No spiritual progress is possible without purifying the mind and developing in a person the principle of Buddhi, the main function of which is to distinguish between true and untrue. Buddhi is an ability of a higher level compared to intellect, which in European terminology is called intuition (literally “direct cognition”). For intellectual knowledge to become true knowledge, it must be illuminated by the light of Buddhi. The development or, more precisely, the discovery of buddhi within oneself is the starting point of conscious spiritual practice. This role is played by the Gayatri Mantra in Hinduism.
| OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DhiiMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT |
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yonah Prachodayaat |
Om! Blessings to the Earthly, Subtle and Heavenly Worlds! Let us meditate on the radiant Light of Savitar (personifying the divine Glory of Ishvara)! May He illuminate our minds!
The word Gayatri* is used in Hindu scriptures in three different senses. First of all, this word refers to a well-known mantra, the repetition of which is an obligatory part of the daily religious practice of all devout Hindus. The second is the poetic meter in which this mantra is written, and the third is the goddess who personifies the power of this mantra.
(* Gayatri" - this is exactly the stress (i.e. on the last syllable) that one of the most authoritative and famous Sanskritologists in the world, Monier-Williams, gives in his “Sanskrit-English” dictionary.)
The word "Gayatri" (feminine with the emphasis on the last syllable) literally means "that by chanting of which salvation is achieved" (where "ga" - "to chant", "tri" - "to save"). Another version of the word “gayatra” (male and middle class), as Sai Baba explains, is etymologically deciphered as “that which protects individual souls” (where “gaya” is “individual souls - jivas”, “tra” is “ protect"). Thus, the very meaning of the word indicates the highest goal of spiritual practice - salvation or liberation, as well as the highest power of the mantra, capable of protecting the one who practices it.
The main purpose of the Gayatri Mantra, in which the sadhaka addresses God as the radiant Light of the Supreme Consciousness with the words “May He illuminate our mind!”, where the word “mind” means “buddhi,” is precisely to reveal this highest consciousness in a person. principle. It is also important that the practice of Gayatri Mantra ensures a gradual and progressive opening of consciousness. This is why the ancient Rishis made Gayatri Mantra a mandatory part of the daily religious practice of Hindus.
The primary task of a person who has embarked on the spiritual path, striving to understand his true nature, is not to achieve liberation (for this is not the work of one life), but to eliminate his ignorance, which consists in an illusory vision of the world. This requires the purification and reorganization of all the lower vehicles of consciousness, so that the one striving for truth can have more subtle tools for working on higher spiritual planes. This is the light of buddhi, the awakening of which is facilitated by the practice of Gayatri Mantra. If a person, persistently practicing Gayatri Japa, sincerely strives for the Light, which can only come from within, in his aura, as one of the most profound researchers of Gayatri Mantra, Professor I.K. Taimni writes (See I.K. Taimni. Gayatri: the daily religious practice of the Hindus. Adyar: Madras, 1974.), a special tension is created, which opens a channel for the descent into his consciousness of the Divine power of the higher planes.
Knowledge of God can be carried out at three levels: at the level of the mind (manas) or intellect; at the level of intuition (buddhi) or spiritual perception and at the level of Reality, directly - through the merging of one’s Higher Self (Atma) with the consciousness of God. Gayatri Mantra is capable of giving such knowledge on all these three levels.
Gayatri Mantra is considered the holiest and most powerful mantra of the Vedas. This universal mantra-prayer is mentioned in all four Vedas, as well as in the tantras (Tantras are one of the types of sacred scriptures of Hinduism. Tantras are considered the esoteric part of the Vedas - the Vedas of Kali Yuga. In the Tantras, the science of mantras is most deeply developed - mantra-shastra. Word "shastra" means "treatise". Great sages and rishis speak of her with the highest praise. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, it is intended for all people without exception, regardless of their caste, religion, place of residence and level of development. She contains the quintessence of all the Vedas, and therefore she is truly called the Mother of the Vedas. Just as the essence of the teachings of the Vedas is contained in the Upanishads (philosophical parts of the Vedas), the essence of the Upanishads is contained in the Gayatri Mantra. Each of the four Vedas affirms one basic truth: Prajnanam Brahma (Consciousness is Brahman) - Rig Veda; Aham Brahma Asmi (I am Brahman) - Yajur Veda; Tat Tvam Asi (You are That) - Veda Itself; Ayam Atma Brahma (This Atman is Brahman) - Atharva Veda. When these four truths are combined, Gayatri appears. It is claimed that if it is recited regularly, its effect will be as beneficial as that of reciting the Vedas themselves.
The enormous significance of the Gayatri Mantra is reflected in one of the most important rituals of Hinduism - "upanayana". Upanayana is a rite of passage for boys, when they were brought to the house of a teacher (guru) for a period of apprenticeship. One of the elements of this ritual is initiation into the Gayatri Mantra. After this, the initiate becomes “twice-born.” Receiving the Gayatri Mantra from the guru, as one of the most important elements of this rite, symbolizes a person’s entry onto the path of conscious spiritual evolution, that is, his “second” - spiritual birth.
Just as the process of descent into matter begins with the division of Unity into many with the words of God “Eko “ham Bahu Syam” - “I am One. May I become Many!”, the process of union with God begins with the words “Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi” - “We meditate on the Divine Light!”
