This is the Gayatri Mantra. It is a ancient vedic hymn at least 5,000 years old and considered to be the mother of vedas (knowledge) and the highest mantra from which all of Hinduism and Buddhism flow. While I am a firm believer in the Biblical Jesus, the Christ, I cannot help but notice a strong resemblance between this prayer and my own prayers, and I find it enlightening to meditate on the english meaning as I listen to the words flowing through me. I welcome your comments and corrections...
OM BHOOR BHUVA SWAHA OM TAT SAVITUR VARENIYAM BARGO DEVASYA DHEEMAHI DHIYO YONAHA PRACHODAYAT OM
may be loosely translated as
"Almighty God, Embodiment of Life, Destroyer of suffering, Embodiment of happiness. Bright as the sun, Supreme Destroyer of our sins. May our minds receive Your divine inspiration."
OM = Almighty God BHOOR = Embodiment of vital or spiritual energy BHUVAHA = Destroyer of suffering SWAHA = Embodiment of happiness TAT = That (indicating God) SAVITUR = Bright, luminous, like the sun VARENIYAM = Supreme, best BARGO = Destroyer of sins DEVASYA = Divine DHEEMAHI = May receive DHIYO = Intellect YO = Who NAHA = Our PRACHODAYAT = May inspire
The following video is a Hindu perspective that I find very interesting
The following text is more Hindu perspective and worth a look if you like, but I think the above information is all an enlightened person needs until they are ready to sit down and study. Sometimes the more words one uses, the farther away one gets from the true reality of the point of it all. The Gayatri Mantra is a mere 14 sanskrit words in length and yet it pretty much SAYS IT ALL once you know the meaning of the words. I differ from general Hinduism which has as many as 1,000,000+ "gods" and Buddhism which almost has no "god" at all, but both of these religions sprang up from this ancient and awesome prayer centuries before Christ while humanity was struggling to understand our Creator... I believe that all religions have become corrupted remnants of their original beginnings, but that is a whole other article for me to write...
GIVEN TO US BY RAJA RISHI VISHWAMITRAR, FIRSTLY RECITED BY HIM TO THE LORD, 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 Ved 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 Sahasrara.
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).
In Bhavanopanishad, one witness 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. |