IT is not uncommon to find people who just ignore 'mantras' assuming that they are of no use. While it is also not uncommon to find people who truly accept 'Gayatri Mantra' as the most powerful amongst all mantras. This ancient mantra is widely acknowledged and becoming increasingly popular day by day. And yet, there is no wonder if there exists any one who never heard about it. This article is therefore an attempt to inform the 'unknown' and remind the 'known' about the importance of the mantra.
Literally, 'Gayatri' means 'Adi shakti (the prime force)' and 'Mantra (= manan + trAna)' means a source of awakening and liberation of mind. Therefore, it has an intimate relationship between psychology and spirituality [Ref 1]. This 24-lettered unique compilation is believed to be the first mantra since the origin of time and creation of the universe. It is also said that Brahma conceived this mantra before he created the world [Ref 2].
Spiritually, it is stated that those 24 letters correspond to 24 powers of 'Adi shakti', which awaken certain qualities in a person with the help of which one can attain success and prosperity i.e. 'sidhdhi' (The reader can go through Ref 2 for information of all those 24 qualities). It is said that it has potential to liberate one from cycle of endless births and rebirths. Interestingly, the science today also derives certain advantage. It says that any sound that comes out from mouth is the outcome of the interaction of the various organs such as wind-pipe, teeth, lips, etc. As different organs of the body are interconnected, the effect of vibrations that is produced by chanting this mantra (sounds) is transferred to different parts of the body and thus result in releasing the stress from the body. As stress is the main cause for many diseases, chanting would definitely cure the disorders. And because Gayatri mantra has as many as 24 different sounds, it is very effecient and hence became more prominent than other mantras [Ref 2].
Such a mantra is definitely worth knowing. The sanskrit version is shown in the photograph [Ref 2] and is transliterated in English along with its meaning below. In fact several versions exist on its meaning, however all broadly mean the same. The version presented below is taken from [Ref 3]. (The mantra is divided into 14 words in the English transliteration for sake of clarity)
'Om-Bhuh-Bhuvaha-Svah-Tat-Savitur-Varenium-Bhargo-Devasya-Dheemahi-Dhiyo-Yo-Nah-Prachodayat'
1. Om = the word that means 'GOD' - 'the Universe Absolute'.
* Actually, this word has three sounds A.. U.. M.. meaning waking, dreaming, sleeping respectively. It is the sum and substance of all words that emanate from the throat.
2. Bhu = the earth
3. Bhuva = the atmosphere
4 .Svah = beyond the atmosphere
* By chanting these three words, a person contemplates the glory of God that illumines the three worlds or the regions of experience
5. Tat = which simply means 'that'
6. Savitur = Divine sun i.e., the ultimate light of wisdom (not the ordinary sun)
7. Varenium = adore
8. Bhargo = illumination
9. Devasya = divine grace
10. Dheemahi = we contemplate
11. Dhiyo = intellect
12. Yo = who
13. Nah = ours
14. Prachodayat = requesting or praying
* The rest of the words constitute the prayer for final liberation through the awakening of our true intelligence.
* * * * * * * * *
Much more information can be found in the following web pages.
[Ref 1] http://www.awgp.org/English/Literature/Vangamay/gayatri_vangamay14.htm
[Ref 2] http://www.godpromise.com/gmantra.html
[Ref 3] http://hinduism.about.com/library/weekly/aa061003b.htm
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