Usually, the reading of important Vedic mantras is preceded by the recitation of auxiliary ones - viniyoga mantras, which indicate the rishi, size, deity and purpose for which this mantra is pronounced.
In the Viniyoga Mantra related to Gayatri, it is reported that the Rishi of the main part of the Gayatri Mantra is Vishwamitra. Some identify him with the famous sage mentioned in the Puranas (mythological texts of Hinduism). However, according to Professor Taimni, this does not correspond to the high purpose of the Gayatri Mantra, which is considered the Mother of the Vedas. "Vishwamitra" is one of the names of the creator of the universe, Brahma, and he is the Rishi of this mantra.
The main part of the Gayatri Mantra is written in a meter that has the same name - Gayatri. It consists of twenty-four syllables, organized into three lines of eight syllables each. This size is considered ancient and sacred.
The purpose or purpose of the mantra has already been discussed above. As for the Devata Gayatri Mantra, the Viniyoga Mantra says that it is Savitar.
Another name for this mantra is “Savita Gayatri” or “Savitri” (with emphasis on the last syllable). Here again there is some confusion. The combination "Savita Gayatri" literally means "Gayatri Savitar", where the word "Savita" (masculine) can be interpreted as "The Devata of which is Savitar." A synonym for this word is its other form - the word “Savitri” (sounding more like Savitr-r-r; it is also masculine with the so-called syllabic “r” at the end, which has a vowel similar to the short “i”), which confused with the word Savitri`, meaning mantra. This word (feminine) has a long and stressed “i” at the end and, again, is simply another name for the goddess Gayatri.
The mantra says “We meditate on the divine Light of Savitar.” Savitar is the Sun Deity in its highest aspect. The Light of the Sun or Savitar (and not Savitar himself) is his Power, that is, the goddess Savitri or Gayatri. Therefore, the mantra is addressed simultaneously to both Savitri (the goddess Gayatri) and Savitar - Devata or the presiding deity of the mantra.
From dawn to sunset the sun is called Surya. The predawn sun, which is a symbol of the animating or life-giving force, is called Savitar. Just as the basis of the manifested Light of the sun is the “vivifying force” of the pre-dawn sun, which makes its manifestation possible, so the basis of Surya’s existence is Savitar. The latter is the Supreme Spiritual Essence of our universe - God or (in Hindu terminology) Ishvara.
In the mantra he personifies Brahman himself. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba says: “The immanent and transcendental Deity called Savitar, which means “that from which everything is born” ... that is, the Being to whom the Gayatri is addressed is truly Brahman itself” (see Dharma Vahini ).
According to Indian philosophy, there is only one Supreme Reality - Brahman (in European philosophical and religious traditions called, respectively, the Absolute or God). At the unmanifested level, this Supreme Reality (Nirguna Brahman) is an undifferentiated unity of Consciousness and Force. When this Reality begins to unfold outward (as Saguna Brahman), a primary differentiation into Consciousness and Power occurs, in tantric terminology called Shiva and Shakti. Shakti is further divided into innumerable powers corresponding to the multiplicity of functions to be performed in the manifest universe. Each force corresponds to a special function of consciousness, which determines the basic processes occurring in the universe. These functions and powers, representing various aspects of the one Supreme God - Brahman, are the devatas or deities of Hinduism.
In the great Universe there are many small universes or solar systems. The supreme deity, or rather the God of any universe, is Ishvara. Each solar system or Brahmanda is a separate self-sufficient unit of the Universe and is ruled by Ishvara in his three aspects called Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra, whose main function is creation, maintenance and dissolution. In his highest aspect, Rudra is called Mahesha or Mahesvara. Both Rudra and Mahesa are identified with Shiva, or rather, they represent his functions on the manifest level. If Rudra at the manifest level performs the function of destroying forms, then Mahesha corresponds to the pure function of consciousness underlying the manifestation of any forms. In this aspect, he is practically no different from Ishvara, whose main function can be described as “control”.
“Within the physical Sun,” as Prof. I.K. Taimni writes in his book “Gayatri” (p. 88), “pervading the entire solar system, there are hidden many invisible worlds of extraordinary splendor and power, and all of them are the expression or bodies of the Mighty The being called the Solar Logos or Surya Narayana. This being is the God or Ishvara of our universe. All forms of consciousness in our solar system are a limited expression of His Consciousness. All forces are derivatives of His Power.
Since Vedic times, Gayatri Mantra has been considered personified as Goddess Gayatri or Gayatri Devi. Its symbolism, according to prof. Taimni is the same as the Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha with the only difference that this is a trinity of female hypostases of one God. “There is no doubt,” he writes (ibid., pp. 23-24) “that these three female forms represent the force that allows the sadhaka to achieve unity with the consciousness of these three Deities. The three forms of Gayatri have nothing to do with the powers of the three Deities manifested as their ordinary functions in the manifested universe. These three powers or Shaktis, generally called the powers of creation, preservation and destruction, are personified by the goddesses Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali, who are called the consorts or Shakti of Brahma, Vishnu and Rudra (Shiva). wants to gain knowledge or vidya, he worships Saraswati; if he desires wealth and success in worldly affairs, he worships Lakshmi; if he asks for help in misfortune, he calls on Kali.
