Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः । तत्स॑वि॒तुर्वरेण्यं॒ भर्गो॑ दे॒వस्य॑ धीमहि । धियो॒ यो नः॑ प्रचो॒दया॑त् ॥
Om bhur bhuvaḥ swaḥ, tat-savitur vareñyaṃ, bhargo devasya dhīmahi, dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt.
The Mantra and Its Meaning
The Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer enshrined in the Vedas. It is addressed to the Immanent and Transcendent Divine which has been given the name 'Savita,' meaning 'that from which all this is born.'
- Om: The primeval sound.
- Bhur: The physical world.
- Bhuvaḥ: The mental world.
- Swaḥ: The celestial, spiritual world.
- Tat: That; the transcendent Paramatma.
- Savitur: The source of all, the Sun deity.
- Vareñyaṃ: Worthy of adoration, supreme.
- Bhargo: The divine light, the destroyer of sins.
- Devasya: Of the divine reality.
- Dhīmahi: We meditate.
- Dhiyo: Intellect, understanding.
- Yo: Who.
- Naḥ: Our.
- Prachodayāt: May He enlighten, inspire.
Full Meaning: We meditate on the glory of that Being who has produced this universe; may He enlighten our minds.
Deity and Origin
The mantra is dedicated to Savitr, a solar deity in the Vedas. It is one of the most well-known and revered mantras in Hinduism, attributed to the sage Vishvamitra. It is found in the Rigveda (Mandala 3.62.10).
Story Behind the Mantra
Sage Vishvamitra is said to have created the Gayatri Mantra to enable all people, not just the priestly class, to access the divine wisdom of the Vedas. He wanted a simple yet powerful verse that could bestow enlightenment upon anyone who chants it with devotion. The mantra is believed to encapsulate the essence of all Vedic teachings.
Who Should Chant This Mantra?
Traditionally, the Gayatri Mantra was taught during the Upanayana ceremony to young Brahmin boys. However, in modern times, it is widely accepted that anyone, regardless of caste, gender, or creed, can chant this mantra. The only prerequisite is a clean body and a pure, sincere heart. It is a universal prayer for wisdom and enlightenment.
How and When to Chant
- Time: The most auspicious times to chant are during the three sandhyas: sunrise, noon, and sunset.
- Preparation: It is recommended to take a bath or wash one's hands and face before chanting.
- Posture: Sit in a comfortable and stable posture, such as Padmasana (lotus pose) or Sukhasana (easy pose), with a straight spine. Face East in the morning and West in the evening.
- Method: Chant the mantra clearly and with correct pronunciation. It is often chanted in sets of 108, using a 'japa mala' (rosary) to keep count. The chanting can be done silently (Manasika), in a whisper (Upamshu), or audibly (Vaikhari).
Benefits and Advantages
- Intellectual Enlightenment: Its primary purpose is to sharpen the intellect and illuminate the mind with wisdom.
- Spiritual Growth: Regular chanting purifies the chanter's thoughts, words, and deeds, leading to spiritual upliftment.
- Removal of Obstacles: It is believed to destroy ignorance and remove obstacles from one's spiritual and material path.
- Health and Well-being: The vibrations produced by the mantra are said to have a calming effect on the nervous system, promoting physical and mental health.
- No Disadvantages: There are no known disadvantages to chanting this mantra. It is a purely positive and benevolent prayer. Its power lies in its intention for universal enlightenment.