten-headed because he was the master of the four Vedas and the six Sastras.

Likewise, Gayathri is described as five-faced. The five faces are as follows.

1. Om (the Pranava). The Pranava Principle represents the eight different forms of wealth (ashta-aishvarya).

2. Bhur Bhuvah Suvah.

3. The third is: Thath-Savithur-Varenyam.

4. Bhargo Dhevasya dheemahi.

5. Dheyo yo hah prachodayaath.

When the Gayathri mantra is understood in this way, it will be realized that all the five aspects of Gayathri are within each of us.

Gayathri represents in these five faces the five pranas (life forces). Gayathri is the protector of the five pranas in man.

"Gayantham thrayathe ithi Gayathri (Because it protects the one who recites it, it is called Gayathri." When Gayathri acts as protector of the life-forces, she is known as Savitri. Savitri is known in the puranic story as the devoted wife who brought back to life her husband, Sathyavan. Savitri is the presiding deity of the five pranas. She protects those who lead a life of Truth.

Gayathri has five faces and is the embodiment of all deities --Sarva devatha Swarupam.

The meaning of the Gayathri…

In the Gayathri Mantra, the unity of body, mind and soul is depicted in the first line, "Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvaha." The next line, "Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemahi", means "Throw away the darkness." "Dheeyo yonah Prachodayaath" means "Let the effulgence of the Divine dispel the darkness of ignorance.

Gayathri means 'that which saves, when repeated'! It is the torch of spiritual wisdom (jnana)

This is the prayer addressed to the Sun in the Gayathri mantra Dheeyo yo nah prachodayaath. (May the Sun illumine our intellects in the same way he sheds his effulgence). In this way, they came to regard the Gayathri mantra as Veda Matha (the Mother of the Vedas).

This Gayathri mantra is not related to any particular time, place, or person. The following indicates that it relates to the three aspect of Time --past, present, and future:

Bhur Bhuvah Suvah

The following says that light dispels darkness --without light, darkness will not go.

Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Dhevasya Dheemahi, Dheeyo yo nah Prachodayaath

The following signifies that the Sun is the dispeller of darkness.

Bhargo devasya

In this manner, the ancients believed that there was a supreme power and looked upon it as God.
Stotra (description of the glory), dhyana (meditation), and prarthana (prayer) are all contained in the Gayathri Mantra. When does a prayer become meaningful? It is only when you stabilize your mind and turns it toward God. The basis for this is to meditate, pray, and experience. It is essential to achieve harmony in thought, word, and deed. Gayathri is teaching this great lesson.

The Gayathri mantra has all three elements that figure in the adoration of God: description, meditation, and prayer. The first nine words of the mantra --Om-Bhur-Bhuvah-Suvah-Thath-Savithur-Varenyam-Bhargo-Dhevasya-- represent the attributes of the Divine.

Dheemahi pertains to dhyana (meditation).
Dheyo yo nah Prachodayaath is the prayer to the Lord.
The mantra is thus a prayer to God to confer all powers and talents.

And simply……

Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: the physical world
Bhuvah: the mental world
Suvah: the celestial, spiritual world
Tat: That; God; transcendental Paramatma
Savithur: the Sun, Creator, Preserver
Varenyam: most adorable, enchanting
Bhargo: luster, effulgence
Devasya: resplendent, supreme Lord
Dheemahi: we meditate upon
Dheyo: the intellect, understanding
Yo: May this light
Nah: our
Prachodayaath: enlighten, guide, inspire

What the Gayathri does for you???
The Gayathri is considered as Veda Sara --"the essence of the Vedas." Veda means knowledge, and this prayer fosters and sharpens the knowledge-yielding faculty. As a matter of fact, the four mahavakyas or 'core-declarations' enshrined in the four Vedas are implied in this Gayathri mantra. So the Gayathri mantra has been given to you as a third eye to reveal to you that inner vision by which you may realize Brahman.

It will protect you from harm wherever you are --traveling, working, or at home. Westerners have investigated the vibrations produced by this mantra and have found that when it is recited with the correct accent as laid down in the Vedas, the atmosphere around becomes visibly illumined. So Brahmaprakasha, the effulgence of the Divine, will descend on you and illumine your intellect and light your path when this mantra is chanted. Also repeat Shanthi thrice at the end, for that repetition will give Shanthi or peace to three entities in you --body, mind, and soul.

Gayathri will protect your body, make your intellect shine and improve your power of speech. That is why Gayathri is considered to be very important for this second stage of your life, which you are entering today.