However, if he does not desire anything that these three Deities can give through their respective Shaktis, but desires to (realize) Ishvara himself, then he must turn to Gayatri, since she is the power to achieve union with His Consciousness and thereby - to know Him." Thus, Gayatri Devi is the Shakti of Ishvara himself. Hence she has such power!
Gayatri Mantra, like many other sacred things, has rich symbolism and many levels of interpretation. There are many translations of the Gayatri Mantra. At the physical level of interpretation, Savitar is understood as the physical sun, which is represented as the Deity, and its light and energy are also understood in a purely physical sense. Then the words of the mantra can be translated as “We contemplate the radiant radiance of the Sun! May It grant us true understanding!” or “May It guide us to the path of truth!” At a higher level of interpretation, when the word Savitar means the Supreme Consciousness or God himself (Ishvara), and his Light means his Power, Greatness and Glory, the meaning of the mantra can be, for example, this: “On the divine Glory of Ishvara, worthy of the highest reverence, we let us concentrate our thoughts! May He illuminate our minds!” or “May He grant us enlightenment!” You can combine both of these meanings, giving them in parallel in a more detailed form: “We meditate on the radiant Light of the Sun (personifying the divine Power and Glory of Savitar, who is the highest goal of all worship and Ishvara himself)! May He grant us enlightenment!” The words "Bhur - Bhuvah - Svah" can either be translated, for example, as "Om! Earth! Air Space and Sky!" or: “Good for the Earthly, Subtle and Divine Worlds!”, or remain without translation. These are sacred words, which we will talk about below.
There are also freer translations of this mantra. So, for example, John Woodroffe in his book “Introduction to Tantra Shastra” in the chapter “Gayatri Mantra” gives the following translation: “Om! Let us indulge in reflection (meditation) on the wonderful spiritual nature of the Divine Creator of the earthly, airy and celestial spheres! May He guide our thoughts to achieve dharma, artha, kama and moksha!”, where the last words (the four goals of human earthly existence) are simply added, although, in general, this does not contradict the meaning. There are also simply poetic translations, in which the main thing is not to convey the meaning of the words absolutely accurately, but rather to express the spirit of the mantra using the beauty of the language. Here is one of them: “O Divine Source of Light and energy on earth! Grant me one of your countless rays, so that in my life, at least for one moment, I can shine as brightly as You!” In principle, most translations are correct, since in general they correctly reflect one or another aspect of understanding the main idea of the mantra. The degree of penetration into the essence of the mantra, of course, depends on the spiritual experience, knowledge and level of development of the one who is trying to understand its meaning. The depth of meaning and significance of the Gayatri Mantra is as limitless and inexhaustible as the Divine Source of which it is an expression.
This mantra is also deeply symbolic in its structure. It can be divided into three, five and nine parts. As Sri Sathya Sai Baba points out, the first 9 words of this mantra are a ninefold description of the Supreme Reality.
1. OM- the original sound vibration that underlies Creation; symbol of Brahman, as well as Ishvara;
2. BHUR- Bhur-loka; Earthly plane of existence; correlates with the Earthly World, dense physical substance and Brahma;
3. BHUVAH- Bhuvar-loka; Ethereal plane of existence; also correlates with the Subtle (astral) World; etheric and astral matter, as well as with Vishnu;
4. MATCHmaker- Svar(ga)-loka; Heavenly plane of existence; also correlates with the Divine (casual) World, the substance of the mental and casual planes, also Maheshvara;
5. TAT- That (named after); The Supreme Reality, inexpressible in words, and therefore designated simply by a demonstrative pronoun; Brahman, the Absolute; Also<здесь>- On Togo (vin. pad.); can relate to both Brahman and Ishvara;
6. SAVITUR- Savitar (born from Savitar); the life-giving force hidden behind the physical shell of the Sun, personifying Ishvara, who in turn himself represents Brahman;
7. JAM- desired; worthy of all aspirations and veneration (modal adjective or adjective of obligation);
8. BHARGO- Shine; Light (divine Consciousness); Glory; can be correlated with the Shakti of Shiva, as well as the Shakti of Ishvara; that is, Gayatri Devi;
9. VIRGIN- Divine, radiant, bestowing Grace (genus fall. or adjective from Deva).
The remaining words, divided into three groups, represent, together with the first nine words, the 12 most important attributes of the mantra:
10. DHIMAHI- meditate; contemplate (verb in 3 literal plural);
11. DHIYO- Reason, buddhi, mind; YO- which, He;
12. NAH- our; PRACHODAYAT- let us guide you (to the path of truth); may it illuminate!; may he grant enlightenment! (subjunctive).
The first part of the mantra consists of the sacred syllable OM or pranava (from “pra” + “nu” - “to vibrate, make a sound”) and three mystical words-mantras called mahavyahriti: BHUR - BHUVAH - SWAH. The latter originated from pranava and are its differentiated form. OM expresses the relationship between the individual jivatma (Divine Spirit in man) and Paramatma (Divine Spirit in the Universe) and is the mantra of Ishvara. Just as our universe was created by uttering the sacred sound “Om,” so by uttering the three Mahavyahritis, the three lower worlds or planes of existence (physical, astral and mental) were created. This whole combination as a whole has a sacred character, since these words represent the bija mantras and the deities that control them, respectively: Ishvara, Agni, Vayu and Aditya, which is what is said in the viniyoga mantra. This four-word expression is uttered by every Brahmin at the beginning of prayer and is equivalent to an expression of greeting and adoration before the Supreme Reality. By pronouncing these sacred words, the reader of the mantra, as it were, mentally connects with the Creator (Om) and the entire Creation (the three worlds in which the Soul goes through a cycle of incarnations) and bows before Them.
