The Gayatri Mantra does
not belong to any particular sect of worship, or it is not restricted to any
certain community. It is universal, for the whole world. It contains in it the
culture not of any particular society, but the culture of humanity. The Gayatri
Mantra is a treasure and heritage that belongs to the whole of humanity without
exclusion.
The Gayatri mantra is
central to Yoga, Vedanta, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology. For Yoga it sets in
motion the Divine will toward transformation, stimulating the Kundalini force.
For Vedanta it grants Self-knowledge, knowledge of the solar Self. For Ayurveda
it gives the power of the cosmic prana that is born of the sun. For Jyotish it
gives knowledge of the movements of the heavenly bodies ruled by the cosmic
sun.
The Gayatri Mantra is one
of the holiest mantras in the Sanskrit language. Here we present it in
Sanskrit, Gujarati and English scripts.
English Script
Aum bhu-bhva svah tat sevitr varay niyem bargoh de
vas ya dhi ma hi diyeo yo na prachodayat
English Translation
"O Lord, Thou are the protector of life and of breath, dispeller of
miseries and bestower of happiness. Thou are the creator and the most
acceptable intelligence, possessing eternal qualities. May Thine qualities and
Thy inspiration pass to us."
Sanskrit
Hindi Translation
Sarvrakshak Pransvarup Dukho Ko Dur Karnay Valay Atyant Grahan Yogya Shudh
Vigyan Svarup Sarvgun Sampannan Ko Prem Bhakti Se Apnay Atma Me Dharon Karo
Jissay Hamari Sabki Prayrit Ho
Word for Word Meaning of the Mantra
Aum = Brahma ; bhoor = embodiment of vital spiritual energy(pran) ; bhuwah =
destroyer of sufferings ; swaha = embodiment of happiness ; tat = that ;
savitur = bright like sun ; varenyam = best choicest ; bhargo = destroyer of
sins ; devasya = divine ; dheemahi = may imbibe ; dhiyo = intellect ; yo = who
; naha = our ; prachodayat = may inspire
Meaning of Gayatri Mantra
Rishis selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them so that they not
only convey meaning but also create specific power through their utterance.
Gayatri Mantra inspires wisdom. Its meaning is that "May the Almighty God
illuminate our intellect to lead us along the righteous path". All the
problems of a person are solved if he/she is endowed with the gift of righteous
wisdom. Once endowed with far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled in
calamity nor does he tread the wrong path. A wise man finds solution to all
outstanding problems. Only those persons who do not think correctly find
difficulty and take wrong steps due to foolishness. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra
removes this deficiency. The teachings and powers incorporated in the Gayatri
Mantra fulfill this purpose. Righteous wisdom starts emerging soon after
Jap(recitation) of this Mantra is performed.
Extracted from "The Great Science and Philosophy of Gayatri" by Shree
Ram Sharma Acharya, Shanti Kunj, Hardwaar, Uttar Pradesh, India. GAYATRI MANTRA
THE UNRIVALLED DIVINE FORCE
The Twenty-four Letters of Gayatri Mantra
Brahma conceived the Gayatri mantra consisting of 24 letters before
he crested the gross world. Each letter in the mantra has hid in itself, a
great potential force, which when released, branches off into the four Vedas
with their sub-branches just as a vast tree is hidden in its seed. The pipal seed
sprouts , it grows into an extensive tree with many branches and give out
leaves, fruits, flowers, etc. The tree expands so much-lakhs and lakhs of time
more the size of seed. After sprouting, the mantra takes the form of the four
Vedas.
Philology (the science of language i.e., sound) was born of the 14 sounds. With
these 14 sounds that vibrated and emanated when Lord Shiv, in his happier mood,
played on his favourite damaru (a percussion instrument ). With these 14 sounds
(sutras) as the basis , Panini- the greatest grammarian, wrote his Astadhyayi
(or Maha Vyakarana), the greatest and the most important compilation on
Sanskrit grammar. Many scholars have commented on his work and such
commentaries alone are enough to constitute a large library. Similarly, all
literature in various forms is the outcome of the 24 letters of Gayatri mantra
only. While the Gayatri mantra is the sutra, the compilations with their
branches and sub-branches are its extensive commentaries.
The author (the seers & sages) of the science of mantra say that whatever
sound comes out from the mouth is the outcome of the interaction of various
organ such ad the wide-pipe, thee tongue, the teeth, the lips etc. The
different organs or parts of the mouth are interconnected with the various
parts of the body through tubular organs known as nadi.