It is essential to recite the Gayathri mantra at least three times during morning, noon, and evening. This will serve to reduce the effects of the wrong acts one does every day. It is like buying goods for cash, instead of getting them on credit. There is no accumulation of karmic (result of action) debt, since each day's karma (action) is atoned for that day itself by reciting the Gayathri Mantra.

Brahmaprakasha, the effulgence of the Divine, will descend on you and illumine your intellect and light your path when this mantra is chanted.

  •  Gayathri is the reliever of all diseases (Sarva roga nivaarini Gayathri).
  •  Gayathri wards off all misery (Sarva dhukha parivarini Gayathri).
  •  Gayathri is the fulfiller of all desires (Sarva vancha phalashri Gayathri).
  •  Gayathri is the bestower of all that is beneficial.
If the mantra is chanted, various kinds of powers will emerge in one. Hence the Gayathri mantra should not be treated casually. The attitude of surrender will grow in us as we recite regularly the Gayathri mantra. Like sunrise after the night, the Gayathri mantra dispels the darkness of ignorance: Dhiyo-yo-nah prachodayaath. The rays of the Gayathri mantra illumine the mind and intelligence and promote knowledge, wisdom and discrimination. This Gayathri has the subtle power of removing evil tendencies and implanting virtuous habits. The Gayathri promotes the acquisition of Daivasakthi (God-power)

When you should say the Gayathri…

Never give up the Gayathri; you may give up or ignore any other mantra but you should recite the Gayathri at least a few times a day. Do not sing cheap and defiling film songs. Instead, recite the Gayathri. When you bathe, the body is being cleansed; let your mind and intellect also be cleansed. Make it a point to repeat it when you bathe as well as before every meal, when you wake from sleep, and when you go to bed. And also repeat Shanthi thrice at the end, for that repetition will give Shanthi or peace to three entities in you --body, mind, and soul. Chant the Gayathri morning, noon, and evening. You do so many things. Why don't you chant this Gayathri? Gayathri is a treasure you must guard throughout your lives. The Gayathri can be recited even when one is taking a bath. It will mean also offering ablutions to the goddess. At noon, if the Gayathri is recited before taking one's meal, the food will get sanctified and become an offering to the deity. Supplying the calories for the spirit is as necessary a process for happy living as supplying calories for the body. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, morning worship, noon worship, and evening worship --all six are equally essential. You miss any one of the six at your peril.

The Gayathri mantra has to be recited three times a day: in the morning at sunrise, at noon, and at sunset. These are called "sandhya kalam" --the time of coming together of night and day, of morning and evening, and of day and night. [17-3-1983]

Time, like man, has three qualities: sathwa, rajas, and thamas (poised or pure or serenity, passion, and inertia). The day is divided into three parts:

• 4am to 8am and 4pm to 8pm have the sath wic (equanimous) quality;

• 8am to 4pm are raja sic (passionate);

• 8pm and 4am are tama sic (inaction);

The eight hours from 8pm to 4am are used mainly for sleep. The eight hours of the day (from 8am to 4pm) are employed by all beings, including animals and birds, in the discharge of their day to day duties and are regarded as raja sic (active pursuit). When the four sathwic hours of the morning are used for engaging oneself in good actions like worship, virtuous deeds, and keeping good company, one is sure to raise oneself from the human to the Divine level. It is during the sathwic period (4am to 8am and 4pm to 8pm) that the Gayathri mantra should be recited.

Gayathris to Lord Sri Krishna, for spiritual success:

 

    Aum Devkinandanaye Vidmahe
        Vasudavaye Dhi-mahi
        Tanno Krishnah Prachodayat

Om Dhamodharaya Vidhmahe
Rukmani Vallabhay Dheemahe
Tanno Krishna Prachodayath

 Om Govindaya Vidhmahe
Gopi Vallabhaya Dheemahe
Tanno Krishna Prachodayath

Vishnu Gayathri, for welfare:


 Aum Narayanaye Vidmahe
Vasudavaye Dhimahi
Tanno Vishnu Prachodayat

To Goddess Lakshmi, for increasing wealth, luxuries, promotion, status:
 Aum Mahalakshmaye Vidmahe
Vishnupriyaye Dhimahi
Tanno Lakshmih Prachodayat

 Om Mahalakshmyai cha vidmahe
Vishnu patnyai cha dhimahi
Tanno Lakshmihi prachodayat

 Om Mahadevyaicha Vidhmahe
Vishnu Pathniyaicha Dheemahe
Thanno Lakshmi Prachodayath

To Lord Rama, for security and status:

Aum Dasharathaye Vidmahe
Sita Ballabhaye Dhimahi
Tanno Ramah Prachodayat

To Lord Narayana, to increase administrative power:

 Aum Narayanaya Vidmahe
Vasudevaya Dhimahi
Tanno Narayanah Prachodayat

Venkateswara Gayatri Mantra:
 Nirnajanaya Vidmahe
Nirapasaya Dheemahe
Thanno Srinivasa Prachodayath

To Lord Narasimha, to increase our ability to help others:

 Aum Ugranarsinghaye Vidmahe
Vajranakhaye Dhi-Mahi
Tanno Narsingha Prachodayat

 Om Narasimhaya vidmahe
Vajra nakhaya dhimahi
Tanno Narasimha prachodayat

To Hayagriva, to increase courage and remove fear:


Aum Vanishwaraye Vidmahe
Hayagrivaye Dhimahi
Tanno Hayagrivah Prachodayat

To Lord Shiva, for easing problems, and giving peace & prosperity:

Aum Panchvaktraye Vidmahe
Mahadevaye Dhimahi
Tanno Rudra Prachodayat

 Om Tat Purushaya Vidhmahe
Mahadevaya Dheemahe
Thanno Rudra Prachodayath

To Goddess Durga, for victory over obstacles, pains & enemies:


 Aum Girijaye cha Vidmahe
Shiva Priyaye cha Dhimahi
Tanno Durga Prachodayat

 Om Kathyayanaya Vidhmahe
Kanya Kumari cha Dheemahe
Thanno Durgaya Prachodayat

To Ganesh, for removing obstacles:

Aum Eikdantaya vidmahe
Vakratunaye Dhimahi
Tanno Buddhih Pracodayat

 Aum Eka dantaya vidmahe
Vakra tundaya dhimahi
Tanno dantih prachodayat

To Brahma, for increasing productivity:


 Aum Parmeshwaraye Vidmahe
Paratattvaye Dhimahi
Tanno Brahma Prachodayat

To Goddess Saraswati, for memory, wisdom, knowledge, and creativity:


 Aum Saraswateye cha Vidmahe
Brahmaputriye cha Dhimahi
Tanno Saraswati Prachodayat

To Hanuman, for love of selfless service:

 Aum Anjaneyaye Vidmahe
Mahabalaye Dhimahi
Tanno Hanuman Prachodayat

 Aum anjani sutaya cha vidmahe
Vayu putraya cha dhimahi
Tanno marutih prachodayat

The Subrahamanya Gayatri Mantra:


 Om Tat Purushaya Vidhmahe
Maha Senaya Dheemahe
Tanno Shanmuga Prachodayath
The Sri Tulasi Gayatri for clarity in our devotion and spirituality:

Aum tulasi devyai cha vidmahe
Vishnu priyayai cha dhimahi
Tanno brindah Prachodayat
The Garuda Gayatri Mantra:

 Om Thathpurushaya Vidhmahe
Suvarna Pakshaya Dheemahe
Tanno Garuda Prachodayath

The Sudharshana Chakra Gayatri Mantra:

Om Sudharshanaya Vidmahe
Maha Jwalaya Dheemahe
Tanno Chakra Prachodayath
To Surya the sun deity, for freedom from disease:
 Aum Bhaskaraye Vidmahe
Divakraraye Dhimahi
Tanno Suryah Prachodayat
To Chandra, the moon deity, for subduing anxiety and worries:

 Aum Kshirputraye Vidmahe
Amrittattvaye Dhimahi
Tanno Chandrah Prachodayat

To Venus (Shukra) for creativity and success in such things as trading in the markets:


 Om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae
dhanur hastaaya dheemahi
tanno shukra prachodayaat

To Mars (Angaaraka):

 Om veeradhwajaaya vidmahae
vighna hastaaya dheemahi
tanno bhouma prachodayaath

To Mercury (Budha):

 Om gajadhwajaaya vidmahae
sukha hastaaya dheemahi
tanno budha prachodayaat

To Jupiter (Guru):

 Om vrishabadhwajaaya vidmahae
kruni hastaaya dheemahi
tanno guru prachodayaat

To Saturn or Shani:

 Om Sanaischaraya vidhmahe
Sooryaputraya dhimahi
tanno manda prachodayat

Rahu Gayatri Mantra:

 Om Sookdantaya Vidmahe,
Ugraroopaya Dhimahi,
Tanno Rahu Prachodayat

To Kethu:


 Om aswadhwajaaya vidmahae
soola hastaaya dheemahi
tanno ketu prachodayaat

 Apart from all the above,
the highest spiritual mantra for all purposes:


”Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”


Gayathri Manthram.rar

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