In the second part, the person reading the mantra, remembering that the highest goal of any human aspiration is God (Ishvara), concentrates on His boundless Greatness, Glory and Power and mentally connects with Him. At the same time, he imagines how through the Radiant Light of the Sun (through his Shakti) the Grace of this Supreme Being flows onto him.
Here it is important to pay attention to the word “dhimahi”, which is in the plural - “meditate”. It indicates that the sadhaka cares not only about his own well-being and does not pursue purely selfish goals, but performs the practice as if on behalf of all living beings. This word can be translated in two ways: as “let us meditate” and as “we meditate.” In the first case, the sentence has the meaning of a wish and becomes a prayer. In the second case it is an affirmation and expresses the determination of the sadhaka to come into contact with the Supreme Being, which is more in keeping with the meaning of this part understood in the sense of meditation.
The third part of the mantra represents the actual prayer or request-wish, in which the utterer asks Ishvara to grant him enlightenment, awakening his Divine nature through the illumination of his mind (buddhi). As in the second part, in this sentence the word “prachodayat” has a double interpretation: as “He (who) illuminates our mind!” and how “May He illuminate our minds!” In view of the above (since this is more in line with the spirit of prayer), the second option is more acceptable. The word “dhiyas” (according to the rules of merging sounds, changed to “dhiyo”) is also in the plural and, literally meaning “our minds,” indicates that the sadhaka prays to God for mercy not only for himself, but for all people.
By the way, both this Main mantra-prayer of Hinduism and another daily repeated prayer for universal happiness; "Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu! Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu!", which means "May all beings in all worlds be happy!" (along with vegetarianism and true religious tolerance) characterize Hinduism as a highly altruistic world religion. Sri Sathya Sai Baba says that this is the highest religion, which includes all others (see Sathya Sai Vahini).
The symbolism of the trinity and trinity of the mantra can be traced at several levels. Consisting of three sounds (A-U-M), the sacred syllable OM, three Mahavyahriti and three parts of the mantra correlate both with each other and with other sacred triads: the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva-Maheshvara), three Gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas), three periods of time (past, present, future), three phases of Pranayama (inhalation, retention, exhalation), three states of consciousness (jagrat, swapna, sushupti), three Bodies (sthula-, sukshma- and karana-sharira ), three aspects of the Shastras (tantra, mantra and yantra), three sacred Fires (garhapatya, dakshina, ahavaniya), etc.
In many cases, the trinity that dominates the manifested level of Creation presupposes and points to a fourth, more essential, unmanifested aspect (torment - the inaudible sound of silence as a continuation of the sound of OM; Ishvara, uniting the Hindu Trinity; turiya - the fourth state of consciousness, superior to all others, etc. .d.; here is Gayatri herself as the fourth - the synthesizing power of the three Shaktis).
Another very important aspect of the trinity with which Gayatri is associated are the three sandhyas, i.e. three transitional periods of time of day (dawn, noon, sunset), symbolizing transitional states.
Morning sandhya correlates on the one hand with the main name of the goddess - Gayatri, and on the other - with Shakti Brahma (Brahmani), as well as with the Rig Veda. Midday sandhya is associated with the name Savitri and with Shakti Vishnu (Vaishnavi), as well as with Yajur Veda. Evening sandhya is associated with the name Saraswati and with the Shakti of Rudra (Rudrani), as well as with the Sama Veda. Moreover, these three sandhyas, due to the essential nature of Gayatri, themselves symbolize the fourth - the transitional state. Transitional states (between sleep and wakefulness, life and death, the gap between two thoughts, the moment of change in the action of energies - tattvas, etc.) are very important for spiritual practice. This is the visible nothing from which everything is born. It is no coincidence that Sai Baba advises meditating on the state between sleep and wakefulness. Knowing the nature of these states is equivalent to knowing the nature of Brahman. Gayatri Mantra controls these transitional states and that is why it can lead to enlightenment, that is, the transition from ignorance to full knowledge.
Before starting the practice of japa, you must first memorize the mantra (with the correct intonation and pronunciation), understand the meaning of each word in it, as well as its meaning as a whole.
The spiritual development that each of us strives for is impossible without the initial cleansing of consciousness, thoughts and body from all negativity. Before filling the vessel with a new and clean one, it is necessary to empty the contents from it and wash it clean. The Gayatri mantra will help in cleansing the soul.
Mantras have long been considered the most powerful prayers and appeals, but unlike prayers, mantras require clear and repeated repetition. Changing even one sound does not give the results expected from reading the mantra. A mantra is a direct contact, a connection with the beyond, with the deity to whom the text of the “spell” is addressed. There are thousands of mantras for achieving important goals and solving painful problems. The main thing is faith in the deity to whom you turn through the mantra, concentration of the mind, peace and tranquility. And again - a clear repetition of sounds, words or syllables of the mantra, loudly and with expression. Subtle sound frequencies along with a pronounced vibration of the voice during pronunciation - all this, combined with concentration, achieves that very desired connection with the deity.