In those areas of the body wherever the nadis are (the six Chakras are related
to the sushumna nadi) there are lots of ganglia (granthis), and the effect of
vibrations of different parts of the mouth (place of sound organs) have a
pressuring effect on these ganglia. If one’s talk is defective, it means that
some of the ganglia are not functioning properly or effectively. Our body
contains many ganglia of different sizes, some are seen and some of which are
not seen. The spiritualists know what power is contained in each of the
ganglia. Thew various sounds produced through the organs of the mouth have
their effect on these ganglia; they cause the ganglia to activate and discharge
their stored power. The wordings of the mantras are arranged on the basis of
their sounds and intonations. The Gayatri mantra contains 24 letters, and all
these 24 letters have a direct relation with the 24 ganglia in the human body.
Our body can be compared to a sitar (a stringed musical instrument) with 24
strings. When the Ganglia are activated they energize those power that yield
the right kind of knowledge. The repetition of Gayatri mantra (or japa)
produces notes which mingle with similar sounds existing in Nature (prakriti).
This is what one can expect from Gayatri sadhana.
The ‘word’ (shabda) is compared to Brahma. When Brahma is inspired, his body
quivers and the vibrations created by the movement of his body fall again on
his body and take the form of Omkar (Pranava) which echoes seven times. Like
the pendulum of a clock, this Omkar creates the movement or vibrations which in
turn keeps Nature (prakriti) functioning. As a result of such functioning, the
three gunas - sattwa, rajas and tamas – with their powers hrim, shrim and klim
respectively flow and break off into different rivulets and streams and create
the bija mantra. One should not underestimate the effect of the sound waves
produce. Those well versed in the science of sound know what potency sound
waves contain and what effects they produce. Sound works in it own sphere ad
even controls Nature. Thus Nature functions through the power of the
word-sound. Gayatri mantra is composed of selected sounds and due to their very
order in the mantra a very powerful current or wave is produced and made to
flow.
If one wishes to know what miracles the power of word-sound can create, one has
to acquaint with the latest developments in science and technology. The
Russians have devised what is known as the transducer, with which the aid of
subtle sound waves can cut even thick iron and steel plates. From the cleansing
of the sophisticated instruments to the working of the ordinary washing
machine, all the work is now done by the aid of sound waves.
We read in history that the Dipak Rag was sung by Tansen, by the vibrations of
the oil lamps, which had gone off glowed again. We know deer forgets its own
self and the cows yield more milk when they hear enchanting music. Similarly,
hearing the sound of cuckoo, a man’s sensuousness is said to be aroused. When
battalions of soldiers in formation cross a bridge, it is said the soldiers are
not expected to maintain the uniformity in steps, ass it is feared that when
they keep uniformity in steps, due to the impact of the sound waves produced
(known as resonance), the bridge, may collapse. Dr Huchisson of U.S.A., who has
gained much popularity claims sure success in fighting certain diseases with
the aid of sound waves. In all these cases, the vibrations mingle with similar
sounds spread in subtle Nature (sukshma prakriti), revolve round and round and
converge again on the place of their origin, thereby producing a kind of energy
which produces the desired effect. In other words, many miraculous things
happen due to the power of a mantra. The Gayatri spell also derives its force
in the same fashion. While uttering the mantra whichever organs of the mouth
come into play, activate their corresponding ganglia also. When the ganglia are
activated thus, a musical (which is also spiritual) sound resembling the Vedic
Mantra spreads in the air, returning to its base again carrying along with it a
powerful force of similar sounds already spread in Nature to help achieve the
desired end. The musical effect of the vibrations, or the current occasioned by
the utterance of the mantra on the already existing current created by the five
elements and the subtle soul force (atma shakti) created by the five
elements-ether, air, fire, water and earth, the subtle soul-force created by
the intensity of piety, sincerity and earnestness of the prayer offered, make
the Gayatri forces powerful as a Divine Blessings.
Absolute and firm faith in the divinity by the sadhak in rhea Gayatri spell
yields a powerful subtle force. Psychologists are well aware of the power of
such force. As a matter of fact, many people have been saved and resuscitated
from untimely death by this force. Many might have perished due to lack of
faith. The great saint Tulsidas, in one of his couplets, has compared faith and
belief to Parvati (Shard) and Parameshwar (vishwas). Belief has the power of converting
a piece of rope inn the dark into a snake, a tree into a spirit, and an idol
into deity. Because of faith man spends his energy, money and even sacrifices
his life. We can quote several people- Ekalavya and Kabir, for example, who
were able to amass better knowledge(which otherwise had to be learnt at the
feet of the tutor) on account off their faith and belief. If for instance a
sadhak takes a sadhana of Gayatri with the supreme faith and belief, he gets an
unparalleled siddhi because of the mingling of the sound force in Nature
(prakiti) with the spiritual powers.
SOURCE: "Gayatri Pariwar Publication commemorating the
AshwaMedha Maha Yagna of 1993."