The strongest and most important of the Vedic mantras, possessing enormous power, is the Gayatri mantra. She came into the world in honor of the god Savitar. There is also an opinion that the goddess Gayatri is the embodiment of this prayer vibration.
The text of the Gayatri mantra begins with the sound combination OM (AUM). A mystical phrase that opens the entrance to the Absolute, to the All-Encompassing. The text of the mantra is written in the Devanagari language, considered the proto-language of all earthlings. The original text of the Gayatri mantra has been preserved to this day in the oldest sacred scripture of mankind - in the Vedas. In general, Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas.
Indian Brahmins, all devout Hindus begin each day early in the morning at dawn with the Gayatri mantra. It can give a person many benefits, from deep cleansing to filling with unprecedented wisdom. Daily repetition of the mantra “pulls out” all the “dirt” and all the “garbage” from the soul and body. Mantra has a powerful purifying power. The body becomes light as a cloud, like feathers. The soul leaves the ground and flies upward, moving forward towards the sun, light, all-encompassing warmth and kindness. The Gayatri mantra cleanses karma, bleaches it clean, and on this blank canvas you can write whatever you want, reaching the highest level of interaction with the Universe. Gayatri endows the purified Mind, Consciousness and Subconscious with universal wisdom, harmony and perfection. Protects the soul from external and internal negativity, and leads to salvation. The power of the Gayatri mantra is so great that it eliminates damage and the evil eye, resets karma and cleanses from sins. The result will be spiritual enlightenment, a revival of intuition and the ability to see the truth.
In general, Gayatri has 3 different meanings and 3 names. They all live in us.
Gayatri is the ruler of the sensory sphere,
Savitri - the lord of vital energy (means Truth),
Saraswati is the lord of speech.
That is, by reading the Gayatri mantra, a person purifies his verbal flows, thoughts and deeds, he brings all three semantic components to harmony and interaction.
“OM BHUR BHUVA SUVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT.”
This sound formula is conditionally divided into 3 parts, the first of which consists of “OM” (vibrating sound, entry into the Absolute, into the Universe), as well as three words-mantras. These are “BHUR BHUVA SUVAHA”, denoting the physical, astral and mental worlds. This phrase also means the three deities who are responsible for these worlds. In general, the first four words of the mantra are pronounced by every brahman at the beginning of the prayer, thus bowing before the Divine reality.
The second part of the mantra - TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI - focuses the conscious gaze of the reader on God Ishvara, on his limitless power. Through the mental connection between the worshiper and Ishvara, the one who pronounces this formula feels the Grace of the Divine. The emphasis is on the word "dhimahi", used here in the plural and translated as "meditate". It means that the person asking cares not only about his own welfare, but prays on behalf of all living things on Earth.
DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT is the final part of the Gayatri prayer, which conveys the request-prayer to Ishvara. It contains a request to endow the reader with enlightenment, divine intuition (buddhi), and illumination of the mind. And again, “dhiyas” sounds like “our minds,” that is, the plural is used, which once again emphasizes the concern of the person asking for all living things, and not just for himself.
Due to the fact that the Vedas, as well as mantras, are written in the Vedic language Sanskrit (an ancient Indian literary language), there are a great many literal and literary translations. In two words, everyone translates as they want. However, all translations are the same in essence, although this should not affect the reading or chanting of the mantra. After all, the main thing is the thorough repetition of each sound of the mantra.
The Gayatri mantra, the meaning of which can vary, says that the all-pervading divine truth will touch the soul and consciousness during meditation. The person reciting the mantra asks the deity to send upon him the light of perfect wisdom.
Application of the mantra
First you need to choose a secluded, quiet place where you will not be distracted. Sit with a straight back facing the East or North. Relax your body, let go of absolutely all thoughts, start visualizing. Imagine that you see the Sun right in front of you, at chest level, and start reading. You can do it out loud and loudly, you can do it in a whisper or mentally. The last option is considered the most effective, but at the same time the most difficult. It is not easy to concentrate on reciting a mantra if you do not hear its sounds. So for starters, it’s better to read loudly and clearly.
Put love and faith in the deity into your words, this way the power of thought and conversion will work more effectively and quickly. After all, if you don’t believe, then there is no point in asking something from someone whose existence you are not even sure of. If you believe, but love is not enough, think about what you are grateful for in your life. You can include gratitude along with faith in the text of the mantra. Love will come later, at the next stage of spiritual development, when you feel positive changes in yourself and in your life.
The best time to chant or read the Gayatri mantra is Sandhya Kaalam - (the time before dawn, after sunset, as well as noon. . At these moments, the meeting of four times occurs.
The Gayatri Mantra is used daily and with faith in the heart, preferably five malas (circles). Each mal is 108 repetitions of the mantra, one circle. There are rosaries consisting of one hundred and eight stones or beads, just for counting one mal of reading or chant. If you are persistent in your desire to achieve purification and enlightenment, chant Gayatri for ten malas, which is about two and a half hours. The maximum result is continuous reading for forty days, ten malas in the morning, afternoon and evening. In addition, it is worth repeating the mantra 9 or 18 times before eating and bathing or showering. It would be a good idea to moderate your food intake and increase cleanliness.
Medicine or physical exercise only affects the skin, the tip of the iceberg, and does not help for a long time. The root cause, the root of any imbalance or disease is within us. Therefore, the poet should always take care of the purity of the inner, spiritual body. A clean energy field always attracts positive energy. By reading mantras daily, cleansing yourself, saturating yourself with Universal harmony and wisdom, you will certainly lead your life to success.
The practice of meditation and recitation of mantras is gaining more and more popularity around the world. Mantras are sacred texts (special words) in Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. Reading these texts allows the meditator to heal his physical body from illnesses, clear his mind of negative thoughts, connect with his spirituality, and gain wisdom.
Mantras help heal the soul and body
The Gayatri mantra is one of the most powerful and famous among all existing Vedic mantras.
It is included in the scriptures of Hinduism in the ancient literary language of India (Sanskrit). These scriptures are called Vedas. Mentions of the Gayatri Mantra also appear in Hindu religious texts such as:
Hindus believe that the Gayatri mantra is an invocation of the deity Savitar because his name is mentioned in the text. In Vedic mythology, Savitar is the sun god. After his name, the mantra is often called Savitari. But there is also an opinion that the embodiment of the mantra is the Hindu goddess Gayatri - one of the wives of the god of creation Brahma.
The mantra consists of 24 syllables taken from the collection of religious hymns of the Rig Veda. The poetic size of the sacred text has the same name Gayatri and, according to the canons, consists of three lines of eight syllables.
Since ancient times, the structure of Indian society was built on classes. There were four classes or so-called varnas: three higher varnas (brahmana priests, kshatriya rulers and warriors, vaishya artisans) and one lower varna of servants - shudras. For a long period in Indian history, the chanting of the Gayatri mantra was part of Upanayana. Upanayana is the ceremony of initiation of a young man from the highest varnas into adulthood and the study of the Vedas. However, after a while, chanting of sacred texts became possible for women and representatives of the lower varna. In the modern world, anyone can read mantras, regardless of age, gender and faith.
The highest goal of chanting the Gayatri Mantra is to purify one’s consciousness, liberation from attachment to material things.
Gayatri Mantra in Sanskrit
The emergence of the sacred song Gayatri is associated with the name of one of the Vedic sages Vishvamitra. He is one of the seven greatest rishis - sages to whom the gods revealed the Vedic hymns.
The ancient Indian texts of the Puranas, which describe the history of the world from creation to extinction, say that throughout all time only 24 sages were able to understand the meaning of the Gayatri mantra and use all its power.
With the help of the power gained through faith and the Gayatri mantra, Rishi Vishwamitra could create a double copy of our universe and subjugate any weapon.
Before the beginning of the main mantra comes the sacred syllable Om, which in the Hindu and Vedic canons is the “word of power.” It is followed by the formula maha-vyahriti, which sounds like Bhur Bhuvah Svaha and is a sublime address to the earth, air and heaven.
The original text of the Gayatri mantra is as follows:
Transcription in Cyrillic:
Literal translation of individual parts of the mantra and their meaning:
Since the ancient language Sanskrit has a very complex synthetic grammar, there are different translations of what the text of the Gayatri mantra means. Here are some possible meanings of the mantra:
Hindus consider the Gayatri Mantra to be universal and perfect. Its text contains enormous spiritual power. What can this mantra do:
Anyone can meditate. There are no rules limiting or prohibiting meditation. It can be practiced at any time of the day in any convenient place. But to improve the effect, there are a number of recommendations that are practiced by Hindus and Buddhists who have dedicated themselves and their lives to communication with the Divine.
A rosary with 108 beads is used for meditation.
The use of such a spiritual attribute as rosary comes from ancient Indian culture. When pronouncing the mantra, you need to move one bead in your hand after each repetition of the sacred text. Thus, reciting a mantra 108 times is one round of meditation. An exception is the Meru bead, which is used to connect rosaries. Usually it is much larger than the others and is not taken into account when iterating over them.
Buddhists and Hindus consider the number 108 sacred, as it has a number of spiritual meanings. For example:
Depending on the material and the specifics of the religion, there are a large number of varieties of rosary beads for meditation. The most popular of them are Vaishnava beads made in Thulas or Nima (the preferred material is sandalwood, juniper, etc.) and Shiva beads made from rudraksha seeds. There are rosary beads made from human or animal bones.
In the modern world, there is a technical analogy to the classic rosary made of beads - electronic rosary or, as they are also called, an electronic counter.
This is a small device that fits on your finger. Electronic rosary beads have a display showing the number of prayers said, a button for counting them, and a button for resetting them.
Particular importance during meditation is given to body position, because the circulation of energy in the body depends on it. Thanks to the harmonious distribution of tension throughout the body, you can learn to manage the energies within it.
There are many asanas, that is, positions, in meditation, but there is a set of rules that should be followed when choosing any of the asanas:
The main and most powerful asana is Siddhasana. Hindus believe that those who have mastered this asana ideally do not need to study the other tens of thousands of asanas. The legs are crossed so that the genitals are between the feet. This is an example of a perfect body position during meditation.
The second most popular is the Lotus pose or Padmasana, during which the feet are placed on opposite thighs. Performing this pose in the first stages may cause discomfort, especially if the stretching is poor, but the pain goes away after some time after starting the practice.
The third asana is Virasana. Translated from Sanskrit it sounds “like a hero’s pose.” This position consists of a person sitting on his knees and spreading his feet slightly, lowering his buttocks between them.
For each of these asanas there is a so-called lightweight version for beginners to practice meditation. For example, Half Lotus Pose or Ardha Padmasana, in which only one leg is placed on the opposite thigh, while the other remains on the floor. Or a simplified version of Virasana - Vajrasana, during which a person sits with his buttocks on his heels.
Padmasana - lotus pose
Since Gayatri is the most famous mantra, it has been performed many times by both spiritual leaders and musicians.
In Hindu philosophy there is such a thing as Avatara - this is the name given to the deity who descended to earth in human form. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is considered the avatar of our time. He died in 2011, and many people from all over the world come to his ashrams to learn the teachings of the religious leader and miracle worker.
Another of the greatest performances of the Gayatri Mantra belongs to the German singer Jolanthe Fries, known under the pseudonym Deva Premal. The peculiarity of Iolanta’s work lies in the combination of traditional meditative and modern music.
In the nineties, the girl lived in the Osho Ashram, studying reflexology and massage. There she met a famous British singer named Andy Mithen. She began singing at his concerts at ashrams as a backing vocalist, and after performing the Gayatri Mantra, she felt that she had enough strength to start her own musical career. Thanks to the Gayatri mantra, the extraordinary music of Deva Premal was born, which instills love for Hindu culture.
Gayatri Mantra is a universal Vedic mantra that has great spiritual power and has gained popularity outside of India. It is an appeal to the solar deity. For best effect, it is recommended to repeat this mantra every day.
Gayatri is a universal mantra preserved in the Vedas. Veda means knowledge and this mantra promotes and increases the power to promote knowledge.
The Gayatri mantra first appeared in the Rigveda, an early Vedic text written between 1800 and 1500 BC. It is also mentioned as an important ritual in the Bhagavad Gita.
This mantra is dedicated to Savitur - the sun god. The sun is both physical and spiritual, it illuminates the path for people and gives harmony with the world.
Gayatri is the Mother of all the Holy Vedas (Gayatri Chandhasam matha), she has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati. Gayatri personifies feelings and is the mistress of feelings. Savitri personifies truth and is the mistress of Prana (Life Force). Saraswati is responsible for speech (waak). These three goddesses represent purity in thoughts, words and deeds, and are present in each of us.
Gayatri is present wherever her name is chanted. She is very strong. To those who worship her, she bestows pure thoughts and directs feelings in the right direction.
It is extremely important to repeat the Gayatri mantra three times: when you wake up, at lunch and when you go to bed. This will help reduce the consequences of the wrong actions that we commit every day. You can chant the Gayatri mantra while bathing. At the end of the mantra, repeat Om Shanti three times, this way you will invite peace into your body, mind and soul.
Om bhur bhuvah matchmaker
Tat savitur jams
Bargo devasya dimahi
Diyo yo nah prachodayat
Om shanti, shanti, shanti.
We meditate on the radiance of the Creator,
Who created the Universe,
Who is worthy of glorification,
Which embodies Knowledge and Light,
Who removes all sins and ignorance,
Correct execution of mantras opens up endless possibilities for people. The ancient Indian prayers contain the secret of true nature and the secret of merging with the divine energy of the Creator of the Universe.
In this article
The word "mantra" means purification of the mind, and "Gayatri" means salvation of the soul. Reading the sacred text compiled by the ancient sages helps to break out of the cage of the material world and realize the highest goal in life.
Pronouncing the Gayatri mantra will give many spiritual and physical benefits to a person:
The potential of Gayatri's cleansing power is enormous. Repeating the sacred text will clear the reader’s karma of negativity and rid the soul of damage and the evil eye. In ancient times, it was believed that repeated repetition of the mantra would snatch a person from the endless series of rebirths - the wheel of Samsara.
In Sanskrit:
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं । भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि । धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
In Latin:
Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayaat
In Russian:
OM BHUR BHUVAH SVAHA TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM BHARGO DEVASYA DHIMAHI DHIYO YO NAH PRACHODAYAT
Literary translation:
“Oh, Almighty, Creator of the Universe, Giver of life, Eliminator of pain and suffering and Giver of happiness! You are the highest Light, destroying sins. We meditate on You so that You may inspire, enlighten and lead our mind in the right direction!”
Gayatri is one of the names of the goddess Savitri, the mother of the four Vedas. The sacred text consists of three parts: conversion, meditation and prayer.
In the past, the mantra belonged to the chosen caste - the brahmins. Other castes were prohibited from performing Gayatri. Now prayer is available to men and women regardless of country, religion and age.
Deva Premal performs the Gayatri mantra:
Reading a mantra does not imply adherence to strict rules, as is customary in other religions when performing rituals. To fully realize the power of words, try to pronounce the sacred text consciously.
It's okay if you pronounce words incorrectly or make mistakes with intonation. In this case, good consequences will occur, but will be weaker.
Don't forget the main rule: The Gayatri mantra will only be beneficial if the practitioner believes in its miraculous power.
To read Gayatri, choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Circumstances and surroundings are not important. Try to concentrate. Imagine that a sunny flower is blooming in your chest, in the center of which place the image of the goddess.
Goddess Gayatri - mother of all Vedas
Keep your back straight and breathe slowly. When your heartbeat slows down, start reciting the mantra. It is allowed to pronounce the sacred text silently, out loud and in a whisper. Mindful reading aloud is considered to be a complex practice. Because the mind will constantly be distracted by the correct pronunciation.
When you bring reading to automaticity, the restless mind will focus on the vibrations from sounds. This will have a greater effect than reading a prayer silently.
Don’t forget to put love for the Creator into your words. This way the effect of the mantra will increase many times over. If you don’t feel love in your soul, put all the gratitude you find in yourself into fulfillment.
If this feeling is alien to you, focus on the sounds. Repeat the words carefully, listening to your voice. Realize that reading a sacred text is an appeal to God. Love and gratitude will come to you in the next stage of spiritual practice.
Use paraphernalia
You will achieve the best results by repeating the mantra 108 times (one circle of malas). Concentrate on the desire you want to make come true. The potential of prayer will be revealed if you make many mala circles.
The sacred text is spoken daily by thousands of people, putting faith in a miracle into the words. The Divine Gayatri Mantra is considered the most powerful Vedic prayer.
Reading the sacred text gives people:
Gayatri conveys the essence of the Vedas. She reveals the divine principle. People forget this when they become too attached to the physical body.
Man is part of the Universe
The mantra teaches that man is a combination of body, mind and spirit. All people are created in the image of the Universe and carry a piece of the energy of the Cosmos in their souls. The sacred text of Gayatri contains a request to the Creator to purify the Mind in order to comprehend the Truth.
The second most powerful prayer is the Sai Gayatri mantra, dedicated to the Indian Guru - Sai Baba. The miracle worker created a text that will lead humanity to complete liberation - moksha.
Sai Baba is recognized as the incarnation of God in Hinduism. The life of the saint is full of spiritual deeds and perfect miracles. During his life, the saint preached asceticism and self-restraint. He was consciously reborn more than once. Even death did not stop the Guru in his desire to bring wisdom to people.
Om Saiisvaraya Vidmahe
Satya Devaya Dhimahi
Tan Nah Sarwah Prachodayat
Records of the chanting of mantras to saints have been preserved. Pay attention to the performance of the Gayatri mantra. The Great Guru conveyed the correct sound and rhythm of the sacred text. The sacred meaning of the ancient prayer is fully revealed when performed by the saint.
Recording of Sai Gayatri:
In the pantheon of Hindu gods, Dhanvantari is known as a healing god who helps people and deities. Dhanvantari is the patron of medicine and the creator of Ayurveda: the philosophy of healthy living and proper nutrition.
Dhanvantari - avatar of Vishnu
Prayer to the healer god:
Basic mantra appeal:
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE DHANVANTARAYE SVAHA
In Russian, the full text of this mantra is as follows:
AUM SHANKHAM CHAKRAM JALAUKAM DADHAD AMRITA GHATAM CHARU DORBHIH CHATURBHIH SUKSHMA SWACCHHATIHRIDAYAMSHUKA PARIVILASAN MAULIM AMBHOJA NETRAM KALAMB BHODOJJVALANGAM KATI TATA VILASACH CHARU PITAMBARADYAM V ANDE DHANVANTARIM TAM NIKHILA GADA VANA PRAUDHA DAVAGNI LILAM
Literary translation:
Salutation to Dhanvantari, who in his four hands holds a conch shell, a chakra, a leech and a vessel of amrita; in whose heart the subtlest, purest, blissful light shines. This light shines around his head and also around his lotus eyes; who, with one play, destroys all diseases, like a big forest fire.
Ayurveda says that reciting a mantra enhances the effect of medicinal plants and imparts healing properties to water. Daily appeal to Dhanvantari develops the abilities of a healer in a person. If you read the prayer 108 times over a long period of time, you will learn to heal people with the touch of your hand.
In addition to enhancing psychic abilities, prayer protects against the evil eye and disease. The vibrations of the sacred words will create an energetic cocoon in which the worshiper is protected from the destructive manifestations of negative energy.
Based on the powerful Gayatri mantra, ancient scientists created prayers that were addressed to various gods.
Ganesha Gayatri. Reading a mantra gives you the strength to overcome obstacles and achieve success in business.
Om Ekadantaya Vidmahe, Vakratundaya Dhimahi Tanno Buddhih Prachodayat
Sri Gayatri. The ancient text heals diseases of the soul and body. Reading a mantra fills the world around you with harmony.
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Sei So Hang
Beautiful performance of Sri Gayatri:
Gayatri Surya. The words of the sacred text fill a person with solar energy and cure specific diseases of the body.
Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Divakaraya Dhimahi Tanno Suryah Prachodayat
Video performance of the Gayatri Surya mantra:
Agni Gayatri. Saturates the subtle body with the energy of Fire.
Om Mahajvalaya Vidmahe, Agnidevaya Dhimahi Tanno Agnih Prachodayat
Execution:
Gayatri Annapurna. He asks the Creator to endow the earth with fertility and send an abundant harvest.
Om Bhagavati Chha Vidmahi Maheshwari Chha Dhimahi Thano Annapurna Prachodayat
Execution:
Gayatri mantra is a treasure that people have no right to lose. Try to pray daily with a pure heart and soon you will feel harmony in your soul. The protection that the sacred text gives comes from the source of Life and has enormous power.
Reading sacred texts is the path to Enlightenment
By practicing the mantra, you will learn the basics of chanting Indian prayers and improve the quality of your own life. The ultimate goal of performing sacred texts is to gain Enlightenment through turning to the Higher Mind.
Performance of Gayatri from our YouTube channel:
